| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Daughter of Eve by Honore de Balzac: pay for the triumphs of the last month in solid cash, and bespeak
those of the month ahead. In the days of Saint-Genest, the canonized
comedian who fulfilled his duties in a pious manner and wore a hair
shirt, we must suppose that an actor's life did not demand this
incessant activity. Sometimes Florine, seized with a bourgeois desire
to get out into the country and gather flowers, pretends to the
manager that she is ill.
But even these mechanical operations are nothing in comparison with
the intrigues to be carried on, the pains of wounded vanity to be
endured,--preferences shown by authors, parts taken away or given to
others, exactions of the male actors, spite of rivals, naggings of the
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Lost Princess of Oz by L. Frank Baum: question of watching him and looking after him. Any boy who causes
his friends so much worry isn't worth having around. I never get
lost."
"If you did," said Toto, "no one would worry a bit. I think
Button-Bright is a very lucky boy because he always gets found."
"See here," said the Lion, "this chatter is keeping us all awake, and
tomorrow is likely to be a busy day. Go to sleep and forget your
quarrels."
"Friend Lion," retorted the dog, "if I hadn't lost my growl, you would
hear it now. I have as much right to talk as you have to sleep."
The Lion sighed.
The Lost Princess of Oz |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Reason Discourse by Rene Descartes: principles it taught me, I never thought myself bound to publish anything
respecting it. For in what regards manners, every one is so full of his
own wisdom, that there might be found as many reformers as heads, if any
were allowed to take upon themselves the task of mending them, except
those whom God has constituted the supreme rulers of his people or to whom
he has given sufficient grace and zeal to be prophets; and although my
speculations greatly pleased myself, I believed that others had theirs,
which perhaps pleased them still more. But as soon as I had acquired some
general notions respecting physics, and beginning to make trial of them in
various particular difficulties, had observed how far they can carry us,
and how much they differ from the principles that have been employed up to
Reason Discourse |
The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from Pagan and Christian Creeds by Edward Carpenter: break-up of the body. It meant loss of tribal harmony and
nature-adjustment. It meant instead of unity a myriad
conflicting centres; it meant alienation from the spirit
of the tribe, the separation of man from man, discord,
recrimination, and the fatal unfolding of the sense of sin.
The process symbolized itself in the legend of the Fall. Man
ate of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Sometimes people wonder why knowledge of any kind
--and especially the knowledge of good and evil--should
have brought a curse. But the reason is obvious. Into,
the placid and harmonious life of the animal and human
Pagan and Christian Creeds |
