| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from My Antonia by Willa Cather: But Ambrosch only said, `It makes no matter.'
Grandfather asked Jelinek whether in the old country there was
some superstition to the effect that a suicide must be buried
at the cross-roads.
Jelinek said he didn't know; he seemed to remember hearing there
had once been such a custom in Bohemia. `Mrs. Shimerda is made
up her mind,' he added. `I try to persuade her, and say it looks
bad for her to all the neighbours; but she say so it must be.
"There I will bury him, if I dig the grave myself," she say.
I have to promise her I help Ambrosch make the grave tomorrow.'
Grandfather smoothed his beard and looked judicial.
My Antonia |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Pathology of Lying, Etc. by William and Mary Healy: 20/40 in each eye, but wears glasses which correct this. Rather
poor color. Complains somewhat of headaches. Marked tremor of
outstretched hands. Moderate amount of choreic movements in arms
and legs, exaggerated when attention distracted. Knee jerks
exaggerated. Conjunctival and palatal reflexes almost absent.
Small regular features. Well shaped head. Said to drink at
least 4 cups of tea a day. Heart sounds negative.
Mentally, she seemed to be fairly normal in ability, but was
undoubtedly in a peculiar psychical condition. She had reached
7th grade in spite of much moving about, even to different
cities. We found evidence of lack of good apperceptive powers
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Little Rivers by Henry van Dyke: And in this sheet of burnished bronze the mountains and islands
were reflected perfectly, and the sun shone back from it, not in
broken gleams or a wide lane of light, but like a single ball of
fire, moving before us as we moved.
But stop! What is that dark speck on the water, away down toward
Turtle Point? It has just the shape and size of a deer's head. It
seems to move steadily out into the lake. There is a little
ripple, like a wake, behind it. Hose turns to look at it, and then
sends the boat darting in that direction with long, swift strokes.
It is a moment of pleasant excitement, and we begin to conjecture
whether the deer is a buck or a doe, and whose hounds have driven
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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 Macbeth by William Shakespeare: Lords. Thankes to your Maiesty
Macb. Our selfe will mingle with Society,
And play the humble Host:
Our Hostesse keepes her State, but in best time
We will require her welcome
La. Pronounce it for me Sir, to all our Friends,
For my heart speakes, they are welcome.
Enter first Murtherer.
Macb. See they encounter thee with their harts thanks
Both sides are euen: heere Ile sit i'th' mid'st,
Be large in mirth, anon wee'l drinke a Measure
Macbeth |
