| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin: and prevail'd with, if possible, to post his troops on the frontiers
for their protection, till, by re-enforcements from the colonies,
he might be able to proceed on the expedition. And, after my return
from the frontier, he would have had me undertake the conduct
of such an expedition with provincial troops, for the reduction
of Fort Duquesne, Dunbar and his men being otherwise employed; and he
proposed to commission me as general. I had not so good an opinion
of my military abilities as he profess'd to have, and I believe his
professions must have exceeded his real sentiments; but probably he
might think that my popularity would facilitate the raising of the men,
and my influence in Assembly, the grant of money to pay them,
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from 'Twixt Land & Sea by Joseph Conrad: for it I didn't dare. There was no time. All at once my strained,
yearning stare distinguished a white object floating within a yard
of the ship's side. White on the black water. A phosphorescent
flash passed under it. What was that thing? . . . I recognised my
own floppy hat. It must have fallen off his head . . . and he
didn't bother.
Now I had what I wanted - the saving mark for my eyes. But I
hardly thought of my other self, now gone from the ship, to be
hidden forever from all friendly faces, to be a fugitive and a
vagabond on the earth, with no brand of the curse on his sane
forehead to stay a slaying hand . . . too proud to explain.
'Twixt Land & Sea |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: before its inspiration is decided for thee; but say, 'O Lord! increase
me in knowledge.'
We did make a covenant with Adam of yore, but he forgot it, and we
found no firm purpose in him.
And when we said to the angels, 'Adore Adam,' they adored, save
Iblis, who refused. And we said, 'O Adam! verily, this is a foe to
thee and to thy wife; never then let him drive you twain forth from
the garden or thou wilt be wretched. Verily, thou hast not to be
hungry there, nor naked! and, verily, thou shalt not thirst therein,
nor feel the noonday heat!'
But the devil whispered to him. Said he, 'O Adam! shall I guide thee
The Koran |
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 God The Invisible King by H. G. Wells: log-roller. He remedies unfavourable accidents, cures petty
ailments, contrives unexpected gifts of medicine, money, or the
like, he averts bankruptcies, arranges profitable transactions, and
does a thousand such services for his little clique of faithful
people. The pious are represented as being constantly delighted by
these little surprises, these bouquets and chocolate boxes from the
divinity. Or contrawise he contrives spiteful turns for those who
fail in their religious attentions. He murders Sabbath-breaking
children, or disorganises the careful business schemes of the
ungodly. He is represented as going Sabbath-breakering on Sunday
morning as a Staffordshire worker goes ratting. Ordinary everyday
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