| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Underground City by Jules Verne: to his great disgust. However, as soon as he was given permission
to sing as much as he liked, he bore his trouble patiently,
and the farm echoed all day with his jovial voice.
But from this adventure he imbibed a more lively sentiment
of fear with regard to brownies and other goblins who amuse
themselves by plaguing mankind, and he made them responsible
for the catastrophe of the Motala. It would have been vain
to try and convince him that the Fire-Maidens did not exist,
and that the flame, so suddenly appearing among the ruins, was but
a natural phenomenon. No reasoning could make him believe it.
His companions were, if possible, more obstinate than he in
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Essays of Francis Bacon by Francis Bacon: health, either of body or mind. Illi mors gravis
incubat, qui notus nimis omnibus, ignotus moritur
sibi. In place, there is license to do good, and evil;
whereof the latter is a curse: for in evil, the best
condition is not to win; the second, not to can. But
power to do good, is the true and lawful end of
aspiring. For good thoughts (though God accept
them) yet, towards men, are little better than good
dreams, except they be put in act; and that cannot
be, without power and place, as the vantage, and
commanding ground. Merit and good works, is
Essays of Francis Bacon |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: the most courteous Robin, the new thief of Sherwood Forest,
was your lover, the earl that has been: I might have guessed
it before, and what led you so much to the woods; but you hunt
no more in such company. No more May games and Gamwell feasts.
My lands and castle would be the forfeit of a few more such pranks;
and I think they are as well in my hands as the king's,
quite as well."
"You know, father," said Matilda, "the condition of keeping me at home:
I get out if I can, and not on parole."
"Ay! ay!" said the baron, "if you can; very true:
watch and ward, Mawd, watch and ward is my word: if you can,
|
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 The Jungle by Upton Sinclair: bartender. "Whatcher take me for, hey?"
Then Jurgis slowly and warily approached him; he took out the
bill, and fumbled it for a moment, while the man stared at him
with hostile eyes across the counter. Then finally he handed it
over.
The other took it, and began to examine it; he smoothed it
between his fingers, and held it up to the light; he turned it
over, and upside down, and edgeways. It was new and rather
stiff, and that made him dubious. Jurgis was watching him like a
cat all the time.
"Humph," he said, finally, and gazed at the stranger, sizing him
|
