| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: were spoiled with no good to any one. Worst of all, the energy
expended on this work was not simply wasted. He could not help
feeling now, since the meaning of this system had become clear to
him, that the aim of his energy was a most unworthy one. In
reality, what was the struggle about? He was struggling for every
farthing of his share (and he could not help it, for he had only
to relax his efforts, and he would not have had the money to pay
his laborers' wages), while they were only struggling to be able
to do their work easily and agreeably, that is to say, as they
were used to doing it. It was for his interests that every
laborer should work as hard as possible, and that while doing so
Anna Karenina |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Moral Emblems by Robert Louis Stevenson: And flattered to the point of death;
And was at last, by that good fairy,
Apprenticed to the Apothecary.
So Ben, while Robin chose to roam,
A rising chemist was at home,
Tended his shop with learned air,
Watered his drugs and oiled his hair,
And gave advice to the unwary,
Like any sleek apothecary.
Meanwhile upon the deep afar
Robin the brave was waging war,
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Ursula by Honore de Balzac: Levrault had chosen for him, having discovered that she told her
patroness everything that happened in his household.
Ursula's nurse, the widow of a poor workman (who possessed no name but
a baptismal one, and who came from Bougival) had lost her last child,
aged six months, just as the doctor, who knew her to be a good and
honest creature, engaged her as wetnurse for Ursula. Antoinette Patris
(her maiden name), widow of Pierre, called Le Bougival, attached
herself naturally to Ursula, as wetmaids do to their nurslings. This
blind maternal affection was accompanied in this instance by household
devotion. Told of the doctor's intention to send away his housekeeper,
La Bougival secretly learned to cook, became neat and handy, and
|
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 Plain Tales from the Hills by Rudyard Kipling: Ethel . . . My brain again! . . Mrs. McIntosh, bear witness that I
give the sahib all these papers. They would be of no use to you,
Heart of my heart; and I lay it upon you," he turned to me here,
"that you do not let my book die in its present form. It is yours
unconditionally--the story of McIntosh Jellaludin, which is NOT the
story of McIntosh Jellaludin, but of a greater man than he, and of a
far greater woman. Listen now! I am neither mad nor drunk! That
book will make you famous."
I said, "thank you," as the native woman put the bundle into my
arms.
"My only baby!" said McIntosh with a smile. He was sinking fast,
|
