| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Stories From the Old Attic by Robert Harris: see," said one of the scientists, with a touch of scorn.
"Believe it because of its effects--the results--the
evidence of its existence," the traveler said. "If it weren't
there, you would see no pictures."
"We know you're lying," another engineer said. "Even if there
were a device in the sky, held up by a balloon or whatever, it
couldn't send a signal down here without a wire. That would be
against everything we know about electricity. And I don't see
any wire."
"Well, it doesn't use a wire," said the traveler. "The
signals are sent through the air. And the satellite isn't
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Margret Howth: A Story of To-day by Rebecca Harding Davis: that lighted up the coarse carpet and the gray walls, but spent
its warmest heat on the low settee where Lois lay sewing, and
singing to herself. She was wrapped up in a shawl, but the
hands, he saw, were worn to skin and bone; the gray shadow was
heavier on her face, and the brooding brown eyes were like a
tired child's. She tried to jump up when she saw him, and not
being able, leaned on one elbow, half-crying as she laughed.
"It's the best Christmas gift of all! I can hardly b'lieve
it!"--touching the strong hand humbly that was held out to her.
Holmes had a gentle touch, I told you, for dogs and children and
women: so, sitting quietly by her, he listened for a long time
Margret Howth: A Story of To-day |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from To-morrow by Joseph Conrad: an informed silence which had an air of knowledge,
expectation and desire.
"It rots the wood," repeated Captain Hagberd.
"It is the only unthrifty, careless habit I know in
you. Why don't you have a clothes line out in your
back yard?"
Miss Carvil would say nothing to this--she only
shook her head negatively. The tiny back yard
on her side had a few stone-bordered little beds of
black earth, in which the simple flowers she found
time to cultivate appeared somehow extravagantly
To-morrow |
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 Under the Andes by Rex Stout: absolutely no sound of any kind.
"Thank Heaven!" Harry breathed, and would have fallen to the
ground if I had not supported him.
We started out then in search of water, moving slowly and
cautiously. But we found none, and soon Harry declared that he
could go no further. We sat down with our backs against the wall
of the passage, still breathing heavily and all but exhausted.
In that darkness and silence the minutes passed into hours.
We talked but little, and then only in whispers. Finally Harry
fell into a restless sleep, if it may be called that, and several
times I dozed off and was awakened by my head nodding against the
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