| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Symposium by Xenophon: leisure, you can see, is mine, which leaves me free to contemplate
things worthy of contemplation,[66] and to drink in with my ears all
charming sounds. And what I value most, freedom to spend whole days in
pure scholastic intercourse[67] with Socrates, to whom I am
devoted.[68] And he, on his side, is not the person to admire those
whose tale of gold and silver happens to be the largest, but those who
are well-pleasing to him he chooses for companions, and will consort
with to the end.
[65] See Eur. "Ion," 601. Lit. "at every moment I command it."
[66] "To gaze upon all fairest shows (like a spectator in the
theatre), and to drink in sounds most delectable." So Walt
The Symposium |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: is no argument between us and you. God will assemble us together and
unto Him the journey is.'
But those who argue about God after it has been assented to, their
arguments shall be rebutted before their Lord; and upon them shall
be wrath, and for them shall be keen torment.
God it is who has sent down the Book with truth, and the balance;
and what shall make thee know whether haply the Hour be nigh? Those
who believe not would hurry it on; and those who believe shrink with
terror at it and know that it is true. Ay, verily, those who dispute
concerning the Hour are in remote error!
God is kind to His servants; He provides whom He will, and He is the
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: away early, to attend a public meeting at Millcote, as Mrs. Fairfax
informed me; but the night being wet and inclement, Mr. Rochester
did not accompany them. Soon after they were gone he rang the bell:
a message came that I and Adele were to go downstairs. I brushed
Adele's hair and made her neat, and having ascertained that I was
myself in my usual Quaker trim, where there was nothing to retouch--
all being too close and plain, braided locks included, to admit of
disarrangement--we descended, Adele wondering whether the petit
coffre was at length come; for, owing to some mistake, its arrival
had hitherto been delayed. She was gratified: there it stood, a
little carton, on the table when we entered the dining-room. She
Jane Eyre |
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 Young Forester by Zane Grey: "Indeed, yes, sir."
"Well, I'll try to locate him, and offer him a job in the service. Now, Mr.
Ward, you've had special opportunities; you have an eye in your head, and
you are interested in forestry. Perhaps you can help us. Personally I shall
be most pleased to hear what you think might be done in Penetier."
I gasped and stared, and could scarcely believe my ears. But he was not
joking; he was as serious as if he had addressed himself to one of his
officers. I looked at them all, standing interested and expectant. Dick was
as grave and erect as a deacon. Jim seemed much impressed. But old Hiram
Bent, standing somewhat back of the others, deliberately winked at me.
But for that wink I never could have seized my opportunity. It made me
The Young Forester |
