| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Virginian by Owen Wister: gently.
"Well, we can wait till we get a guaranteed article," said Mr.
Taylor. "And that's what we're going to do. It can't be this
year, and it needn't to be. None of the kids is very old, and the
schoolhouse has got to be built." He now drew a letter from his
pocket, and looked at me. "Are you acquainted with Miss Mary
Stark Wood of Bennington, Vermont?" he inquired.
I was not acquainted with her at this time.
"She's one we are thinking of. She's a correspondent with Mrs.
Balaam." Taylor handed me the letter. "She wrote that to Mrs.
Balaam, and Mrs. Balaam said the best thing was for to let me see
The Virginian |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Outlaw of Torn by Edgar Rice Burroughs: if by waiting he could encompass a more terrible re-
venge.
De Vac had been born in Paris, the son of a French
officer reputed the best swordsman in France. The son
had followed closely in the footsteps of his father until
on the latter's death, he could easily claim the title of
his sire. How he had left France and entered the ser-
vice of John of England is not of this story. All the bear-
ing that the life of Jules de Vac has upon the history
of England hinges upon but two of his many attributes
--his wonderful swordsmanship and his fearful hatred
The Outlaw of Torn |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from King James Bible: LORD?
EXO 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee
what thou shalt say.
EXO 4:13 And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him
whom thou wilt send.
EXO 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he
said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak
well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth
thee, he will be glad in his heart.
EXO 4:15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and
I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye
King James Bible |
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 Dracula by Bram Stoker: a cold-bloodedness in the act which wrung a groan from Arthur.
When she advanced to him with outstretched arms and a wanton smile
he fell back and hid his face in his hands.
She still advanced, however, and with a languorous, voluptuous grace,
said, "Come to me, Arthur. Leave these others and come to me.
My arms are hungry for you. Come, and we can rest together.
Come, my husband, come!"
There was something diabolically sweet in her tones, something of the tinkling
of glass when struck, which rang through the brains even of us who heard
the words addressed to another.
As for Arthur, he seemed under a spell, moving his hands from his face,
Dracula |
