| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum: opened by the Guardian who always tended them. Over the gateway hung
a dull-colored metal magnet shaped like a horse-shoe, placed against a
shield of polished gold.
"That," said the Shaggy Man, impressively, "is the wonderful Love
Magnet. I brought it to the Emerald City myself, and all who pass
beneath this gateway are both loving and beloved."
"It's a fine thing," declared Aunt Em, admiringly. "If we'd had it
in Kansas I guess the man who held a mortgage on the farm wouldn't
have turned us out."
"Then I'm glad we didn't have it," returned Uncle Henry. "I like Oz
better than Kansas, even; an' this little wood Sawhorse beats all the
The Emerald City of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The United States Constitution: present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice
and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public
Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other
Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein
otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law:
but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers,
as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law,
or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen
during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall
expire at the End of their next session.
The United States Constitution |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: mounted his horse to ride down the trail. Monty and Nick Steele
went off into the grove, leading their horses. Stewart climbed
up a steep jumble of stone between two sections of low, cracked
cliff back of the camp.
Castleton offered to help the packers, and was curtly told he
would be in the way. Madeline's friends all importuned her: Was
there real danger? Were the guerrillas coming? Would a start be
made at once for the ranch? Why had the cowboys suddenly become
so different? Madeline answered as best she could; but her
replies were only conjecture, and modified to allay the fears of
her guests. Helen was in a white glow of excitement.
The Light of Western Stars |
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 Blix by Frank Norris: appeared too fascinating to be resisted. A weight seemed removed
from his mind. When it came to that, what amusement would he have
at either affair?
"Sit up there with your shirt-front starched like a board," he
blustered, "and your collar throttling you, and smile till your
face is sore, and reel off small talk to a girl whose last name
you can't remember! Do I have any fun, does it do me any good, do
I get ideas for yarns? What do I do it for? I don't know."
While speaking he had been kicking off his tight shoes and such of
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