| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Koran: many fruits, and whence ye eat.
And a tree growing out of Mount Sinai which produces oil, and a
condiment for those who eat.
And, verily, ye have a lesson in the cattle; we give you to drink of
what is in their bellies; and ye have therein many advantages, and
of them ye eat, and on them and on ships ye are borne!
We sent Noah unto his people, and he said, 'O my people! worship
God, ye have no god-but Him; do ye then not fear?'
Said the chiefs of those who misbelieved among his people, 'This
is nothing but a mortal like yourselves who wishes to have
preference over you, and had God pleased He would have sent angels; we
The Koran |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Essays of Francis Bacon by Francis Bacon: in himself, to rescue and deliver himself from
scorn. Therefore all deformed persons, are extreme
bold. First, as in their own defence, as being ex-
posed to scorn; but in process of time, by a general
habit. Also it stirreth in them industry, and espe-
cially of this kind, to watch and observe the weak-
ness of others, that they may have somewhat to
repay. Again, in their superiors, it quencheth
jealousy towards them, as persons that they think
they may, at pleasure, despise: and it layeth their
competitors and emulators asleep; as never believ-
Essays of Francis Bacon |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin: that his creditors began to be uneasy; that he kept his shop miserably,
sold often without profit for ready money, and often trusted without
keeping accounts; that he must therefore fall, which would make
a vacancy I might profit of. I objected my want of money. He then
let me know that his father had a high opinion of me, and, from some
discourse that had pass'd between them, he was sure would advance
money to set us up, if I would enter into partnership with him.
"My time," says he, "will be out with Keimer in the spring;
by that time we may have our press and types in from London.
I am sensible I am no workman; if you like it, your skill in the
business shall be set against the stock I furnish, and we will share
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin |
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 A treatise on Good Works by Dr. Martin Luther: calling, with the help of God and for God's sake, is the true
"good work."
As he now proceeds to speak of the spiritual powers, the
government of the Church, he frankly reveals their faults and
demands a reform of the present rulers. Honor and obedience in
all things should be rendered unto the Church, the spiritual
mother, as it is due to natural parents, unless it be contrary
to the first Three Commandments. But as matters stand now the
spiritual magistrates neglect their peculiar work, namely, the
fostering of godliness and discipline, like a mother who runs
away from her children and follows a lover, and instead they
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