The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: is difficult to measure exactly its height above the horizon,
and grave errors may be made with instruments."
"What will you do then?"
"I shall only use my chronometer," replied Captain Nemo.
"If to-morrow, the 21st of March, the disc of the sun,
allowing for refraction, is exactly cut by the northern horizon,
it will show that I am at the South Pole."
"Just so," said I. "But this statement is not mathematically correct,
because the equinox does not necessarily begin at noon."
"Very likely, sir; but the error will not be a hundred yards
and we do not want more. Till to-morrow, then!"
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea |
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 Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories by Alice Dunbar: dying summer in their sob on the beach.
"You will remember," said the fisherman, "that I have told you
nothing about myself."
"Yes," murmured Annette.
"And you will keep your promises to me?"
"Yes."
"Let me hear you repeat them again."
"I promise you that I will not forget you. I promise you that I
will never speak of you to anyone until I see you again. I
promise that I will then clasp your hand wherever you may be."
"And mademoiselle will not be discouraged, but will continue her
The Goodness of St. Rocque and Other Stories |