| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Reason Discourse by Rene Descartes: upon this body as a machine made by the hands of God, which is
incomparably better arranged, and adequate to movements more admirable
than is any machine of human invention. And here I specially stayed to
show that, were there such machines exactly resembling organs and outward
form an ape or any other irrational animal, we could have no means of
knowing that they were in any respect of a different nature from these
animals; but if there were machines bearing the image of our bodies, and
capable of imitating our actions as far as it is morally possible, there
would still remain two most certain tests whereby to know that they were
not therefore really men. Of these the first is that they could never use
words or other signs arranged in such a manner as is competent to us in
Reason Discourse |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: promise of God is true, though most of them know not.
And when he reached puberty, and was settled, we gave him judgment
and knowledge; for thus do we reward those who do well. And he entered
into the city at the time the people thereof were heedless, and he
found therein two men fighting; the one of his sect and the other of
his foes. And he who was of his sect asked his aid against him who was
of his foes; and Moses smote him with his fist and finished him.
Said he, 'This is of the work of Satan, verily, he is a misleading
obvious foe.'
Said he, 'My Lord! verily, I have wronged my soul, but forgive
me.' So He forgave him; for He is forgiving and merciful.
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from My Aunt Margaret's Mirror by Walter Scott: Forester are apprehensive of such a catastrophe, it might be the
very means of bringing about what would not otherwise be likely
to happen. I know your good sense, Lady Bothwell, and that you
will understand me when I say that really my affairs require my
absence for some months. This Jemima cannot understand. It is a
perpetual recurrence of questions, why can you not do this, or
that, or the third thing? and, when you have proved to her that
her expedients are totally ineffectual, you have just to begin
the whole round again. Now, do you tell her, dear Lady Bothwell,
that YOU are satisfied. She is, you must confess, one of those
persons with whom authority goes farther than reasoning. Do but
|
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 Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Came from Fonthill, I believe. Admirably suited for a religious subject,
Mr. Gray."
"I am so sorry you have given yourself the trouble of coming round,
Mr. Hubbard. I shall certainly drop in and look at the frame--
though I don't go in much at present for religious art--but to-day
I only want a picture carried to the top of the house for me.
It is rather heavy, so I thought I would ask you to lend me a couple of
your men."
"No trouble at all, Mr. Gray. I am delighted to be of any service to you.
Which is the work of art, sir?"
"This," replied Dorian, moving the screen back. "Can you move it,
The Picture of Dorian Gray |
