| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Records of a Family of Engineers by Robert Louis Stevenson: barrack of the beacon. The light-room, though unprovided with
its machinery, being now covered over with the cupola, glazed
and painted, had a very complete and cleanly appearance. The
balcony was only as yet fitted with a temporary rail,
consisting of a few iron stanchions, connected with ropes; and
in this state it was necessary to leave it during the winter.
Having gone over the whole of the low-water works on the
rock, the beacon, and lighthouse, and being satisfied that
only the most untoward accident in the landing of the
machinery could prevent the exhibition of the light in the
course of the winter, Mr. John Reid, formerly of the floating
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Modeste Mignon by Honore de Balzac: her happiness, and she is not allowed to throw the dice; she risks
her all, and is forced to be a mere spectator. I have the right,
the will, the power to make my own unhappiness, and I use them, as
did my mother, who, won by beauty and led by instinct, married the
most generous, the most liberal, the most loving of men. I know
that you are free, a poet, and noble-looking. Be sure that I
should not have chosen one of your brothers in Apollo who was
already married. If my mother was won by beauty, which is perhaps
the spirit of form, why should I not be attracted by the spirit
and the form united? Shall I not know you better by studying you
in this correspondence than I could through the vulgar experience
Modeste Mignon |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Criminal Sociology by Enrico Ferri: thrust them back into crime by harassing police regulations, which
prevent them from finding or keeping honest employment.[7]
[7] Fliche, ``Comment en devient Criminel,'' Paris, 1886.
Of those criminals who begin by being occasional criminals, and
end, after progressive degeneration, by exhibiting the features of
the born criminals, Thomas More said, ``What is this but to make
thieves for the pleasure of hanging them?'' And it is just
this class of criminals whom measures of social prevention might
reduce to a minimum, for by abolishing the causes we abolish the
effects.
Apart from their organic and psychological characteristics, innate
|
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 Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum: Who's going to tell them, and how are we going to make
them behave?"
"That," returned Ozma, "is what I am now considering.
What would you advise, Glinda?"
The Sorceress took a little time to consider this
question, before she made reply. Then she said: "Had
you not learned of the existence of the Flatheads and
the Skeezers, through my Book of Records, you would
never have worried about them or their quarrels. So, if
you pay no attention to these peoples, you may never
hear of them again."
Glinda of Oz |
