| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Chessmen of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: the window where Gahan clung silhouetting him plainly to the two
within.
Both sprang to their feet. The eunuch drew his sword and leaped
for the window where the helpless Gahan would have fallen an easy
victim to a single thrust of the murderous weapon the fellow
bore, had not Tara of Helium leaped upon her guard dragging him
back. At the same time she drew the slim dagger from its hiding
place in her harness and even as the eunuch sought to hurl her
aside its keen point found his heart. Without a sound he died and
lunged forward to the floor. Then Tara ran to the window.
"Turan, my chief!" she cried. "What awful risk is this you take
The Chessmen of Mars |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Light of Western Stars by Zane Grey: the deep voice of Stewart predominated over the others. Then the
consultation broke up, and the cowboys scattered.
"Rustle, you Indians!" ordered Stewart.
The ensuing scene of action was not reassuring to Madeline and
her friends. They were quiet, awaiting some one to tell them
what to do. At the offset the cowboys appeared to have forgotten
Madeline. Some of them ran off into the woods, others into the
open, grassy places, where they rounded up the horses and burros.
Several cowboys spread tarpaulins upon the ground and began to
select and roll small packs, evidently for hurried travel. Nels
mounted his horse to ride down the trail. Monty and Nick Steele
The Light of Western Stars |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: was the usual assortment of young men absorbed in themselves,
young couples absorbed in each other, married ladies in their
babies, and old gentlemen in politics. I don't think I shall
care to have much to do with any of them, except one sweetfaced
maiden lady, who looks as if she had something in her.
Cast away at the very bottom of the table was the Professor,
shouting answers to the questions of a very inquisitive,
deaf old gentleman on one side, and talking philosophy with
a Frenchman on the other. If Amy had been here, she'd have
turned her back on him forever because, sad to relate, he had
a great appetite, and shoveled in his dinner in a manner which
Little Women |
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 Frankenstein by Mary Shelley: I sickened as I read. `Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed
in agony. `Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous
that even YOU turned from me in disgust? God, in pity, made man
beautiful and alluring, after his own image; but my form is a
filthy type of yours, more horrid even from the very resemblance.
Satan had his companions, fellow devils, to admire and encourage him,
but I am solitary and abhorred.'
"These were the reflections of my hours of despondency and solitude;
but when I contemplated the virtues of the cottagers, their amiable
and benevolent dispositions, I persuaded myself that when they
should become acquainted with my admiration of their virtues
Frankenstein |
