| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle: it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in
the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that
time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of
paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.'
"It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen,
and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink
upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes
as he folded up the epistle.
"He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an
hour."
"Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Sons of the Soil by Honore de Balzac: comes along, the mail, or the gendarmes, or whatever it is, we'll fire
a shot into the ground,--a muffled sound, you'll know it."
"But suppose I miss him?" said Tonsard.
"He's right," said Courtecuisse, "I'm the best shot; Vaudoyer, I'll go
with you; Bonnebault may watch in my place; he can give a cry; that's
easier heard and less suspicious."
All three returned to the tavern and the wedding festivities went on;
but about eleven o'clock Vaudoyer, Courtecuisse, Tonsard, and
Bonnebault went out, carrying their guns, though none of the women
took any notice of them. They came back in about three-quarters of an
hour, and sat drinking till past one o'clock. Tonsard's girls and
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Almayer's Folly by Joseph Conrad: him.
"Now you go home. It is late," he said sharply. "Tell Bulangi
that I shall be near his house before the night is half over, and
that I want him to make all things ready for a long journey. You
understand? A long journey to the southward. Tell him that
before sunset, and do not forget my words."
Taminah made a gesture of assent, and watched Babalatchi recross
the ditch and disappear through the bushes bordering Almayer's
compound. She moved a little further off the creek and sank in
the grass again, lying down on her face, shivering in dry-eyed
misery.
Almayer's Folly |
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 Rig Veda: wicked
rule us. Thou art waxing great.
8 Be watchful, Soma, passing wise, to give us store of vital
strength.
More skilled than man to guide us,-at your glad carouse-save
us from
harm and sorrow. Thou art waxing great.
9 Chief slayer of our foemen, thou, Indu, art Indra's gracious
Friend,
When warriors invoke him-at your glad carouse -in fight, to
win them
The Rig Veda |
