| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Philebus by Plato: SOCRATES: Right.
PROTARCHUS: But when we see some one indulging in pleasures, perhaps in
the greatest of pleasures, the ridiculous or disgraceful nature of the
action makes us ashamed; and so we put them out of sight, and consign them
to darkness, under the idea that they ought not to meet the eye of day.
SOCRATES: Then, Protarchus, you will proclaim everywhere, by word of mouth
to this company, and by messengers bearing the tidings far and wide, that
pleasure is not the first of possessions, nor yet the second, but that in
measure, and the mean, and the suitable, and the like, the eternal nature
has been found.
PROTARCHUS: Yes, that seems to be the result of what has been now said.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: "You have promised me to go," said the queen.
"And I keep my word. Your hand, madame, your hand, and I
depart!"
Anne of Austria stretched forth her hand, closing her eyes, and
leaning with the other upon Estafania, for she felt that her
strength was about to fail her.
Buckingham pressed his lips passionately to that beautiful hand,
and then rising, said, "Within six months, if I am not dead, I
shall have seen you again, madame--even if I have to overturn the
world." And faithful to the promise he had made, he rushed out
of the apartment.
The Three Musketeers |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: O ye who believe! remember God with frequent remembrance, and
celebrate His praises morning and evening.
He it is who prays for you and His angels too, to bring you forth
out of the darkness into the light, for He is merciful to the
believers.
Their salutation on the day they meet Him shall be 'Peace!' and He
has prepared for them a noble hire.
O thou prophet! verily, we have sent thee as a witness and a
herald of glad tidings and a warner, and to call (men) unto God by His
permission, and as an illuminating lamp.
Give glad tidings then to the believers, that for them is great
The Koran |
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 A Distinguished Provincial at Paris by Honore de Balzac: humanitarian significance of breeches, and the blind deity who keeps
the world going. They pick up fallen great men like Vico, Saint-Simon,
and Fourier. I am much afraid that they will turn poor Joseph Bridau's
head among them."
"Bianchon, my old schoolfellow, gives me the cold shoulder now," said
Lousteau; "it is all their doing----"
"Do they give lectures on orthopedy and intellectual gymnastics?"
asked Merlin.
"Very likely," answered Finot, "if Bianchon has any hand in their
theories."
"Pshaw!" said Lousteau; "he will be a great physician anyhow."
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