| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther: his allies. For our flesh is in itself indolent and inclined to evil,
even though we have accepted and believe the Word of God. The world,
however, is perverse and wicked; this he incites against us, fans and
stirs the fire, that he may hinder and drive us back, cause us to
fall, and again bring us under his power. Such is all his will, mind,
and thought, for which he strives day and night, and never rests a
moment, employing all arts, wiles, ways, and means whichever he can
invent.
If we would be Christians, therefore, we must surely expect and reckon
upon having the devil with all his angels and the world as our enemies,
who will bring every possible misfortune and grief upon us. For where
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Mrs. Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw: air of insinuating frankness (having first again looked hard at
the book), that you made a little mistake this morning, which I
had meant to set you right in; only something put it out of my
head. I think you said Rooshan Empire, sir?"
"It is Rooshan; ain't it, Wegg?"
"No, sir. Roman. Roman."
"What's the difference, Wegg?"
"The difference, sir?" Mr Wegg was faltering and in danger of
breaking down, when a bright thought flashed upon him. "The
difference, sir? There you place me in a difficulty, Mr Boffin.
Suffice it to observe, that the difference is best postponed to
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain: He knew me as easily as if I hadn't been disguised
at all. Which frightened me; one may easily believe
that.
"Quick, now, tell me the meaning of this fearful
disaster," I said. "How did it come about?"
"Well, if there hadn't been any Queen Guenever, it
wouldn't have come so early; but it would have come,
anyway. It would have come on your own account
by and by; by luck, it happened to come on the
queen's."
"AND Sir Launcelot's?"
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court |
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 Heroes by Charles Kingsley: flame of their breath swept round him, but it singed not a
hair of his head; and the bulls stopped short and trembled
when Medeia began her spell.
Then Jason sprang upon the nearest and seized him by the
horn; and up and down they wrestled, till the bull fell
grovelling on his knees; for the heart of the brute died
within him, and his mighty limbs were loosed, beneath the
steadfast eye of that dark witch-maiden and the magic whisper
of her lips.
So both the bulls were tamed and yoked; and Jason bound them
to the plough, and goaded them onward with his lance till he
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