| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Lone Star Ranger by Zane Grey: He tried them with a multiplicity of offers, and in vain. Then
he appeared at a loss for some unusual and seductive wager.
Presently a little ragged Mexican boy came along the river
trail, a particularly starved and poor-looking little fellow.
Bill called to him and gave him a handful of silver coins.
Speechless, dazed, he went his way hugging the money.
"I'll bet he drops some before he gits to the road," declared
Bill. "I'll bet he runs. Hurry, you four-flush gamblers."
Bill failed to interest any of his companions, and forthwith
became sullen and silent. Strangely his good humor departed in
spite of the fact that he had won considerable.
The Lone Star Ranger |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Moby Dick by Herman Melville: in the street, and hear the sounds of the tinkling glasses within.
But go on, Ishmael, said I at last; don't you hear? get away from
before the door; your patched boots are stopping the way. So on I
went. I now by instinct followed the streets that took me waterward,
for there, doubtless, were the cheapest, if not the cheeriest inns.
Such dreary streets! blocks of blackness, not houses, on either
hand, and here and there a candle, like a candle moving about in a
tomb. At this hour of the night, of the last day of the week, that
quarter of the town proved all but deserted. But presently I came to
a smoky light proceeding from a low, wide building, the door of which
stood invitingly open. It had a careless look, as if it were meant
Moby Dick |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Whirligigs by O. Henry: more than comfort, and its adornments plainly indicated
a woman's discerning taste. An open door beyond
revealed the blackness of an adjoining room's interior.
The boy clutched both of Father Rogan's hands. "I'm
so glad you came," he said; "but why did you come in
the night? Did sister send you?"
"Off wid ye! Am I to be sint about, at me age, as
was Terence McShane, of Ballymahone? I come on me
own r-r-responsibility."
Lorison had also advanced to the boy's bedside. He
was fond of children; and the wee fellow, laving himself
|
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 Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: no consciousness of being so, and now I was looking at it again,
through Daisy's eyes. It is invariably saddening to look through new
eyes at things upon which you have expended your own powers of
adjustment.
They arrived at twilight, and, as we strolled out among the sparkling
hundreds, Daisy's voice was playing murmurous tricks in her throat.
"These things excite me so," she whispered.
"If you want to kiss me any time during the evening, Nick, just let me
know and I'll be glad to arrange it for you. Just mention my name. Or
present a green card. I'm giving out green----"
"Look around," suggested Gatsby.
The Great Gatsby |
