| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Legend of Montrose by Walter Scott: natural state. When he raised his head and sat upright, his
countenance, though still deeply melancholy, was divested of its
wildness and ferocity; and in its composed state, although by no
means handsome, the expression of his features was striking,
manly, and even noble. His thick, brown eyebrows, which had
hitherto been drawn close together, were now slightly separated,
as in the natural state; and his grey eyes, which had rolled and
flashed from under them with an unnatural and portentous gleam,
now recovered a steady and determined expression.
"Thank God!" he said, after sitting silent for about a minute,
until the very last sounds of the harp had ceased to vibrate, "my
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy: The Jew, with characteristic patience, stood humbly on one
side, leaning on the knotted staff, his greasy, broad-brimmed hat
casting a deep shadow over his grimy face, waiting for the noble
Excellency to deign to put some questions to him.
"The citoyen tells me," said Chauvelin peremptorily to him,
"that you know something of my friend, the tall Englishman, whom I
desire to meet. . .MORBLEU! keep your distance, man," he added
hurriedly, as the Jew took a quick and eager step forward.
"Yes, your Excellency," replied the Jew, who spoke the
language with that peculiar lisp which denotes Eastern origin, "I and
Reuben Goldstein met a tall Englishman, on the road, close by here
The Scarlet Pimpernel |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield: "Kiss me, Janey! You kiss me!"
It seemed to him there was a tiny pause--but long enough for him to suffer
torture--before her lips touched his, firmly, lightly--kissing them as she
always kissed him, as though the kiss--how could he describe it?--confirmed
what they were saying, signed the contract. But that wasn't what he
wanted; that wasn't at all what he thirsted for. He felt suddenly,
horrible tired.
"If you knew," he said, opening his eyes, "what it's been like--waiting to-
day. I thought the boat never would come in. There we were, hanging
about. What kept you so long?"
She made no answer. She was looking away from him at the fire. The flames
|
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 Alcibiades II by Platonic Imitator: Afterwards the means may be given to you whereby you may distinguish
between good and evil. At present, I fear, this is beyond your power.
ALCIBIADES: Only let my instructor take away the impediment, whether it
pleases him to call it mist or anything else! I care not who he is; but I
am resolved to disobey none of his commands, if I am likely to be the
better for them.
SOCRATES: And surely he has a wondrous care for you.
ALCIBIADES: It seems to be altogether advisable to put off the sacrifice
until he is found.
SOCRATES: You are right: that will be safer than running such a
tremendous risk.
|
