| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A Collection of Beatrix Potter by Beatrix Potter: was a frog called Mr.
Jeremy Fisher; he lived in a
little damp house amongst the
buttercups at the edge of a
pond.
THE water was all slippy-
sloppy in the larder and
in the back passage.
But Mr. Jeremy liked
getting his feet wet; nobody ever
scolded him, and he never
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Rig Veda: Come to the house to give us seed and offspring,
12 Whether with Indra ye be faring, Asvins, or resting in one
dwelling-place with Vayu,
In concord with the Rbhus or Adityas, or standing still in
Visnu's
striding-places.
13 When I, O Asvins, call on you to-day that I may gather strength,
Or as all-conquering might in war, be that the Asvins' noblest
grace.
14 Now come, ye Asvins, hitherward: here are oblations set
for you;
The Rig Veda |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Allan Quatermain by H. Rider Haggard: and alas, messieurs, it pricked my finger. She was a chambermaid,
her name Annette, her figure ravishing, her face an angel's,
her heart -- alas, messieurs, that I should have to own it! --
black and slippery as a patent leather boot. I loved to desperation,
I adored her to despair. She transported me -- in every sense;
she inspired me. Never have I cooked as I cooked (for I had
been promoted at the hotel) when Annette, my adored Annette,
smiled on me. Never' -- and here his manly voice broke into
a sob -- 'never shall I cook so well again.' Here he melted
into tears.
'Come, cheer up!' said Sir Henry in French, smacking him smartly
Allan Quatermain |
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 Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "Very well," agreed the Wizard. "Summon them, most
noble Glinda."
Chapter Eighteen
The Cleverness of Ervic
We must now return to Ervic the Skeezer, who, when he
had set down the copper kettle containing the three
fishes at the gate of the lonely cottage, had asked,
"What next?"
The goldfish stuck its head above the water in the
kettle and said in its small but distinct voice:
"You are to lift the latch, open the door, and walk
Glinda of Oz |
