The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: much trouble, and then I try to put her to hypnotic sleep.
But she sleep not, being as though I were not. Still I try
and try, till all at once I find her and myself in dark,
so I look round, and find that the sun have gone down.
Madam Mina laugh, and I turn and look at her. She is now
quite awake, and look so well as I never saw her since that
night at Carfax when we first enter the Count's house.
I am amaze, and not at ease then. But she is so bright
and tender and thoughtful for me that I forget all fear.
I light a fire, for we have brought supply of wood with us,
and she prepare food while I undo the horses and set them,
Dracula |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Twilight Land by Howard Pyle: chief treasurer took a bag from the chest, untied it, and emptied
a cataract of gold into the fur cap. The fisherman had never seen
so much wealth in all his life before, and he stood like a man
turned to stone.
"Is this all mine?" said the fisherman.
"It is," said the beautiful lady.
"Then God bless your pretty eyes," said the fisherman.
Then the magician kissed the beautiful lady, and, beckoning to
the fisherman, left the throne-room the same way that they had
come. The noblemen, in silks and satins and velvets, marched
ahead, and back they went through the other apartments, until at
|
The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Cousin Pons by Honore de Balzac: Remonencq will buy four for two thousand francs, and hand over the
surplus to me.--But at the same time, you see my dear M. Magus, I am
going to help you and Remonencq to a splendid bit of business--on
condition that the profits are shared among the three of us. I will
introduce you to that lawyer, as he, no doubt, will come here. You
shall make a valuation of M. Pons' things at the prices which you can
give for them, so that M. Fraisier may know how much the property is
worth. But--not until after our sale, you understand!"
"I understand," said the Jew, "but it takes time to look at the things
and value them."
"You shall have half a day. But, there, that is my affair. Talk it
|
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 Last War: A World Set Free by H. G. Wells: windmills of the Dutch levels. In those days there was unbroken
land from Alkmaar and Leiden to the Dollart. Three great
provinces, South Holland, North Holland, and Zuiderzeeland,
reclaimed at various times between the early tenth century and
1945 and all many feet below the level of the waves outside the
dykes, spread out their lush polders to the northern sun and
sustained a dense industrious population. An intricate web of
laws and custom and tradition ensured a perpetual vigilance and a
perpetual defence against the beleaguering sea. For more than two
hundred and fifty miles from Walcheren to Friesland stretched a
line of embankments and pumping stations that was the admiration
The Last War: A World Set Free |