| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum: that I am here, you make the image of a lioness, the Queen of all
beasts. Then, indeed, your children will be happy--and safe at the
same time!"
Claus thought this was a good suggestion. So he got a piece of wood
and sharpened his knife, while Shiegra crouched upon the hearth at his
feet. With much care he carved the head in the likeness of the
lioness, even to the two fierce teeth that curved over her lower lip
and the deep, frowning lines above her wide-open eyes.
When it was finished he said:
"You have a terrible look, Shiegra."
"Then the image is like me," she answered; "for I am indeed terrible
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare: Full often hath she gossipt by my side,
And sat with me on Neptunes yellow sands,
Marking th' embarked traders on the flood,
When we haue laught to see the sailes conceiue,
And grow big bellied with the wanton winde:
Which she with pretty and with swimming gate,
Following (her wombe then rich with my yong squire)
Would imitate, and saile vpon the Land,
To fetch me trifles, and returne againe,
As from a voyage, rich with merchandize.
But she being mortall, of that boy did die,
A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The School For Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan: Mr. S----, Lady T----, and Sir P----, will be so entertaining!--
I shall certainly leave town tomorrow and never look mankind
in the Face again!
ROWLEY. Without affectation Sir Peter, you may despise the ridicule
of Fools--but I see Lady Teazle going towards the next Room--I am sure
you must desire a Reconciliation as earnestly as she does.
SIR OLIVER. Perhaps MY being here prevents her coming to you--
well I'll leave honest Rowley to mediate between you; but he must
bring you all presently to Mr. Surface's--where I am now returning--
if not to reclaim a Libertine, at least to expose Hypocrisy.
SIR PETER. Ah! I'll be present at your discovering yourself there
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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 Chinese Boy and Girl by Isaac Taylor Headland:
Constructing one he repeated a verse somewhat like the following:
Alone the fisherman sat,
In his boat by the river's brink,
In the chill and cold and snow,
To fish, and fish, and think.
Then he turned over to two on opposite pages, and as he
constructed them he repeated in turn:
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