| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Ancient Regime by Charles Kingsley: had come from England. They were, or considered themselves, the
disciples of Locke; whose philosophy, it seems to me, their own acts
disproved.
And first, a few words on these same philosophes. One may be
thoroughly aware of their deficiencies, of their sins, moral as well
as intellectual; and yet one may demand that everyone should judge
them fairly--which can only be done by putting himself in their
place; and any fair judgment of them will, I think, lead to the
conclusion that they were not mere destroyers, inflamed with hate of
everything which mankind had as yet held sacred. Whatever sacred
things they despised, one sacred thing they reverenced, which men
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe: of the servants really thought that Missis was the principal
sufferer in the case, especially as Marie began to have hysterical
spasms, and sent for the doctor, and at last declared herself dying;
and, in the running and scampering, and bringing up hot bottles,
and heating of flannels, and chafing, and fussing, that ensued,
there was quite a diversion.
Tom, however, had a feeling at his own heart, that drew him
to his master. He followed him wherever he walked, wistfully
and sadly; and when he saw him sitting, so pale and quiet, in Eva's
room, holding before his eyes her little open Bible, though seeing
no letter or word of what was in it, there was more sorrow to Tom
Uncle Tom's Cabin |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Mountains by Stewart Edward White: afoot, usually about half past four. He blows on his
fingers, casts malevolent glances at the sleepers, finally
builds his fire and starts his meal. Then he takes
fiendish delight in kicking out the others. They do not
run with glad shouts to plunge into the nearest pool,
as most camping fiction would have us believe. Not
they. The glad shout and nearest pool can wait until
noon when the sun is warm. They, too, blow on their
fingers and curse the cook for getting them up so
early. All eat breakfast and feel better.
Now the cook smokes in lordly ease. One of the
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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 Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy: so green."
"But you have your indoor fears--eh?"
"Well--yes, sir."
"What of?"
"I couldn't quite say."
"The milk turning sour?"
"No."
"Life in general?"
"Yes, sir."
"Ah--so have I, very often. This hobble of being alive
is rather serious, don't you think so?"
Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman |
