| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: "Twoscore of great wax candles for the Chapel of Saint Thomas."
"That belongeth fairly to the chapel," quoth Robin, "so lay it to one side.
Far be it from us to take from the blessed Saint Thomas that which
belongeth to him." So this, also, was done according to Robin's bidding,
and the candles were laid to one side, along with honest Quentin's
unopened bales of silk. So the list was gone through with,
and the goods adjudged according to what Robin thought most fit.
Some things were laid aside untouched, and many were opened and divided
into three equal parts, for charity, for themselves, and for the owners.
And now all the ground in the torchlight was covered over with
silks and velvets and cloths of gold and cases of rich wines,
 The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from King James Bible: above all the earth.
PSA 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down:
they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen
themselves. Selah.
PSA 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and
give praise.
PSA 57:8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will
awake early.
PSA 57:9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto
thee among the nations.
PSA 57:10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto
 King James Bible |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: Then on the resurrection day He will put them to shame, and say,
'Where are your associates whom ye divided into parties about?'
Those to whom knowledge is brought will say, 'Verily, disgrace to-day,
and evil are upon the misbelievers!'
Those whom the angels took away were wronging themselves; then
they offered peace: 'We have done no evil.'- 'Yea! verily, God knows
what ye did. Wherefore enter ye the doors of hell, to dwell therein
for aye; for ill is the resort of the proud.'
And it will be said to those who fear God, 'What is it that your
Lord has sent down?' They will say, 'The best,' for those who do good,
good in this world; but certainly the abode of the next is best, and
 The Koran |
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 A Horse's Tale by Mark Twain: tracks - gazing at the child. She forgot orders, and was on the
floor in a moment, saying:
"Oh, you are so beautiful! Do you like me?"
"No, I don't, I love you!" and he gathered her up with a hug, and
then set her on his shoulder - apparently nine feet from the floor.
She was at home. She played with his long hair, and admired his
big hands and his clothes and his carbine, and asked question after
question, as fast as he could answer, until I excused them both for
half an hour, in order to have a chance to finish my work. Then I
heard Cathy exclaiming over Soldier Boy; and he was worthy of her
raptures, for he is a wonder of a horse, and has a reputation which
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