| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Manon Lescaut by Abbe Prevost: I retired perfectly satisfied.
"In an hour after, the chaplain paid me a visit. I thought he
was come to prepare me by religious instruction for the sacred
ceremony; but, after a cold salutation, he announced to me in two
words, that the governor desired I would relinquish all thoughts
of such a thing, for that he had other views for Manon.
"`Other views for Manon!' said I, as I felt my heart sink
within me; `what views then can they be, chaplain?'
"He replied, that I must be, of course, aware that the governor
was absolute master here; that Manon, having been transported
from France to the colony, was entirely at his disposal; that,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Dracula by Bram Stoker: even if we have to use the arms which we shall have ready.
The Professor says that if we can so treat the Count's body,
it will soon after fall into dust. In such case there would be no
evidence against us, in case any suspicion of murder were aroused.
But even if it were not, we should stand or fall by our act,
and perhaps some day this very script may be evidence
to come between some of us and a rope. For myself, I should
take the chance only too thankfully if it were to come.
We mean to leave no stone unturned to carry out our intent.
We have arranged with certain officials that the instant
the Czarina Catherine is seen, we are to be informed by
Dracula |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: Soc. Yes, all these things I see.
Isch. Granted, you see: what is there in the matter that you do not
understand? Perhaps you are ignorant how you are to lay the potsherd
on the clay at top?
Soc. No, in very sooth, not ignorant of that Ischomachus, or anything
you mentioned. That is just the puzzle, and again I beat my brains to
discover why, when you put to me that question a while back: "Had I,
in brief, the knowledge how to plant?" I answered, "No." Till then it
never would have struck me that I could say at all how planting must
be done. But no sooner do you begin to question me on each particular
point than I can answer you; and what is more, my answers are, you
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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 Sarrasine by Honore de Balzac: another woman would be hideous, would disgust me, so that the
slightest indication of it would be enough to destroy my love,--why is
it that in you it pleases me, fascinates me? Oh, how I love you!' he
continued. 'All your faults, your frights, your petty foibles, add an
indescribable charm to your character. I feel that I should detest a
Sappho, a strong, courageous woman, overflowing with energy and
passion. O sweet and fragile creature! how couldst thou be otherwise?
That angel's voice, that refined voice, would have been an anachronism
coming from any other breast than thine.'
" 'I can give you no hope,' she said. 'Cease to speak thus to me, for
people would make sport of you. It is impossible for me to shut the
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