| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Market-Place by Harold Frederic: you wanted to frighten them. You were full of that idea
a while ago."
He smiled genially. "I've learned some new wrinkles
since then. We'll frighten 'em stiff enough, before we're
through with them. But at the start we just go easy.
If they got word that there was a 'corner,' there would be
a dead scare among the jobbers. They'd be afraid to sell
or name a price for Rubber Consols unless they had the shares
in hand. And there are other ways in which that would
be a nuisance. Presently, of course, we shall liberate
some few shares, so that there may be some actual dealings.
The Market-Place |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Yates Pride by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: stout. I am not such a big eater, either, and I have worked
hard, and--well, I might have been worse off, but I must say I
have seen men who seemed to me happier, though I have made the
best of things. I always did despise a flunk. But you! I heard
you had adopted a baby," he said, with a sudden glance at the
blue and white bundle in the carriage, "and I thought you were
mighty sensible. When people grow old they want young people
growing around them, staffs for old age, you know, and all that
sort of thing. Don't know but I should have adopted a boy myself
if it hadn't been for --"
The man stopped, and his face was pink. Eudora turned her face
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Philosophy 4 by Owen Wister: one embark in a single scull; they saw the green meadows toward
Brighton; their foreheads felt cool and unvexed, and each new minute had
the savor of fresh forbidden fruit.
"How do we go?" said Bertie.
"I forgot I had a bet with John until I had waked him," said Billy. "He
bet me five last night I couldn't find it, and I took him. Of course,
after that I had no right to ask him anything, and he thought I was
funny. He said I couldn't find out if the landlady's hair was her own.
I went him another five on that."
"How do you say we ought to go?" said Bertie, presently.
"Quincy, I'm sure."
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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 King James Bible: drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
ISA 29:10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep
sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the
seers hath he covered.
ISA 29:11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a
book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying,
Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
ISA 29:12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying,
Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
ISA 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near
me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed
King James Bible |
