| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce: -- a gentle slope topped with a stockade of vertical tree
trunks, loopholed for rifles, with a single embrasure
through which protruded the muzzle of a brass cannon
commanding the bridge. Midway up the slope between the
bridge and fort were the spectators -- a single company of
infantry in line, at "parade rest," the butts of their rifles
on the ground, the barrels inclining slightly backward
against the right shoulder, the hands crossed upon the stock.
A lieutenant stood at the right of the line, the point
of his sword upon the ground, his left hand resting upon his
right. Excepting the group of four at the center of the
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Herbert West: Reanimator by H. P. Lovecraft: it is obviously, not a pleasing or ordinary occurrence; but I
was used to similar experiences, hence suffered on this occasion
only because of a particular circumstance. And, as I have implied,
it was not of the dead man himself that I became afraid.
Herbert
West, whose associate and assistant I was, possessed scientific
interests far beyond the usual routine of a village physician.
That was why, when establishing his practice in Bolton, he had
chosen an isolated house near the potter’s field. Briefly and
brutally stated, West’s sole absorbing interest was a secret study
of the phenomena of life and its cessation, leading toward the
Herbert West: Reanimator |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Bride of Lammermoor by Walter Scott: you should understand, that there have been many points betwixt
us, in which, although I judged it proper that there should be an
exact ascertainment of my legal rights by the decree of a court
of justice, yet it was never my intention to press them beyond
the verge of equity."
"My lord," said the Master of Ravenswood, "it is unnecessary to
pursue this topic farther. What the law will give you, or has
given you, you enjoy--or you shall enjoy; neither my father nor
I myself would have received anything on the footing of favour."
"Favour! No, you misunderstand me," resumed the Keeper; "or
rather you are no lawyer. A right may be good in law, and
The Bride of Lammermoor |
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 Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: the postilion; after which he entered the shop of the
grocer, who had just finished supper, and who, in his little
private room, was, with a degree of anxiety, consulting the
calendar, on which, every evening, he scratched out the day
that was past. At the moment when Planchet, according to his
daily custom, with the back of his pen, erased another day,
D'Artagnan kicked the door with his foot, and the blow made
his steel spur jingle. "Oh! good Lord!" cried Planchet. The
worthy grocer could say no more; he had just perceived his
partner. D'Artagnan entered with a bent back and a dull eye:
the Gascon had an idea with regard to Planchet.
Ten Years Later |
