| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Miracle Mongers and Their Methods by Harry Houdini: he gives you the colour of so many wines,
he never washes the glass, but at his first
evacuation, the strength of the vinegar being
no wise compatible with the colour of
the Brazil water.
Having performed this task, he will
then give you a show of rose-water; and
this indeed, he does so cunningly, that it
is not the show of rose-water, but rose-
water itself. If you observe him, you will
find that either behind the pail where his
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde: impassive.] Hum! Any letters, Phipps?
PHIPPS. Three, my lord. [Hands letters on a salver.]
LORD GORING. [Takes letters.] Want my cab round in twenty minutes.
PHIPPS. Yes, my lord. [Goes towards door.]
LORD GORING. [Holds up letter in pink envelope.] Ahem! Phipps,
when did this letter arrive?
PHIPPS. It was brought by hand just after your lordship went to the
club.
LORD GORING. That will do. [Exit PHIPPS.] Lady Chiltern's
handwriting on Lady Chiltern's pink notepaper. That is rather
curious. I thought Robert was to write. Wonder what Lady Chiltern
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: enter the mosque as they entered it the first time, and to destroy
what they had got the upper-hand over with utter destruction.'
It may be that thy Lord will have mercy on you;- if ye return we
will return, and we have made hell a prison for the misbelievers.
Verily, this Koran guides to the straightest path, and gives the
glad tidings to the believers who do aright that for them is a great
hire; and that for those who believe not in the hereafter, we have
prepared a mighty woe.
Man prays for evil as he prays for good; and man was ever hasty.
We made the night and the day two signs; and we blot out the sign of
the night and make the sign of the day visible, that ye may seek after
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 The Koran: which He hath revealed to His Apostle, and the Book which He sent down
before; for whoso disbelieves in God, and His angels, and His Apostle,
and the last day, has erred a wide error.
Verily, those who believe and then misbelieve, and then believe
and then misbelieve, and then increase in misbelief, God will never
pardon them, nor will He guide them in the path.
Give to the hypocrites the glad tidings that for them is grievous
woe!
Those who take the misbelievers for their patron rather than
believers,- do they crave honour from them? Verily, honour is
altogether God's!
The Koran |
