| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: having now become commonplace and matter of course.
The war history of Vicksburg has more about it to interest the general
reader than that of any other of the river-towns. It is full of variety,
full of incident, full of the picturesque. Vicksburg held out longer
than any other important river-town, and saw warfare in all its phases,
both land and water--the siege, the mine, the assault, the repulse,
the bombardment, sickness, captivity, famine.
The most beautiful of all the national cemeteries is here.
Over the great gateway is this inscription:--
"HERE REST IN PEACE 16,600 WHO DIED FOR THEIR
COUNTRY IN THE YEARS 1861 TO 1865"
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Tanach: Ecclesiastes 12: 7 And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12: 8 Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12: 9 And besides that Koheleth was wise, he also taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Ecclesiastes 12: 10 Koheleth sought to find out words of delight, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth.
Ecclesiastes 12: 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails well fastened are those that are composed in collections; they are given from one shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12: 12 And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13 The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man.
Ecclesiastes 12: 14 For God shall bring every work into the judgment concerning every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.
Lamentations 1: 1 HOW DOTH the city sit solitary, that was full of people! How is she become as a widow! She that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!
Lamentations 1: 2 She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks; she hath none to comfort her among all her lovers; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are becom 
The Tanach |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Juana by Honore de Balzac: dagger added to her "dot."
At first, inspired by a real love, by one of those passions which for
the time being change even odious characters and bring to light all
that may be noble in a soul, Diard behaved like a man of honor. He
forced Montefiore to leave the regiment and even the army corps, so
that his wife might never meet him during the time they remained in
Spain. Next, he petitioned for his own removal, and succeeded in
entering the Imperial Guard. He desired at any price to obtain a
title, honors, and consideration in keeping with his present wealth.
With this idea in his mind, he behaved courageously in one of the most
bloody battles in Germany, but, unfortunately, he was too severely
|
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: edge of the sword.
JDG 20:38 Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and
the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise
up out of the city.
JDG 20:39 And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin
began to smite and kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for
they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as in the first
battle.
JDG 20:40 But when the flame began to arise up out of the city with a
pillar of smoke, the Benjamites looked behind them, and, behold, the
flame of the city ascended up to heaven.
King James Bible |
