| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Othello by William Shakespeare: woman hath found him already
Rodo. I cannot beleeue that in her, she's full of most
bless'd condition
Iago. Bless'd figges-end. The Wine she drinkes is
made of grapes. If shee had beene bless'd, shee would
neuer haue lou'd the Moore: Bless'd pudding. Didst thou
not see her paddle with the palme of his hand? Didst not
marke that?
Rod. Yes, that I did: but that was but curtesie
Iago . Leacherie by this hand: an Index, and obscure
prologue to the History of Lust and foule Thoughts.
Othello |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 1 by Alexis de Toqueville: Charges Levied By The State Under The Rule Of The American
Democracy
In all communities citizens divisible into three classes - Habits
of each of these classes in the direction of public finances -
Why public expenditure must tend to increase when the people
governs - What renders the extravagance of a democracy less to be
feared in America - Public expenditure under a democracy.
Before we can affirm whether a democratic form of government
is economical or not, we must establish a suitable standard of
comparison. The question would be one of easy solution if we
were to attempt to draw a parallel between a democratic republic
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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 Sophist by Plato: earlier are preserved in the later; they are refuted, and they are not
refuted, by those who succeed them. Once they reigned supreme, now they
are subordinated to a power or idea greater or more comprehensive than
their own. The thoughts of Socrates and Plato and Aristotle have certainly
sunk deep into the mind of the world, and have exercised an influence which
will never pass away; but can we say that they have the same meaning in
modern and ancient philosophy? Some of them, as for example the words
'Being,' 'essence,' 'matter,' 'form,' either have become obsolete, or are
used in new senses, whereas 'individual,' 'cause,' 'motive,' have acquired
an exaggerated importance. Is the manner in which the logical
determinations of thought, or 'categories' as they may be termed, have been
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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 The Tanach: Psalms 107: 39 Again, they are minished and dwindle away through oppression of evil and sorrow.
Psalms 107: 40 He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
Psalms 107: 41 Yet setteth He the needy on high from affliction, and maketh his families like a flock.
Psalms 107: 42 The upright see it, and are glad; and all iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
Psalms 107: 43 Whoso is wise, let him observe these things, and let them consider the mercies of the LORD.
Psalms 108: 1 (108:1) A Song, a Psalm of David. (108:2) My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises, even with my glory.
Psalms 108: 2 (108:3) Awake, psaltery and harp; I will awake the dawn.
Psalms 108: 3 (108:4) I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the peoples; and I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.
Psalms 108: 4 (108:5) For Thy mercy is great above the heavens, and Thy truth reacheth unto the skies.
Psalms 108: 5 (108:6) Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; and Thy glory be above all the earth.
Psalms 108: 6 (108:7) That Thy beloved may be delivered, save with Thy right hand, and answer me.
The Tanach |
