Today's Stichomancy for Philip K. Dick

The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Tanach:

Job 18: 15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his; brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.

Job 18: 16 His roots shall dry up beneath, and above shall his branch wither.

Job 18: 17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name abroad.

Job 18: 18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

Job 18: 19 He shall have neither son nor son's son among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.

Job 18: 20 They that come after shall be astonished at his day, as they that went before are affrighted.

Job 18: 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.

Job 19: 1 Then Job answered and said:

Job 19: 2 How long will ye vex my soul, and crush me with words?

Job 19: 3 These ten times have ye reproached me; ye are not ashamed that ye deal harshly with me.

Job 19: 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.

The Tanach

The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy:

whole came on to the Town Hall at a walking pace.

This spot was the centre of interest. There were a few clear yards in front of the Royal carriage, sanded; and into this space a man stepped before any one could prevent him. It was Henchard. He had unrolled his private flag, and removing his hat he staggered to the side of the slowing vehicle, waving the Union Jack to and fro with his left hand while he blandly held out his right to the Illustrious Personage.

All the ladies said with bated breath, "O, look there!" and Lucetta was ready to faint. Elizabeth-Jane peeped through

The Mayor of Casterbridge

The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli:

great, and then one can no longer remedy them. Besides this, the country is not pillaged by your officials; the subjects are satisfied by prompt recourse to the prince; thus, wishing to be good, they have more cause to love him, and wishing to be otherwise, to fear him. He who would attack that state from the outside must have the utmost caution; as long as the prince resides there it can only be wrested from him with the greatest difficulty.

The other and better course is to send colonies to one or two places, which may be as keys to that state, for it is necessary either to do this or else to keep there a great number of cavalry and infantry. A prince does not spend much on colonies, for with little or no expense

The Prince

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 Ivanhoe by Walter Scott:

may be that be may obtain his letter, and his signet, commanding these men of blood, who take their name from the Temple to the dishonour thereof, that they proceed not in their purposed wickedness.''

``I will seek him out,'' said Isaac, ``for he is a good youth, and hath compassion for the exile of Jacob. But he cannot bear his armour, and what other Christian shall do battle for the oppressed of Zion?''

``Nay, but,'' said the Rabbi, ``thou speakest as

Ivanhoe