| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Memoir of Fleeming Jenkin by Robert Louis Stevenson: fifteen; not so different (his friends will think) from the Jenkin
of the end - boyish, simple, opinionated, delighting in action,
delighting before all things in any generous sentiment.
'February 23, 1848.
'When at 7 o'clock to-day I went out, I met a large band going
round the streets, calling on the inhabitants to illuminate their
houses, and bearing torches. This was all very good fun, and
everybody was delighted; but as they stopped rather long and were
rather turbulent in the Place de la Madeleine, near where we live'
[in the Rue Caumartin] 'a squadron of dragoons came up, formed, and
charged at a hand-gallop. This was a very pretty sight; the crowd
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Forged Coupon by Leo Tolstoy: haviour the night before, as he had been very
rude to his father without the slightest cause.
Theodorite was the grown-up son of the house,
and a ne'er-do-well. His name was Theodore,
but some one had once called him Theodorite
either as a joke or to tease him; and, as it seemed
funny, the name stuck to him, although his doings
were no longer in the least amusing. So it was
now. He had been to the university, but left it
in his second year, and joined a regiment of horse
guards; but he gave that up also, and was now
The Forged Coupon |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: while Laurie laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks.
"It's the best joke of the season, isn't it? I wouldn't have
told you, for I set my heart on surprising you, and I flatter
myself I've done it," said Jo, when she got her breath.
"I never was more staggered in my life. Isn't it fun? Are they boys?
What are you going to name them? Let's have another look. Hold me up,
Jo, for upon my life it's one too many for me," returned Laurie,
regarding the infants with the air of a big, benevolent Newfoundland
looking at a pair of infantile kittens.
"Boy and girl. Aren't they beauties?" said the proud papa,
beaming upon the little red squirmers as if they were unfledged angels.
Little Women |
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 Yates Pride by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman: John Bates, was a wealthy business man.
"I can't believe she has lost her money," said Mrs. Glynn. "She
wouldn't have been such a fool as to do what she has if she
hadn't money."
"What has she done?" asked Mrs. Bates, eagerly.
"What has she done?" asked Abby, and Mrs. Lee looked up
inquiringly.
The faces of Mrs. Glynn, her daughter, and her sister became
important, full of sly and triumphant knowledge.
"Haven't you heard?" asked Mrs. Glynn.
"Yes, haven't you?" asked Ethel.
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