| 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 32: 11 Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
Job 32: 12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none that convinced Job, or that answered his words, among you.
Job 32: 13 Beware lest ye say: 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man!'
Job 32: 14 For he hath not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.
Job 32: 15 They are amazed, they answer no more; words are departed from them.
Job 32: 16 And shall I wait, because they speak not, because they stand still, and answer no more?
Job 32: 17 I also will answer my part, I also will declare mine opinion.
Job 32: 18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constraineth me.
Job 32: 19 Behold, mine inwards are as wine which hath no vent; like new wine-skins which are ready to burst.
Job 32: 20 I will speak, that I may find relief; I will open my lips and answer.
Job 32: 21 Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person; neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.
The Tanach |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe: says the old man, "I shall give you a true account of what I have
received in all, and how I have disposed of it."
After a few days' further conference with this ancient friend, he
brought me an account of the first six years' income of my
plantation, signed by my partner and the merchant-trustees, being
always delivered in goods, viz. tobacco in roll, and sugar in
chests, besides rum, molasses, &c., which is the consequence of a
sugar-work; and I found by this account, that every year the income
considerably increased; but, as above, the disbursements being
large, the sum at first was small: however, the old man let me see
that he was debtor to me four hundred and seventy moidores of gold,
Robinson Crusoe |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Euthyphro by Plato: others as unjust,--about these they dispute; and so there arise wars and
fightings among them.
EUTHYPHRO: Very true.
SOCRATES: Then the same things are hated by the gods and loved by the
gods, and are both hateful and dear to them?
EUTHYPHRO: True.
SOCRATES: And upon this view the same things, Euthyphro, will be pious and
also impious?
EUTHYPHRO: So I should suppose.
SOCRATES: Then, my friend, I remark with surprise that you have not
answered the question which I asked. For I certainly did not ask you to
|
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 Lone Star Ranger by Zane Grey: treacherous quicksand. He abandoned any hope of crossing the
river. Probably for miles up and down it would be just the same
as here. Before leaving the bank he tied his hat upon the pole
and lifted enough water to quench his thirst. Then he worked
his way back to where thinner growth made advancement easier,
and kept on up-stream till the shadows were so deep he could
not see. Feeling around for a place big enough to stretch out
on, he lay down. For the time being he was as safe there as he
would have been beyond in the Rim Rock. He was tired, though
not exhausted, and in spite of the throbbing pain in his arm he
dropped at once into sleep.
The Lone Star Ranger |
