| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Unseen World and Other Essays by John Fiske: 13-20). Already, it appears, speculations were rife as to the
character of this wonderful preacher. Some thought he was John
the Baptist, or perhaps one of the prophets of the Assyrian
period returned to the earth. Some, in accordance with a
generally-received tradition, supposed him to be Elijah, who had
never seen death, and had now at last returned from the regions
above the firmament to announce the coming of the Messiah in the
clouds. It was generally admitted, among enthusiastic hearers,
that he who spake as never man spake before must have some divine
commission to execute. These speculations, coming to the ears of
Jesus during his preaching in Galilee, could not fail to excite
The Unseen World and Other Essays |
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: had great misfortunes in the world; was become a widow the second
time, and very low in the world. I made her very easy as to what
she owed me, assuring her I would give her no trouble; but, on the
contrary, in gratitude for her former care and faithfulness to me,
I relieved her as my little stock would afford; which at that time
would, indeed, allow me to do but little for her; but I assured her
I would never forget her former kindness to me; nor did I forget
her when I had sufficient to help her, as shall be observed in its
proper place. I went down afterwards into Yorkshire; but my father
was dead, and my mother and all the family extinct, except that I
found two sisters, and two of the children of one of my brothers;
Robinson Crusoe |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Four Arthurian Romances by Chretien DeTroyes: Since he will not consent to stay for my sake, pray him to remain
on your account, and if need be, fall at his feet, for I should
never again be happy if I should lose his company." (3) The King
sends the Queen to the seneschal, and she goes to him. Finding
him with the rest, she went up to him, and said: "Kay, you may be
very sure that I am greatly troubled by the news I have heard of
you. I am grieved to say that I have been told it is your
intention to leave the King. How does this come about? What
motive have you in your mind? I cannot think that you are so
sensible or courteous as usual. I want to ask you to remain:
stay with us here, and grant my prayer." "Lady," he says, "I
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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 A Voyage to Arcturus by David Lindsay: short and muscular, his face was broad, bearded, and rather
commonplace, but there was something terrible about his appearance.
The features were distorted by a deep - seated look of pain, despair,
and horror.
Oceaxe, without pausing, strolled lightly and lazily up to the
outermost shadows of the tree, some distance from the couch.
"We have met with an uplift," she remarked carelessly, looking toward
the youth.
He eyed her, but said nothing.
"How is your plant man getting on?" Her tone was artificial but
extremely beautiful. While waiting for an answer, she sat down on
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