The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Life of the Spider by J. Henri Fabre: fall of foreign bodies which, swept by the wind, might end by
obstructing it; lastly, she uses it as a snare by offering the
Flies and other insects whereon she feeds a projecting point to
settle on. Who shall tell us all the wiles employed by this clever
and daring huntress?
'Let us now say something about my rather diverting Tarantula-
hunts. The best season for them is the months of May and June.
The first time that I lighted on this Spider's burrows and
discovered that they were inhabited by seeing her come to a point
on the first floor of her dwelling--the elbow which I have
mentioned--I thought that I must attack her by main force and
 The Life of the Spider |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Underground City by Jules Verne: be perpetuated by the remembrance of the catastrophe of the MOTALA,
and indisputably confirm the truth of the apparition of the Fire-Maidens.
A hearty fellow like Jack Ryan, with so strong a constitution,
could not be long confined to his bed. A few sprains and bruises
were not quite enough to keep him on his back longer than he liked.
He had not time to be ill.
Jack, therefore, soon got well. As soon as he was on his legs again,
before resuming his work on the farm, he wished to go and visit
his friend Harry, and learn why he had not come to the Irvine
merry-making. He could not understand his absence, for Harry
was not a man who would willingly promise and not perform.
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