| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from A treatise on Good Works by Dr. Martin Luther: saved, redeemed from all his sinful works. Thus says David:
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
In order to strengthen us thereto He has not only commanded us
to keep such a rest (for nature is very unwilling to die and to
suffer, and it is a bitter day of rest for it to cease from its
works and be dead); but He has also comforted us in the
Scriptures with many words and told us, Psalm xci, "I will be
with him in all his trouble, and will deliver him." Likewise
Psalm xxxiv: "The Lord is nigh unto all them that suffer, and
will help them."
As if this were not enough, He has given us a powerful, strong
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Dreams by Olive Schreiner: And she said, "I will carry him so--with one arm, and with the other I will
fight the water."
He said, "Lay him down on the ground. When you are in the water you will
forget to fight, you will think only of him. Lay him down." He said, "He
will not die. When he finds you have left him alone he will open his wings
and fly. He will be in the Land of Freedom before you. Those who reach
the Land of Freedom, the first hand they see stretching down the bank to
help them shall be Love's. He will be a man then, not a child. In your
breast he cannot thrive; put him down that he may grow."
And she took her bosom from his mouth, and he bit her, so that the blood
ran down on to the ground. And she laid him down on the earth; and she
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: resurrection day, and he shall be therein for aye despised. Save he
who turns again and believes and does a righteous work; for, as to
those, God will change their evil deeds to good, for God is ever
forgiving, merciful.
And he who turns again and does right, verily, he turns again to God
repentant.
And those who do not testify falsely; and when they pass by
frivolous discourse, pass by it honourably; and those who when they
are reminded of the signs of their Lord do not fall down thereat
deaf and blind; and those who say, 'Our Lord! grant us from our
wives and seed that which may cheer our eyes, and make us models to
The Koran |
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 Heritage of the Desert by Zane Grey: heralded the approach of the Navajos. In single-file they rode up the
lane, and when the falcon-eyed Eschtah dismounted before his white
friend, the line of his warriors still turned the corner of the red wall.
Next to the chieftain rode Scarbreast, the grim war-lord of the Navajos.
His followers trailed into the grove. Their sinewy bronze bodies, almost
naked, glistened wet from the river. Full a hundred strong were they, a
silent, lean-limbed desert troop.
"The White Prophet's fires burned bright," said the chieftain. "Eschtah
is here."
"The Navajo is a friend," replied Naab. "The white man needs counsel and
help. He has fallen upon evil days."
The Heritage of the Desert |
