| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: always grieved that you, most excellent Leo, who were worthy of a
better age, have been made pontiff in this. For the Roman Court
is not worthy of you and those like you, but of Satan himself,
who in truth is more the ruler in that Babylon than you are.
Oh, would that, having laid aside that glory which your most
abandoned enemies declare to be yours, you were living rather in
the office of a private priest or on your paternal inheritance!
In that glory none are worthy to glory, except the race of
Iscariot, the children of perdition. For what happens in your
court, Leo, except that, the more wicked and execrable any man
is, the more prosperously he can use your name and authority for
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Two Poets by Honore de Balzac: as swiftly as the scent of briar-rose; melancholy, tender as the
velvet of moss--these were the blossoms of two rare natures, springing
up out of a rich and fruitful soil on foundations of rock. Many a time
Eve had seen revelations of the strength that lay below the appearance
of weakness, and made such full allowance for all that David left
undone, that the slightest word now might bring about a closer union
of soul and soul.
Eve opened the door, and Lucien sat down without a word at the little
table on an X-shaped trestle. There was no tablecloth; the poor little
household boasted but three silver spoons and forks, and Eve had laid
them all for the dearly loved brother.
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