| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Herland by Charlotte Gilman: Spirit, something inside of us that we want more of. Is your God
a Big Man?" she asked innocently.
"Why--yes, to most of us, I think. Of course we call it an
Indwelling Spirit just as you do, but we insist that it is Him, a
Person, and a Man--with whiskers."
"Whiskers? Oh yes--because you have them! Or do you
wear them because He does?"
"On the contrary, we shave them off--because it seems
cleaner and more comfortable."
"Does He wear clothes--in your idea, I mean?"
I was thinking over the pictures of God I had seen--rash
Herland |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Common Sense by Thomas Paine: or by usurpation. If the first king was taken by lot, it establishes a
precedent for the next, which excludes hereditary succession. Saul was
by lot, yet the succession was not hereditary, neither does it appear
from that transaction there was any intention it ever should be. If the
first king of any country was by election, that likewise establishes a
precedent for the next; for to say, that the RIGHT of all future
generations is taken away, by the act of the first electors,
in their choice not only of a king, but of a family of kings for ever,
hath no parallel in or out of scripture but the doctrine of original sin,
which supposes the free will of all men lost in Adam;
and from such comparison, and it will admit of no other,
Common Sense |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Aeneid by Virgil: Shall just be shown on earth, and snatch'd away.
The gods too high had rais'd the Roman state,
Were but their gifts as permanent as great.
What groans of men shall fill the Martian field!
How fierce a blaze his flaming pile shall yield!
What fun'ral pomp shall floating Tiber see,
When, rising from his bed, he views the sad solemnity!
No youth shall equal hopes of glory give,
No youth afford so great a cause to grieve;
The Trojan honor, and the Roman boast,
Admir'd when living, and ador'd when lost!
Aeneid |
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 Macbeth by William Shakespeare: Now spurres the lated Traueller apace,
To gayne the timely Inne, and neere approches
The subiect of our Watch
3. Hearke, I heare Horses
Banquo within. Giue vs a Light there, hoa
2. Then 'tis hee:
The rest, that are within the note of expectation,
Alreadie are i'th' Court
1. His Horses goe about
3. Almost a mile: but he does vsually,
So all men doe, from hence toth' Pallace Gate
Macbeth |
