| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: had never thought of hating because I despised him so absolutely.
On recognising him, the fang of the snake Jealousy was instantly
broken; because at the same moment my love for Celine sank under an
extinguisher. A woman who could betray me for such a rival was not
worth contending for; she deserved only scorn; less, however, than
I, who had been her dupe.
"They began to talk; their conversation eased me completely:
frivolous, mercenary, heartless, and senseless, it was rather
calculated to weary than enrage a listener. A card of mine lay on
the table; this being perceived, brought my name under discussion.
Neither of them possessed energy or wit to belabour me soundly, but
Jane Eyre |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton: ply at the moment. As they sailed toward the east
before turning south again, she pointed across the
great silvery sheet of water melting into the misty
southern horizon, to a high ridge of mountains that
looked to be a continuation of the San Bruno range
behind the Mission, but slanting farther west with
the coast line.
"Those are behind our rancho, senor--Rancho El
Pilar, or Las Pulgas, as some prefer. Perhaps my
father will take you there. I hope so, for we love to
go, and may not too often; my father is very busy
Rezanov |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: The courtyard was empty. The slaves were sleeping. The day was drawing
to a close, and the sunset spread a deep rosy glow over the horizon,
against which the smallest objects stood out like silhouettes. Antipas
was able to distinguish the excavations of the salt-mines at the
farther end of the Dead Sea, but the tents of the Arabs were no longer
visible. As the moon rose, the effect of the day's excitement passed
away, and a feeling of peace entered his heart.
Phanuel, also wearied by the recent agitating scenes, remained beside
the tetrarch. He sat in silence for some time, his chin resting on his
breast. At last he spoke in confidence to Antipas, and revealed what
he had wished to say.
Herodias |
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 Records of a Family of Engineers by Robert Louis Stevenson: have they come round me and taken me by the hand, but alas! I
am no more destined to behold them.'
The child who is taken becomes canonised, and the looks
of the homeliest babe seem in the retrospect `heavenly the
three last days of his life.' But it appears that James and
Mary had indeed been children more than usually engaging; a
record was preserved a long while in the family of their
remarks and `little innocent and interesting stories,' and the
blow and the blank were the more sensible.
Early the next month Robert Stevenson must proceed upon
his voyage of inspection, part by land, part by sea. He left
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