| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin: other parts of the organisation. In changes of this nature, there will be
little or no tendency to modify the original pattern, or to transpose
parts. The bones of a limb might be shortened and widened to any extent,
and become gradually enveloped in thick membrane, so as to serve as a fin;
or a webbed foot might have all its bones, or certain bones, lengthened to
any extent, and the membrane connecting them increased to any extent, so as
to serve as a wing: yet in all this great amount of modification there
will be no tendency to alter the framework of bones or the relative
connexion of the several parts. If we suppose that the ancient progenitor,
the archetype as it may be called, of all mammals, had its limbs
constructed on the existing general pattern, for whatever purpose they
On the Origin of Species |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: till suddenly fancying that it would be the greater punishment to
her partner to oblige him to talk, she made some slight
observation on the dance. He replied, and was again silent.
After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him a second time
with:-- "It is YOUR turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. I
talked about the dance, and YOU ought to make some sort of
remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples."
He smiled, and assured her that whatever she wished him to say
should be said.
"Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and
by I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than
Pride and Prejudice |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Adieu by Honore de Balzac: she did not come to him, went on with staggering steps like a drunken
man, still whistling, but never turning back.
General Philippe de Sucy was thought in the social world to be a very
agreeable man, and above all a very gay one. A few days ago, a lady
complimented him on his good humor, and the charming equability of his
nature.
"Ah! madame," he said, "I pay dear for my liveliness in my lonely
evenings."
"Are you ever alone?" she said.
"No," he replied smiling.
If a judicious observer of human nature could have seen at that moment
|
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 Girl with the Golden Eyes by Honore de Balzac: presents a magnificent figure, but that is an effect of the constant
calm affected by those profound philosophers with their long pipes,
their short legs, their square contour, who despise and hold activity
in horror, whilst in Paris the little and the great and the mediocre
run and leap and drive, whipped on by an inexorable goddess, Necessity
--the necessity for money, glory, and amusement. Thus, any face which
is fresh and graceful and reposeful, any really young face, is in
Paris the most extraordinary of exceptions; it is met with rarely.
Should you see one there, be sure it belongs either to a young and
ardent ecclesiastic or to some good abbe of forty with three chins; to
a young girl of pure life such as is brought up in certain middle-
The Girl with the Golden Eyes |
