| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Madam How and Lady Why by Charles Kingsley: gay fashions, fine clothes, tawdry luxuries, silly amusements.
Wonder at the works of God. You will not, perhaps, take my advice
yet. The world of man looks so pretty, that you will needs have
your peep at it, and stare into its shop windows; and if you can,
go to a few of its stage plays, and dance at a few of its balls.
Ah--well--After a wild dream comes an uneasy wakening; and after
too many sweet things, comes a sick headache. And one morning you
will awake, I trust and pray, from the world of man to the world
of God, and wonder where wonder is due, and worship where worship
is due. You will awake like a child who has been at a pantomime
over night, staring at the "fairy halls," which are all paint and
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner: "'My good woman,' said one, 'I am really exceedingly sorry that your son-
in-law is ill; but there is absolutely no room for you here.'
"'You had better get down,' said another, 'or the wheel will catch you.'
"I got up to give her my place.
"'Oh, no, no!' they cried, 'we will not allow that.'
"'I will rather kneel,' said one, and he crouched down at my feet; so the
woman came in.
"There were nine of us in that coach, and only one showed chivalrous
attention--and that was a woman to a woman.
"I shall be old and ugly, too, one day, and I shall look for men's
chivalrous help, but I shall not find it.
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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 Odyssey by Homer: feasted him slew him, as one slayeth an ox at the stall.
And none of the company of Atreides that were of his
following were left, nor any of the men of Aegisthus, but
they were all killed in the halls."
'So spake he, and my spirit within me was broken, and I
wept as I sat upon the sand, nor was I minded any more to
live and see the light of the sun. But when I had taken my
fill of weeping and grovelling on the ground, then spake
the ancient one of the sea, whose speech is sooth:
'"No more, son of Atreus, hold this long weeping without
cease, for we shall find no help therein. Rather with all
The Odyssey |
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 Oscar Wilde Miscellaneous by Oscar Wilde: Has not yet tolled its midnight, and the watchmen
Who with their hollow horns mock the pale moon,
Lie drowsy in their towers. Stay awhile.
I fear we may not see you here again,
And that fear saddens my too simple heart.
GUIDO. Be not afraid, Simone. I will stand
Most constant in my friendship, But to-night
I go to mine own home, and that at once.
To-morrow, sweet Bianca.
SIMONE. Well, well, so be it.
I would have wished for fuller converse with you,
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