| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lost Continent by Edgar Rice Burroughs: revolver. A long knife was in the doeskin belt that
supported the doeskin skirt tightly about her lithe limbs.
She dropped my weapons at my feet, and, snatching the knife
from its resting place, severed the bonds that held me. I
was free, and the lion was preparing to charge.
"Run!" I cried to the girl, as I bent and seized my rifle.
But she only stood there at my side, her bared blade ready
in her hand.
The lion was bounding toward us now in prodigious leaps. I
raised the rifle and fired. It was a lucky shot, for I had
no time to aim carefully, and when the beast crumpled and
Lost Continent |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: do last night?"
"Went to bed early," answered Barbara with brevity. "Helen wasn't
feeling well."
McIntyre's handsome face showed concern as he glanced across the
table. "Have you sent for Dr. Stone?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Helen - I - we "- Barbara stumbled in her speech. "We have taken
an aversion to Dr. Stone."
McIntyre set down his coffee cup with unwonted force, thereby
spilling some of its contents.
The Red Seal |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from King James Bible: MAR 10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not
kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy
father and mother.
MAR 10:20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I
observed from my youth.
MAR 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One
thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to
the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the
cross, and follow me.
MAR 10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he
had great possessions.
King James Bible |
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 Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: for nothing groweth from a potsherd. And again, if it be soaked
overmuch, it rotteth, fruit and all. It is trodden under foot of
men and the residue of the beasts: it is polluted with the blood
of the murdered, it is digged and made a grave for dead bodies.
This being so, Earth can in no wise be a goddess, but only the
work of God for the use of men.
"They that think that Water is a god have gone astray. It also
hath been made for the use of men. It is under their lordship:
it is polluted, and perisheth: it is altered by boiling, by
dyeing, by congealment, or by being brought to the cleansing of
all defilements. Wherefore Water cannot be a god, but only the
|
