| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Records of a Family of Engineers by Robert Louis Stevenson: just begun to appear as if rising from the ocean, and in less
than a minute he was seen in the fullest splendour; but after
a short interval he was enveloped in a soft cloudy sky, which
was considered emblematical of fine weather. His rays had not
yet sufficiently dispelled the clouds which hid the land from
view, and the Bell Rock being still overflowed, the whole was
one expanse of water. This scene in itself was highly
gratifying; and, when the morning bell was tolled, we were
gratified with the happy forebodings of good weather and the
expectation of having both a morning and an evening tide's
work on the rock.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry: are wisest. They are the magi.
End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of THE GIFT OF THE MAGI.
The Gift of the Magi |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: but He hath given you power over them; for God is knowing, wise!
Verily, those who believe and have fled and fought strenuously
with their wealth and persons in God's way, and those who have given
refuge and help, these shall be next of kin to each other. But those
who believe, but have not fled, ye have naught to do with their claims
of kindred, until they flee as well. But if they ask you for aid for
religion's sake, then help is due from you, except against a people
between whom and you there is an alliance; for God on what ye do
doth look.
And those who misbelieve, some of them are next of kin to others-
unless ye act the same there will be sedition in the land, and great
The Koran |
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 Damaged Goods by Upton Sinclair: The doctor was a man about forty years of age, robust, with every
appearance of a strong character. In the buttonhole of the frock
coat he wore was a red rosette, the decoration of some order.
Confused and nervous as George was, he got a vague impression of
the physician's richly furnished office, with its bronzes,
marbles and tapestries.
The doctor signaled to the young man to be seated in the chair
before his desk. George complied, and then, as he wiped away the
perspiration from his forehead, stammered out a few words,
explaining his errand. Of course, he said, it could not be true,
but it was a man's duty not to take any chances in such a matter.
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