| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Jolly Corner by Henry James: as a proof that HE, standing there for the achieved, the enjoyed,
the triumphant life, couldn't be faced in his triumph. Wasn't the
proof in the splendid covering hands, strong and completely spread?
- so spread and so intentional that, in spite of a special verity
that surpassed every other, the fact that one of these hands had
lost two fingers, which were reduced to stumps, as if accidentally
shot away, the face was effectually guarded and saved.
"Saved," though, WOULD it be? - Brydon breathed his wonder till the
very impunity of his attitude and the very insistence of his eyes
produced, as he felt, a sudden stir which showed the next instant
as a deeper portent, while the head raised itself, the betrayal of
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from King James Bible: LUK 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut
to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door,
saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you,
I know you not whence ye are:
LUK 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy
presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
LUK 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are;
depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
LUK 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall
see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom
of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
King James Bible |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Phaedo by Plato: philosophy live henceforth altogether without the body, in mansions fairer
still which may not be described, and of which the time would fail me to
tell.
Wherefore, Simmias, seeing all these things, what ought not we to do that
we may obtain virtue and wisdom in this life? Fair is the prize, and the
hope great!
A man of sense ought not to say, nor will I be very confident, that the
description which I have given of the soul and her mansions is exactly
true. But I do say that, inasmuch as the soul is shown to be immortal, he
may venture to think, not improperly or unworthily, that something of the
kind is true. The venture is a glorious one, and he ought to comfort
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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 Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie: Tommy hated him. Had the man seen through him?
The German, with an effort, turned roughly to Tommy.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you think I mean?" parried Tommy, searching desperately
in his own mind.
Suddenly Boris stepped forward, and shook his fist in Tommy's
face.
"Speak, you swine of an Englishman--speak!"
"Don't get so excited, my good fellow," said Tommy calmly.
"That's the worst of you foreigners. You can't keep calm. Now, I
ask you, do I look as though I thought there were the least
Secret Adversary |
