| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Smalcald Articles by Dr. Martin Luther: in case of deliberation as to what and how far we would be
both willing and able to yield to the Papists, and in what
points we intended to persevere and abide to the end.
I have accordingly compiled these articles and presented them
to our side. They have also been accepted and unanimously
confessed by our side, and it has been resolved that, in case
the Pope with his adherents should ever be so bold as
seriously and in good faith, without lying and cheating, to
hold a truly free [legitimate] Christian Council (as, indeed,
he would be in duty bound to do), they be publicly delivered
in order to set forth the Confession of our Faith.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Man in Lower Ten by Mary Roberts Rinehart: Sullivan and proved the satchel and its contents his? Since the
police had the bit of chain it might mean involving Alison in the
story. I sat down and buried my face in my hands. There was no
escape. I figured it out despondingly.
Against me was the evidence of the survivors of the Ontario that
I had been accused of the murder at the time. There had been
blood-stains on my pillow and a hidden dagger. Into the bargain,
in my possession had been found a traveling-bag containing the
dead man's pocket-book.
In my favor was McKnight's theory against Mrs. Conway. She had a
motive for wishing to secure the notes, she believed I was in lower
The Man in Lower Ten |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad: the shutter on the landside. That fool-helmsman, his hands
on the spokes, was lifting his knees high, stamping his feet,
champing his mouth, like a reined-in horse. Confound him!
And we were staggering within ten feet of the bank.
I had to lean right out to swing the heavy shutter, and I
saw a face amongst the leaves on the level with my own,
looking at me very fierce and steady; and then suddenly,
as though a veil had been removed from my eyes, I made out,
deep in the tangled gloom, naked breasts, arms, legs, glaring eyes--
the bush was swarming with human limbs in movement, glistening.
of bronze colour. The twigs shook, swayed, and rustled,
Heart of Darkness |
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 Thus Spake Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche: Zarathustra went round, and mischievously and lovingly shook hands with his
friends,--like one who hath to make amends and apologise to every one for
something. When however he had thereby come to the door of his cave, lo,
then had he again a longing for the good air outside, and for his animals,
--and wished to steal out.
LXXVI. AMONG DAUGHTERS OF THE DESERT.
1.
"Go not away!" said then the wanderer who called himself Zarathustra's
shadow, "abide with us--otherwise the old gloomy affliction might again
fall upon us.
Now hath that old magician given us of his worst for our good, and lo! the
Thus Spake Zarathustra |
