| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther: shame, but honor and praise from us.
Now the name of God is profaned by us either in words or in works. (For
whatever we do upon the earth must be either words or works, speech or
act.) In the first place, then, it is profaned when men preach, teach,
and speak in the name of God what is false and misleading, so that His
name must serve to adorn and to find a market for falsehood. That is,
indeed, the greatest profanation and dishonor of the divine name.
Furthermore, also when men, by swearing, cursing, conjuring, etc.,
grossly abuse the holy name as a cloak for their shame. In the second
place also by an openly wicked life and works, when those who are
called Christians and the people of God are adulterers, drunkards,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A House of Pomegranates by Oscar Wilde: lived in a remote part of the forest, more than a day's ride from
the town. Grief, or the plague, as the court physician stated, or,
as some suggested, a swift Italian poison administered in a cup of
spiced wine, slew, within an hour of her wakening, the white girl
who had given him birth, and as the trusty messenger who bare the
child across his saddle-bow stooped from his weary horse and
knocked at the rude door of the goatherd's hut, the body of the
Princess was being lowered into an open grave that had been dug in
a deserted churchyard, beyond the city gates, a grave where it was
said that another body was also lying, that of a young man of
marvellous and foreign beauty, whose hands were tied behind him
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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 Four Arthurian Romances by Chretien DeTroyes: expresses his gratitude, being much pleased with the company.
(Vv. 2199-2266.) Then the conversation ceases, and they take the
knight to bed, where he was glad to fall asleep. As soon as
daylight was visible he got up, and those who were to accompany
him got up too. The two knights donned their armour and took
their leave, while the young fellow started on ahead. Together
they pursued their way until they came at the hour of prime to
"the stony passage." In the middle of it they found a wooden
tower, where there was always a man on guard. Before they drew
near, he who was on the tower saw them and cried twice aloud:
"Woe to this man who comes!" And then behold! A knight issued
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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 Phantasmagoria and Other Poems by Lewis Carroll: Upon his unresisting head,
Like half a hundredweight of lead.
"The Good and Great must ever shun
That reckless and abandoned one
Who stoops to perpetrate a pun.
"The man that smokes - that reads the TIMES -
That goes to Christmas Pantomimes -
Is capable of ANY crimes!"
He felt it was his turn to speak,
And, with a shamed and crimson cheek,
Moaned "This is harder than Bezique!"
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