| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: royal residence the king reviews in person; the remainder, living in
remoter districts of the empire, he inspects by proxy, sending certain
trusty representatives.[5] Wherever the commandants of garrisons, the
captains of thousands, and the satraps[6] are seen to have their
appointed members complete, and at the same time shall present their
troops equipped with horse and arms in thorough efficiency, these
officers the king delights to honour, and showers gifts upon them
largely. But as to those officers whom he finds either to have
neglected their garrisons, or to have made private gain of their
position, these he heavily chastises, deposing them from office, and
appointing other superintendents[7] in their stead. Such conduct, I
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Thus Spake Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche: last, subtlest master-art of kindness."
"Especially nowadays," answered the voluntary beggar: "at present, that is
to say, when everything low hath become rebellious and exclusive and
haughty in its manner--in the manner of the populace.
For the hour hath come, thou knowest it forsooth, for the great, evil,
long, slow mob-and-slave-insurrection: it extendeth and extendeth!
Now doth it provoke the lower classes, all benevolence and petty giving;
and the overrich may be on their guard!
Whoever at present drip, like bulgy bottles out of all-too-small necks:--of
such bottles at present one willingly breaketh the necks.
Wanton avidity, bilious envy, careworn revenge, populace-pride: all these
Thus Spake Zarathustra |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Personal Record by Joseph Conrad: offered a word. "Well, what do you say?" I asked at last. "Is
it worth finishing?" This question expressed exactly the whole
of my thoughts.
"Distinctly," he answered, in his sedate, veiled voice, and then
coughed a little.
"Were you interested?" I inquired further, almost in a whisper.
"Very much!"
In a pause I went on meeting instinctively the heavy rolling of
the ship, and Jacques put his feet upon the couch. The curtain
of my bed-place swung to and fro as if it were a punkah, the
bulkhead lamp circled in its gimbals, and now and then the cabin
A Personal Record |
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 A Book of Remarkable Criminals by H. B. Irving: easier to feel what I am feeling than to express what I dare not
express." (In a feeble voice): "You have desired my death; you
have it!" The judges retired to consider the sentence. The
candles were guttering, the light of the lamps was beginning to
fade; the aspect of the court grim and terrible. M. Roussel
broke down and burst into tears. Castaing leant over to his
old schoolfellow: "Courage, Roussel," he said; "you have always
believed me innocent, and I am innocent. Embrace for me my
father, my mother, my brothers, my child." He turned to a group
of young advocates standing near: "And you, young people, who
have listened to my trial, attend also my execution; I shall be
A Book of Remarkable Criminals |
