| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: more convinced of the necessity of marrying him to Celeste, and of
taking the young couple to live with him. In fact, after May the 1st,
Theodose had already dined four times a week with "my dear, good
friend."
This was the period when Theodose reigned without a dissenting voice
in the bosom of that household, and all the friends of the family
approved of him--for the following reason: The Phellions, hearing his
praises sung by Brigitte and Thuillier, feared to displease the two
powers and chorussed their words, even when such perpetual laudation
seemed to them exaggerated. The same may be said of the Minards.
Moreover la Peyrade's behavior, as "friend of the family" was perfect.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Several Works by Edgar Allan Poe: And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted--nevermore!
The Masque of the Red Death
by Edgar Allan Poe
October, 1997 [Etext #1064]*
The Masque of the Red Death
The "Red Death" had long devastated the country. No
pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous. Blood was its
Avatar and its seal--the redness and the horror of blood. There were
sharp pains, and sudden dizziness, and then profuse bleeding at the
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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 The Young Forester by Zane Grey: "Well, I'll try to locate him, and offer him a job in the service. Now, Mr.
Ward, you've had special opportunities; you have an eye in your head, and
you are interested in forestry. Perhaps you can help us. Personally I shall
be most pleased to hear what you think might be done in Penetier."
I gasped and stared, and could scarcely believe my ears. But he was not
joking; he was as serious as if he had addressed himself to one of his
officers. I looked at them all, standing interested and expectant. Dick was
as grave and erect as a deacon. Jim seemed much impressed. But old Hiram
Bent, standing somewhat back of the others, deliberately winked at me.
But for that wink I never could have seized my opportunity. It made me
remember my talks with Hiram. So I boiled down all that I had learned and
The Young Forester |
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 Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: works, of whom we shall hereafter speak at more length.
Christ also, when His disciples were asked for the tribute money,
asked of Peter whether the children of a king were not free from
taxes. Peter agreed to this; yet Jesus commanded him to go to the
sea, saying, "Lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and
cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when
thou hast opened his mouth thou shalt find a piece of money; that
take, and give unto them for Me and thee" (Matt. xvii. 27).
This example is very much to our purpose; for here Christ calls
Himself and His disciples free men and children of a King, in
want of nothing; and yet He voluntarily submits and pays the tax.
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