| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from From London to Land's End by Daniel Defoe: I have said something already with relation to the great extent of
ground which lies waste, and in which there is so great a quantity
of large timber, as I have spoken of already.
This waste and wild part of the country was, as some record, laid
open and waste for a forest and for game by that violent tyrant
William the Conqueror, and for which purpose he unpeopled the
country, pulled down the houses, and, which was worse, the churches
of several parishes or towns, and of abundance of villages, turning
the poor people out of their habitations and possessions, and
laying all open for his deer. The same histories likewise record
that two of his own blood and posterity, and particularly his
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Rig Veda: And each man reels who dwells therein.
11 O Maruts, with your strong-hoofed steeds, unhindered in
their
courses, haste
Along the bright embanked streams.
12 Firm be the fellies of your wheels, steady your horses and
your
cars,
And may your reins be fashioned well.
13 Invite thou hither with this song, for praise, Agni the
Lord of
The Rig Veda |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Montezuma's Daughter by H. Rider Haggard: spoken, but the people shouted him down, crying: 'Otomie, Otomie!
Let us hear the words of Otomie.'
'I thank you, my people,' she said, 'for I have still much to tell
you. Our crime is then, that we drew an army after us to fight
against the Teules. And how did we draw this army? Did I command
you to muster your array? Nay, I set out my case and I said "Now
choose." You chose, and of your own free will you despatched those
glorious companies that now are dead. My crime is therefore that
you chose wrongly as you say, but as I still hold, most rightly,
and because of this crime I and my husband are to be given as a
peace offering to the Teules. Listen: let me tell you something of
Montezuma's Daughter |
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 Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas: borne at the head of the procession, complete order was
restored.
CHAPTER 86
Night
Concord returned to its place amidst the tents. English and
French rivaled each other in their devotion and courteous
attention to the illustrious travelers. The English
forwarded to the French baskets of flowers, of which they
had made a plentiful provision to greet the arrival of the
young princess; the French in return invited the English to
a supper, which was to be given the next day.
Ten Years Later |
