| 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: us, that they may not be able to accomplish anything and we remain firm
against all violence and persecution, and submit to such will of God.
Such prayer, then, is to be our protection and defense now, is to
repel and put down all that the devil, Pope, bishops, tyrants, and
heretics can do against our Gospel. Let them all rage and attempt their
utmost, and deliberate and resolve how they may suppress and
exterminate us, that their will and counsel may prevail: over and
against this one or two Christians with this petition alone shall be
our wall against which they shall run and dash themselves to pieces.
This consolation and confidence we have, that the will and purpose of
the devil and of all our enemies shall and must fail and come to
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Stories From the Old Attic by Robert Harris: "I have never accepted money for anything I've published," said the
beard hotly.
"'Beware of those who look to the right and walk to the left,' says
della Corta."
"How dare you accuse me--" At this point they were interrupted. A
young man, deeply preoccupied with thinking about the purpose of
mankind, had just bounced his head against a tree and--ah, but this
is where you came in.
A Tale Revealing the Wisdom
Of Being a Cork on the River of Life
Once upon a time, not very far from a town pretty much like yours,
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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 Nada the Lily by H. Rider Haggard: sniffed it. Then he roared--ah! he roared till the earth shook. As for
the lioness, she dropped the dead cub which she was carrying, and took
the other into her mouth, for she could not carry both.
"Get behind me, Nada," cried Umslopogaas, brandishing his spear, "the
lion is about to spring."
As the words left his mouth the great brute crouched to the ground.
Then suddenly he sprang from it like a bird, and like a bird he
travelled through the air towards us.
"Catch him on the spears!" cried Umslopogaas, and by nature, as it
were, we did the boy's bidding; for huddling ourselves together, we
held out the assegais so that the lion fell upon them as he sprang,
Nada the Lily |
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 An Historical Mystery by Honore de Balzac: sister in one comprehensive glance, which made them fancy they were
wrapped in an azure mantle; triumph sparkled in her eyes, she blushed,
and the tears welled up beneath her lids. Strong under all
misfortunes, the girl knew not how to weep except from joy. At this
moment she was all glorious, especially to the priest, who was
sometimes distressed by the virility of her character, and who now
caught a glimpse of the infinite tenderness of her woman's nature. But
such feelings lay in her soul like a treasure hidden at a great depth
beneath a block of granite.
Just then a gendarme entered the salon to ask if he might bring in
Michu's son, sent by his father to speak to the gentlemen from Paris.
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