| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung's Ring by George Bernard Shaw: their comprehension of the world, they had better stay away.
And now, attentive Reader, we have reached the point at which
some foolish person is sure to interrupt us by declaring that The
Rhine Gold is what they call "a work of art" pure and simple, and
that Wagner never dreamt of shareholders, tall hats, whitelead
factories, and industrial and political questions looked at from
the socialistic and humanitarian points of view. We need not
discuss these impertinences: it is easier to silence them with
the facts of Wagner's life. In 1843 he obtained the position of
conductor of the Opera at Dresden at a salary of L225 a year,
with a pension. This was a first-rate permanent appointment in
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hellenica by Xenophon: Plutarch, "Alcibiades," ad fin.
"I ask then is the man who tenders such advice in the full light of
day justly to be regarded as a traitor, and not as a benefactor?
Surely Critias, the peacemaker, the man who hinders the creation of
many enemies, whose counsels tend to the acquistion of yet more
friends,[17] cannot be accused of strengthening the hands of the
enemy. Much more truly may the imputation be retorted on those who
wrongfully appropriate their neighbours' goods and put to death those
who have done no wrong. These are they who cause our adversaries to
grow and multiply, and who in very truth are traitors, not to their
friends only, but to themselves, spurred on by sordid love of gain.
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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 Grimm's Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm: got deeper and deeper into the wood.
Meanwhile the wolf ran straight to the grandmother's house and knocked
at the door.
'Who is there?'
'Little Red-Cap,' replied the wolf. 'She is bringing cake and wine;
open the door.'
'Lift the latch,' called out the grandmother, 'I am too weak, and
cannot get up.'
The wolf lifted the latch, the door sprang open, and without saying a
word he went straight to the grandmother's bed, and devoured her. Then
he put on her clothes, dressed himself in her cap laid himself in bed
Grimm's Fairy Tales |
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 First Inaugural Address by Abraham Lincoln: to compose a new Union, as to produce harmony only,
and prevent renewed secession?
Plainly, the central idea of secession is the essence of anarchy.
A majority held in restraint by constitutional checks and limitations,
and always changing easily with deliberate changes of popular
opinions and sentiments, is the only true sovereign of a free people.
Whoever rejects it does, of necessity, fly to anarchy or to despotism.
Unanimity is impossible; the rule of a minority, as a permanent arrangement,
is wholly inadmissible; so that, rejecting the majority principle,
anarchy or despotism in some form is all that is left.
I do not forget the position, assumed by some, that Constitutional
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