| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Georgics by Virgil: Neptune; and haunter of the groves, for whom
Three hundred snow-white heifers browse the brakes,
The fertile brakes of Ceos; and clothed in power,
Thy native forest and Lycean lawns,
Pan, shepherd-god, forsaking, as the love
Of thine own Maenalus constrains thee, hear
And help, O lord of Tegea! And thou, too,
Minerva, from whose hand the olive sprung;
And boy-discoverer of the curved plough;
And, bearing a young cypress root-uptorn,
Silvanus, and Gods all and Goddesses,
Georgics |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Witch, et. al by Anton Chekhov: "Take it," he said, turning round.
He gave her a crumpled rouble note and walked quickly away.
"Good-bye, Yegor Vlassitch," she said, mechanically taking the
rouble.
He walked by a long road, straight as a taut strap. She, pale and
motionless as a statue, stood, her eyes seizing every step he
took. But the red of his shirt melted into the dark colour of his
trousers, his step could not be seen, and the dog could not be
distinguished from the boots. Nothing could be seen but the cap,
and . . . suddenly Yegor turned off sharply into the clearing and
the cap vanished in the greenness.
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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 Figure in the Carpet by Henry James: was accidentally so much more explicit with you than it had ever
entered into my game to be, that I find this game - I mean the
pleasure of playing it - suffers considerably. In short, if you
can understand it, I've rather spoiled my sport. I really don't
want to give anybody what I believe you clever young men call the
tip. That's of course a selfish solicitude, and I name it to you
for what it may be worth to you. If you're disposed to humour me
don't repeat my revelation. Think me demented - it's your right;
but don't tell anybody why."
The sequel to this communication was that as early on the morrow as
I dared I drove straight to Mr. Vereker's door. He occupied in
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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 Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther: The authority of the apostles was indeed great in all the churches. Paul did
not want to detract from their authority, but he had to speak disparagingly
of their authority in order to conserve the truth of the Gospel, and the
liberty of conscience.
The false apostles used this argument against Paul: "The apostles lived with
Christ for three years. They heard His sermons. They witnessed His miracles.
They themselves preached and performed miracles while Christ was on earth.
Paul never saw Jesus in the flesh. Now, whom ought you to believe: Paul, who
stands alone, a mere disciple of the apostles, one of the last and least; or
will you believe those grand apostles who were sent and confirmed by Christ
Himself long before Paul?"
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