| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Padre Ignacio by Owen Wister: After this day, Felipe and all those who knew and loved the Padre best,
saw serenity had returned to his features; but for some reason they began
to watch those features with more care.
"Still," they said, "he is not old." And as the months went by they would
repeat: "We shall have him yet for many years."
Thus the season rolled round, bringing the time for the expected messages
from the world. Padre Ignacio was wont to sit in his garden, waiting for
the ship, as of old.
"As of old," they said, cheerfully, who saw him. But Renunciation with
Contentment they could not see; it was deep down in his silent and
thanked heart.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson: nameless, red-handed clan of the Macgregors. They had always
been ill-considered, and now worse than ever, having credit with
no side or party in the whole country of Scotland. Their chief,
Macgregor of Macgregor, was in exile; the more immediate leader
of that part of them about Balquhidder, James More, Rob Roy's
eldest son, lay waiting his trial in Edinburgh Castle; they were
in ill-blood with Highlander and Lowlander, with the Grahames,
the Maclarens, and the Stewarts; and Alan, who took up the
quarrel of any friend, however distant, was extremely wishful to
avoid them.
Chance served us very well; for it was a household of Maclarens
Kidnapped |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Art of War by Sun Tzu: [Yen Tzu [B.C. 493] said of Ssu-ma Jang-chu: "His civil
virtues endeared him to the people; his martial prowess kept his
enemies in awe." Cf. Wu Tzu, ch. 4 init.: "The ideal commander
unites culture with a warlike temper; the profession of arms
requires a combination of hardness and tenderness."]
This is a certain road to victory.
44. If in training soldiers commands are habitually
enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its
discipline will be bad.
45. If a general shows confidence in his men but always
insists on his orders being obeyed,
The Art of War |
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 The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: and it made her, after a moment, inconsequently break down.
The tears were again in her eyes. "Ah, miss, YOU write!"
"Well--tonight," I at last answered; and on this we separated.
XVII
I went so far, in the evening, as to make a beginning.
The weather had changed back, a great wind was abroad,
and beneath the lamp, in my room, with Flora at peace beside me,
I sat for a long time before a blank sheet of paper and
listened to the lash of the rain and the batter of the gusts.
Finally I went out, taking a candle; I crossed the passage
and listened a minute at Miles's door. What, under my
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