| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Reason Discourse by Rene Descartes: so denominated, since it is in truth only an artery, which, taking its
rise in the heart, is divided, after passing out from it, into many
branches which presently disperse themselves all over the lungs; in the
second place, the cavity in the left side, with which correspond in the
same manner two canals in size equal to or larger than the preceding,
viz., the venous artery (arteria venosa), likewise inappropriately thus
designated, because it is simply a vein which comes from the lungs, where
it is divided into many branches, interlaced with those of the arterial
vein, and those of the tube called the windpipe, through which the air we
breathe enters; and the great artery which, issuing from the heart, sends
its branches all over the body. I should wish also that such persons were
Reason Discourse |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Spirit of the Border by Zane Grey: The old frontiersman's story affected all his listeners. The elder minister
bowed his head and prayed that no such fate might overtake his nieces. The
young minister looked again, as he had many times that day, at Nell's winsome
face. The girls cast grave glances at the drooping birch, and their bright
tears glistened in the fire-glow. Once more Joe's eyes glinted with that
steely flash, and as he gazed out over the wide, darkening expanse of water
his face grew cold and rigid.
"I'll allow I might hev told a more cheerful story, an' I'll do so next time;
but I wanted ye all, particular the lasses, to know somethin' of the kind of
country ye're goin' into. The frontier needs women; but jist yit it deals hard
with them. An' Jim Girty, with more of his kind, ain't dead yit."
The Spirit of the Border |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare: Her father keeps from all access of suitors,
And will not promise her to any man
Until the elder sister first be wed;
The younger then is free, and not before.
TRANIO.
If it be so, sir, that you are the man
Must stead us all, and me amongst the rest;
And if you break the ice, and do this feat,
Achieve the elder, set the younger free
For our access, whose hap shall be to have her
Will not so graceless be to be ingrate.
The Taming of the Shrew |
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 Troll Garden and Selected Stories by Willa Cather: the last address I gave him was a place in Florida. This deed
shall be remembered of you when I am with the just in Paradise.
But one thing you did not ask him to do, for you didn't know about
it. He has sent me his latest work, the new sonata, the most
ambitious thing he has ever done, and you are to play it for me
directly, though it looks horribly intricate. But first for the
letter; I think you would better read it aloud to me."
Everett sat down in a low chair facing the window seat in
which she reclined with a barricade of pillows behind her. He
opened the letter, his lashes half-veiling his kind eyes, and saw
to his satisfaction that it was a long one--wonderfully tactful
The Troll Garden and Selected Stories |
