| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Life of the Spider by J. Henri Fabre: the osier-beds gathers the tiny flocks as they pour from the seeds.
They are easy to pick up.
The difficulty is to set to work. How does the bird proceed, in
order to knit its stocking? How, with such simple implements as
its beak and claws, does it manage to produce a fabric which our
skilled fingers would fail to achieve? An examination of the nest
will inform us, to a certain extent.
The cotton of the poplar cannot, of itself, supply a hanging pocket
capable of supporting the weight of the brood and resisting the
buffeting of the wind. Rammed, entangled and packed together, the
flocks, similar to those which ordinary wadding would give if
The Life of the Spider |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Criminal Sociology by Enrico Ferri: '' '' the person 100 116 in 6 years.
'' '' property 100 95
AUSTRIA.
1867-9. 1884-6.
Prisoners condemned for crimes --. 100 122 1 in 20 years.
'' '' offences ... 100 495
SPAIN.
1883-4. 1886-7.
Tried for crimes and offences -- 100 3 t in 5 years.
'' contraventions ...... 100 113)
The most constant general fact shown by these data is in all cases
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: your complicated interests, feelings, thoughts, wishes, aims; merge
all considerations in one purpose: that of fulfilling with effect--
with power--the mission of your great Master. To do so, you must
have a coadjutor: not a brother--that is a loose tie--but a
husband. I, too, do not want a sister: a sister might any day be
taken from me. I want a wife: the sole helpmeet I can influence
efficiently in life, and retain absolutely till death."
I shuddered as he spoke: I felt his influence in my marrow--his
hold on my limbs.
"Seek one elsewhere than in me, St. John: seek one fitted to you."
"One fitted to my purpose, you mean--fitted to my vocation. Again I
Jane Eyre |
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 Mistress Wilding by Rafael Sabatini: in the hope, which he recognized as all but forlorn, of yet being able
to avert the disaster he foresaw for Richard.
Peering over the orchard wall as he rode by, he caught a glimpse,
through an opening between the trees, of Ruth herself and Diana on
the lawn beyond. There was a wicket gate that stood unlatched, and
availing himself of this Sir Rowland tethered his horse in the lane
and threading his way briskly through the orchard came suddenly upon
the girls. Their laughter reached him as he advanced, and told him
they could know nothing yet of Richard's danger.
On his abrupt and unexpected apparition, Diana paled and Ruth flushed
slightly, whereupon Sir Rowland might have bethought him, had he been
|
