| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Emma McChesney & Co. by Edna Ferber: She placed nearest at hand the books on South America, and the
Spanish-American pocket interpreter. She located her deck chair,
and her seat in the dining-room. Then, quietly, unobtrusively,
and guided by those years spent in meeting men and women face to
face in business, she took thorough, conscientious mental stock
of those others who were to be her fellow travelers for twenty-
three days.
For the most part, the first-class passengers were men. There
were American business men--salesmen, some of them, promoters
others, or representatives of big syndicates shrewd, alert, well
dressed, smooth shaven. Emma McChesney knew that she would gain
Emma McChesney & Co. |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Talisman by Walter Scott: can cure the sickness of King Richard, and I believe and trust he
will labour to do so. Time is precious. If Mohammed--may God's
curse be on him! stood at the door of the tent, with such fair
purpose as this Adonbec el Hakim entertains, I would hold it sin
to delay him for a minute. So, give ye God'en, my lords."
"Nay, but," said Conrade of Montserrat, "the King himself said we
should be present when this same physician dealt upon him."
The baron whispered the chamberlain, probably to know whether the
Marquis spoke truly, and then replied, "My lords, if you will
hold your patience, you are welcome to enter with us; but if you
interrupt, by action or threat, this accomplished physician in
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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 A Simple Soul by Gustave Flaubert: Malaga wine, and Virginia, laughing at the idea of becoming
intoxicated, would drink a few drops of it, but never more.
Her strength returned. Autumn passed. Felicite began to reassure
Madame Aubain. But, one evening, when she returned home after an
errand, she met M. Boupart's coach in front of the door; M. Boupart
himself was standing in the vestibule and Madame Aubain was tying the
strings of her bonnet. "Give me my foot-warmer, my purse and my
gloves; and be quick about it," she said.
Virginia had congestion of the lungs; perhaps it was desperate.
"Not yet," said the physician, and both got into the carriage, while
the snow fell in thick flakes. It was almost night and very cold.
A Simple Soul |
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 When a Man Marries by Mary Roberts Rinehart: door, stood with his back against it.
"Contrary to the general belief, Kit," he began, "I did NOT
intend to ask you to marry me."
I breathed easier. He took a couple of steps toward me and stood
with his arms folded, looking down at me. "I'm not at all sure,
in fact, that I shall ever propose to you," he went on
unpleasantly.
"You have already done it twice. You are not going to take those
back, are you, Max?" I asked, looking up at him.
But Max was not to be cajoled. He came close and stood with his
hand on the back of my chair. "What happened on the roof
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