| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Poems of William Blake by William Blake: And I am very small and love to dwell in lowly vales:
So weak the gilded butterfly scarce perches on my head
Yet I am visited from heaven and he that smiles on all
Walks in the valley, and each morn over me spreads his hand
Saying, rejoice thou humble grass, thou new-born lily flower.
Thou gentle maid of silent valleys and of modest brooks:
For thou shall be clothed in light, and fed with morning manna:
Till summers heat melts thee beside the fountains and the springs
To flourish in eternal vales: they why should Thel complain.
Why should the mistress of the vales of Har, utter a sigh.
She ceasd & smild in tears, then sat down in her silver shrine.
Poems of William Blake |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Essays of Travel by Robert Louis Stevenson: capacious boiler.
The whole loft of the house from end to end makes one undivided
chamber; here are set forth tables on which to model imaginary or
actual countries in putty or plaster, with tools and hardy pigments;
a carpenter's bench; and a spared corner for photography, while at
the far end a space is kept clear for playing soldiers. Two boxes
contain the two armies of some five hundred horse and foot; two
others the ammunition of each side, and a fifth the foot-rules and
the three colours of chalk, with which you lay down, or, after a
day's play, refresh the outlines of the country; red or white for the
two kinds of road (according as they are suitable or not for the
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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 Case of The Lamp That Went Out by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: a mistake. I've got nothin' new to say. And you needn't think
that you can blind me, I know you're one of the police, and I'm
not going to say anything at all."
"Just as you like. I was trying to help you, I believe I really
could help you. I have just come from Hietzing - but of course if
you don't want to talk to me - " Muller shrugged his shoulders and
turned toward the door.
But before he reached it Knoll stood at his side. "You really mean
to help me?" he gasped.
"I do," said the detective calmly.
"Then swear, on your mother's soul - or is your mother still alive?"
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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 Juana by Honore de Balzac: money to his wife; he kept it all, expecting to make some great stroke
of fortune on a vast stake. Towards the end of the second month the
Marquis de Montefiore appeared at the same baths. The marquis was at
this time celebrated for his wealth, his handsome face, his fortunate
marriage with an Englishwoman, and more especially for his love of
play. Diard, his former companion, encountered him, and desired to add
his spoils to those of others. A gambler with four hundred thousand
francs in hand is always in a position to do as he pleases. Diard,
confident in his luck, renewed acquaintance with Montefiore. The
latter received him very coldly, but nevertheless they played
together, and Diard lost every penny that he possessed, and more.
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