| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Rewards and Fairies by Rudyard Kipling: laughed. I went to my Maiden who waited for me at the Dew-
ponds. There was a lamb to be killed. I cut it in two halves with
my knife, and told her all my tale. She said, "It is the work of a
God." I laughed, but she pushed me away, and being on my blind
side, ran off before I could kiss her. I went to the Men of the
Sheepguard at watering-time. There was a sheep to be killed for
their meat. I cut it in two halves with my knife, and told them all
my tale. They said, "It is the work of a God." I said, "We talk too
much about Gods. Let us eat and be happy, and tomorrow I will
take you to the Children of the Night, and each man will find a
Magic Knife. "
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Art of Writing by Robert Louis Stevenson: years. 'Rathillet' was attempted before fifteen, 'The
Vendetta' at twenty-nine, and the succession of defeats
lasted unbroken till I was thirty-one. By that time, I had
written little books and little essays and short stories; and
had got patted on the back and paid for them - though not
enough to live upon. I had quite a reputation, I was the
successful man; I passed my days in toil, the futility of
which would sometimes make my cheek to burn - that I should
spend a man's energy upon this business, and yet could not
earn a livelihood: and still there shone ahead of me an
unattained ideal: although I had attempted the thing with
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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 Kenilworth by Walter Scott: not your heart fail you, my lord, and all shall be well."
"My heart never failed me, sir," replied Leicester.
"No, my lord," said Varney; "but it has betrayed you right often.
He that would climb a tree, my lord, must grasp by the branches,
not by the blossom."
"Well, well, well!" said Leicester impatiently; "I understand
thy meaning--my heart shall neither fail me nor seduce me. Have
my retinue in order--see that their array be so splendid as to
put down, not only the rude companions of Ratcliffe, but the
retainers of every other nobleman and courtier. Let them be well
armed withal, but without any outward display of their weapons,
Kenilworth |
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 King James Bible: men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
SA2 15:19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou
also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art
a stranger, and also an exile.
SA2 15:20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make
thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and
take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
SA2 15:21 And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth,
and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king
shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
SA2 15:22 And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the
King James Bible |
