| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Off on a Comet by Jules Verne: spot upon its surface. We have had a short summer, and who knows
whether we are not entering upon a winter that may last for years,
perhaps for centuries?"
"But we must not mind, count," said Servadac, smiling. "We have agreed,
you know, that, come what may, we are to be philosophers."
"Ay, true, my friend," rejoined the count; "we must be philosophers
and something more; we must be grateful to the good Protector who has
hitherto befriended us, and we must trust His mercy to the end."
For a few moments they both stood in silence, and contemplated
land and sea; then, having given a last glance over
the dreary panorama, they prepared to wend their way down
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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 Tanach: Numbers 3: 14 And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying:
Numbers 3: 15 'Number the children of Levi by their fathers' houses, by their families; every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.'
Numbers 3: 16 And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
Numbers 3: 17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
Numbers 3: 18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.
Numbers 3: 19 And the sons of Kohath by their families: Amram and Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.
Numbers 3: 20 And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers' houses.
Numbers 3: 21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites; these are the families of the Gershonites.
Numbers 3: 22 Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
Numbers 3: 23 The families of the Gershonites were to pitch behind the tabernacle westward;
Numbers 3: 24 the prince of the fathers' house of the Gershonites being Eliasaph the son of Lael,
The Tanach |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Three Taverns by Edwin Arlington Robinson: Rahel to Varnhagen
Note. -- Rahel Robert and Varnhagen von Ense were married,
after many protestations on her part, in 1814. The marriage -- so far
as he was concerned, at any rate -- appears to have been satisfactory.
Now you have read them all; or if not all,
As many as in all conscience I should fancy
To be enough. There are no more of them --
Or none to burn your sleep, or to bring dreams
Of devils. If these are not sufficient, surely
You are a strange young man. I might live on
Alone, and for another forty years,
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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 The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde: wink of sleep at night on account of us. It is most gratifying to
find oneself so popular."
"Ahem! ahem!" said the Rocket angrily. He was very much annoyed
that he could not get a word in.
"A delightful voice, certainly," continued the Frog; "I hope you
will come over to the duck-pond. I am off to look for my
daughters. I have six beautiful daughters, and I am so afraid the
Pike may meet them. He is a perfect monster, and would have no
hesitation in breakfasting off them. Well, good-bye: I have
enjoyed our conversation very much, I assure you."
"Conversation, indeed!" said the Rocket. "You have talked the
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