Today's Stichomancy for Claire Forlani

The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus:

So Nachor stepped forth with a contrite heart, and went bounding into the depths of the desert, like as doth an hart, and came to a den belonging to a monk that had attained to the dignity of the priesthood, and was hiding there for fear of the pressing danger. With a right warm heart knelt Nachor down before him, and washed his feet with his tears, like the harlot of old, and craved holy Baptism. The priest, full of heavenly grace, was passing glad, and did at once begin to instruct him, as the custom is, and after many days, perfected him with baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. And Nachor abode with him, always repentant of his sins, and blessing that God who

The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne:

and certainly, had it not been for the resolute determination on the part of Captain Farragut, the frigate would have headed due southward. This useless search could not last much longer. The Abraham Lincoln had nothing to reproach herself with, she had done her best to succeed. Never had an American ship's crew shown more zeal or patience; its failure could not be placed to their charge--there remained nothing but to return.

This was represented to the commander. The sailors could not hide their discontent, and the service suffered. I will not say there was a mutiny on board, but after a reasonable period of obstinacy, Captain Farragut (as Columbus did)

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran:

all its ample space was too strait for them, and their souls were straitened for them, and they thought that there was no refuge for them from God save unto Him.

Then He turned again towards them that they might also turn; verily, God, He is easily turned and merciful!

O ye who believe! fear God and be with those who speak the truth.

It was not for the people of Medinah, and those around about them of the Arabs of the desert, to stay behind the Apostle of God and not to prefer their souls to his: that is because neither thirst, nor toil, nor heat, nor hunger befel them on God's way. Nor do they stop to anger the misbelievers, nor do they get any (harm) from the enemy

The Koran

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 Tanach:

Job 5: 7 But man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Job 5: 8 But as for me, I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause;

Job 5: 9 Who doeth great things and unsearchable, marvellous things without number;

Job 5: 10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields;

Job 5: 11 So that He setteth up on high those that are low, and those that mourn are exalted to safety.

Job 5: 12 He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands can perform nothing substantial.

Job 5: 13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and the counsel of the wily is carried headlong.

Job 5: 14 They meet with darkness in the day-time, and grope at noonday as in the night.

Job 5: 15 But He saveth from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty.

Job 5: 16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

Job 5: 17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

The Tanach