| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Forged Coupon by Leo Tolstoy: way to the park was to pass through the herd.
He frightened the sheep, which ran away one
after another, and were followed by the pigs, of
which two little ones stared solemnly at him.
The shepherd boy called to the sheep and cracked
his whip. "How far behind Europe we are,"
thought Volgin, recalling his frequent holidays
abroad. "You would not find a single cow like
that anywhere in Europe " Then, wanting to
find out where the path which branched off from
the one he was on led to and who was the owner
The Forged Coupon |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie: in the hospital."
There was a pause.
"Thank you, Miss Finn." It was Sir James who spoke. "I hope we
have not tired you?"
"Oh, that's all right. My head aches a little, but otherwise I
feel fine."
Julius stepped forward and took her hand again.
"So long, Cousin Jane. I'm going to get busy after those papers,
but I'll be back in two shakes of a dog's tail, and I'll tote you
up to London and give you the time of your young life before we
go back to the States! I mean it--so hurry up and get well."
Secret Adversary |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Daisy Miller by Henry James: "Well I do!" her mother answered with a little laugh.
"Did you get Randolph to go to bed?" asked the young girl.
"No; I couldn't induce him," said Mrs. Miller very gently.
"He wants to talk to the waiter. He likes to talk to that waiter."
I was telling Mr. Winterbourne," the young girl went on;
and to the young man's ear her tone might have indicated
that she had been uttering his name all her life.
"Oh, yes!" said Winterbourne; "I have the pleasure of knowing your son."
Randolph's mamma was silent; she turned her attention to the lake.
But at last she spoke. "Well, I don't see how he lives!"
"Anyhow, it isn't so bad as it was at Dover," said Daisy Miller.
|
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 Koran: patient must they be of fire!
That (is), because God has revealed the Book with truth, and
verily those who disagree about the Book are in a wide schism.
Righteousness is not that ye turn your faces towards the east or the
west, but righteousness is, one who believes in God, and the last day,
and the angels, and the Book, and the prophets, and who gives wealth
for His love to kindred, and orphans, and the poor, and the son of the
road, beggars, and those in captivity; and who is steadfast in prayer,
and gives alms; and those who are sure of their covenant when they
make a covenant; and the patient in poverty, and distress, and in time
of violence; these are they who are true, and these are those who
The Koran |
