| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Koran: should have precedence over them. God is mighty and wise.
Divorce (may happen) twice; then keep them in reason, or let them go
with kindness. It is not lawful for you to take from them anything
of what you have given them, unless both fear that they cannot keep
within God's bounds. So if ye fear that ye cannot keep within God's
bounds there is no crime in you both about what she ransoms herself
with. These are God's bounds, do not transgress them; and whoso
transgresses God's bounds, they it is who are unjust.
But if he divorce her (a third time) she shall not be lawful to
him after that, until she marry another husband; but, if he divorce
her too, it is no crime in them both to come together again, if they
The Koran |
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: everything, but gave out only what he chose. A proof of that
occurred almost at once.
Immediately the first greetings were over Julius broke out into a
flood of eager questions. How had Sir James managed to track the
girl? Why had he not let them know that he was still working on
the case? And so on.
Sir James stroked his chin and smiled. At last he said:
"Just so, just so. Well, she's found. And that's the great
thing, isn't it? Eh! Come now, that's the great thing?"
"Sure it is. But just how did you strike her trail? Miss
Tuppence and I thought you'd quit for good and all."
Secret Adversary |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson: with his wife. But I might have saved myself the trouble; she had
divined it for herself, and found the sentiment quite natural.
Indeed, I could not but say that there were three of us, all of the
same mind; nor could any news have reached Durrisdeer more
generally welcome than tidings of the Master's death.
This brings me to speak of the exception, my old lord. As soon as
my anxiety for my own master began to be relaxed, I was aware of a
change in the old gentleman, his father, that seemed to threaten
mortal consequences.
His face was pale and swollen; as he sat in the chimney-side with
his Latin, he would drop off sleeping and the book roll in the
|
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 Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: "Be off, you wretch!" cried Aramis, throwing his skullcap in his
face. "Return whence you came; take back those horrible
vegetables, and that poor kickshaw! Order a larded hare, a fat
capon, mutton leg dressed with garlic, and four bottles of old
Burgundy."
Bazin, who looked at his master, without comprehending the cause
of this change, in a melancholy manner, allowed the omelet to
slip into the spinach, and the spinach onto the floor.
"Now this is the moment to consecrate your existence to the King
of kings," said D'Artagnan, "if you persist in offering him a
civility. NON INUTILE DESIDERIUM OBLATIONE."
The Three Musketeers |
