| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Dreams by Olive Schreiner: could not reach even to his knee, nor move the instrument he played. But I
thought I would stand there on my little peak and sing an accompaniment to
that great music. And I tried; but my voice failed. It piped and
quavered. I could not sing that tune. I was silent.
Then God pointed to me, that I should go out of Heaven.
And I cried to God, "Oh, let me stay here! If indeed it be, as I know it
is, that I am not great enough to sing upon the mountain, nor strong enough
to labour on its side, nor bright enough to shine and love within the
garden, at least let me go down to the great gateway; humbly I will kneel
there sweeping; and, as the saved pass in, I will see the light upon their
faces. I shall hear the singing in the garden, and the shout upon the
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Figure in the Carpet by Henry James: redeeming ourselves. "By my little point I mean - what shall I
call it? - the particular thing I've written my books most FOR.
Isn't there for every writer a particular thing of that sort, the
thing that most makes him apply himself, the thing without the
effort to achieve which he wouldn't write at all, the very passion
of his passion, the part of the business in which, for him, the
flame of art burns most intensely? Well, it's THAT!"
I considered a moment - that is I followed at a respectful
distance, rather gasping. I was fascinated - easily, you'll say;
but I wasn't going after all to be put off my guard. "Your
description's certainly beautiful, but it doesn't make what you
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Lesser Bourgeoisie by Honore de Balzac: mademoiselle, if it were not that I should then be forced to play the
painful part of victimizer."
"Monsieur," said Celeste, "you interpret ill the resistance that I
have made, though, in fact, I have scarcely expressed it. I have
certainly had a preference, but I have never considered myself in the
light of a victim; and whatever it is necessary to do to restore peace
in this house to which I have brought trouble, I shall do it without
repugnance, and even willingly."
"That would be for me," said la Peyrade, humbly, "more than I could
dare ask for myself; but, for the result which we both seek, I must
tell you frankly that something more is needed. Madame Thuillier has
|
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 Heroes by Charles Kingsley: And they washed off the sea-salt from their limbs, and
anointed themselves from head to foot with oil, and combed
out their golden hair. Then they came back again into the
hall, while the merchant kings rose up to do them honour.
And each man said to his neighbour, 'No wonder that these men
won fame. How they stand now like Giants, or Titans, or
Immortals come down from Olympus, though many a winter has
worn them, and many a fearful storm. What must they have
been when they sailed from Iolcos, in the bloom of their
youth, long ago?'
Then they went out to the garden; and the merchant princes
|
