| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Iron Puddler by James J. Davis: CHAPTER XXXV
AN UPLIFTER RULED BY ENVY
The uplifter saw the men between heats drinking beer out of tin pails.
"Why do those big fine fellows drink beer," he asked me, "when
they have plenty of water?"
I asked him: "Why don't you drink beer?"
"It makes me bilious," he replied. "If I drink one glass of
beer every day for a week it upsets me and I get weak and dizzy."
"Do you think that one drink of beer a day will upset those
fellows and make them dizzy?"
"Evidently not."
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: Mr. Morland has behaved so very handsome, you know.
I always heard he was a most excellent man; and you know,
my dear, we are not to suppose but what, if you had had a
suitable fortune, he would have come down with something more,
for I am sure he must be a most liberal-minded man."
"Nobody can think better of Mr. Morland than I do,
I am sure. But everybody has their failing, you know,
and everybody has a right to do what they like with their
own money." Catherine was hurt by these insinuations.
"I am very sure," said she, "that my father has promised
to do as much as he can afford."
Northanger Abbey |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The King of the Golden River by John Ruskin: eyes of his old friend of the mug, a thousand times redder and
sharper than ever he had seen them in his life.
"Come, Gluck, my boy," said the voice out of the pot again,
"I'm all right; pour me out."
But Gluck was too much astonished to do anything of the kind.
"Pour me out, I say," said the voice rather gruffly.
Still Gluck couldn't move.
"WILL you pour me out?" said the voice passionately. "I'm
too hot."
By a violent effort Gluck recovered the use of his limbs,
took hold of the crucible, and sloped it, so as to pour out 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 On Horsemanship by Xenophon: principle, at the sound of the trumpet or the shout of battle the
rider should avoid coming up to his charger in a state of excitement,
or, indeed, bringing any disturbing influence to bear on the animal.
As far as possible, at such a crisis he should halt and rest him; and,
if circumstances permit, give him his morning or his evening meal. But
the best advice of all is not to get an over-spirited horse for the
purposes of war.
[7] Al. "whistling," and see Berenger, ii. 68. {poppusmos}, a sound
from the lips; {klogmos}, from the cheek.
As to the sluggish type of animal, I need only suggest to do
everything the opposite to what we advise as appropriate in dealing
On Horsemanship |
