| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Proposed Roads To Freedom by Bertrand Russell: There is something of Anarchism in his lack
of literary order. His best-known work is a fragment
entitled by its editors ``God and the State.''[16]
In this work he represents belief in God and belief in
the State as the two great obstacles to human liberty.
A typical passage will serve to illustrate its style.
[15] ``Marx, as a thinker, is on the right road. He has established
as a principle that all the evolutions, political, religious,
and juridical, in history are, not the causes, but the effects of
economic evolutions. This is a great and fruitful thought, which
he has not absolutely invented; it has been glimpsed, expressed
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Economist by Xenophon: myself--the pupil to the teacher; and what is more, the pupil was the
first to give it utterance.
So far, so good! (I answered). Is there a subtle art in scattering the
seed?
Isch. Let us by all means investigate that point. That the seed must
be cast by hand, I presume you know yourself?
Soc. Yes, by the testimony of my eyes.[7]
[7] Lit. "Yes, for I have seen it done."
Isch. But as to actual scattering, some can scatter evenly, others
cannot.[8]
[8] Holden cf. W. Harte, "Essays on Husbandry," p. 210, 2nd ed., "The
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from King James Bible: to generation.
LAM 5:20 Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long
time?
LAM 5:21 Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew
our days as of old.
LAM 5:22 But thou hast utterly rejected us; thou art very wroth against
us. EZE 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth
month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the
river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
EZE 1:2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king
Jehoiachin's captivity,
King James Bible |
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 Oscar Wilde Miscellaneous by Oscar Wilde: Is it not so, good wife? It is so. Look!
Your distaff waits for you. Sit down and spin.
Women should not be idle in their homes,
For idle fingers make a thoughtless heart.
Sit down, I say.
BIANCA. What shall I spin?
SIMONE. Oh! spin
Some robe which, dyed in purple, sorrow might wear
For her own comforting: or some long-fringed cloth
In which a new-born and unwelcome babe
Might wail unheeded; or a dainty sheet
|
