| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Commission in Lunacy by Honore de Balzac: which did not exclude an expression of aristocratic disdain. They had
the bright coloring, the clear eye, the transparent flesh which reveal
habits of purity, regularity of life, and a due proportion of work and
play. They both had black hair and blue eyes, and a twist in their
nose, like their father; but their mother, perhaps, had transmitted to
them the dignity of speech, of look and mien, which are hereditary in
the Blamont-Chauvrys. Their voices, as clear as crystal, had an
emotional quality, the softness which proves so seductive; they had,
in short, the voice a woman would willingly listen to after feeling
the flame of their looks. But, above all, they had the modesty of
pride, a chaste reserve, a TOUCH-ME-NOT which at a maturer age might
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: punishment!
Thus was the sentence of thy Lord due against those who misbelieved,
that they are the fellows of the Fire!
Those who bear the throne and those around it celebrate the praise
of their Lord, and believe in Him, and ask pardon for those who
believe: 'Our Lord! thou dost embrace all things in mercy and
knowledge, then pardon those who turn repentant and follow thy way,
and guard them from the torment of hell! Our Lord! make them enter
into gardens of Eden which thou hast promised to them, and to those
who do well of their fathers, and their wives, and their seed; verily,
thou art the mighty, the wise! and guard them from evil deeds, for
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Call of the Canyon by Zane Grey: there as a means to cross. Carley drew back aghast.
"Glenn, I could never make it," she called.
"Come on, my Alpine climber," he taunted. "Will you let Arizona daunt you?"
"Do you want me to fall in and catch cold?" she cried, desperately.
"Carley, big women might even cross the bad places of modern life on
stepping stones of their dead selves!" he went on, with something of
mockery. "Surely a few physical steps are not beyond you."
"Say, are you mangling Tennyson or just kidding me?" she demanded slangily.
"My love, Flo could cross here with her eyes shut."
That thrust spurred Carley to action. His words were jest, yet they held a
hint of earnest. With her heart at her throat Carley stepped on the first
The Call of the Canyon |
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 Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving: universally known. He was famed for great knowledge and skill in
horsemanship, being as dexterous on horseback as a Tartar. He was
foremost at all races and cock fights; and, with the ascendancy
which bodily strength always acquires in rustic life, was the
umpire in all disputes, setting his hat on one side, and giving
his decisions with an air and tone that admitted of no gainsay or
appeal. He was always ready for either a fight or a frolic; but
had more mischief than ill-will in his composition; and with all
his overbearing roughness, there was a strong dash of waggish
good humor at bottom. He had three or four boon companions, who
regarded him as their model, and at the head of whom he scoured
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow |
