| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Criminal Sociology by Enrico Ferri: trouble to guarantee for him the means of existence by his labour.
It even bans those who have the audacity to remind society that
every man, by the mere fact of living, has the right to live, and
that, as work is the only means of obtaining a livelihood, every
man has the right (as all should recognise the duty) of working in
order to live.
But as soon as any one commits a crime, the State considers it its
duty to take the utmost care of him, ensuring for him comfortable
lodging, plenty of food, and light labour, if it does not grant
him a happy idleness! And all this, again, in the name of eternal
and retributive justice.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Extracts From Adam's Diary by Mark Twain: Rapids in a fig-leaf suit. It got much damaged. Hence, tedious
complaints about my extravagance. I am too much hampered here.
What I need is change of scene.
Saturday
I escaped last Tuesday night, and travelled two days, and built
me another shelter, in a secluded place, and obliterated my tracks
as well as I could, but she hunted me out by means of a beast which
she has tamed and calls a wolf, and came making that pitiful noise
again, and shedding that water out of the places she looks with.
I was obliged to return with her, but will presently emigrate again,
when occasion offers. She engages herself in many foolish things:
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: be thy sleep.' And thou shalt not be afraid of terror coming or
the assaults of evil spirits, but shalt go thy way bold as any
lion, and shalt live in bliss and everlasting joyaunce. For joy
and praise shall crown thy head, and gladness shall befall thee
there, where pain and sorrow and wailing shall flee away.' `Then
shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health
shall rise speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee,
and the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward.' Then shalt thou
call, and the Lord shall answer; while thou art yet speaking, he
shall say, `Here am I.' `I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy
transgressions, and will not remember them. Put me in
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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 Stories From the Old Attic by Robert Harris: The second man had just married a wife and was about to buy a house
for them to live in. "I have investigated many houses carefully,"
he said, "and have found two that would be suitable. The first
house is nearly new and well designed but damp inside, while the
second is light and airy but older and not so well designed. I
don't know which to choose."
"Your problems are one," said The Wise One, as he picked up a honey
comb and squeezed it until the honey was drained out into a bowl.
"You both must choose between the wax and the honey."
"My gosh," said one of The Wise One's disciples, leaping to his
feet, "I'm about to marry the wrong girl." And with that, he ran
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