| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Koran: 'And twist not thy cheek proudly, nor walk in the land haughtily;
verily, God loves not every arrogant boaster: but be moderate in thy
walk, and lower thy voice; verily, the most disagreeable of voices
is the voice of asses!'
Have ye not seen that God has subjected to you what is in the
heavens and what is in the earth, and has poured down upon you His
favours, outwardly and inwardly? but amongst men are those who wrangle
about God, without knowledge, and without guidance, and without an
illuminating book!
And when it is said to them, 'Follow what God has sent down;' they
say, 'Nay! we will follow what we found our fathers agreed
The Koran |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: of life we see that we are subjected to all things, and suffer
many things, even death. Yea, the more of a Christian any man is,
to so many the more evils, sufferings, and deaths is he subject,
as we see in the first place in Christ the First-born, and in all
His holy brethren.
This is a spiritual power, which rules in the midst of enemies,
and is powerful in the midst of distresses. And this is nothing
else than that strength is made perfect in my weakness, and that
I can turn all things to the profit of my salvation; so that even
the cross and death are compelled to serve me and to work
together for my salvation. This is a lofty and eminent dignity, a
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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 The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen: "Why to Clarke?"
"Because I am sure that Clarke is in possession of
facts about this woman, facts of which I know nothing."
"Well, what then?"
Mr. Villiers leaned back in his chair and looked
reflectively at Austin for a moment before he answered:
"My idea was that Clarke and I should call on Mrs.
Beaumont."
"You would never go into such a house as that? No, no,
Villiers, you cannot do it. Besides, consider; what result..."
"I will tell you soon. But I was going to say that my
The Great God Pan |
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 Macbeth by William Shakespeare: Doe you finde your patience so predominant,
In your nature, that you can let this goe?
Are you so Gospell'd, to pray for this good man,
And for his Issue, whose heauie hand
Hath bow'd you to the Graue, and begger'd
Yours for euer?
1.Murth. We are men, my Liege
Macb. I, in the Catalogue ye goe for men,
As Hounds, and Greyhounds, Mungrels, Spaniels, Curres,
Showghes, Water-Rugs, and Demy-Wolues are clipt
All by the Name of Dogges: the valued file
Macbeth |
