| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: were dry like the eyes of a snake. And he rose, and said,
'The wine is rich and fragrant, and the wine-bearer as fair
as the Immortals; but let her pledge me first herself in the
cup, that the wine may be the sweeter from her lips.'
Then Medeia turned pale, and stammered, 'Forgive me, fair
hero; but I am ill, and dare drink no wine.'
And Theseus looked again into her eyes, and cried, 'Thou
shalt pledge me in that cup, or die.' And he lifted up his
brazen club, while all the guests looked on aghast.
Medeia shrieked a fearful shriek, and dashed the cup to the
ground, and fled; and where the wine flowed over the marble
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Alcibiades II by Platonic Imitator: You had better wait until we find out how we should behave towards the Gods
and towards men.
ALCIBIADES: And how long must I wait, Socrates, and who will be my
teacher? I should be very glad to see the man.
SOCRATES: It is he who takes an especial interest in you. But first of
all, I think, the darkness must be taken away in which your soul is now
enveloped, just as Athene in Homer removes the mist from the eyes of
Diomede that
'He may distinguish between God and mortal man.'
Afterwards the means may be given to you whereby you may distinguish
between good and evil. At present, I fear, this is beyond your power.
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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 Tales of the Klondyke by Jack London: and deftly snuffed the red wick from the midst of the yellow
flame. Again she rested head on hand, this time regarding the man
thoughtfully, and any man is pleased when thus regarded by a
pretty woman.
She was in little haste to begin. If dalliance were to his
liking, it was to hers. To him it was very comfortable, soothing
his lungs with nicotine and gazing upon her. It was snug and warm
here, while down by the water-hole began a trail which he would
soon be hitting through the chilly hours. He felt he ought to be
angry with Freda for the scene she had created, but somehow he
didn't feel a bit wrathful. Like as not there wouldn't have been
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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 The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll: "We have sailed many weeks, we have sailed many days,
(Seven days to the week I allow),
But a Snark, on the which we might lovingly gaze,
We have never beheld till now!
"Come, listen, my men, while I tell you again
The five unmistakable marks
By which you may know, wheresoever you go,
The warranted genuine Snarks.
"Let us take them in order. The first is the taste,
Which is meager and hollow, but crisp:
Like a coat that is rather too tight in the waist,
The Hunting of the Snark |
