| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner: "I got to the beach that afternoon, and I saw the water run up and down on
the sand, and I saw the white foam breakers; they were pretty, but I
thought I would go back the next day. It was not my sea.
"But I began to like it when I sat by it that night in the moonlight; and
the next day I liked it better; and before I left I loved it. It was not
like the sky and stars, that talk of what has no beginning and no end; but
it is so human. Of all the things I have ever seen, only the sea is like a
human being; the sky is not, nor the earth. But the sea is always moving,
always something deep in itself is stirring it. It never rests. It is
always wanting, wanting, wanting. It hurries on; and then it creeps back
slowly without having reached, moaning. It is always asking a question,
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: shower gifts upon him of their own free choice. These same are they
who, if my definition holds, may well be said to render honour to
their hero by such service, whilst he that is held worthy of these
services is truly honoured. And for my part I can but offer my
congratulations to him. "God bless him," say I, perceiving that so far
from being the butt of foul conspiracy, he is an object of anxiety to
all, lest evil should betide him; and so he pursues the even tenour of
his days in happiness exempt from fears and jealousy[17] and risk. But
the current of the tyrant's life runs differently. Day and night, I do
assure you, Simonides, he lives like one condemned by the general
verdict of mankind to die for his iniquity.
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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 Koran: and the moon; each one runs on to a stated and appointed time; He
governs the affair, details the signs;- haply of the meeting with your
Lord ye will be sure.
And He it is who has stretched out the earth and placed therein firm
mountains and rivers, and of every fruit has He placed therein two
kinds. He makes the night cover the day;- verily, in that are signs
unto a people who reflect.
And on the earth are neighbouring portions, and gardens of grapes
and corn and palms growing together (from one root) and not growing
together; they are watered with one water, yet we distinguish one over
the other as food;- verily, in that are signs unto a people who have
The Koran |
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 Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin: horse after the South American fashion
At an estancia near Las Vacas large numbers of mares
are weekly slaughtered for the sake of their hides, although
worth only five paper dollars, or about half a crown apiece.
It seems at first strange that it can answer to kill mares
for such a trifle; but as it is thought ridiculous in this
country ever to break in or ride a mare, they are of no value
except for breeding. The only thing for which I ever saw
mares used, was to tread out wheat from the ear, for which
purpose they were driven round a circular enclosure, where
the wheat-sheaves were strewed. The man employed for
The Voyage of the Beagle |
