| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Moon-Face and Other Stories by Jack London: matters, soots of oils and fats, and the various carbonized animal substances.
"White light is composed of the seven primary colors," he argued to me. "But
it is itself, of itself, invisible. Only by being reflected from objects do it
and the objects become visible. But only that portion of it that is reflected
becomes visible. For instance, here is a blue tobacco-box. The white light
strikes against it, and, with one exception, all its component colors--violet,
indigo, green, yellow, orange, and red--are absorbed. The one exception is
BLUE. It is not absorbed, but reflected.Therefore the tobacco-box gives us a
sensation of blueness. We do not see the other colors because they are
absorbed. We see only the blue. For the same reason grass is GREEN. The green
waves of white light are thrown upon our eyes."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from U. S. Project Trinity Report by Carl Maag and Steve Rohrer: Bingham, about 29 kilometers northeast of the test site, while offsite
radiological safety monitors surveyed the area. The evacuation
detachment was dismissed at 1300 hours on shot-day when it became
evident from offsite monitoring that evacuations would not be
undertaken. The detachment returned to LASL at 0400 on 17 July (15).
Two B-29 aircraft from Kirtland Field, Albuquerque, New Mexico,
participated in post-shot events. Their planned mission was to pass
over the test area shortly before the explosion to simulate a bomb
drop. After the TRINITY device had been detonated, the aircraft would
circle near ground zero, while the men onboard would measure the
atmospheric effects of the nuclear explosion. This would enable them
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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 Essays of Francis Bacon by Francis Bacon: known inconveniences; use extreme remedies at
first; and, that which doubleth all errors, will not
acknowledge or retract them; like an unready
horse, that will neither stop nor turn. Men of age
object too much, consult too long, adventure too
little, repent too soon, and seldom drive business
home to the full period, but content themselves
with a mediocrity of success. Certainly it is good to
compound employments of both; for that will be
good for the present, because the virtues of either
age, may correct the defects of both; and good for
Essays of Francis Bacon |
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 Father Goriot by Honore de Balzac: Chevalier Eugene de Rastignac and Mlle. Victorine Taillefer, is
there?" The words were uttered in Vautrin's deep voice, and
Vautrin appeared at the door as he spoke.
"Oh! how you startled me!" Mme. Couture and Mme. Vauquer
exclaimed together.
"I might make a worse choice," said Rastignac, laughing.
Vautrin's voice had thrown him into the most painful agitation
that he had yet known.
"No bad jokes, gentlemen!" said Mme. Couture. "My dear, let us go
upstairs."
Mme. Vauquer followed the two ladies, meaning to pass the evening
Father Goriot |
