| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Witch, et. al by Anton Chekhov: person out of the local court without deceiving or insulting him,
were sitting now side by side, both fat and well-fed, and it
seemed as though they were so saturated in injustice and
falsehood that even the skin of their faces was somehow peculiar,
fraudulent. The clerk's wife, a thin woman with a squint, had
brought all her children with her, and like a bird of prey looked
aslant at the plates and snatched anything she could get hold of
to put in her own or her children's pockets.
Lipa sat as though turned to stone, still with the same
expression as in church. Anisim had not said a single word to her
since he had made her acquaintance, so that he did not yet know
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates by Howard Pyle: So, the rowers bending to the oars, the boat came slowly around
from under the clump of mangrove bushes and out into the open
water again.
Instantly it did so the leader of the expedition called out in a
sharp voice, and the black men instantly lay on their oars.
Almost at the same instant Barnaby True became aware that there
was another boat coming down the river toward where they lay, now
drifting with the strong tide out into the harbor again, and he
knew that it was because of the approach of that boat that the
other had called upon his men to cease rowing.
The other boat, as well as he could see in the distance, was full
Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman by Mary Wollstonecraft: describe the turbid stream in which I had to wade--but let me
exultingly declare that it is passed--my soul holds fellowship with
him no more. He cut the Gordian knot, which my principles, mistaken
ones, respected; he dissolved the tie, the fetters rather, that
ate into my very vitals--and I should rejoice, conscious that my
mind is freed, though confined in hell itself, the only place that
even fancy can imagine more dreadful than my present abode.
These varying emotions will not allow me to proceed. I heave
sigh after sigh; yet my heart is still oppressed. For what am I
reserved? Why was I not born a man, or why was I born at all?
CHAPTER 9
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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 Lady Susan by Jane Austen: about Frederica, too. Her calmness astonishes me. What delight will be
yours in seeing him again; in seeing him still worthy your esteem, still
capable of forming your happiness! When I next write I shall be able to
tell you that Sir James is gone, Lady Susan vanquished, and Frederica at
peace. We have much to do, but it shall be done. I am all impatience to
hear how this astonishing change was effected. I finish as I began, with
the warmest congratulations.
Yours ever, &c.,
CATH. VERNON.
XXIV
FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME
Lady Susan |
