| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers by Jonathan Swift: to be believed in his own case against an English Protestant, who
is true to his government, I shall leave to the candid and
impartial reader.
The other objection is the unhappy occasion of this discourse,
and relates to an article in my predictions, which foretold the
death of Mr. Partridge, to happen on March 29, 1708. This he is
pleased to contradict absolutely in the almanack he has published
for the present year, and in that ungentlemanly manner (pardon
the expression) as I have above related. In that work he very
roundly asserts, That he is not only now alive, but was likewise
alive upon that very 29th of March, when I had foretold he should
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Beasts of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs: slipping a coin into the man's hand.
The fellow led her from the place, and together they walked
quickly toward the wharf and along it until across the water
they saw a small boat just pulling into the shadows of a
nearby steamer.
"There they be," whispered the man.
"Ten pounds if you will find a boat and row me to that steamer,"
cried the woman.
"Quick, then," he replied, "for we gotta go it if we're goin'
to catch the Kincaid afore she sails. She's had steam up
for three hours an' jest been a-waitin' fer that one passenger.
The Beasts of Tarzan |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther: commission and omission by which the conscience is thrown into unrest,
so that it is afraid of the wrath and displeasure of God, and thus
loses the comfort and confidence derived from the Gospel; therefore it
is ceaselessly necessary that we run hither and obtain consolation to
comfort the conscience again.
But this should serve God's purpose of breaking our pride and keeping
us humble. For in case any one should boast of his godliness and
despise others, God has reserved this prerogative to Himself, that the
person is to consider himself and place this prayer before his eyes,
and he will find that he is no better than others, and that in the
presence of God all must lower their plumes, and be glad that they can
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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 Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: pocket, listened gravely to the tale.
'Yes,' resumed Sam, 'the North Mail was stopped by a single
horseman; dash my wig, but I admire him! There were four
insides and two out, and poor Tom Oglethorpe, the guard. Tom
showed himself a man; let fly his blunderbuss at him; had him
covered, too, and could swear to that; but the Captain never
let on, up with a pistol and fetched poor Tom a bullet
through the body. Tom, he squelched upon the seat, all over
blood. Up comes the Captain to the window. "Oblige me,"
says he, "with what you have." Would you believe it? Not a
man says cheep! - not them. "Thy hands over thy head." Four
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