| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy: to injure an arrangement which I promote in the belief
that it is for the best. Suppose, when they are engaged,
and everything is smoothly arranged for their marriage,
that you should step between them and renew your suit? You
might not win her back, but you might cause much unhappiness."
"Of course I should do no such thing," said Wildeve "But
they are not engaged yet. How do you know that Thomasin
would accept him?"
"That's a question I have carefully put to myself;
and upon the whole the probabilities are in favour
of her accepting him in time. I flatter myself that I
Return of the Native |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: refuge beside Him; and keep thyself patient, with those who call
upon their Lord morning and evening, desiring His face; nor let
thine eyes be turned from them, desiring the adornment of the life
of this world; and obey not him whose heart we have made heedless of
remembrance of us, and who follows his lusts, for his affair is ever
in advance (of the truth).
But say, 'The truth is from your Lord, so let him who will, believe;
and let him who will, disbelieve.' Verily, we have prepared for the
evildoers a fire, sheets of which shall encompass them; and if they
cry for help, they shall be helped with water like molten brass, which
shall roast their faces:-an ill drink and an evil couch!
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde: moments when one has to choose between living one's own life,
fully, entirely, completely - or dragging out some false, shallow,
degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. You
have that moment now. Choose! Oh, my love, choose.
LADY WINDERMERE. [Moving slowly away from him, and looking at him
with startled eyes.] I have not the courage.
LORD DARLINGTON. [Following her.] Yes; you have the courage.
There may be six months of pain, of disgrace even, but when you no
longer bear his name, when you bear mine, all will be well.
Margaret, my love, my wife that shall be some day - yes, my wife!
You know it! What are you now? This woman has the place that
|
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 Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum: while a big table near by was loaded with delicious fruits and
nuts, pies and cakes, and many other good things to eat.
The people greeted Dorothy kindly, and invited her to supper and
to pass the night with them; for this was the home of one of the
richest Munchkins in the land, and his friends were gathered with
him to celebrate their freedom from the bondage of the Wicked Witch.
Dorothy ate a hearty supper and was waited upon by the rich
Munchkin himself, whose name was Boq. Then she sat upon a settee
and watched the people dance.
When Boq saw her silver shoes he said, "You must be a great sorceress."
"Why?" asked the girl.
The Wizard of Oz |
