| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Octopus by Frank Norris: fields, sending up a cloud of white dust, that hung above the
scene like smoke. A brisk gaiety was in the air. Everyone was
in the best of humor, calling from team to team, laughing,
skylarking, joshing. Garnett, of the Ruby Rancho, and Gethings,
of the San Pablo, both on horseback, found themselves side by
side. Ignoring the drive and the spirit of the occasion, they
kept up a prolonged and serious conversation on an expected rise
in the price of wheat. Dabney, also on horseback, followed them,
listening attentively to every word, but hazarding no remark.
Mrs. Derrick and Hilma sat in the back seat of the carry-all,
behind young Vacca. Mrs. Derrick, a little disturbed by such a
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from King James Bible: within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known
who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a
sinner.
LUK 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to
say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.
LUK 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one
owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
LUK 7:42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them
both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?
LUK 7:43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave
most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.
King James Bible |
| 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: municate them with the party, that he suspects;
for thereby he shall be sure to know more of the
truth of them, than he did before; and withal shall
make that party more circumspect, not to give
further cause of suspicion. But this would not be
done to men of base natures; for they, if they find
themselves once suspected, will never be true. The
Italian says, Sospetto licentia fede; as if suspicion,
did give a passport to faith; but it ought, rather, to
kindle it to discharge itself.
Of Discourse
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 Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, etc. by Oscar Wilde: were secretly buried in a little vineyard outside the city by some
young men 'who had found pleasure in their performances, and of
whom some had sought to be instructed in the mysteries of the new
art.' Certainly no more fitting place could there be for him to
whom Shakespeare said, 'thou art all my art,' than this little
vineyard outside the city walls. For was it not from the sorrows
of Dionysos that Tragedy sprang? Was not the light laughter of
Comedy, with its careless merriment and quick replies, first heard
on the lips of the Sicilian vine-dressers? Nay, did not the purple
and red stain of the wine-froth on face and limbs give the first
suggestion of the charm and fascination of disguise - the desire
|
