| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Caesar's Commentaries in Latin by Julius Caesar: pervenerunt, cum et propter vulnera militum et propter sepulturam
occisorum nostri [triduum morati] eos sequi non potuissent. Caesar ad
Lingonas litteras nuntiosque misit, ne eos frumento neve alia re iuvarent:
qui si iuvissent, se eodem loco quo Helvetios habiturum. Ipse triduo
intermisso cum omnibus copiis eos sequi coepit.
Helvetii omnium rerum inopia adducti legatos de deditione ad eum
miserunt. Qui cum eum in itinere convenissent seque ad pedes proiecissent
suppliciterque locuti flentes pacem petissent, atque eos in eo loco quo
tum essent suum adventum expectare iussisset, paruerunt. Eo postquam
Caesar pervenit, obsides, arma, servos qui ad eos perfugissent, poposcit.
Dum ea conquiruntur et conferuntur, [nocte intermissa] circiter hominum
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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 Golden Sayings of Epictetus by Epictetus: counter to the opinions of the world, yet have they reason on
their side.
CXLII
Asked how a man should best grieve his enemy, Epictetus
replied, "By setting himself to live the noblest life himself."
CXLIV
I am free, I am a friend of God, ready to render Him willing
obedience. Of all else I may set store by nothing--neither by
mine own body, nor possessions, nor office, nor good report, nor,
in a word, aught else beside. For it is not His Will, that I
should so set store by these things. Had it been His pleasure, He
The Golden Sayings of Epictetus |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Eugenie Grandet by Honore de Balzac: Pere Grandet lodged his nephew on the second floor, in the high
mansarde attic which was above his own bedroom, so that he might hear
him if the young man took it into his head to go and come. When
Eugenie and her mother reached the middle of the landing they kissed
each other for good-night; then with a few words of adieu to Charles,
cold upon the lips, but certainly very warm in the heart of the young
girl, they withdrew into their own chambers.
"Here you are in your room, my nephew," said Pere Grandet as he opened
the door. "If you need to go out, call Nanon; without her, beware! the
dog would eat you up without a word. Sleep well. Good-night. Ha! why,
they have made you a fire!" he cried.
Eugenie Grandet |
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 Fantastic Fables by Ambrose Bierce: had therefore sent a call to Brother Jowjeetum-Fallal, the World-
Renowned Hindoo Human Pin-Wheel, then holding forth in Hoopitup's
circus. They were happy to say that the reverend gentleman had
been moved by the Spirit to accept the call, and on the ensuing
Sabbath would break the bread of life for the brethren or break his
neck in the attempt.
The Man and the Lightning
A MAN Running for Office was overtaken by Lightning.
"You see," said the Lightning, as it crept past him inch by inch,
"I can travel considerably faster than you."
"Yes," the Man Running for Office replied, "but think how much
Fantastic Fables |
