| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin: systematic affinity, or whole groups of animals and plants are rendered
impotent by the same unnatural conditions; and whole groups of species tend
to produce sterile hybrids. On the other hand, one species in a group will
sometimes resist great changes of conditions with unimpaired fertility; and
certain species in a group will produce unusually fertile hybrids. No one
can tell, till he tries, whether any particular animal will breed under
confinement or any plant seed freely under culture; nor can he tell, till
he tries, whether any two species of a genus will produce more or less
sterile hybrids. Lastly, when organic beings are placed during several
generations under conditions not natural to them, they are extremely liable
to vary, which is due, as I believe, to their reproductive systems having
On the Origin of Species |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Tales and Fantasies by Robert Louis Stevenson: for him by name. As the sound of his voice died away, he was
aware of the greatness of the silence that environed him.
But for the twittering of the sparrows and the crunching of
his own feet upon the frozen snow, the whole windless world
of air hung over him entranced, and the stillness weighed
upon his mind with a horror of solitude.
Still calling at intervals, but now with a moderated voice,
he made the hasty circuit of the garden, and finding neither
man nor trace of man in all its evergreen coverts, turned at
last to the house. About the house the silence seemed to
deepen strangely. The door, indeed, stood open as before;
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs: to his feet he let his eyes wander toward the spot
where last he had seen the she, who had aroused within
his savage breast such strange emotions.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"The Tarmangani took her away," replied one of the apes.
"Who are you who speak the language of the Mangani?"
"I am Tarzan," replied the ape-man; "mighty hunter,
greatest of fighters. When I roar, the jungle is
silent and trembles with terror. I am Tarzan of the
Apes. I have been away; but now I have come back to my
people."
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar |
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: of superior integrity, which is peculiarly insolent! I shall not easily
forgive him, I assure you. He was actually on the point of leaving
Churchhill! I had scarcely concluded my last, when Wilson brought me word
of it. I found, therefore, that something must be done; for I did not
choose to leave my character at the mercy of a man whose passions are so
violent and so revengeful. It would have been trifling with my reputation
to allow of his departing with such an impression in my disfavour; in this
light, condescension was necessary. I sent Wilson to say that I desired to
speak with him before he went; he came immediately. The angry emotions
which had marked every feature when we last parted were partially subdued.
He seemed astonished at the summons, and looked as if half wishing and half
Lady Susan |
