| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Thuvia, Maid of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: about and approached the stranger. At easy speaking
distance the officer upon her deck hailed the incoming craft.
The cheery "Kaor!" and the plausible explanation that the
owner had come from distant parts for a few days of pleasure
in gay Helium sufficed. The air-patrol boat sheered off,
passing again upon its way. The stranger continued toward
a public landing-stage, where she dropped into the ways
and came to rest.
At about the same time a warrior entered her cabin.
"It is done, Vas Kor," he said, handing a small metal
key to the tall noble who had just risen from his sleeping
Thuvia, Maid of Mars |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Augsburg Confession by Philip Melanchthon: marvelous silence. They teach that we are justified not by
works only, but they conjoin faith and works, and say that we
are justified by faith and works. This doctrine is more
tolerable than the former one, and can afford more consolation
than their old doctrine.
Forasmuch, therefore, as the doctrine concerning faith, which
ought to be the chief one in the Church, has lain so long
unknown, as all must needs grant that there was the deepest
silence in their sermons concerning the righteousness of
faith, while only the doctrine of works was treated in the
churches, our teachers have instructed the churches concerning
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran: not then remember? How should I fear what ye associate with Him,
when ye yourselves fear not to associate with God what He has sent
down to you no power to do? Which then of the two sects is worthier of
belief, if indeed ye know?'
Those who believe and do not obscure their faith with wrong, they
are those who shall have security, and they are guided.
These are our arguments which we gave to Abraham against his
people;- we raise the rank of whom we will; verily, thy Lord is wise
and knowing. And we gave to him Isaac and Jacob, each did we guide.
And Noah we guided before and all his seed,- David and Solomon and Job
and Joseph and Moses and Aaron,- for thus do we reward those who do
The Koran |
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 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: "Do you speak French, dear?" asked Mrs. Carrol, laying a hand on Amy's.
"Pretty well, thanks to Aunt March, who lets Esther talk to
me as often as I like," replied amy, with a grateful look, which
caused the old lady to smile affably.
"How are you about languages?" asked Mrs. Carrol of JO.
"Don't know a word. I'm very stupid about studying anything,
can't bear French, it's such a slippery, silly sort of language,"
was the brusque reply.
Another look passed between the ladies, and Aunt March said
to Amy, 'You are quite strong and well no, dear, I believe? Eyes
don't trouble you any more, do they?"
Little Women |
