| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Pagan and Christian Creeds by Edward Carpenter: fighting with and persecuting 'enemies' (which things of
course all religions to-day--except perhaps the Buddhist
--love to do); he was dominated often by unreasoning Fear,
and was consequently cruel. Yet he was full of that
Faith which the animals have to such an admirable degree
--unhesitating faith in the inner promptings of his OWN
nature; he had the joy which comes of abounding vitality,
springing up like a fountain whose outlet is free and
unhindered; he rejoiced in an untroubled and unbroken
sense of unity with his Tribe, and in elaborate social and
friendly institutions within its borders; he had a marvelous
Pagan and Christian Creeds |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from United States Declaration of Independence: one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected
them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and
of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions
of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
United States Declaration of Independence |
