| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Cratylus by Plato: calling him Zena and Dia, which are one name, although divided, meaning the
God through whom all creatures always have life (di on zen aei pasi tois
zosin uparchei). There is an irreverence, at first sight, in calling him
son of Cronos (who is a proverb for stupidity), and we might rather expect
Zeus to be the child of a mighty intellect. Which is the fact; for this is
the meaning of his father's name: Kronos quasi Koros (Choreo, to sweep),
not in the sense of a youth, but signifying to chatharon chai acheraton tou
nou, the pure and garnished mind (sc. apo tou chorein). He, as we are
informed by tradition, was begotten of Uranus, rightly so called (apo tou
oran ta ano) from looking upwards; which, as philosophers tell us, is the
way to have a pure mind, and the name Uranus is therefore correct. If I
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from King James Bible: me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what is this that goeth forth.
ZEC 5:6 And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that
goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the
earth.
ZEC 5:7 And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is
a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah.
ZEC 5:8 And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst
of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof.
ZEC 5:9 Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came
out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like
the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and
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 Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner: down; only what the Company wants to go, go through. There are many
downright good fellows in this lot; but how many of us are there, do you
think, who could throw away all chance of ever making anything in
Mashonaland, for the sake of standing by Halket; even if he had a real row
with the Company? I've a great liking for Halket myself, he's a real good
fellow, and he's done me many a good turn--took my watch only last night,
because I was off colour; I'd do anything for him in reason. But, I say
this flatly, I couldn't and wouldn't fly in the face of the authorities for
him or anyone else. I've my own girl waiting for me down in the Colony,
and she's been waiting for me these five years. And whether I'm able to
marry her or not depends on how I stand with the Company: and I say,
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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 An Inland Voyage by Robert Louis Stevenson: they; things of the forest and the starlight, not touched by the
commotion of man's hot and turbid life - although there are plenty
other ideals that I should prefer - I find my heart beat at the
thought of this one. 'Tis to fail in life, but to fail with what a
grace! That is not lost which is not regretted. And where - here
slips out the male - where would be much of the glory of inspiring
love, if there were no contempt to overcome?
ON THE WILLEBROEK CANAL
NEXT morning, when we set forth on the Willebroek Canal, the rain
began heavy and chill. The water of the canal stood at about the
drinking temperature of tea; and under this cold aspersion, the
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