| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Men of Iron by Howard Pyle: "I see that thou hast his fame pat to thy tongue's end," said the
Earl; "he is the chevalier of whom I speak, and he is reckoned
the best knight of Dauphiny. That one of which thou spokest was
the third great tourney in which he was adjudged the victor. I am
glad that thou holdest his prowess highly. Knowest thou that he
is in the train of the Comte de Vermoise?"
"Nay," said Myles, flushing; "I did hear news he was in England,
but knew not that he was in this place."
"Yea," said Lord Mackworth; "he is here." He paused for a moment;
then said, suddenly. "Tell me, Myles Falworth, an thou wert a
knight and of rank fit to run a joust with the Sieur de la
Men of Iron |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The First Men In The Moon by H. G. Wells: spines running from back to front, and a much larger ridge curved on
either side over the eyes. The Selenite who untied me used his mouth to
help his hands.
"They seem to be releasing us," said Cavor. "Remember we are on the moon!
Make no sudden movements!"
"Are you going to try that geometry?"
"If I get a chance. But, of course, they may make an advance first."
We remained passive, and the Selenites, having finished their
arrangements, stood back from us, and seemed to be looking at us. I say
seemed to be, because as their eyes were at the side and not in front, one
had the same difficulty in determining the direction in which they were
The First Men In The Moon |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Simple Soul by Gustave Flaubert: holly bushes, and here and there stood large dead trees whose branches
traced zigzags upon the blue sky.
Ordinarily, they rested in a field facing the ocean, with Deauville on
their left, and Havre on their right. The sea glittered brightly in
the sun and was as smooth as a mirror, and so calm that they could
scarcely distinguish its murmur; sparrows chirped joyfully and the
immense canopy of heaven spread over it all. Madame Aubain brought out
her sewing, and Virginia amused herself by braiding reeds; Felicite
wove lavender blossoms, while Paul was bored and wished to go home.
Sometimes they crossed the Toucques in a boat, and started to hunt for
sea-shells. The outgoing tide exposed star-fish and sea-urchins, and
A Simple Soul |
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 Trooper Peter Halket of Mashonaland by Olive Schreiner: stranger's face.
"Yes; I am a Jew."
"Ah," said Peter, "that's why I wasn't able to make out at first what
nation you could be of; your dress, you know--" Then he stopped, and said,
"Trading here, I suppose? Which country do you come from; are you a
Spanish Jew?"
"I am a Jew of Palestine."
"Ah!" said Peter; "I haven't seen many from that part yet. I came out with
a lot on board ship; and I've seen Barnato and Beit; but they're not very
much like you. I suppose it's coming from Palestine makes the difference."
All fear of the stranger had now left Peter Halket. "Come a little nearer
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