| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Reason Discourse by Rene Descartes: when once adopted, than if they had been highly certain; imitating in this
the example of travelers who, when they have lost their way in a forest,
ought not to wander from side to side, far less remain in one place, but
proceed constantly towards the same side in as straight a line as
possible, without changing their direction for slight reasons, although
perhaps it might be chance alone which at first determined the selection;
for in this way, if they do not exactly reach the point they desire, they
will come at least in the end to some place that will probably be
preferable to the middle of a forest. In the same way, since in action it
frequently happens that no delay is permissible, it is very certain that,
when it is not in our power to determine what is true, we ought to act
Reason Discourse |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: He was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort
that call themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made,
and quick in all his motions. I knew in a moment by the way he handled me,
that he was used to horses; he spoke gently, and his gray eye had a kindly,
cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say -- but it is true
all the same -- that the clean, fresh smell there was about him
made me take to him; no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I hated,
but a fresh smell as if he had come out of a hayloft.
He offered twenty-three pounds for me, but that was refused,
and he walked away. I looked after him, but he was gone,
and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was dreadfully afraid
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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 The Mansion by Henry van Dyke: imagination.
But it was eminently respectable, and in its way imposing.
It seemed to say that the glittering shops of the jewelers, the
milliners,
the confectioners, the florists, the picture-dealers, the
furriers,
the makers of rare and costly antiquities, retail traders in
luxuries of life, were beneath the notice of a house that had its
foundations in the high finance, and was built literally and
figuratively
in the shadow of St. Petronius' Church.
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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 Pericles by William Shakespeare: Therefore, my lord, go travel for a while,
Till that his rage and anger be forgot,
Or till the Destinies do cut his thread of life.
Your rule direct to any; if to me,
Day serves not light more faithful than I'll be.
PERICLES.
I do not doubt thy faith;
But should he wrong my liberties in my absence?
HELCANUS.
We'll mingle our bloods together in the earth,
From whence we had our being and our birth.
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