| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Memorabilia by Xenophon: Soc. It would be monstrous on the part of any one who sought to become
a general[5] to throw away the slightest opportunity of learning the
duties of the office. Such a person, I should say, would deserve to be
fined and punished by the state far more than the charlatan who
without having learnt the art of a sculptor undertakes a contract to
carve a statue. Considering that the whole fortunes of the state are
entrusted to the general during a war, with all its incidental peril,
it is only reasonable to anticipate that great blessings or great
misfortunes will result in proportion to the success or bungling of
that officer. I appeal to you, young sir, do you not agree that a
candidate who, while taking pains to be elected neglects to learn the
The Memorabilia |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Jungle Tales of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs: to come within reach of itching paws and slavering jowls.
On they came across the grove, and as they entered
the path leading into the dense jungle beyond, a sudden
"Kreeg-ah!" shrilled out close before them--a "Kreeg-ah"
in the familiar voice of Teeka. The small brains
of Toog and his companions had not been able to foresee
that Teeka might betray them, and now that she had,
they went wild with rage. Toog struck the she a mighty
blow that felled her, and then the three rushed forth
to do battle with Tarzan and Taug. The little monkey
danced upon his perch and screamed with delight.
The Jungle Tales of Tarzan |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Young Forester by Zane Grey: caused Bill to change his course.
"Do you know whar you're headin'?" yelled Herky, high above the roar.
"I hain't got the least idee, Herky," shouted Bill, as cool as could be,
"but I guess somewhar whar it'll be hot!"
We were lost in the forest and almost surrounded by fire, if the roar was
anything to tell by. We galloped on, always governed by the roar, always
avoiding the slope up the mountain. If we once started up that with the
fire in our rear we were doomed. Perhaps there were times when the wind
deceived us. It was hard to tell. Anyway, we kept on, growing more
bewildered. Bud looked like a dead man already and reeled in his saddle.
The horses were getting hard to manage, and the wind was strengthening and
The Young Forester |
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 Essays of Francis Bacon by Francis Bacon: this we call education; which is, in effect, but an
early custom. So we see, in languages, the tongue
is more pliant to all expressions and sounds, the
joints are more supple, to all feats of activity and
motions, in youth than afterwards. For it is true,
that late learners cannot so well take the ply; ex-
cept it be in some minds, that have not suffered
themselves to fix, but have kept themselves open,
and prepared to receive continual amendment,
which is exceeding rare. But if the force of cus-
tom simple and separate, be great, the force of
Essays of Francis Bacon |
