| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle: there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always
loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young
and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he
naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there
were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them."
"And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favor of such a
union?"
"No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in
favor of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as
Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her.
"Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther: kept, we would need nothing further, neither the Creed nor the Lord's
Prayer. But before we explain this advantage and necessity of the
Creed, it is sufficient at first for the simple-minded that they learn
to comprehend and understand the Creed itself.
In the first place, the Creed has hitherto been divided into twelve
articles, although, if all points which are written in the Scriptures
and which belong to the Creed were to be distinctly set forth, there
would be far more articles, nor could they all be clearly expressed in
so few words. But that it may be most easily and clearly understood as
it is to be taught to children, we shall briefly sum up the entire
Creed in three chief articles, according to the three persons in the
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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 Poems by Bronte Sisters: I too have smiled, and thought like you,
But madly smiled, and falsely deemed:
TRUTH led me to the present view,--
I'm waking now--'twas THEN I dreamed.
I lately saw a sunset sky,
And stood enraptured to behold
Its varied hues of glorious dye:
First, fleecy clouds of shining gold;
These blushing took a rosy hue;
Beneath them shone a flood of green;
Nor less divine, the glorious blue
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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 Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: these matters, that no root of bitterness may spring up among
them, and so many be defiled, as Paul warned the Hebrews; that
is, that they may not lose the faith, and begin to be defiled by
a belief in works as the means of justification. This is a thing
which easily happens, and defiles very many, unless faith be
constantly inculcated along with works. It is impossible to avoid
this evil, when faith is passed over in silence, and only the
ordinances of men are taught, as has been done hitherto by the
pestilent, impious, and soul-destroying traditions of our
pontiffs and opinions of our theologians. An infinite number of
souls have been drawn down to hell by these snares, so that you
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