| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum: living. This happened very seldom, indeed. There were no poor people
in the Land of Oz, because there was no such thing as money, and all
property of every sort belonged to the Ruler. The people were her
children, and she cared for them. Each person was given freely by his
neighbors whatever he required for his use, which is as much as any one
may reasonably desire. Some tilled the lands and raised great crops
of grain, which was divided equally among the entire population, so
that all had enough. There were many tailors and dressmakers and
shoemakers and the like, who made things that any who desired them
might wear. Likewise there were jewelers who made ornaments for the
person, which pleased and beautified the people, and these ornaments
The Emerald City of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare: 'His brawny sides, with hairy bristles arm'd,
Are better proof than thy spear's point can enter;
His short thick neck cannot be easily harm'd;
Being ireful, on the lion he will venture: 628
The thorny brambles and embracing bushes,
As fearful of him, part, through whom he rushes.
'Alas! he nought esteems that face of thine,
To which Love's eyes pay tributary gazes; 632
Nor thy soft hands, sweet lips, and crystal eyne,
Whose full perfection all the world amazes;
But having thee at vantage, wondrous dread!
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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 Wife, et al by Anton Chekhov: peasants catching fish with a net. When the sun sets he takes a
towel and soap and saunters to the bathing-shed, where he
undresses at his leisure, slowly rubs his bare chest with his
hands, and goes into the water. And in the water, near the opaque
soapy circles, little fish flit to and fro and green water-weeds
nod their heads. After bathing there is tea with cream and milk
rolls. . . . In the evening a walk or _vint_ with the neighbours.
"Yes, it would be nice to buy an estate," said his wife, also
dreaming, and from her face it was evident that she was enchanted
by her thoughts.
Ivan Dmitritch pictured to himself autumn with its rains, its
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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 The Princess by Alfred Tennyson: Cramped under worse than South-sea-isle taboo,
Dwarfs of the gynęceum, fail so far
In high desire, they know not, cannot guess
How much their welfare is a passion to us.
If we could give them surer, quicker proof--
Oh if our end were less achievable
By slow approaches, than by single act
Of immolation, any phase of death,
We were as prompt to spring against the pikes,
Or down the fiery gulf as talk of it,
To compass our dear sisters' liberties.'
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