| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde: for he was in love with the most beautiful Reed. He had met her
early in the spring as he was flying down the river after a big
yellow moth, and had been so attracted by her slender waist that he
had stopped to talk to her.
"Shall I love you?" said the Swallow, who liked to come to the
point at once, and the Reed made him a low bow. So he flew round
and round her, touching the water with his wings, and making silver
ripples. This was his courtship, and it lasted all through the
summer.
"It is a ridiculous attachment," twittered the other Swallows; "she
has no money, and far too many relations"; and indeed the river was
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Peter Pan by James M. Barrie: "I have seen a wonderfuller thing," he cried, as they gathered
round him eagerly. "A great white bird. It is flying this way."
"What kind of a bird, do you think?"
"I don't know," Nibs said, awestruck, "but it looks so weary,
and as it flies it moans, `Poor Wendy,'"
"Poor Wendy?"
"I remember," said Slightly instantly, "there are birds called
Wendies."
"See, it comes!" cried Curly, pointing to Wendy in the heavens.
Wendy was now almost overhead, and they could hear her
plaintive cry. But more distinct came the shrill voice of Tinker
Peter Pan |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton: truder:
"And who are you, may I ask?"
The man threw back his head defiantly. "I am
Lieutenant Sookin of the Imperial Navy of Russia,"
he said in a loud, defiant tone.
"And I am Chamberlain of the Russian Court
and Commander of all America," replied Rezanov
coolly. "Now go to your quarters, dress yourself
in your uniform, and present your report to me an
hour hence."
The officer, concentrating in his injected eyes all
Rezanov |
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 Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad: had done many times before. Generally the impression was that of
entering an untenanted house, but this time before I could reach
the foot of the stairs Therese glided out of the passage leading
into the studio. After the usual exclamations she assured me that
everything was ready for me upstairs, had been for days, and
offered to get me something to eat at once. I accepted and said I
would be down in the studio in half an hour. I found her there by
the side of the laid table ready for conversation. She began by
telling me - the dear, poor young Monsieur - in a sort of plaintive
chant, that there were no letters for me, no letters of any kind,
no letters from anybody. Glances of absolutely terrifying
The Arrow of Gold |
