Today's Stichomancy for Eminem

The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table by Oliver Wendell Holmes:

which was of necessity always clean. I don't know how much fancy there was in this; but there is no fancy in saying that the lassitude of tired-out operatives, and the languor of imaginative natures in their periods of collapse, and the vacuity of minds untrained to labor and discipline, fit the soul and body for the germination of the seeds of intemperance.

Whenever the wandering demon of Drunkenness finds a ship adrift, - no steady wind in its sails, no thoughtful pilot directing its course, - he steps on board, takes the helm, and steers straight for the maelstrom.

- I wonder if you know the TERRIBLE SMILE? [The young fellow whom

The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table

The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Alexandria and her Schools by Charles Kingsley:

glimpses of a central idea, in the light of which the spiritual history of Alexandria, and perhaps of other countries also, may be seen to have in itself a coherence and organic method.

I was of course compelled, by the circumstances under which these Lectures were delivered, to keep clear of all points which are commonly called "controversial." I cannot but feel that this was a gain, rather than a loss; because it forced me, if I wished to give any interpretation at all of Alexandrian thought, any Theodicy at all of her fate, to refer to laws which I cannot but believe to be deeper, wider, more truly eternal than the points which cause most of our modern controversies, either theological or political; laws which will, I

The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Koran:

Or have they partners, then let them bring their partners if they do speak the truth?

On the day when the leg shall be bared; and they shall be called to adore and shall not be able!

Lowering their looks, abasement shall attack them, for they were called to adore while yet they were safe!

But let me alone with him who calls this new discourse a lie. We will surely bring them down by degrees from whence they do not know.

And I will let them have their way! for my device is sure.

Or dost thou ask them a hire for it while they are burdened with debts?

The Koran

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 King James Bible:

PSA 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

PSA 73:21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

PSA 73:22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

PSA 73:23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

PSA 73:24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

PSA 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

PSA 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my

King James Bible