| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from King James Bible: the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is
in heaven.
MAT 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works?
MAT 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart
from me, ye that work iniquity.
MAT 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock:
MAT 7:25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds
 King James Bible |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Land that Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs: simultaneously, he at the heart and I at the spine.
"Hat the 'eart, sir--yes, sir," he replied, and raised his piece
to his shoulder.
Our shots rang out together. The thing raised its head and
looked about until its eyes rested upon us; then it gave vent to
a most appalling hiss that rose to the crescendo of a terrific
shriek and came for us.
"Beat it, Whitely!" I cried as I turned to run.
We were about a quarter of a mile from the rest of our party, and
in full sight of them as they lay in the tall grass watching us.
That they saw all that had happened was evidenced by the fact that
 The Land that Time Forgot |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Mother by Owen Wister: figures and such words as gross receipts, increase of population, sinking
fund, redeemable at 105 after 1920, churned vigorously and meaninglessly
through my brain. But I was not going to let him know that to understand
the circular I should have to take it away quietly to my desk in Nassau
Street, and spend an hour with it alone."
"'What is your opinion of Petunia Water sixes?' he inquired."
"'They are a lead-pipe cinch,' I immediately answered; and he slapped me
on the knee."
"'That's what I think!' he cried. 'Anyhow, I have taken 20,000 for
mother. Do what you like.'"
"'Oh well,' said I, delighted at this confidence, I think I can afford to
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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 Malbone: An Oldport Romance by Thomas Wentworth Higginson: to speak. For a moment he saw her only, thought only of her.
Then, even while he gazed into her eyes, a flood of other
memories surged over him, and his own eyes grew dim. His head
swam, the lips he had just kissed appeared to fade away, and
something of darker, richer beauty seemed to burn through those
fair features; he looked through those gentle eyes into orbs
more radiant, and it was as if a countenance of eager passion
obliterated that fair head, and spoke with substituted lips,
"Behold your love." There was a thrill of infinite ecstasy in
the work his imagination did; he gave it rein, then suddenly
drew it in and looked at Hope. Her touch brought pain for an
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