| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Early Short Fiction of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton: World, extinguished on yonder stormy hill, and is this lady the
Pride of Life, feasting blindly on the wine of iniquity, with her
back turned to the light which has shone for her in vain?
Something of both these meanings may be traced in the picture;
but to me it symbolizes rather the central truth of existence:
that all that is raised in incorruption is sown in corruption;
art, beauty, love, religion; that all our wine is drunk out of
skulls, and poured for us by the mysterious genius of a remote
and cruel past."
The doctor's face blazed: his bent figure seemed to straighten
itself and become taller.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Lay Morals by Robert Louis Stevenson: and curtseying in the doorway, proceeded to conduct their
guest up the broad winding staircase of the tower. He
followed with a very brooding face.
'Alas!' cried Nance, as she entered the room, 'your fire
black out,' and, setting down the lantern, she clapped upon
her knees before the chimney and began to rearrange the
charred and still smouldering remains. Mr. Archer looked
about the gaunt apartment with a sort of shudder. The great
height, the bare stone, the shattered windows, the aspect of
the uncurtained bed, with one of its four fluted columns
broken short, all struck a chill upon his fancy. From this
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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 Several Works by Edgar Allan Poe: robust man, and the music had become hushed at the waving of his
hand.
It was in the blue room where stood the prince, with a group
of pale courtiers by his side. At first, as he spoke,
there was a slight rushing movement of this group in the direction
of the intruder, who at the moment was also near at hand, and now,
with deliberate and stately step, made closer approach to the
speaker. But from a certain nameless awe with which the mad
assumptions of the mummer had inspired the whole party, there were
found none who put forth hand to seize him; so that, unimpeded, he
passed within a yard of the prince's person; and, while the vast
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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 Psychology of Revolution by Gustave le Bon: People, the, in revolution; never directs itself; supposed part
of; the reality; analysis of; the base populace; commences to
terrorise the Assemblies; the sections rise
Peoples, the Psychology of
Persecution, religious
Personality, transformation of, during revolution
Peter the Great
Petion
Philip II
Philippines
Philosophers, influence of
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