| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tales of Unrest by Joseph Conrad: peace. When I met him he was returning from a pilgrimage, and I heard
him intoning the prayer of sunset. He had gone to the holy place with
his son, his son's wife, and a little child; and on their return, by
the favour of the Most High, they all died: the strong man, the young
mother, the little child--they died; and the old man reached his
country alone. He was a pilgrim serene and pious, very wise and very
lonely. I told him all. For a time we lived together. He said over me
words of compassion, of wisdom, of prayer. He warded from me the shade
of the dead. I begged him for a charm that would make me safe. For a
long time he refused; but at last, with a sigh and a smile, he gave me
one. Doubtless he could command a spirit stronger than the unrest of
Tales of Unrest |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Travels and Researches in South Africa by Dr. David Livingstone: the original was typed in (manually) twice and electronically compared.
[Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are CAPITALIZED.
Some obvious errors have been corrected.]
Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa.
Also called, Travels and Researches in South Africa;
or, Journeys and Researches in South Africa.
By David Livingstone [British (Scot) Missionary and Explorer--1813-1873.]
David Livingstone was born in Scotland, received his medical degree
from the University of Glasgow, and was sent to South Africa
by the London Missionary Society. Circumstances led him to try to meet
the material needs as well as the spiritual needs of the people he went to,
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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 Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: "My cousin Ellieslaw? No, my fair cousin,
If we are doom'd to die--"
"For God's sake," said Ellieslaw, "spare us your folly at
present, Mareschal."
"Well, then," said his kinsman, "I'll bestow my wisdom upon you
instead, such as it is. If we have gone forward like fools, do
not let us go back like cowards. We have done enough to draw
upon us both the suspicion and vengeance of the government; do
not let us give up before we have done something to deserve it.
--What, will no one speak? Then I'll leap the ditch the first."
And, starting up, he filled a beer-glass to the brim with claret,
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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 Black Dwarf by Walter Scott: "And a young woman, that's been cruelly made prisoner, that's
worth mair than a' the gear, twice told," said Hobbie.
"And I warn you." continued Earnscliff, "that your only way to
prove your son's innocence is to give us quiet admittance to
search the house."
"And what will ye do, if I carena to thraw the keys, or draw the
bolts, or open the grate to sic a clamjamfrie?" said the old
dame, scoffingly.
"Force our way with the king's keys, and break the neck of every
living soul we find in the house, if ye dinna gie it ower
forthwith!" menaced the incensed Hobbie.
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