| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Before Adam by Jack London: Especially do I remember the hunger we endured on the
mountains between Long Lake and Far Lake, and the calf
we caught sleeping in the thicket. Also, there are the
Tree People who dwelt in the forest between Long Lake
and the mountains. It was they who chased us into the
mountains and compelled us to travel on to Far Lake.
First, after we left the river, we worked toward the
west till we came to a small stream that flowed through
marshlands. Here we turned away toward the north,
skirting the marshes and after several days arriving at
what I have called Long Lake. We spent some time
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Love and Friendship by Jane Austen: certainly avail ourselves of it, whenever we might have no other
place to go to. Tho' certainly nothing could to any reasonable
Being, have appeared more satisfactory, than so gratefull a reply
to her invitation, yet I know not how it was, but she was
certainly capricious enough to be displeased with our behaviour
and in a few weeks after, either to revenge our Conduct, or
releive her own solitude, married a young and illiterate Fortune-
hunter. This imprudent step (tho' we were sensible that it would
probably deprive us of that fortune which Philippa had ever
taught us to expect) could not on our own accounts, excite from
our exalted minds a single sigh; yet fearfull lest it might prove
Love and Friendship |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from King James Bible: God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy
fellows.
PSA 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of
the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
PSA 45:9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy
right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir.
PSA 45:10 Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear;
forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;
PSA 45:11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy
Lord; and worship thou him.
PSA 45:12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the
King James Bible |
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 Little Rivers by Henry van Dyke: and an attachment will grow up between you and them individually."
So writes that Doctor Amabilis of woodcraft, W. C. Prime, in his
book, Among the Northern Hills, and straightway launches forth into
eulogy on the white-birch. And truly it is an admirable, lovable,
and comfortable tree, beautiful to look upon and full of various
uses. Its wood is strong to make paddles and axe handles, and
glorious to burn, blazing up at first with a flashing flame, and
then holding the fire in its glowing heart all through the night.
Its bark is the most serviceable of all the products of the
wilderness. In Russia, they say, it is used in tanning, and gives
its subtle, sacerdotal fragrance to Russia leather. But here, in
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