| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: of him who for us men emptied himself, and even took the form of
a servant. Likewise also for this reason we salute the pictures
of his undefiled Mother, and of all the Saints. In the same
spirit also faithfully worship and salute the emblem of the life-
giving and venerable Cross, for the sake of him that hung thereon
in the flesh, for the salvation of our race, Christ the God and
Saviour of the world, who gave it to us as the sign of victory
over the devil; for the devil trembleth and quaketh at the virtue
thereof, and endureth not to behold it. In such doctrines and in
such faith shalt thou be baptized, keeping thy faith unwavering
and pure of all heresy until thy latest breath. But all teaching
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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 Emerald City of Oz by L. Frank Baum: to understand him.
These Growleywogs were certainly remarkable creatures. They were of
gigantic size, yet were all bone and skin and muscle, there being no
meat or fat upon their bodies at all. Their powerful muscles lay just
underneath their skins, like bunches of tough rope, and the weakest
Growleywog was so strong that he could pick up an elephant and toss it
seven miles away.
It seems unfortunate that strong people are usually so disagreeable
and overbearing that no one cares for them. In fact, to be different
from your fellow creatures is always a misfortune. The Growleywogs
knew that they were disliked and avoided by every one, so they had
The Emerald City of Oz |
