| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Madam How and Lady Why by Charles Kingsley: gases poisoning the water, in earthquakes and eruptions in the
bottom of the sea. I could tell you many stories of fish being
killed in thousands by earthquakes and volcanos during the last
few years. But we have not time to tell about everything
And now you will ask me, with more astonishment than ever, what
possible use can there be in these destroying streams of fire?
And certainly, if you had ever seen a lava stream even when cool,
and looked down, as I have done, at the great river of rough black
blocks streaming away far and wide over the land, you would think
it the most hideous and the most useless thing you ever saw. And
yet, my dear child, there is One who told men to judge not
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Letters from England by Elizabeth Davis Bancroft: where the Princess Charlotte lived so happily with Leopold, and
where she died. Its park adjoins Lady Byron's, and the Queen allows
her a private key that she may enjoy its exquisite grounds. Here we
left the pedestrians, while Lady Byron took me a more extensive
drive, as she wished to show me some of the heaths in the
neighborhood, which are covered with furze, now one mass of yellow
bloom.
Every object is seen in full relief against the sky, and a figure on
horseback is peculiarly striking. I am always reminded of the
beginning of one of James's novels, which is usually, you know,
after this manner: "It was toward the close of a dull autumn day
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from King Henry VI by William Shakespeare: Clifford.
CADE.
Was ever feather so lightly blown to and fro as this
multitude? The name of Henry the Fifth hales them to an hundred
mischiefs and makes them leave me desolate. I see them lay their
heads together to surprise me. My sword make way for me, for
here is no staying.--In despite of the devils and hell, have
through the very middest of you! and heavens and honour be
witness
that no want of resolution in me, but only my followers' base and
ignominious treasons, makes me betake me to my heels.
|
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 Ebb-Tide by Stevenson & Osbourne: forth from the verandah they saw Huish and the captain
drawing near.
Chapter 9. THE DINNER PARTY
They sat down to an island dinner, remarkable for its variety
and excellence; turtle soup and steak, fish, fowls, a sucking
pig, a cocoanut salad, and sprouting cocoanut roasted for
dessert. Not a tin had been opened; and save for the oil and
vinegar in the salad, and some green spears of onion which
Attwater cultivated and plucked with his own hand, not even the
condiments were European. Sherry, hock, and claret succeeded each
other, and the Farallone champagne brought up the rear with the
|
