| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Vendetta by Honore de Balzac: them with pomp. The church, filled with friends and relations, echoed
with the roll of carriages, and the hum of beadles, sextons, and
priests. Altars were resplendent with sacramental luxury; the wreaths
of orange-flowers that crowned the figures of the Virgin were fresh.
Flowers, incense, gleaming tapers, velvet cushions embroidered with
gold, were everywhere. When the time came to hold above the heads of
Luigi and Ginevra the symbol of eternal union,--that yoke of satin,
white, soft, brilliant, light for some, lead for most,--the priest
looked about him in vain for the acolytes whose place it was to
perform that joyous function. Two of the witnesses fulfilled it for
them. The priest addressed a hasty homily to the pair on the perils of
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: had last night. I have a thousand things to say to you;
but make haste and get in, for I long to be off."
Catherine followed her orders and turned away,
but not too soon to hear her friend exclaim aloud to James,
"What a sweet girl she is! I quite dote on her."
"You will not be frightened, Miss Morland," said Thorpe,
as he handed her in, "if my horse should dance about
a little at first setting off. He will, most likely,
give a plunge or two, and perhaps take the rest for a minute;
but he will soon know his master. He is full of spirits,
playful as can be, but there is no vice in him."
Northanger Abbey |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The First Men In The Moon by H. G. Wells: an asphyxiated world! From our point of view very little better than if it
never came back!"
I stared. As yet I was too amazed to realise how all my expectations had
been upset. "What do you mean to do now? " I asked.
"In the first place if I may borrow a garden trowel I will remove some of
this earth with which I am encased, and then if I may avail myself of your
domestic conveniences I will have a bath. This done, we will converse more
at leisure. It will be wise, I think " - he laid a muddy hand on my arm"
if nothing were said of this affair beyond ourselves. I know I have caused
great damage - probably even dwelling-houses may be ruined here and there
upon the country-side. But on the other hand, I cannot possibly pay for
The First Men In The Moon |
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 Flower Fables by Louisa May Alcott: and beauty to the blossoming earth.
"Now I must seek for Summer," said Ripple, as she sailed slowly
through the sunny sky.
"I am here, what would you with me, little Spirit?" said a musical
voice in her ear; and, floating by her side, she saw a graceful form,
with green robes fluttering in the air, whose pleasant face looked
kindly on her, from beneath a crown of golden sunbeams that cast
a warm, bright glow on all beneath.
Then Ripple told her tale, and asked where she should go; but
Summer answered,--
"I can tell no more than my young sister Spring where you may find
Flower Fables |
