| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Rezanov by Gertrude Atherton: hills between the Battery and the Presidio, wreath-
ing about the rocky heights and slopes. It broke
into domes and cupolas, spires and minarets. Great
waves rolled over the sand dunes and beat upon
the cliffs with the phantoms clinging to its sides.
Then the sun struggled with a thousand colors.
The sun conquered, the mist shimmered into sun-
light, and once more the hills were gray and bare.
Rezanov laughed, but his eyes glowed down upon
her. "I am not sure it was there," he said. "I
have an idea your imagination and touch acted as
Rezanov |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Vision Splendid by William MacLeod Raine: it was probably due to her exasperation at the wasted stroke that
she let him have it.
"I'm tired of that word. It means to be suicidally selfish.
There's not another word in the language so abused."
"Didn't catch the word that annoys you," the young man smiled.
"Practical! You used it yourself. It means to tear down and not
build up, to be so near-sighted you can't see beyond your reach.
Your practical man is the least hopeful member of the community.
He stands only for material progress. His own, of course!"
"You sound like a Farnum editorial, Alice."
"Do I?" she flashed. "Then I'll give you the rest of it. He--your
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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 Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: Mrs. Merriwether that Ellen had written her to come home for a
visit. Much good this did her, for that worthy matron, her sleeves
rolled up, her stout figure swathed in a large apron, gave her one
sharp look and said: "Don't let me hear any more such foolishness,
Scarlett Hamilton. I'll write your mother today and tell her how
much we need you, and I'm sure she'll understand and let you stay.
Now, put on your apron and trot over to Dr. Meade. He needs
someone to help with the dressings."
"Oh, God," thought Scarlett drearily, "that's just the trouble.
Mother will make me stay here and I shall die if I have to smell
these stinks any longer! I wish I was an old lady so I could bully
Gone With the Wind |
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 Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: I live by the faith of the Son of God" (Gal. ii. 20). Thus our
doings, life, and being, in works and ceremonies, are done from
the necessities of this life, and with the motive of governing
our bodies; but yet we are not justified by these things, but by
the faith of the Son of God.
The Christian must therefore walk in the middle path, and set
these two classes of men before his eyes. He may meet with
hardened and obstinate ceremonialists, who, like deaf adders,
refuse to listen to the truth of liberty, and cry up, enjoin, and
urge on us their ceremonies, as if they could justify us without
faith. Such were the Jews of old, who would not understand, that
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