Today's Stichomancy for Nicholas Copernicus

The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from La Grande Breteche by Honore de Balzac:

this monumental embodiment of woe. I returned to my inn, lost in gloomy thoughts. When I had supped, the hostess came into my room with an air of mystery, and said, 'Monsieur, here is Monsieur Regnault.'

" 'Who is Monsieur Regnault?'

" 'What, sir, do you not know Monsieur Regnault?--Well, that's odd,' said she, leaving the room.

"On a sudden I saw a man appear, tall, slim, dressed in black, hat in hand, who came in like a ram ready to butt his opponent, showing a receding forehead, a small pointed head, and a colorless face of the hue of a glass of dirty water. You would have taken him for an usher. The stranger wore an old coat, much worn at the seams; but he had a

La Grande Breteche

The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Four Arthurian Romances by Chretien DeTroyes:

his distress.

(Vv. 541-574.) The Queen takes note of them and sees them often blanch and pale and heave deep sighs and tremble. But she knows no reason why they should do so, unless it be because of the sea where they are. I think she would have divined the cause had the sea not thrown her off her guard, but the sea deceives and tricks her, so that she does not discover love because of the sea; and it is from love that comes the bitter pain that distresses them. (12) But of the three concerned, the Queen puts all the blame upon the sea; for the other two accuse the third to her, and hold it alone responsible for their guilt. Some one who is not at

The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Riverman by Stewart Edward White:

the student lamp at his elbow flared slightly, then burned clear again after a swallow of satisfaction in its reservoir. These regular replenishments of the oil supply alone marked the flight of time.

Suddenly Orde leaned forward, his senses at the keenest attention. After a moment he arose and quietly walked toward the open window. Just as he reached the casement and looked out, a man looked in. The two stared at each other not two feet apart.

"Good Lord! Heinzman!" cried Orde in a guarded voice. He stepped decisively through the window, seized the German by the arm, and drew him one side.

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 Tanach:

Job 9: 1 Then Job answered and said:

Job 9: 2 Of a truth I know that it is so; and how can man be just with God?

Job 9: 3 If one should desire to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one of a thousand.

Job 9: 4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered?

Job 9: 5 Who removeth the mountains, and they know it not, when He overturneth them in His anger.

Job 9: 6 Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

Job 9: 7 Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

Job 9: 8 Who alone stretcheth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

Job 9: 9 Who maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

Job 9: 10 Who doeth great things past finding out; yea, marvellous things without number.

Job 9: 11 Lo, He goeth by me, and I see Him not. He passeth on also, but I perceive Him not.

The Tanach