| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Heroes by Charles Kingsley: has done? Where can I find strange adventures, robbers, and
monsters, and the children of hell, the enemies of men? I
will go by land, and into the mountains, and round by the way
of the Isthmus. Perhaps there I may hear of brave
adventures, and do something which shall win my father's
love.'
So he went by land, and away into the mountains, with his
father's sword upon his thigh, till he came to the Spider
mountains, which hang over Epidaurus and the sea, where the
glens run downward from one peak in the midst, as the rays
spread in the spider's web.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: ye may obtain mercy.
Do not reckon that those who misbelieve can frustrate (God) in the
earth, for their resort is the Fire, and an ill journey shall it be.
O ye who believe! let those whom your right hands possess, and those
amongst you who have not reached puberty, ask leave of you three
times: before the prayer of dawn, and when ye put off your clothes
at noon, and after the evening prayer;-three times of privacy for you:
there is no crime on either you or them after these while ye are
continually going one about the other. Thus does God explain to you
His signs, for God is knowing, wise.
And when your children reach puberty let them ask leave as those
The Koran |
| 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: To what end hath the president of my kingdom, and chief commander
of my realm made himself the laughingstock of boys, and not only
forgotten utterly our friendship and fellowship, but revolted
against nature herself, and had no pity on his own children, and
cared naught for riches and all the splendour of the world, and
chosen ignominy such as this rather than the glory that men
covet? And what shall it profit thee to have chosen above all
gods and men him whom they call Jesus, and to have preferred this
rough life of sackcloth to the pleasures and delights of a life
of bliss."
When the man of God heard these words, he made reply, at once
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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 Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs: chosen other than men as my body servants.
"And I ever return to Helium, Thuvia," I said, "you shall
go with me, but as an honoured equal, and not as a slave.
There you shall find plenty of handsome young nobles who
would face Issus herself to win a smile from you, and we shall
have you married in short order to one of the best of
them. Forget your foolish gratitude-begotten infatuation,
which your innocence has mistaken for love. I like your
friendship better, Thuvia."
"You are my master; it shall be as you say," she replied
simply, but there was a note of sadness in her voice.
The Gods of Mars |
