| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Master of the World by Jules Verne: from within the cabin glimmered through any crevice.
A moment later, we heard some machinery moving very softly. The swell
of the eddies grew stronger, and in a few moments the boat touched
the quay.
This word "quay," only used in that region, exactly describes the
spot. The rocks at our feet formed a level, five or six feet above
the water, and descending to it perpendicularly, exactly like a
landing wharf.
"We must not stop here," whispered Wells, seizing me by the arm.
"No," I answered, "they might see us. We must lie crouched upon the
beach! Or we might hide in some crevice of the rocks."
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Euthyphro by Plato: view to the building of a house?
EUTHYPHRO: Yes.
SOCRATES: And now tell me, my good friend, about the art which ministers
to the gods: what work does that help to accomplish? For you must surely
know if, as you say, you are of all men living the one who is best
instructed in religion.
EUTHYPHRO: And I speak the truth, Socrates.
SOCRATES: Tell me then, oh tell me--what is that fair work which the gods
do by the help of our ministrations?
EUTHYPHRO: Many and fair, Socrates, are the works which they do.
SOCRATES: Why, my friend, and so are those of a general. But the chief of
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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: apples. Soldiers had been there before her and there was none on
the trees. Those she found on the ground were mostly rotten. She
filled her skirt with the best of them and came back across the
soft earth, collecting small pebbles in her slippers. Why hadn't
she thought of putting on stouter shoes last night? Why hadn't she
brought her sun hat? Why hadn't she brought something to eat?
She'd acted like a fool. But, of course, she'd thought Rhett would
take care of them.
Rhett! She spat on the ground, for the very name tasted bad. How
she hated him! How contemptible he had been! And she had stood
there in the road and let him kiss her--and almost liked it. She
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 King James Bible: will go before thee.
GEN 33:13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are
tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men
should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.
GEN 33:14 Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I
will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and
the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir.
GEN 33:15 And Esau said, Let me now leave with thee some of the folk
that are with me. And he said, What needeth it? let me find grace in the
sight of my lord.
GEN 33:16 So Esau returned that day on his way unto Seir.
King James Bible |
