Today's Stichomancy for Stephen Hawking

The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy:

known her recent history; yet he was a total stranger.

Having finished his text he picked up her basket, and she mechanically resumed her walk beside him.

"Do you believe what you paint?" she asked in low tones.

"Believe that tex? Do I believe in my own existence!"

"But," said she tremulously, "suppose your sin was not of your own seeking?"

He shook his head.

"I cannot split hairs on that burning query," he said. "I have walked hundreds of miles this past summer,

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman

The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Adam Bede by George Eliot:

"Aye, you'd best be after your business, and I must tell the missis when I go home. It's a hard job."

"But," said Adam, "I beg particular, you'll keep what's happened quiet for a week or two. I've not told my mother yet, and there's no knowing how things may turn out."

"Aye, aye; least said, soonest mended. We'n no need to say why the match is broke off, an' we may hear of her after a bit. Shake hands wi' me, lad: I wish I could make thee amends."

There was something in Martin Poyser's throat at that moment which caused him to bring out those scanty words in rather a broken fashion. Yet Adam knew what they meant all the better, and the

Adam Bede

The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Weir of Hermiston by Robert Louis Stevenson:

have need here of every manageable attenuation of language - with the first look, he had already entered himself as rival. It was a good deal in pique, it was a little in revenge, it was much in genuine admiration: the devil may decide the proportions! I cannot, and it is very likely that Frank could not.

"Mighty attractive milkmaid," he observed, on the way home.

"Who?" said Archie.

"O, the girl you're looking at - aren't you? Forward there on the road. She came attended by the rustic bard; presumably, therefore, belongs to his exalted family. The single objection! for the four black brothers are awkward customers. If anything were to go wrong, Gib would gibber,

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 13: 13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.

Job 13: 14 Wherefore? I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.

Job 13: 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him; but I will argue my ways before Him.

Job 13: 16 This also shall be my salvation, that a hypocrite cannot come before Him.

Job 13: 17 Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.

Job 13: 18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.

Job 13: 19 Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and die.

Job 13: 20 Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from Thee:

Job 13: 21 Withdraw Thy hand far from me; and let not Thy terror make me afraid.

Job 13: 22 Then call Thou, and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer Thou me.

Job 13: 23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

The Tanach