| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Marie by H. Rider Haggard: are not house cats that one can play with them, as I know, who have felt
his claws and just, only just, come out from between them."
"What do you mean, nephew?" asked Retief in his direct fashion. "Do you
believe that this swartzel" (that is, black creature) "means to kill
us?"
"I believe that it is quite possible," I answered.
"Then, nephew, being a reasonable man as you are, you must have some
ground for your belief. Come now, out with it."
"I have none, commandant, except that one who can set the lives of a
dozen folk against a man's skill in shooting at birds on the wing, and
who can kill people to be a bait for those birds, is capable of
Marie |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Tanach: Psalms 15: 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honoureth them that fear the LORD; he that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not;
Psalms 15: 5 He that putteth not out his money on interest, nor taketh a bribe against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
Psalms 16: 1 Michtam of David. Keep me, O God; for I have taken refuge in Thee.
Psalms 16: 2 I have said unto the LORD: 'Thou art my Lord; I have no good but in Thee';
Psalms 16: 3 As for the holy that are in the earth, they are the excellent in whom is all my delight.
Psalms 16: 4 Let the idols of them be multiplied that make suit unto another; their drink-offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take their names upon my lips.
Psalms 16: 5 O LORD, the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup, Thou maintainest my lot.
Psalms 16: 6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.
Psalms 16: 7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel; yea, in the night seasons my reins instruct me.
Psalms 16: 8 I have set the LORD always before me; surely He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalms 16: 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also dwelleth in safety;
The Tanach |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Timaeus by Plato: constitution of the body. The oldest part of the flesh which is hard to
decompose blackens from long burning, and from being corroded grows bitter,
and as the bitter element refines away, becomes acid. When tinged with
blood the bitter substance has a red colour, and this when mixed with black
takes the hue of grass; or again, the bitter substance has an auburn
colour, when new flesh is decomposed by the internal flame. To all which
phenomena some physician or philosopher who was able to see the one in many
has given the name of bile. The various kinds of bile have names answering
to their colours. Lymph or serum is of two kinds: first, the whey of
blood, which is gentle; secondly, the secretion of dark and bitter bile,
which, when mingled under the influence of heat with salt, is malignant and
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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 Travels of Sir John Mandeville by Sir John Mandeville: advice here and govern them by the Lode-star, right so do ship-men
beyond those parts by the star of the south, the which star
appeareth not to us. And this star that is toward the north, that
we clepe the Lode-star, ne appeareth not to them. For which cause
men may well perceive, that the land and the sea be of round shape
and form; for the part of the firmament sheweth in one country that
sheweth not in another country. And men may well prove by
experience and subtle compassment of wit, that if a man found
passages by ships that would go to search the world, men might go
by ship all about the world and above and beneath.
The which thing I prove thus after that I have seen. For I have
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