| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: with equal indifference and brevity, and the others said no more.
The next variation which their visit afforded was produced by
the entrance of the servants with cold meat, cake, and a variety
of all the entrance of servants with cold meat, cake, and a
variety of all the finest fruits in season; but this did not take
place till after many a significant look and smile from Mrs.
Annesley to Miss Darcy had been given, to remind her of her
post. There was now employment for the whole party-- for
though they could not all talk, they could all eat; and the
beautiful pyramids of grapes, nectarines, and peaches soon
collected them round the table.
Pride and Prejudice |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: between them.
For each one have we struck out parables, and each one have we
ruined with utter ruin.
Why, they have come past the cities which were rained on with an
evil rain; have they not seen them?-nay, they do not hope to be raised
up again.
And when they saw thee they only took thee for a jest, 'Is this he
whom God has sent as an apostle? he well-nigh leads us astray from our
gods, had we not been patient about them.' But they shall know, when
they see the torment, who errs most from the path. Dost thou
consider him who takes his lusts for his god? wilt thou then be in
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from La Grande Breteche by Honore de Balzac: " 'Gorenflot,' said her husband, 'go and fetch some bricks from the
coach-house; bring enough to wall up the door of this cupboard; you
can use the plaster that is left for cement.' Then, dragging Rosalie
and the workman close to him--'Listen, Gorenflot,' said he, in a low
voice, 'you are to sleep here to-night; but to-morrow morning you
shall have a passport to take you abroad to a place I will tell you
of. I will give you six thousand francs for your journey. You must
live in that town for ten years; if you find you do not like it, you
may settle in another, but it must be in the same country. Go through
Paris and wait there till I join you. I will there give you an
agreement for six thousand francs more, to be paid to you on your
La Grande Breteche |
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 Fairy Tales by Hans Christian Andersen: whole skin, he were able to slip through the railings. There, on the floor lay
the galoshes, which the watchman had forgotten; he never dreamed for a moment
that they were those of Fortune; and they promised to do him good service in
the wet; so he put them on. The question now was, if he could squeeze himself
through the grating, for he had never tried before. Well, there he stood.
"Would to Heaven I had got my head through!" said he, involuntarily; and
instantly through it slipped, easily and without pain, notwithstanding it was
pretty large and thick. But now the rest of the body was to be got through!
"Ah! I am much too stout," groaned he aloud, while fixed as in a vice. "I had
thought the head was the most difficult part of the matter--oh! oh! I really
cannot squeeze myself through!"
Fairy Tales |
