| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from When the World Shook by H. Rider Haggard: with its outer edge, and had it not been for the shield and
cloak, I also should have been burned up. I wished, oh! how I
wished that it had been so. Then, by now all must have finished
and I should have known the truth as to what awaits us beyond the
change: sleep, or dreams, or perchance the fullest life. Also I
should not have learned alone.
Lying there thus, idly, as though in a half-sleep, I felt Tommy
licking my face, and throwing my arm about the poor little
frightened beast, I watched the great world-balance as it
retreated on its eternal journey. At one time its vast projecting
rim had overshadowed us and almost seemed to touch the cliff of
When the World Shook |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Herbert West: Reanimator by H. P. Lovecraft: time help could be summoned, every trace of the men and of their
mad charge had vanished.
From the hour of reading this item
until midmght, West sat almost paralysed. At midnight the doorbell
rang, startling him fearfully. All the servants were asleep in
the attic, so I answered the bell. As I have told the police,
there was no wagon in the street, but only a group of strange-looking
figures bearing a large square box which they deposited in the
hallway after one of them had grunted in a highly unnatural voice,
"Express -- prepaid." They filed out of the house with a jerky
tread, and as I watched them go I had an odd idea that they were
Herbert West: Reanimator |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Profits of Religion by Upton Sinclair: A recent lady visitor informed me that she had made several vain
attempts to transact important business in the hours ruled by
Jupiter, usually held to be fortunate, while she was nearly
always fortunate in what she began in the hours ruled by Saturn.
Upon investigation I found her name was ruled by the Sun
negative, and that she had Capricorn with Saturn therein as her
ascendant at birth, which explains.
And finally, here is a London "scientist", reported in the
"Weekly Unity" of Kansas City, who proves his mental power over
two-horse power oil engines which fail to act. "Going a little
apart, he came back in a few minutes and said: 'The engine is all
|
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 Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: of an invitation to dinner, one might creditably make an
excuse. I require the proof of a pre-engagement. I am not a
banker, like M. Danglars, but I am quite as incredulous as
he is."
"I am going to give you a proof," replied the count, and he
rang the bell.
"Humph," said Morcerf, "this is the second time you have
refused to dine with my mother; it is evident that you wish
to avoid her." Monte Cristo started. "Oh, you do not mean
that," said he; "besides, here comes the confirmation of my
assertion." Baptistin entered, and remained standing at the
The Count of Monte Cristo |
