| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Concerning Christian Liberty by Martin Luther: Is it not true that there is nothing under the vast heavens more
corrupt, more pestilential, more hateful, than the Court of Rome?
She incomparably surpasses the impiety of the Turks, so that in
very truth she, who was formerly the gate of heaven, is now a
sort of open mouth of hell, and such a mouth as, under the urgent
wrath of God, cannot be blocked up; one course alone being left
to us wretched men: to call back and save some few, if we can,
from that Roman gulf.
Behold, Leo, my father, with what purpose and on what principle
it is that I have stormed against that seat of pestilence. I am
so far from having felt any rage against your person that I even
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Common Sense by Thomas Paine: AND IN WHICH, A TREACHEROUS CAPRICIOUS COURT IS TO INTERFERE,
GIVES THE ANSWER WITHOUT A DOUBT.
The present state of America is truly alarming to every man who is
capable of reflexion. Without law, without government, without any
other mode of power than what is founded on, and granted by courtesy.
Held together by an unexampled concurrence of sentiment, which,
is nevertheless subject to change, and which, every secret enemy is
endeavouring to dissolve. Our present condition, is, Legislation
without law; wisdom without a plan; a constitution without a name;
and, what is strangely astonishing, perfect Independance contending
for dependance. The instance is without a precedent; the case never
Common Sense |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Bunner Sisters by Edith Wharton: that?"
Ann Eliza sat speechless, drawing her hand away. Once more
she found herself shut out of Evelina's heart, an exile from her
closest affections.
"I've got to go where the baby is," Evelina feverishly
insisted.
Ann Eliza could think of nothing to say; she could only feel
that Evelina was dying, and dying as a stranger in her arms. Ramy
and the day-old baby had parted her forever from her sister.
Evelina began again. "If I get worse I want you to send for
a priest. Miss Mellins'll know where to send--she's got an aunt
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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 Little Rivers by Henry van Dyke: "Young man, do ye no ken it's the Sawbath Day?"
I recognised the reproof of the righteous, an excellent oil which
doth not break the head, and took it gratefully at the old man's
hands. For did it not prove that he regarded me as a man and a
brother, a creature capable of being civilised and saved?
It was in the gray town of Dingwall that I had this bit of pleasant
correction, as I was on the way to a fishing tramp through
Sutherlandshire. This northwest corner of Great Britain is the
best place in the whole island for a modest and impecunious angler.
There are, or there were a few years ago, wild lochs and streams
which are still practically free, and a man who is content with
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