| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Fantastic Fables by Ambrose Bierce: As these patient drudges were mingling their tears, they were
notified that they must go on duty again, for one of the political
parties had nominated a thief and was about to hold a gratification
meeting.
A Causeway
A RICH Woman having returned from abroad disembarked at the foot of
Knee-deep Street, and was about to walk to her hotel through the
mud.
"Madam," said a Policeman, "I cannot permit you to do that; you
would soil your shoes and stockings."
"Oh, that is of no importance, really," replied the Rich Woman,
Fantastic Fables |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Odyssey by Homer: or other either East or West. He wants an escort and wishes to
have the matter settled. Let us then get one ready for him, as
we have done for others before him; indeed, no one who ever yet
came to my house has been able to complain of me for not
speeding on his way soon enough. Let us draw a ship into the
sea--one that has never yet made a voyage--and man her with two
and fifty of our smartest young sailors. Then when you have made
fast your oars each by his own seat, leave the ship and come to
my house to prepare a feast. {65} I will find you in everything.
I am giving these instructions to the young men who will form
the crew, for as regards you aldermen and town councillors, you
The Odyssey |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain: Rank and Dignity of Piloting
IN my preceding chapters I have tried, by going into the minutiae
of the science of piloting, to carry the reader step by step
to a comprehension of what the science consists of; and at
the same time I have tried to show him that it is a very curious
and wonderful science, too, and very worthy of his attention.
If I have seemed to love my subject, it is no surprising thing,
for I loved the profession far better than any I have followed since,
and I took a measureless pride in it. The reason is plain:
a pilot, in those days, was the only unfettered and
entirely independent human being that lived in the earth.
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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 Ancient Regime by Charles Kingsley: If at this moment he demands an extension of the suffrage eagerly
and even violently, the wise statesman will give at once, gracefully
and generously, what the Englishman will certainly obtain one day,
if he has set his mind upon it. If, on the other hand, he asks for
it calmly, then the wise statesman (instead of mistaking English
reticence for apathy) will listen to his wishes all the more
readily; seeing in the moderation of the demand, the best possible
guarantee for moderation in the use of the thing demanded.
And, be it always remembered, that in introducing these men into the
"balance of the Constitution," we introduce no unknown quantity.
Statesmen ought to know them, if they know themselves; to judge what
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