| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne: When Andrew Speedy had pocketed the money, Mr. Fogg said to him,
"Don't let this astonish you, sir. You must know that I shall
lose twenty thousand pounds, unless I arrive in London by
a quarter before nine on the evening of the 21st of December.
I missed the steamer at New York, and as you refused to take me to Liverpool--"
"And I did well!" cried Andrew Speedy; "for I have gained at
least forty thousand dollars by it!" He added, more sedately,
"Do you know one thing, Captain--"
"Fogg."
"Captain Fogg, you've got something of the Yankee about you."
And, having paid his passenger what he considered a high compliment,
Around the World in 80 Days |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Footnote to History by Robert Louis Stevenson: by the violence of their own movements as they leaped and fell
among the billows. By seven the NIPSIC was so fortunate as to
avoid the reef and beach upon a space of sand; where she was
immediately deserted by her crew, with the assistance of Samoans,
not without loss of life. By about eight it was the turn of the
ADLER. She was close down upon the reef; doomed herself, it might
yet be possible to save a portion of her crew; and for this end
Captain Fritze placed his reliance on the very hugeness of the seas
that threatened him. The moment was watched for with the anxiety
of despair, but the coolness of disciplined courage. As she rose
on the fatal wave, her moorings were simultaneously slipped; she
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Marriage Contract by Honore de Balzac: "Why do you ask that question, little mother? and to-day more than
yesterday> Why have you thrown me with him?"
"If you and I had to part forever would you still persist in the
marriage?"
"I should give it up--and I should not die of grief."
"You do not love him, my dear," said the mother, kissing her
daughter's forehead.
"But why, my dear mother, are you playing the Grand Inquisitor?"
"I wished to know if you desired the marriage without being madly in
love with the husband."
"I love him."
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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 Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas: yourself, Monsieur d'Artagnan, for from the moment I
withdraw my hand from behind you, I would not give an obolus
for your life."
"I will try to do so, monseigneur," replied the Gascon, with
a noble confidence.
"Remember at a later period and at a certain moment, if any
mischance should happen to you," said Richelieu,
significantly, "that it was I who came to seek you, and that
I did all in my power to prevent this misfortune befalling
you."
"I shall entertain, whatever may happen," said D'Artagnan,
The Three Musketeers |
