| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Koran: lies, they are the fellows of the Fire, they shall dwell therein for
aye.'
O ye children of Israel! remember my favours which I have favoured
you with; fulfil my covenant and I will fulfil your covenant; me
therefore dread. Believe in what I have revealed, verifying what ye
have got, and be not the first to disbelieve in it, and do not
barter my signs for a little price, and me do ye fear. Clothe not
truth with vanity, nor hide the truth the while ye know. Be
steadfast in prayer, give the alms, and bow down with those who bow.
Will ye order men to do piety and forget yourselves? ye read the Book,
do ye not then understand? Seek aid with patience and prayer, though
The Koran |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from What is Man? by Mark Twain: "IT WAS WRONG--I SEE IT NOW; BUT I WAS ONLY TRYING TO DO HIM
GOOD. IN MY VIEW HE WAS IN ERROR; IT SEEMED MY DUTY TO TEACH HIM
THE TRUTH."
Then the mother said:
"I HAD TAUGHT HIM, ALL HIS LITTLE LIFE, WHAT I BELIEVED TO
BE THE TRUTH, AND IN HIS BELIEVING FAITH BOTH OF US WERE HAPPY.
NOW HE IS DEAD,--AND LOST; AND I AM MISERABLE. OUR FAITH CAME
DOWN TO US THROUGH CENTURIES OF BELIEVING ANCESTORS; WHAT RIGHT
HAD YOU, OR ANY ONE, TO DISTURB IT? WHERE WAS YOUR HONOR, WHERE
WAS YOUR SHAME?"
Y.M. He was a miscreant, and deserved death!
What is Man? |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau by Honore de Balzac: talk better in bed, if it amuses you. Oh! that horrid dream! My God!
to see one's self! it was fearful! Cesarine and I will have to make a
pretty number of /neuvaines/ for the success of your speculations."
"Doubtless the help of God can do no harm," said Birotteau, gravely.
"But the oil in nuts is also powerful, wife. I made this discovery
just as I made that of the Double Paste of Sultans,--by chance. The
first time by opening a book; this time by looking at an engraving of
Hero and Leander: you know, the woman who pours oil on the head of her
lover; pretty, isn't it? The safest speculations are those which
depend on vanity, on self-love, on the desire of appearing well. Those
sentiments never die."
Rise and Fall of Cesar Birotteau |
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 Love and Friendship by Jane Austen: sudden greatly astonished, by hearing a violent knocking on the
outward door of our rustic Cot.
My Father started--"What noise is that," (said he.) "It sounds
like a loud rapping at the door"--(replied my Mother.) "it does
indeed." (cried I.) "I am of your opinion; (said my Father) it
certainly does appear to proceed from some uncommon violence
exerted against our unoffending door." "Yes (exclaimed I) I
cannot help thinking it must be somebody who knocks for
admittance."
"That is another point (replied he;) We must not pretend to
determine on what motive the person may knock--tho' that someone
Love and Friendship |
