| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Ivanhoe by Walter Scott: ``Well, then,'' answered Father Dennet, ``a
holy brother came to visit the Sacristan at Saint
Edmund's---a sort of hedge-priest is the visitor,
and kills half the deer that are stolen in the forest,
who loves the tinkling of a pint-pot better than the
sacring-bell, and deems a flitch of bacon worth ten
of his breviary; for the rest, a good fellow and a
merry, who will flourish a quarter-staff, draw a
bow, and dance a Cheshire round, with e'er a man
in Yorkshire.''
``That last part of thy speech, Dennet,'' said the
Ivanhoe |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Sophist by Plato: STRANGER: Every power, as you may remember our saying originally, which
causes things to exist, not previously existing, was defined by us as
creative.
THEAETETUS: I remember.
STRANGER: Looking, now, at the world and all the animals and plants, at
things which grow upon the earth from seeds and roots, as well as at
inanimate substances which are formed within the earth, fusile or non-
fusile, shall we say that they come into existence--not having existed
previously--by the creation of God, or shall we agree with vulgar opinion
about them?
THEAETETUS: What is it?
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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 Apology by Plato: to put over them; we should hire a trainer of horses, or a farmer probably,
who would improve and perfect them in their own proper virtue and
excellence; but as they are human beings, whom are you thinking of placing
over them? Is there any one who understands human and political virtue?
You must have thought about the matter, for you have sons; is there any
one?' 'There is,' he said. 'Who is he?' said I; 'and of what country? and
what does he charge?' 'Evenus the Parian,' he replied; 'he is the man, and
his charge is five minae.' Happy is Evenus, I said to myself, if he really
has this wisdom, and teaches at such a moderate charge. Had I the same, I
should have been very proud and conceited; but the truth is that I have no
knowledge of the kind.
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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 King James Bible: CH1 22:8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed
blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an
house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in
my sight.
CH1 22:9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of
rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his
name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel
in his days.
CH1 22:10 He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son,
and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom
over Israel for ever.
King James Bible |
