| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Taras Bulba and Other Tales by Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol: decent shed to shelter animals or waggons. That was the way the
wealthy lived: and if you had looked for our brothers, the poor--why,
a hole in the ground--that was a cabin for you! Only by the smoke
could you tell that a God-created man lived there. You ask why they
lived so? It was not entirely through poverty: almost every one led a
raiding Cossack life, and gathered not a little plunder in foreign
lands; it was rather because it was little use building up a good
wooden house. Many folk were engaged in raids all over the
country--Crimeans, Poles, Lithuanians! It was quite possible that
their own countrymen might make a descent and plunder everything.
Anything was possible.
 Taras Bulba and Other Tales |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Tanach: Psalms 79: 4 We are become a taunt to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
Psalms 79: 5 How long, O LORD, wilt Thou be angry for ever? How long will Thy jealousy burn like fire?
Psalms 79: 6 Pour out Thy wrath upon the nations that know Thee not, and upon the kingdoms that call not upon Thy name.
Psalms 79: 7 For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his habitation.
Psalms 79: 8 Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers; let Thy compassions speedily come to meet us; for we are brought very low.
Psalms 79: 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the sake of the glory of Thy name; and deliver us, and forgive our sins, for Thy name's sake.
Psalms 79: 10 Wherefore should the nations say: 'Where is their God?' Let the avenging of Thy servants' blood that is shed be made known among the nations in our sight.
Psalms 79: 11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before Thee; according to the greatness of Thy power set free those that are appointed to death;
Psalms 79: 12 And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached Thee, O Lord.
Psalms 79: 13 So we that are Thy people and the flock of Thy pasture will give Thee thanks for ever; we will tell of Thy praise to all generations.
Psalms 80: 1 (80:1) For the Leader; upon Shoshannim. A testimony. A Psalm of Asaph. (80:2) Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that art enthroned upon the che  The Tanach |