| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L. Frank Baum: they hurried toward it, being fully rested by
their long ride on the river.
By and by they began to cross an immense
field of splendid yellow lilies, the delicate
fragrance of which was very delightful.
"How beautiful they are!" cried Dorothy,
stopping to admire the perfection of these
exquisite flowers.
"Yes," said the Scarecrow, reflectively, "but
we must be careful not to crush or injure any
of these lilies."
The Patchwork Girl of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Koran: morrow ye were, by His favour, brothers. Ye were on the edge of a
pit of fire, but he rescued you therefrom. Thus does God show to you
His signs, perchance ye may be guided; and that there may be of you
a nation who shall invite to good, and bid what is reasonable, and
forbid what is wrong; these are the prosperous.
Be not like those who parted in sects and disagreed after there came
to them manifest signs; for them is mighty woe, on the day when
faces shall be whitened and faces shall be blackened. As for those
whose faces are blackened,- 'Did ye misbelieve after your faith,
then taste the torment for your misbelief But as for those whose faces
are whitened, they are in God's mercy, and they shall dwell therein
The Koran |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle: "Truly," quoth he, "I trust I am an upright man, at least, I strive to be;
but I know not what thou meanest by such jargon, brother. It were much
more seemly, methinks, if yon Dumb man, who hath a sweet voice, would give
us a song."
At these words a silence fell on all, and after a while the Blind
man spoke again. Quoth he, "Thou dost surely jest when thou
sayest that thou dost not understand such words. Answer me this:
Hast thou ever fibbed a chouse quarrons in the Rome pad for the loure
in his bung?"[4]
[4] I.E., in old beggar's cant, "beaten a man or gallant upon the highway
for the money in his purse." Dakkar's ENGLISH VILLAINIES.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood |
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 Prince Otto by Robert Louis Stevenson: Otto flushed crimson. 'I have to say what I would fain not,' he
answered. 'I counsel you to see less of Gondremark.'
'Of Gondremark? And why?' she asked.
'Your intimacy is the ground of scandal, madam,' said Otto, firmly
enough - 'of a scandal that is agony to me, and would be crushing to
your parents if they knew it.'
'You are the first to bring me word of it,' said she. 'I thank
you.'
'You have perhaps cause,' he replied. 'Perhaps I am the only one
among your friends - '
'O, leave my friends alone,' she interrupted. 'My friends are of a
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