| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs: she had dived into the river. She knew that if any had
seen her leave the prahu they would naturally expect
to intercept her on her way toward the nearest shore,
and so she took this means of outwitting them,
although it meant nearly double the distance to be covered.
After swimming a short distance beneath the surface the
girl rose and looked about her. Up the river a few
yards she caught the phosphorescent gleam of water upon
the prahu's paddles as they brought her to a sudden
stop in obedience to Ninaka's command. Then she saw
the dark mass of the war-craft drifting down toward her.
The Monster Men |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 1 by Alexis de Toqueville: government in France exceeds its natural limits, however
extensive they may be, and penetrates in a thousand different
ways into the administration of private interests. Amongst the
examples of this influence may be quoted that which results from
the great number of public functionaries, who all derive their
appointments from the Government. This number now exceeds all
previous limits; it amounts to 138,000 *s nominations, each of
which may be considered as an element of power. The President of
the United States has not the exclusive right of making any
public appointments, and their whole number scarcely exceeds
12,000. *t
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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 Rewards and Fairies by Rudyard Kipling: wool, and curdled milk, as I had promised. We found the Magic
Knives laid out on the grass, as the Children of the Night had
promised. They watched us from among the Trees. Their Priestess
called to me and said, "How is it with your people?" I said
"Their hearts are changed. I cannot see their hearts as I used to."
She said, "That is because you have only one eye. Come to me
and I will be both your eyes." But I said, "I must show my people
how to use their knives against The Beast, as you showed me how
to use my knife." I said this because the Magic Knife does not
balance like the flint. She said, "What you have done, you have
done for the sake of a woman, and not for the sake of your
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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 Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: And therefore hath the wind-swift Cupid wings:
Now is the Sun vpon the highmost hill
Of this daies iourney, and from nine till twelue,
Is three long houres, yet she is not come.
Had she affections and warme youthfull blood,
She would be as swift in motion as a ball,
My words would bandy her to my sweete Loue,
And his to me, but old folkes,
Many faine as they were dead,
Vnwieldie, slow, heauy, and pale as lead.
Enter Nurse.
Romeo and Juliet |
