| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Moby Dick by Herman Melville: at the pumps at wide and easy intervals; but no good luck came; more
days went by, and not only was the leak yet undiscovered, but it
sensibly increased. So much so, that now taking some alarm, the
captain, making all sail, stood away for the nearest harbor among the
islands, there to have his hull hove out and repaired.
"Though no small passage was before her, yet, if the commonest chance
favoured, he did not at all fear that his ship would founder by the
way, because his pumps were of the best, and being periodically
relieved at them, those six-and-thirty men of his could easily keep
the ship free; never mind if the leak should double on her. In
truth, well nigh the whole of this passage being attended by very
Moby Dick |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe: 'the weather is very hot, and therefore I am for travelling north, that
we may not have the sun upon our faces and beating on our breasts,
which will heat and suffocate us; and I have been told', says he, 'that it
is not good to overheat our blood at a time when, for aught we know,
the infection may be in the very air. In the next place,' says he, 'I am
for going the way that may be contrary to the wind, as it may blow
when we set out, that we may not have the wind blow the air of the
city on our backs as we go.' These two cautions were approved of, if it
could be brought so to hit that the wind might not be in the south
when they set out to go north.
John the baker, who bad been a soldier, then put in his opinion.
A Journal of the Plague Year |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Child of Storm by H. Rider Haggard: here and give me your counsel."
"I come, Eater-up-of-Elephants," I answered, and I did.
"What shall I do--what shall I do?" went on Umbezi, brushing the
perspiration off his brow with one hand, while he wrung the other in his
agitation. "There stands a friend of mine"--he pointed to the
infuriated Masapo--"who wishes me to kill another friend of mine," and
he jerked his thumb towards the kraal gate. "If I refuse I offend one
friend, and if I consent I bring blood upon my hands which will call for
blood, since, although Saduko is poor, without doubt he has those who
love him."
"Yes," I answered, "and perhaps you will bring blood upon other parts of
Child of Storm |
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 Tales of the Klondyke by Jack London: though you never answered."
"Well, I didn't get the last one, announcing, evidently, the death
of your husband, and most likely others went astray; but I did get
some. I--er--read them aloud to Winapie as a warning--that is,
you know, to impress upon her the wickedness of her white sisters.
And I--er--think she profited by it. Don't you?"
She disregarded the sting, and went on. "In the last letter,
which you did not receive, I told, as you have guessed, of Colonel
Sayther's death. That was a year ago. I also said that if you
did not come out to me, I would go in to you. And as I had often
promised, I came."
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