| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Wife, et al by Anton Chekhov: under his cap, in one hand a bundle of books, in the other a
thick knotted stick, followed by his sister, also with books in
her hand.
" 'But you haven't read it, Mihalik!' she would be arguing
loudly. 'I tell you, I swear you have not read it at all!'
" 'And I tell you I have read it,' cries Kovalenko, thumping his
stick on the pavement.
" 'Oh, my goodness, Mihalik! why are you so cross? We are arguing
about principles.'
" 'I tell you that I have read it!' Kovalenko would shout, more
loudly than ever.
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe: occupations were neglected or forgotten. He roamed from chamber
to chamber with hurried, unequal, and objectless step. The
pallor of his countenance had assumed, if possible, a more
ghastly hue--but the luminousness of his eye had utterly gone
out. The once occasional huskiness of his tone was heard no
more; and a tremulous quaver, as if of extreme terror, habitually
characterized his utterance. There were times, indeed, when I
thought his unceasingly agitated mind was labouring with some
oppressive secret, to divulge which he struggled for the
necessary courage. At times, again, I was obliged to resolve all
into the mere inexplicable vagaries of madness, for I beheld him
The Fall of the House of Usher |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Letters of Two Brides by Honore de Balzac: sure whether this tender fondness, this unselfish gratitude, is not
superior to love. From all that you have told me of it, dear pet, I
gather that love has something terribly earthly about it, whilst a
strain of holy piety purifies the affection a happy mother feels for
the author of her far-reaching and enduring joys. A mother's happiness
is like a beacon, lighting up the future, but reflected also on the
past in the guise of fond memories.
The old l'Estorade and his son have moreover redoubled their devotion
to me; I am like a new person to them. Every time they see me and
speak to me, it is with a fresh holiday joy, which touches me deeply.
The grandfather has, I verily believe, turned child again; he looks at
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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 Moral Emblems by Robert Louis Stevenson: And use the GRAVER and the PEN
With equal aptitude and ease.
I move with that illustrious crew,
The ambidextrous Kings of Art;
And every mortal thing I do
Brings ringing money in the mart.
Hence, in the morning hour, the mead,
The forest and the stream perceive
Me wandering as the muses lead -
Or back returning in the eve.
Two muses like two maiden aunts,
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