| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Faraday as a Discoverer by John Tyndall: by the act of polarization, performed here by Faraday, all
oscillations but those parallel to a certain plane are eliminated.
When the plane of vibration of the polarizer coincides with that of
the analyzer, a portion of the beam passes through both; but when
these two planes are at right angles to each other, the beam is
extinguished. If by any means, while the polarizer and analyzer
remain thus crossed, the plane of vibration of the polarized beam
between them could be changed, then the light would be, in part at
least, transmitted. In Faraday's experiment this was accomplished.
His magnet turned the plane of polarization of the beam through a
certain angle, and thus enabled it to get through the analyzer;
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther: Man's own righteousness is in the last analysis a despising and rejecting of
the grace of God. No combination of words can do justice to such an
outrage. It is an insult to say that any man died in vain. But to say that
Christ died in vain is a deadly insult. To say that Christ died in vain is to
make His resurrection, His victory, His glory, His kingdom, heaven, earth,
God Himself, of no purpose and benefit whatever.
That is enough to set any person against the righteousness of the Law and
all the trimmings of men's own righteousness, the orders of monks and
friars, and their superstitions.
Who would not detest his own vows, his cowls, his shaven crown, his
bearded traditions, yes, the very Law of Moses, when he hears that for such
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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 Tik-Tok of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "What shall I do?" he asked in sorrowful tones.
"I cannot leave my dear brother here, and he
refuses to come out of that house and face us.
"I'll tell you," replied Betsy. "Let him put on
a mask."
"The very idea I was seeking!" exclaimed Shaggy
joyfully; and then he called out: "Brother, put a
mask over your face, and then none of us can see
what your features are like."
"I have no mask," answered the Ugly One.
"Look here," said Betsy; "he can use my
Tik-Tok of Oz |
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 The King of the Golden River by John Ruskin: observations out of the pot; but whatever it referred to, Gluck had
no inclination to dispute the dictum.
"Wouldn't it, sir?" said Gluck very mildly and submissively
indeed.
"No," said the dwarf, conclusively, "no, it wouldn't." And
with that the dwarf pulled his cap hard over his brows and took two
turns, of three feet long, up and down the room, lifting his legs up
very high and setting them down very hard. This pause gave time for
Gluck to collect his thoughts a little, and, seeing no great reason
to view his diminutive visitor with dread, and feeling his curiosity
overcome his amazement, he ventured on a question of peculiar
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