| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Herodias by Gustave Flaubert: During forty years he had exercised the functions of the public
executioner. It was he that had drowned Aristobulus, strangled
Alexander, burned Mattathias alive, beheaded Zozimus, Pappus,
Josephus, and Antipater; but he dared not kill Iaokanann! His teeth
chattered and his whole body trembled.
He declared that he had seen, standing before the dungeon, the Angel
of the Samaritans, covered with eyes and brandishing a great sword,
glowing and quivering like a flame. He appealed to two of the guards,
who had entered the hall with him, to corroborate his words. But they
said they had seen nothing except a Jewish captain who had attacked
them, and whom they had killed.
Herodias |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: was as nervous as a witch and as cross as a bear". The word `limes'
was like fire to powder, his yellow face flushed, and he rapped on
his desk with an energy which made Jenny skip to her seat with
unusual rapidity.
"Young ladies, attention, if you please!"
At the stern order the buzz ceased, and fifty pairs of blue,
black, gray, and brown eyes were obediently fixed upon his awful
countenance.
"Miss March, come to the desk."
Amy rose to comply with outward composure, but a secret fear
oppressed her, for the limes weighed upon her conscience.
Little Women |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Polity of Athenians and Lacedaemonians by Xenophon: Close by the palace a lake affords an unrestricted supply of water;
and how useful that is for various purposes they best can tell who
lack the luxury.[4] Moreover, all rise from their seats to give place
to the king, save only that the ephors rise not from their thrones of
office. Monthly they exchange oaths, the ephors in behalf of the
state, the king himself in his own behalf. And this is the oath on the
king's part: "I will exercise my kingship in accordance with the
established laws of the state." And on the part of the state the oath
runs: "So long as he[5] (who exercises kingship) shall abide by his
oaths we will not suffer his kingdom to be shaken."[6]
[4] See Hartman, "An. Xen. N." p. 274; but cf. "Cyneget." v. 34;
|
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 Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman by Thomas Hardy: "Oh, I don't know--very well; I don't mind!" she panted
miserably.
He drew rein, and as they slowed he was on the point of
imprinting the desired salute, when, as if hardly yet
aware of her own modesty, she dodged aside. His arms
being occupied with the reins there was left him no
power to prevent her manoeuvre.
"Now, damn it--I'll break both our necks!" swore her
capriciously passionate companion. "So you can go from
your word like that, you young witch, can you?"
"Very well," said Tess, "I'll not more since you be so
Tess of the d'Urbervilles, A Pure Woman |
