| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde: world like the devotion of a married woman. It's a thing no
married man knows anything about.
LORD DARLINGTON. Oh! she doesn't love me. She is a good woman.
She is the only good woman I have ever met in my life.
CECIL GRAHAM. The only good woman you have ever met in your life?
LORD DARLINGTON. Yes!
CECIL GRAHAM. [Lighting a cigarette.] Well, you are a lucky
fellow! Why, I have met hundreds of good women. I never seem to
meet any but good women. The world is perfectly packed with good
women. To know them is a middle-class education.
LORD DARLINGTON. This woman has purity and innocence. She has
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Duchesse de Langeais by Honore de Balzac: the dangerous reefs that stretch far out to sea, with the
sparkling waves of the Mediterranean playing over them. So, only
from the sea can you discern the square mass of the convent built
conformably to the minute rules laid down as to the shape,
height, doors, and windows of monastic buildings. From the side
of the town, the church completely hides the solid structure of
the cloisters and their roofs, covered with broad slabs of stone
impervious to sun or storm or gales of wind.
The church itself, built by the munificence of a Spanish family,
is the crowning edifice of the town. Its fine, bold front gives
an imposing and picturesque look to the little city in the sea.
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: head thrown back, his pale prominent eyes very stern.
"Did you think to make your outrageous offence any better by vanishing
in that heartless manner, by leaving us without knowledge of whether
you were alive or dead?"
"At first it was dangerous - dangerous to my life - to disclose my
whereabouts. Then for a time I was in need, almost destitute, and
my pride forbade me, after what I had done and the view you must
take of it, to appeal to you for help. Later... "
"Destitute?" The Seigneur interrupted. For a moment his lip
trembled. Then he steadied himself, and the frown deepened as he
surveyed this very changed and elegant godson of his, noted the
|
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 Records of a Family of Engineers by Robert Louis Stevenson: joy of all, under a salute of three hearty cheers. From an
oversight on the part of the smith, who had neglected to bring
his tinder-box and matches from the vessel, the work was
prevented from being continued for at least an hour longer.
The smith's shop was, of course, in OPEN SPACE: the large
bellows were carried to and from the rock every tide, for the
serviceable condition of which, together with the tinder-box,
fuel, and embers of the former fire, the smith was held
responsible. Those who have been placed in situations to feel
the inconveniency and want of this useful artisan, will be
able to appreciate his value in a case like the present. It
|
