| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Soul of the Far East by Percival Lowell: conception of the origin of the world is based on the idea of sex.
According to their notions the earth was begotten. It is true that
with them the cosmos started in an abstract something, which
self-produced two great principles; but this pair once obtained,
matters proceeded after the analogy of mankind. The two principles
at work were themselves abstract enough to have satisfied the most
unimpassioned of philosophers. They were simply a positive essence
and a negative one, correlated to sunshine and shadow, but also
correlated to male and female forces. Through their mutual action
were born the earth and the air and the water; from these, in turn,
was begotten man. The cosmical modus operandi was not creative nor
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: good nature, but you have so much, so much of everything;
and then you have such-- upon my soul, I do not know
anybody like you."
"Oh! dear, there are a great many people like me,
I dare say, only a great deal better. Good morning
to you."
"But I say, Miss Morland, I shall come and pay my
respects at Fullerton before it is long, if not disagreeable."
"Pray do. My father and mother will be very glad
to see you."
"And I hope--I hope, Miss Morland, you will not
Northanger Abbey |
