| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Kwaidan by Lafcadio Hearn: regard for others, it will, contrari-wise, be the case that a regard for
others will eventually become so large a source of pleasure as to overgrow
the pleasure which is derivable from direct egoistic gratification...
Eventually, then, there will come also a state in which egoism and altruism
are so conciliated that the one merges in the other."
VI
Of course the foregoing prediction does not imply that human nature will
ever undergo such physiological change as would be represented by
structural specializations comparable to those by which the various castes
of insect societies are differentiated. We are not bidden to imagine a
future state of humanity in which the active majority would consist of
Kwaidan |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Ebb-Tide by Stevenson & Osbourne: here beyond me. Think of that calaboose! Suppose we
were sent suddenly back.' He shuddered as though stung by a
convulsion, and buried his face in his clutching hands.
'Here, what's wrong with you?' cried the captain. There was
no reply; only Herrick's shoulders heaved, so that the table was
shaken. 'Take some more of this. Here, drink this. I order you
to. Don't start crying when you're out of the wood.'
'I'm not crying,' said Herrick, raising his face and showing his
dry eyes. 'It's worse than crying. It's the horror of that grave
that we've escaped from.'
'Come now, you tackle your soup; that'll fix you,' said Davis
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Maid Marian by Thomas Love Peacock: calling with a strong voice, "To the sheriff's left arm,
as a keepsake from Robin Hood." The arrow reached its destiny;
the sheriff redoubled his speed, and, with the one arrow in his arm,
did not stop to breathe till he was out of reach of another.
The foresters did not waste time in Nottingham, but were soon at a distance
from its walls. Sir Guy returned with Alice to Gamwell-Hall; but thinking
he should not be safe there, from the share he had had in his son's rescue,
they only remained long enough to supply themselves with clothes and money,
and departed, under the escort of Little John, to another seat of the Gamwells
in Yorkshire. Young Gamwell, taking it for granted that his offence
was past remission, determined on joining Robin Hood, and accompanied him
|
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 United States Constitution: ARTICLE THREE
Section 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested
in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may
from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme
and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good behavior,
and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation,
which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity,
arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties
made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting
Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty
The United States Constitution |
