| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Alexandria and her Schools by Charles Kingsley: blood; while others slew their kinsfolk, and thought themselves great
and valiant, when by so doing they became possessed of more property.
They were clothed with hair garments, they knew not good from evil, and
made no distinction between that which was lawful and unlawful. Such
was our state; but God in his mercy has sent us, by a holy prophet, a
sacred volume, which teaches us the true faith."
These words, I think, show us the secret of Islam. They are a just
comment on that short and rugged chapter of the Koran which is said to
have been Mohammed's first attempt either at prophecy or writing; when,
after long fasting and meditation among the desert hills, under the
glorious eastern stars, he came down and told his good Kadijah that he
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Forged Coupon by Leo Tolstoy: he had wronged her, how guilty he had been in
his pride, in his coldness, even in his anger towards
her. He was glad that it was he who was guilty,
and that he had nothing to forgive, but that he
himself needed forgiveness. She took him to her
tiny room, and told him how she lived; but she
did not show him the child, nor did she mention
the past, knowing how painful it would be to him.
He told her that she must live differently.
"Yes; if I could only live in the country," said
she.
The Forged Coupon |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James: some women too, and I find that the most religious and pious
people are as a rule those most lacking in uprightness and
morality.
The men who do not go to church or have any religious convictions
are the best. Praying, singing of hymns, and sermonizing are
pernicious--they teach us to rely on some supernatural power,
when we ought to rely on ourselves. I TEEtotally disbelieve in a
God. The God-idea was begotten in ignorance, fear, and a general
lack of any knowledge of Nature. If I were to die now, being in
a healthy condition for my age, both mentally and physically, I
would just as lief, yes, rather, die with a hearty enjoyment of
|
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 Verses 1889-1896 by Rudyard Kipling:
THE LAMENT OF THE BORDER CATTLE THIEF
O woe is me for the merry life,
THE RHYME OF THE THREE CAPTAINS
. . . At the close of a winter day,
THE BALLAD OF THE "CLAMPHERDOWN"
It was our war-ship ~Clampherdown~,
THE BALLAD OF THE "BOLIVAR"
Verses 1889-1896 |
