| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Glinda of Oz by L. Frank Baum: fishes -- the gold and silver and bronze ones, and
couldn't you transform 'em back to their own shapes,
and then couldn't the three Adepts get us out of here?"
"You are not very practical, Dorothy dear. It would
be as hard for us to capture the three fishes, from
among all the other fishes in the lake, as to capture
the Swan."
"But if we could, it would be more help to us,"
persisted the little girl.
"That is true," answered Ozma, smiling at her
friend's eagerness. "You find a way to catch the fish,
Glinda of Oz |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Kwaidan by Lafcadio Hearn: With these assurances, Kwairyo bade the aruji good-night; and his host
showed him to a very small side-room, where a bed had been made ready. Then
all went to sleep except the priest, who began to read the sutras by the
light of a paper lantern. Until a late hour he continued to read and pray:
then he opened a little window in his little sleeping-room, to take a last
look at the landscape before lying down. The night was beautiful: there
was no cloud in the sky: there was no wind; and the strong moonlight threw
down sharp black shadows of foliage, and glittered on the dews of the
garden. Shrillings of crickets and bell-insects (3) made a musical tumult;
and the sound of the neighboring cascade deepened with the night. Kwairyo
felt thirsty as he listened to the noise of the water; and, remembering the
Kwaidan |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from An Open Letter on Translating by Dr. Martin Luther: Christ, and trust in humanity, it is indeed difficult to learn to
trust in God and Christ, even though we have vowed to do so and
are therefore obligated to do so. Therefore, this offense is not
to be tolerated whereby those who are weak and of the flesh
participate in idolatry, against the first commandment and our
baptism. Even if one tries nothing other than to switch their
trust from the saints to Christ, through teaching and practice, it
will be difficult to accomplish, that one should come to him and
rightly take hold of him. One need not paint the Devil on the
door - he will already be present.
We can finally be certain that God is not angry with us, and that
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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 Ball at Sceaux by Honore de Balzac: Longueville than cause his family the smallest regret."
However coldly the young man tried to behave to the Comte de
Kergarouet, he could not resist the frank cordiality of his manner,
and presently gave him his hand.
"You were going out riding," said the Count. "Do not let me detain
you. But, unless you have other plans, I beg you will come to dinner
to-day at the Villa Planat. My nephew, the Comte de Fontaine, is a man
it is essential that you should know. Ah, ha! And I propose to make up
to you for my clumsiness by introducing you to five of the prettiest
women in Paris. So, so, young man, your brow is clearing! I am fond of
young people, and I like to see them happy. Their happiness reminds me
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