| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Woman and Labour by Olive Schreiner: in primitive times we suffered from the destruction of the fields we tilled
and the houses we built; or that in later times as domestic labourers and
producers, though unwaged, we, in taxes and material loss and additional
labour, paid as much as our males towards the cost of war; nor is it that
in a comparatively insignificant manner, as nurses of the wounded in modern
times, or now and again as warrior chieftainesses and leaders in primitive
and other societies, we have borne our part; nor is it even because the
spirit of resolution in its women, and their willingness to endure, has in
all ages again and again largely determined the fate of a race that goes to
war, that we demand our controlling right where war is concerned. Our
relation to war is far more intimate, personal, and indissoluble than this.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas: having his clothes torn, his back bruised, and his hands
scratched, he inflicted upon himself the further punishment
of tearing out his hair by handfuls, as an offering to that
goddess of envy who, as mythology teaches us, wears a
head-dress of serpents.
Chapter 14
The Pigeons of Dort
It was indeed in itself a great honour for Cornelius van
Baerle to be confined in the same prison which had once
received the learned master Grotius.
But on arriving at the prison he met with an honour even
The Black Tulip |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from End of the Tether by Joseph Conrad: both seemed to have lost their tongues. Then the mate
went on with a discreet glibness.
"You simply couldn't conceive what's going on on
board your ship. It wouldn't enter your head for a
moment. You are too good--too--too upright, Mr.
Massy, to suspect anybody of such a . . . It's enough
to make your hair stand on end."
He watched for the effect: Massy seemed dazed, un-
comprehending. He only passed the palm of his hand
on the coal-black wisps plastered across the top of his
head. In a tone suddenly changed to confidential au-
End of the Tether |
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 Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy: repel him, but drew him nearer to her by some fresh, peculiar
power. He knew that he must waken her soul, that this was
terribly difficult, but the very difficulty attracted him. He now
felt towards her as he had never felt towards her or any one else
before. There was nothing personal in this feeling: he wanted
nothing from her for himself, but only wished that she might not
remain as she now was, that she might awaken and become again
what she had been.
"Katusha, why do you speak like that? I know you; I remember
you--and the old days in Papovo."
"What's the use of recalling what's past?" she remarked, drily.
Resurrection |
