| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne: people's woe, because the fatal day had come again, when the
fourteen victims were to be chosen by lot; and the old people
feared lest their sons or daughters might be taken, and the
youths and damsels dreaded lest they themselves might be
destined to glut the ravenous maw of that detestable man-brute.
But when Theseus heard the story, he straightened himself up,
so that he seemed taller than ever before; and as for his face
it was indignant, despiteful, bold, tender, and compassionate,
all in one look.
"Let the people of Athens this year draw lots for only six
young men, instead of seven," said he, "I will myself be the
Tanglewood Tales |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Chita: A Memory of Last Island by Lafcadio Hearn: little girl, and looked into her face, and smiled. Her great
sweet orbs shone into his one moment, seriously, as if
searching; and then ... she returned his smile. It seemed to
touch something latent within the man, something rare; for his
whole expression changed; and there was a caress in his look and
voice none of the men could have believed possible--as he
exclaimed:--
--"Fais moin bo, piti."
She pouted up her pretty lips and kissed his black moustache.
He spoke to her again:--
--"Dis moin to nom, piti;--dis moin to nom, chere."
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Book of Remarkable Criminals by H. B. Irving: Bertin was a short, hustling, credulous, breathless gentleman,
always in a hurry, with a great belief in the abilities of M.
Derues. He found the little man in excellent spirits.
Bertin asked if he could see Mme. de Lamotte. Mme. Derues said
that that was impossible, but that her husband had given her some
medicine which was working splendidly. The young de Lamotte
called to see his mother. Derues took him into her room; in the
dim light the boy saw her sleeping, and crept out quietly for
fear of disturbing her. The Derues and their friends sat down to
dinner. Derues kept jumping up and running into the sick room,
from which a horrible smell began to pervade the house. But
A Book of Remarkable Criminals |
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 Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum: "I won't give up yet, Dorothy," he said, "for I know a lot of
wizardry that I haven't yet tried. I don't know what magician
enchanted this little island, or what his powers were, but I DO know
that I can break any enchantment known to the ordinary witches and
magicians that used to inhabit the Land of Oz. It's like unlocking a
door; all you need is to find the right key."
"But 'spose you haven't the right key with you." suggested Dorothy;
"what then?"
"Then we'll have to make the key," he answered.
The Glass Cat now came back to their side of the river, walking
under the water, and said to the Wizard: "They're getting frightened
The Magic of Oz |
