| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Bickerstaff-Partridge Papers by Jonathan Swift: and tranquillity of mankind. This is so evident, that it is
almost an affront to common sense to insist upon the proof: If
there can be any such stupid creature as to doubt it, I desire he
will make but the following obvious reflection. There are in
Europe alone, at present, about a million of sturdy fellows,
under the denomination of standing forces, with arms in their
hands: That those are masters of the lives, liberties and
fortunes of all the rest, I believe no body will deny. It is no
less true in fact, that reams of paper, and above a square mile
of skins of vellum have been employ'd to no purpose, to settle
peace among those sons of violence. Pray, who is he that will say
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain: "Your name, please?"
"I hight the Demoiselle Alisande la Carteloise, an it
please you."
"Do you know anybody here who can identify you?"
"That were not likely, fair lord, I being come hither
now for the first time."
"Have you brought any letters -- any documents --
any proofs that you are trustworthy and truthful?"
"Of a surety, no; and wherefore should I? Have
I not a tongue, and cannot I say all that myself?"
"But YOUR saying it, you know, and somebody
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from The Song of Hiawatha by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: In the land of the Ojibways,
In the pleasant land and peaceful!
Sing the mysteries of Mondamin,
Sing the Blessing of the Cornfields!
Buried was the bloody hatchet,
Buried was the dreadful war-club,
Buried were all warlike weapons,
And the war-cry was forgotten.
There was peace among the nations;
Unmolested roved the hunters,
Built the birch canoe for sailing,
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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 Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens: destructive villain there, he saved his old master's bones a score
of times. Nay, even when Mr Tappertit, excited by liquor, came up,
and in assertion of his prerogative politely kicked John Willet on
the shins, Hugh bade him return the compliment; and if old John had
had sufficient presence of mind to understand this whispered
direction, and to profit by it, he might no doubt, under Hugh's
protection, have done so with impunity.
At length the band began to reassemble outside the house, and to
call to those within, to join them, for they were losing time.
These murmurs increasing, and attaining a high pitch, Hugh, and
some of those who yet lingered in the bar, and who plainly were the
Barnaby Rudge |
