| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Koran: that which quickens you; and know that God steps in between man and
his heart; and that to Him ye shall be gathered. And fear
temptation, which will not light especially on those of you who have
done wrong; but know that God is keen to punish.
Remember when ye were few in number and weak in the land, fearing
lest people should snatch you away; then He sheltered you and aided
you with victory, and provided you with good things; haply ye may give
thanks.
O ye who believe! be not treacherous to God and His Apostle; nor
be treacherous to your engagement while ye know!
Know that your wealth and your children are but a temptation, and
The Koran |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Intentions by Oscar Wilde: of the future will probably point to this age as the time when the
beauty of black was understood; but I hardly think that, as regards
stage-mounting or house decoration, it really is. Its decorative
value is, of course, the same as that of white or gold; it can
separate and harmonise colours. In modern plays the black frock-
coat of the hero becomes important in itself, and should be given a
suitable background. But it rarely is. Indeed the only good
background for a play in modern dress which I have ever seen was
the dark grey and cream-white scene of the first act of the
PRINCESSE GEORGES in Mrs. Langtry's production. As a rule, the
hero is smothered in BRIC-E-BRAC and palm-trees, lost in the gilded
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Peter Pan by James M. Barrie: have liked to swim away, but Peter would not budge. He was
tingling with life and also top-heavy with conceit. "Am I not a
wonder, oh, I am a wonder!" he whispered to her, and though she
thought so also, she was really glad for the sake of his
reputation that no one heard him except herself.
He signed to her to listen.
The two pirates were very curious to know what had brought
their captain to them, but he sat with his head on his hook in a
position of profound melancholy.
"Captain, is all well?" they asked timidly, but he answered
with a hollow moan.
Peter Pan |
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 Alexandria and her Schools by Charles Kingsley: not stand still, and try in vain to stop the way.
It may be said, certainly, as an excuse for these Alexandrian Greeks,
that they were a people in a state of old age and decay; and that they
only exhibited the common and natural faults of old age. For as with
individuals, so with races, nations, societies, schools of thought--
youth is the time of free fancy and poetry; manhood of calm and strong
induction; old age of deduction, when men settle down upon their lees,
and content themselves with reaffirming and verifying the conclusions of
their earlier years, and too often, alas! with denying and
anathematising all conclusions which have been arrived at since their
own meridian. It is sad: but it is patent and common. It is sad to
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