| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Mountains by Stewart Edward White: moved his hand forward, laying his bets. A jade
bracelet slipped back and forth as smoothly as on
yellow ivory.
Or again, one night when the plain was like a sea
of liquid black, and the sky blazed with stars, we
rode by a sheep-herder's camp. The flicker of a fire
threw a glow out into the dark. A tall wagon, a
group of silhouetted men, three or four squatting
dogs, were squarely within the circle of illumination.
And outside, in the penumbra of shifting half light,
now showing clearly, now fading into darkness, were
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Moral Emblems by Robert Louis Stevenson: His clinging breeks, his tarry hat,
The way he swore, the way he spat,
A certain quality of manner,
Alarming like the pirate's banner -
Something that did not seem to suit all -
Something, O call it bluff, not brutal -
Something at least, howe'er it's called,
Made Robin generally black-balled.
His soul was wounded; proud and glum,
Alone he sat and swigged his rum,
And took a great distaste to men
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Democracy In America, Volume 1 by Alexis de Toqueville: evil. By a parity of reasoning, in countries governed by a
democracy, where the people is perpetually drawing all authority
to itself, the laws which increase or accelerate its action are
the direct assailants of the very principle of the government.
The greatest proof of the ability of the American
legislators is, that they clearly discerned this truth, and that
they had the courage to act up to it. They conceived that a
certain authority above the body of the people was necessary,
which should enjoy a degree of independence, without, however,
being entirely beyond the popular control; an authority which
would be forced to comply with the permanent determinations of
|
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 Adventure by Jack London: no muttering.
"Swine!" the white man gritted out through his teeth at the whole
breed of Solomon Islanders.
He was very sick, this white man, as sick as the black men who lay
helpless about him, and whom he attended. He never knew, each time
he entered the festering shambles, whether or not he would be able
to complete the round. But he did know in large degree of
certainty that, if he ever fainted there in the midst of the
blacks, those who were able would be at his throat like ravening
wolves.
Part way down the line a man was dying. He gave orders for his
|
