| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Foolish Virgin by Thomas Dixon: shed-room and with the patience of a cat waited for the
sobs to cease and the girl to be quiet.
Mary had risen from the bed once and paced the
floor in the dark for more than an hour, like a
frightened, wild animal, trapped and caged for the
first time in life. With growing wonder, Nance counted
the beat of her foot-fall, five steps one way and five
back--round after round, round after round, in
ceaseless repetition.
"Goddlemighty, is she gone clean crazy!" she
exclaimed.
|
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley: only gentle and conciliatory words. And one day when the woman had
been threatening to kill her, Miranda took courage to say, 'Do you
fancy that I shall not be as glad to be rid of your husband, as you
to be rid of me? Why kill me needlessly, when all that you require
is to get me forth of the place? Out of sight, out of mind. When
I am gone, your husband will soon forget me, and you will be his
favorite as before.' Soon, seeing that the girl was inclined to
listen, she went on to tell her of her love to Don Sebastian,
entreating and adjuring her, by the love which she bore the
cacique, to pity and help her; and so won upon the girl, that she
consented to be privy to Miranda's escape, and even offered to give
|
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: mercenaries to injure those who do no wrong, but their vocation rather
is to hinder all attempts at evil-doing; whereby they exercise a
kindly providence and bear the brunt of danger on behalf of the
community, I say it must needs be, the citizens will rejoice to pay
the expenses which the force entails. At any rate, it is for objects
of far less importance that at present guards[9] are kept in private
life.
[9] "Police or other."
XI
But, Hiero, you must not grudge to spend a portion of your private
substance for the common weal. For myself, I hold to the opinion that
|
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 Old Indian Legends by Zitkala-Sa: away in a large thick bag.
This bag was like a huge stiff envelope, but far more
beautiful to see, for it was painted all over with many bright
colors. These firmly tied bags of dried meat were laid upon the
rocks in the walls of the dwelling. In this way they were both
useful and decorative.
One day father badger did not go off for a hunt. He stayed at
home, making new arrows. His children sat about him on the ground
floor. Their small black eyes danced with delight as they watched
the gay colors painted upon the arrows.
All of a sudden there was heard a heavy footfall near the
|
