| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: "Nikolay Dmitrievitch, Nikolay Dmitirevitch," whispered Marya
Nikolaevna, again going up to him.
"Oh, very well, very well!...But where's the supper? Ah, here it
is," he said, seeing a waiter with a tray. "Here, set it here,"
he added angrily, and promptly seizing the vodka, he poured out a
glassful and drank it greedily. "Like a drink?" he turned to his
brother, and at once became better humored.
"Well, enough of Sergey Ivanovitch. I'm glad to see you, anyway.
After all's said and done, we're not strangers. Come, have a
drink. Tell me what you're doing," he wnt on, greedily muching a
piece of bread, and pouring out another glassful. "How are you
Anna Karenina |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini: yesterday? You haven't? My God, where do you live? Have you heard
that this scoundrel who calls himself King of France gave passage
across French soil the other day to Austrian troops going to crush
those who fight for liberty in Belgium? Have you heard that, by
any chance?"
"Yes," said Andre-Louis coldly, masking his irritation before the
other's hectoring manner. "I have heard that."
"Oh! And what do you think of it?" arms akimbo, the Colossus
towered above him.
Andre-Louis turned aside to Le Chapelier.
"I don't think I understand. Have you brought this gentleman here
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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 Padre Ignacio by Owen Wister: the triangle two ships went sailing by.
One morning Felipe told him that the barkentine was here on its return
voyage south. "Indeed." said the Padre, coldly. "The things are ready
to go, I think." For the vessel called for mail and certain boxes that
the mission sent away. Felipe left the room in wonder at the Padre's
manner. But the priest was laughing secretly to see how little it was to
him where the barkentine was, or whether it should be coming or going.
But in the afternoon, at his piano, he found himself saying, "Other
ships call here, at any rate." And then for the first time he prayed to
be delivered from his thoughts. Yet presently he left his seat and looked
out of the window for a sight of the barkentine; but it was gone.
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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 Thus Spake Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche: be a sponge, if one would be loved by overflowing hearts.
I teach you the friend in whom the world standeth complete, a capsule of
the good,--the creating friend, who hath always a complete world to bestow.
And as the world unrolled itself for him, so rolleth it together again for
him in rings, as the growth of good through evil, as the growth of purpose
out of chance.
Let the future and the furthest be the motive of thy to-day; in thy friend
shalt thou love the Superman as thy motive.
My brethren, I advise you not to neighbour-love--I advise you to furthest
love!--
Thus spake Zarathustra.
Thus Spake Zarathustra |
