The 5 elements (water, earth, fire, wind, spirit/akasha) are, in many ways, the core of ritualism. Many rituals require that you call the quarters for power and protection. Each tower (East, South, West, and North) is ruled by the lords and ladies, different spirits, different seasons, and different elements. The pentagram itself is representative of not only the human body but the 5 elements. Most rituals require some physical use of an element. Because of the importance of these 5 forces, it's valuable to know their properties.

When you call to the watchtowers, this is how they correspond:

These elements are used as symbols to represent things in spells, thereby causing different effects to be produced. Below is a basic guide to the element's meanings.

EARTH: Love, healing, money, acquisition, employment, health, dieting, organization, goals, ambition, career, politics, balance, artistry, science, freedom, understanding, clarity, friendship, breaking bad habits or addictions, blood.

 

AIR: Communication, writing, travel, justice, unions, balance, artistry, science, freedom, understanding, clarity, friendship, breaking bad habits or addictions, blood.

 

FIRE: Authority, rebirth, leadership, authority, courage, fertility, spine, heart, travel, sports, truth, horses.

 

WATER: The home and honoring lunar god/desses, power, psychic growth, sex, music, art, telepathy, dreams, prophecy.

 

AKASHA: Akasha is the central element. It is spirit, and it is said to combine all the others into one final divine element. Since you cannot physically obtain a 'bottle of akasha', it's simply the power within you to strengthen and seal your magick.

Elemental spirits are the embodiments of each individual element. Generally they are summoned during renaming rituals and initiations. I have read many rituals involving meeting an elemental spirit through meditation, although I have never been sure enough or daring enough to actually try. The main spirits are as follows:

Gnomes- Spirits of the earth.
Sylphs- Spirits of air.
Salamanders- The spirits of fire.
Undines- Spirits of water.
Akasha is the element of spirit itself.