THE FOUR POWERS.

Patterns of universal energy are subdivided into four categories. Most people know these forces as the classical elements -earth, water, air, fire.
Everything consists of these four elements, four forces, in various combinations. The four elements represent energies,and the physical elements themselves are symbols of these energies.
Fire as an element in not fire from a burning torch, instead, it is an energy whose nature is similar to that of a burning torch. The burning torch symbolizes the element of fire, and, in ritual, is able to embody it.
Some texts refer to the elements as the "elements of the wise,"so the representation of elemental fire is referred to as "fire of the wise," to distinguish it from the torch; elemental earth is "earth of the wise," to differentiate it from garden soil or stones. Because of the misunderstanding of this symbolism. modern science have devalued and essentially thrown away these concepts.
Modern psychologists, particularly those whose work is based upon the works of Carl Jung, are reclaiming the symbolic meaning of these elements. Each of the elements is not only an energy found in all things, but also a level of consciousness, a dimension or plane of existence that interpenetrates all things. Each of these elements exists at a different energetic vibration, and each one brings different qualities from the rest.
Each person can relate to certain elements because he or she has a natural affinity for those qualities, and may have difficulties with other elements because he or she lacks those qualities. Working with the elements means learning to work with the principles of balance.
The energy of the earth element represents the physical form and physical world. All that can be seen and measured by the physical senses consists of the earth element. Our homes, food, plants, trees, stones, and all human made items, such as cars, toys, and jewelry are composed of earth energy. Our bodies, our bones, and all the minerals and metals within us are representations of the earth element.
Earth energy rules all physical concerns, so it also influences our physical health and financial security.
The five-pointed star indicate manifestation or protection on the physical plane. People with strong earth energy are powerful in the physical and financial worlds, while those who are learning about earth energy are challenged in those areas.
The highest form of the earth element is sovereignty, meaning you control your own body, home, and fate. In the astrological chart, the earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. The North is usually the direction of earth, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, because of the strong, solid magnetic earth energy of the North Pole. When mystics talk about the planet Earth, they refer to the consciousness, the soul of the planet, which is personified as a feminine force or mother figure. We are all smaller parts of it. We  are like cells within the body of the planet. What affect one of us affects the greater whole.
Water is the energy of the astral plane, the level of symbolic reality where shape and form are fluid. Water is the element of dreams. In our body, water is symbolized by the liquid in our blood and cells, but the elemental energy of water is actually our astral body, which travels when we sleep and dream. The astral body is our self-image influenced by our emotions. Like water, this energy is fluid and changes form easily. Our astral body is like the container for our emotions, just as a glass contains liquid. When our emotions are clear, the liquid is clear. When our emotions are confused, the liwuid is murky. The watery level of the universe is known as the astral plane, or emotional plane.
The glass analogy also symbolizes another issue of water energy -boundaries. One challenge of water is to establish boundaries in relationships. Emotion is a building block for any type of relationship, with a family member, friend, lover, or spouse. Developing emotional connections and relationships is one of the spiritual challenges that water presents to us. Traditions usually associate water with the West. Though the strongest symbolism is the large ocean to the West, the Atlantic, the direction of the setting sun that is also the place of death, mystery, and the unknown.
The highest and purest form of water element is unconditional love, which is associated with healing, cleansing, and compassion. In a mythic sense, water is associated with cups or cauldron. In the astrological chart, the water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Each of these deals with emotional relationships in some way.
Air is the element of the mental plane, the realm of ideas, concepts, and thoughts. Like the sky, our minds can be clear and peaceful. At other times, they are turbulent with thought, or clouded by the water vapor of clouds, our emotions. The link between the emotional body and the mental body is like the relationship between the sea and the sky. Before something takes shape on the astral plane, a mental idea, a thought, must animate it.
Air is the element of communication. We use the air of our breath to speak our words. The air between us carries sound waves, so our words can be heard. Many who study the element of air think it is only about talking, but it also involves the power to listen. Air is logic and memorization, but also poetry and cleverness. In a mythic sense, air is symbolized by the swords. We use imagery like "her mind is sharp" to describe a person who is strong in the air element. Being double-edged swords represent the two-way power of communication which requires both listening and speaking. They also symbolize the power of words to connect, and the power to hurt. We use sword imagery for betrayal. such as "he stabbed me in the back." The ultimate sword symbol is found in Athurian myth -Excalibur is the sword of truth. Air's ultimate power is Truth, but how that Truth is expressed is up to the wielder of the sword.
Traditions usually associate air with the East, but sometimes is associated with the South, to pair the Earth and Air as opposites in the North and the South. In the astrological chart, the air sign are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, as each works in the sphere of communication and connection.
Fire is the most intangible element. Earth you can hold, Water you can drink, and Air you can breathe, but Fire cannot be held. The element of fire is symbolized within our bodies as our metabolism. We know it is present, but we cannot extract it like the other three elements. Fire is described by mystics in different ways. Fire is the energetic reality, the power of creation. The energy of fire inspires an idea, a concept, on the mental plane. The energy flows from the mental plane to the emotional plane, giving the idea a shape or image in the astral world. The energy continues to flow from the emotional plane to the physical, earthly plane, where it manifests as a reality.
For some people, fire expresses itself as career, while for others, it expresses artistic endeavors. Fire is the drive to find identity through our passions. Fire in its highest form expresses our will, which comes in many forms. The most basic definition of will is what we want, what we desire. This is considered the ego will, or personal will. Transcending the ego will is higher will, or divine will. It is the will of our highest, most divine identity. Some call it the higher self. You could think of it as the divine spark of individuality in each of us. When we merge our personal will with our divine will, we find our true spiritual identity, and all doors are open to us. In a mythic sense, fire is symbolized by wands, spears, or torches. The wand is the symbol of the Wizard or Witch, who uses it to focus his or her magical will.
Mythically, the spear is the Spear of Destiny, the spear that pierced Christ's side.
Destiny is another way to think of the higher will. Even with destiny, we must choose to accept it and implement it. Most people associate fire with the South, since the noonday sun is associated with the South in the Northern Hemisphere, and that is the hottest time of day. Also, the further South you go, the closer you get to the equator, and the warmer it is. Others put fire in the East for the rising sun.
Obviously, some of the four directional associations would be different in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the astrological chart, the fire sign are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Each of these signs questions identity, ego, and will, in its own way.