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:

The East is air.
The South is fire.
The West is water.
The North is earth.
The Center is akasha

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, persuasion, bones, teeth, skin.
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.