A true undertsanding of the elements really begins when we experience the practical work later on, but FIRE, then, is the first element, with qualities of heat and dryness. Where there is fire, there is light, and visa versa. Fire is found in light. Fire is expansion and extension, which is another reason why Bardon emphasizes its electrical quality. Fire is commonly thought of as positive and masculine, yet it is pointed out that fire has both a positive and negative aspect of constructive and destructive natures. I think also fire can be said to have electrical as well as magnetic properties, when we think of the allure and hypnotic trance fire can have to the eye, attracting attention, conciousness, and awareness. The flame lit on the altar not only emanates the positive electrical charge of light in extension, but it has the negative and attractive charge of magnetism. Taking it further, can anyone see a feminine quality to fire? (throughout the rest of this analysis, Bardon makes no reference to gender, or masculine/feminine aspects.)
Fire's overall positive and electrical quality is important in relation to the other elements, and as we shall see, begins the development of Bardon's tetrapolar magnet. I'd also like to refer to the 4 worlds of the Kabbalah and the Tetragrammaton as we continue because at this point they have everything to do with this development. Therefore Fire represents IOD, or I , the first letter in the Tetragrammaton, and Atziluth, the first of the four worlds, the world of emanations. I invite anyone to expand on this.

Next we have WATER. Qualities of coldness and shrinkage. LOL.. I'm sorry but that's what Bardon says and it's begging to be joked about. What male has not experienced this??
Okay but seriously, I'm not sure if shrinkage is my first thought on the quality of water. Cold and wet, yes, as far as the element qualities are concerned. Certainly it is magnetic. In this way, could it not also be expansive? As it attracts, it builds. As Fire's feminine opposite, and as Briah in the four worlds of Kabbalah, it is the maternal world of creation, yet it does not create without fire, nor does fire create without water, elementally speaking. They depend on one another and elements that follow depend upon them. Here I elaborate more on the polarity of water. Water is represented by the letter Heh, or H, in the Tetragrammaton. Bardon again speaks of the creative and destructive qualities. I think it's important to mention the life and form giving qualities of water, and life's dependence on water. It is interesting to note also that Bardon begins to use the terminology of 'electrical fluid' and magnetic fluid'. It would seem that both electrical and magnetic aspects within the elements operate like fluids. I believe this indicates the astral nature of the elements, but Bardon does not explain. It may also indicate how as we work with the elements, they have a fluid like quality, when we channel and project them, they flow through us. Thoughts?

AIR; "initiated people do not regard this an element. ?
Well all I can say is, does it matter? I thought this statement was a bit condescending and ego fluffing, and certainly not pertinent to the lessons. Anyway, if air is not an element, and earth is not an element, and we still don't know if akasha/ether is an element, then are fire and water the only elements proper? I have heard it explained that earth was not really an element, but the admixture of air, fire and water. In any case, we are dealing with the elements and their relationships and their successive combinations. Bardon explains that air has the quality of dryness and moisture, which shows that it is the combination of fire and water. Air is actually produced from this combination. This is in line with the four worlds again, as Atziluth and Briah, the Father and Mother, combine to produce the Son, and the letter Vau, or V of IHVH. It may help now to look more closely at the letters, for the V is a repeat of the IOD or 'I', in the actual form of the Hebrew letter, only it has an elongated tail that extends downwards. This indicates it is a reflection of IOD. Then we see heh, or H is repeated more obviously, the second H also being a reflection of the first H. I say reflection, but not the same. They are symbolically different. This shows a distinction between the first 2 letters and the second 2, yet also a correspondence. It may also help in understanding why Bardon distinguishes between the Fire and Water being elements proper and the Air and Earth being merely their respective admixtures. Let us view the Air as mediator between fire and water, and also neutral. In line again with Kabbalah and the tree of life which shows the three pillars of Fire, Air and Water, Air being the middle pillar, the axis, balancing the 2 poles. In the four worlds it is the world of Form, Yetzirah, and also represents the Astral plane. An important point I think. Oh yes, and the form of the V, that is the IOD with the extended tail represents the sword. the magical instrument of air.
Bardon mentions air has the quality of motion. He also points out it is life sustaining. Ponder that. Air, sustaining life through breath, bringing prana. Bardon misses the opportunity here to mention the word and its role in creation, in magic and in communication.
The word is spoken with the breath and ideas are carried in waves through its medium. Air then also corresponds to intelligence or intellect, and is predominantly positive/masculine/electrical. We can easily see the constructive and destructive properties of air.

Finally we have EARTH. Element proper or not, our understanding of the elements is not complete without it, nor would we have the wealth of analogies and correspondences and the emanations of physical things to help us apprehend the elements at all, such as physical electricity and magnetism.The qualities of earth are dry and logically cold if we are keeping track of comparative qualities between each element. Here is the solidifying power, or magnetism, the culminating tetrapolar magnet, earth. The expression and action of air, water and fire under the limitations of time and space. Now, understanding this tetrapolar magnet is the key to further understanding the elements and how they work together. This is the reason I've kept refering to the Tetragrammaton, because it is also a similar key. It may also help to look ahead to the four directions and their element attributes. In the East, we attribute air, which has the positive or electrical quality, and to the West, we have water with its magnetic polarity. Again to the North we attribute earth, which is as a whole magnetic, (magnetic North) and to the South we have "electrical' fire. Four poles, intersecting, forming cross (a symbolic form of the tetrapolar magnet), at the center of which would be the altar and magician, and what 'element' do you suppose he represents? These four poles interact and combine to produce all material physical things associated with the earth element. Now, that is my best understanding of this tetrapolar magnet that Bardon refers to again and again. Any thoughts?