Some initial thoughts on Elementality
When our ancestors/forebears were developing their various frameworks of “Elements”, they had not yet developed and elaborated the systems of Chemistry and Physics in their current iterations.
Thus, when you see the term ‘Element’ being used, it does not necessarily carry precisely the same meaning as how you or I may be thinking of it.
One useful concept is that of ‘Phases’ or ‘Phasic Configurations’ or ‘Movement Configurations’.
As we know, in contemporary terms, based on how the atoms (electrons, etc.,) of a substance are moving on the micro-level, it will evince various qualities on the macro-level. This results in “phases” of matter.
Tight atomic bonds = solid
Looser atomic bonds = liquid
Diffuse bonds = gas
These Phases are actually quite compatible with the ancient idea of Elements.
Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma
These correspond pretty well to:
Earth, Water, Air, Fire.
So if we take what we call water (i.e., H2O), we can see that it has an Earth Phase (ice), a Water Phase (good ol’ liquid H2O), an Air Phase (Clouds, steam), and a Plasma phase? (whatever happens to H2O when it is super-heated and electromagnetically volatile - someone else feel free to fill this in).