Whilst the runes are attributed to the polarities of ice and fire, they are also closely linked with the elements earth air fire and water.
Earth – Solid foundations and keeping in touch with reality.
Earth Runes: Eihwaz, Uruz, Wunjo, Berkana, Othila, Isa (which can also link with the water element, ice being frozen water) and Jera. Isa, Eihwaz and Jera are also said to link with the New Moon.
Water
Kaunaz is, surprisingly, a water rune. It relates to bonfires but does not equate to the element of fire. To the Vikings, bonfires were a physical light in the darkness, as well as symbolising inner knowledge or enlightenment. It relates to emotions and intuition, and therefore, its element is water. Some runemasters will disagree here, preferring to keep Kaunaz with its symbol of fire.
Also associated with the water element are Perth, Lagu, Ing, Raido and Gebo. Hagalaz has connections with ice and, therefore, also correctly belongs to this element. Kaunaz, Raido and Gebo are said to link with the moon’s waning. Gebo and Raido also connect with the element of air.
Air
Ansuz, an air rune, has a strong connection with Odin, who discovered the runes in the root of Yggdrasil and as such, has a link with the ash tree.
Ansuz relates to the element of air, to divine breath, to thought and the power of the intellect. Also associated with the element of air are Teiwaz, Berkana (which also links to Earth having a duality in element) and Ehwaz, which also links with the waxing of the moon. Algiz is also said to connect with the air element, as do Sowelu and Mannaz.
Some runemasters suggest that Ansuz is more correctly attributed with fire and water than air.
Fire
Dagaz is a fire rune and represents day, breakthrough. It is also associated with the dawn of the world since the Earth was born in flames. Dagaz is the illuminator, the light which cannot be destroyed. It is the guardian by the doorway, a protective force against anything harmful. Dagaz is another case of elemental duality associated with both fire and air.
Also associated with the element of fire are Othila and Fehu, which also link with the full moon and the element of Earth – again, being dual in elemental nature. Thurisaz, Nauthiz, and Eihwaz are also said to be linked with fire. Still, it is worth noting that many runemasters consider Eihwaz to belong to all elements.