The elements and elementals are explicitly addressed in some Masonic rituals with European connections.
The elements can also be found in the penalties of the 3 degrees, in the order of Earth, Water, Air and Fire.
It is possible to argue that from the perspective of Masonic Science the order should be Earth, Water, Fire and Air, and that arguably is the order of the Veils in Holy Royal Arch.
What is the relevance of the elements to a Brother who is determined to proceed?
I think Earth, Water, Air and Fire is the correct order.
And EA must master the more earthy parts of his nature. Choose how to respond and not just react.
The FC must master and use his natural talents for the benefit of all, not just use them to fulfill selfish desires, which are emotionally (water) based.
The MM becomes so because he has mastered the earth/water elements within himself. He is now free to concentrate of matters Universal and the Out of the Ordinary.
Once the Free Builder reaches this stage and starts 'knocking on doors' the Spirit (Fire) takes over. The Father meets the Son upon the road, so as to speak, the Prodigal is returning home in full consciousness.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
I did a search on the phrase "fire of the mind" on Google and found 2.8 million hits for that phrase. Google finds 3 million hits on the phrase "air of the heart".
It may be worth considering the existence of a 5th element - the quintessence.
Certainly the 5 elements can be related to the FPoF and to the 5 pointed star as well.
The use of both those symbols is, however, more complex than purely a reference to the 5 elements.
What about the knocks?
If the gavel is used properly, then the sound may create a "bubble" within which the 5th element appears. It might be worth watching at the next lodge meeting.
Much as I wish it was otherwise, it does seem to me that despair and loss are valuable experiences. The world did seem to improve somewhat after the two world wars. Hopefully the lessons remain and we do not have to do a revision.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth