Exploring Elements, Directions, and the Pentagram

I'm diving into the connections between the elements and their associated cardinal directions within the context of the pentagram. This all began with researching the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram, but the more I learn, the more I notice discrepancies, especially in the teachings from the Golden Dawn. For instance, their method of tracing the pentagram seems incorrect; I've seen some enlightening videos explaining this further. As I interpret it, the elemental pentagram can indeed reflect the cardinal directions, with spirit at the center. It seems to make sense that if air and water were to switch places, everything would align perfectly, but I'm struggling to understand the reasoning behind this. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. What are your associations? Are there any books you recommend for a deeper understanding? I realize many people stick to the Golden Dawn associations, but I find them lacking and feel more exploration is needed.