[Mithalwen]

I am afraid I am going to disagre with Boro a little here.

I do think there is significance in the names of the ring and their powers. Partly they of course echo the fate of the Silmarils - one in air as Earendil's star, one cast into a fiery chasm (fire/earth) and one in the water of the sea.

It says somewhere that the stars are seen clearest over Rivendell and Galadriel's realm is protected in part by rivers and her power is manifested through the medium of water in that her "mirror" is a basin of water and in the Phial is "caught the light of Earendil's star, set amid the waters of my fountain". Of course this is not clear cut - Elrond also uses the river to protect his lands but I think there is significance in the elements the rings are associated with. Gandalf is associated with fire, fire works but " with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill" is surely significant. In Valinor, Olorin inspired or "kindled" hearts to achieve more. This particular ring perhaps accentuated the innate power which was limited by his physical incarnation.

Jean Chausse gave a lecture at Oxonmoot last year which dealt greatly with Gandalf and fire (though from a Catholic perspective) but I don't have time now to write it up. More later I hope.