In response to DarkElectric's question as whether anyone has heard it said that the Golden Dawn deliberately obfuscated certain elements in order to confuse the non-initiate, I have heard this before - and about a number of people, including Waite. Personally, I find this line of argument weak, but unfortunately common enough, especially when someone wishes to quote the 'authority' of, for example, the Golden Dawn, whilst at the same time wishing to actually
change what they did or said.
With regards to the original thread and the Justice card, that she has a sword does not, in my opinion, necessarily relate to
either element. It is also worth reflecting on the different impulses which the image of the sword carries. It being held by Justice is quite different to a knight's sword, and again different to swords generally. Even amongst mediaeval commentators, not all swords were equal. For those interested, I quote Suger in the thread on
VIII - Justice in the Historical Decks section.
I find it absolutely fascinating that we, as moderns, tend to have this closer association between the sharpness of the mind and swords, and the Fire of the Will, and thus the wand. I suspect that earlier thinking would have more easily associated the mental rectitude and control of the mind by the Magician as more easily connecting the Wand to Air, and also consequently, the Will activity required in the wielding of the sword, as well as the forge required for its making, as clear indicators for its association with Fire (after all, even the salamanders would have been present at its creation, as the sylphs would have been for the wand's!).
As for Justice, if elemental attributions really want to be made, the Air aspect could very well be indicated by the scales - which, once considered, need to be followed through with the fiery action of the sword! - these words of mine are, of course, only meant as further reflections for consideration. Personally, I do not consider that words can ever capture the essence of either the elements or the cards, but only indicate certain directions for further deepened imaginative, inspirational and intuitive work.