Astral soul:
I can see that kind of skill coming for 8.0 or 9.0.
A skill to manual fill it, similary to Umbral soul or the other shard. But, that will very likely not coming for 7.x. Whe had that filler allways in later expansion (with Umbral Ice very late).
The keeping, even in the ice phase would be nice quality of life. But i think that the devs are thinking, that it would take out the "fun" from it (arent the people complaining, that the classes should be more complex and so one? This is what i would understand to that phrase.).

Paradox
Like i stated in other threads, is it probably removed, because it has as good as no purpose. The ice phase is very short now. There isnt much of reason to stay longer there, as maybe 1 thunder spell (to not distribut the time in fire phase). The dmg paradox would do, is probably very good covered with the fire spells (esspecialy Flare star).
The only truly use it had would be in running phase.
To keep it would be nice quality of life. But in terms of usefullness had it a very low priority now (at last, under the standard flow).

Mana regeneration
I simply can not understand this hate boner again ice spells.
Yeah, it would be nice to has the same option with other spells to. But, at last has now ice spells a additional use and fit the theme of Fire and ice more (fire burns the mp, ice recovers it).
You only need 2 ice spells, who even Support fire phase (B3 to go into ice phase and b4 for the shards and Max mp). That can not be to much. Its a nice and acceptable mechanic and idea. There isnt much of a reason, to complain about it.
It Support the way, the Blm should be used.

Sharpcast
Aside of a early Thunderspell do i not see any reason, why the thunder and fire should changed back.
The power looks to be the same or higher by thunder and it prefent missplays. In addition has 1 Button vanished. There is no drawbacks to the change. Because the skill is now permanent included in the spells, who used it (at last i used it only for thunder, rarely for fire).