The Hebrew system was also duodecimal, for we find that they had twelve months in the year answering to the twelve Gates of the Sun, such as those of Gaza (Capricorn) and Hebron (Cancer), which are mentioned in connection with the feats of Samson, the original of the Greek Hercules and obviously a Sun-god. The twelve tribes were formed upon the basis of the zodiacal circle, and are so referred to in Jacob’s last prophetic blessing, where the sons of the Patriarch are distinctly associated with the astrological portents of the twelve Signs. Reuben—Taurus, the first sign of the Hebrew zodiac, connected with the constellation Orion and the letter Aleph (Bull). This tribe has often been associated with Aquarius, despite the fact that astrologically speaking it is not a watery sign, but belongs to the airy trigon. “Unstable as water,” is a figure of speech that has no reference to the astrological functions of the sign Aquarius. Simeon and Levi—Gemini and Cancer. The Levitical sign Cancer. Judah—Leo, “the old lion,” couchant. The regal sign Leo. Zebulon—Virgo associated with Argos, the ship. Issachar—Libra, “servant of tribute.” Dan—Scorpio, associated with Serpentarius, “an adder in the path.” Gad—Sagittarius, the trooper. The sign of Jupiter or “Gad.” Asher—Capricornus. Napthali—Aquarius, associated with the Tree, “who yieldeth goodly branches.” Here the “hind let loose” should be “the spreading oak.” Joseph—Pisces, “the fruitful vine by the well.” Benjamin—Aries, “the wolf,” connected with Anubis of the Egyptian symbology. Thus the Hebraic system is found to be duodecimal also, and we follow suit in keeping our standards on this basis, counting twelve inches to the foot, and twelve pence to the shilling. Indeed, there can be little doubt that the ancients modelled their conceptions and established their standards “after the pattern of things in the heavens.” By common consent they instituted the Four Quarters arising out of the apparent motion of the Sun, in its daily rising, culminating, setting and decumbiture, and its apparent transit of the equinoxes and solstices. By common consent also they had regard to the twelve signs of the zodiac, and their corresponding months, the lunar asterisms or stations arising out of the mean diurnal motion of the moon, and other points and divisions of time, such as the syzyges and quadratures of the moon. All these became standards from which all calculations were made, and hence all kabalism, as derived from these cosmic phenomena, has a basis in fact which can only be appreciated when the cosmical factors employed are fully understood and appreciated. Hence I say that the time factor, in Kabalism is of the utmost importance. CHAPTER XII INVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION