descriptions accompanying the names leave little doubt that they were representative of the twelve astrological
types.
In the order of their birth the twelve sons were named Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad,
Asher, Issacher, Zebulon, Joseph and Benjamin. There is disagreement among authorities as to which Sign
represents each one, but none as to the fact that they were astrological. In fact Dan is definitely established as
representing Scorpio in Jacob's last blessing, when he said: "Dan is a snake, a serpent in the path, that biteth at
the horse's heels so that the rider falleth backward," referring to Scorpio at the heels of the Centaur or
Sagittarius.
It is generally considered that the modern prototype of the tribe of judah is the British nation; of Dan, Italy; of
Naphtali, the United States; and of Reuben, the Jews.
The twelve layers of the foundation walls of the New Jerusalem (Rev. xxi: 19-20) were builded of:
- Jasper, an opalescent or greenish stone.
- Sapphire, a blue, transparent gem.
- Chalcedony, pale gray, translucent quartz.
- Emerald, green, transparent beryl.
- Sardonyx, onyx with layers of sard, a brownish, red chalcedony.
- Sardius, probably a ruby.
- Chrysolite, blue-green magnesium iron silicate.
- Beryl, probably bluish-green or aquamarine.
- Topaz, a yellow sapphire.
- Chrysoprase, a light green chalcedony.
- Jacinth, a stone the color of hyacinth.
- Amethyst, purple or blue-violet quartz.
From another period we find the Twelve Labors of Hercules, as emblematic of the tasks which Destiny metes
out to each of the twelve basic types, whereby to attain to an heroic stature. Hercules, or Heracles, is a
mythological hero celebrated for his strength in the performance of super-human tasks, imposed by Eurysthcus
because of the hatred of Hera (Juno) for Alcmena, the mother of Hercules by Zeus (Jupiter). After the death of
Hercules he was deified as the husband of Hebe.
The Twelve tasks are not listed in the same order by all his- torians, and there are differences of opinion as to
the signs to which they pertain, but presumably the hero took the worst traits of each sign and transmuted them
into the nobility of which each sign is capable. The "labors" are: