The Tree of Life
and the
12 Zodiac Signs
עץ חיים and מזלות
In the Kabbalistic tradition, the Tree of Life is deeply associated with the 12 zodiac signs, the 7 classical planets and the 3 elements, Air Water and Fire, represented by the 3 Mother Letters, א מ ש.
The 12 zodiac frequencies are primarily mapped onto the 22 Paths that connect the ten Sephirot.
ARIES
Taleh טלה
Aries, March 21 to April 20, represents the first sign of the zodiac. It is also the first month of the Hebrew calendar, Nisan ניסן.
Nisan commemorate the Exodus from Egypt, Passover.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, Aries resides in the 15th path of the Tree of Life, which connects the Sephirot of Chokmah חכמה and Tiferet תפארת.
The glyph of Aries symbolizes a rams horn, implying strength and determination.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, Aries is linked with Chokmah, the energy of pure fire, ש, the beginning of creation and the children of Israel. During Aries we are provided with the cosmic strength to break free of all limitations and bondage of any kind.
Aries is primarily associated with the Tribe of Judah, a Tribe of Redemption and leadership.
TAURUS
Shor שור
Taurus, April 20 to May 20, represents the second sign of the zodiac. It is also the second month of the Hebrew calendar, Iyar אייר.
Taurus symbolizes a bull, implying stability between the powers of the left ‘discipline’ column and the right ‘loving kindness’ columns of the Tree of Life.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, Taurus connects the Sephira of Chesed חסד – Kindness, to Tiferet תפארת – Beauty and Harmony, in the Tree of Life.
The glyph of Taurus represent the horns of a bull.
Iyar is an acronym for Ani Hashem Rofecha אנכי יהוה רפאך.
“I am God your Healer”, making Iyar a potent time for emotional, physical, and spiritual healing.
Iyar represents a balance between the spiritual and physical realms.
During Iyar we possess the power to turn dreams into reality.
The zodiac sign of Taurus is associated with the Tribe of Issachar.
The Tribe of Issachar represents wisdom, and people who are studious and understand time.
GEMINI
Ta’umim תאומים
Gemini, May 21 to June 21, represents the third sign of the zodiac. It is also the third month of the Hebrew calendar, Sivan סיון.
Gemini represents twins, and symbolizes duality, adaptability, and intellectual curiosity.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, Gemini symbolizes the left and the right columns of the tree of Life, male and female, as well as Divinity above and physicality below.
Sivan is a time for spiritual rectification, divine connection, and the “marriage” between God and Israel through the Torah.
Shavuot occurs on Sivan, when Jewish people celebrate receiving the Torah, which unifies the opposing forces of the left female column of the Tree of Life, the desire to have all, and the right male column, the desire to give all.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, the zodiac sign Gemini is linked to the Tribe of Zebulun.
The Tribe of Zebulun was made up of merchants who supported the tribe of Issachar, known for Torah study.
CANCER
Sartan סרטן
Cancer, June 21 to July 22 represents the fourth sign of the zodiac. It is also the fourth month the Hebrew calendar, Tammuz תמוז.
The zodiac sign Cancer resides in the path connecting Binah בינה, Understanding and Gevurah גבורה, Strength.
In the Kabbalistic tradition the glyph for cancer, represents emotional depth, spiritual protection, and the ability to transform challenging energy into light.
In the Kabbalistic tradition the zodiac Cancer is a time when we can shift ourselves from being self-centered to becoming aware of the needs of others.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, the zodiac sign of Cancer, is associated with the Tribe of Reuben.
The Tribe of Reuben is linked to the sense of “insight”.
LEO
Aryeh אריה
Leo July 23 to August 23, represents the fifth sign of the zodiac. It is also the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar Av אב.
In the Tree of Life, Leo represents a doorway between our logical minds, Binah בינה in the left brain, and Chesed חסד, loving kindness, over the right shoulder.
In the Kabbalistic tradition the glyph of Leo represents the head and body of a lion.
Although in the Kabbalistic tradition, Leo resides in Binah and Chokmah, it is paradoxically the only sign directly ruled by the Sun. Leo is a dramatic and intense burning energy that can either destroy or purify.
Leo represents powerful leaders who act in service to others rather than as dictators.
The sign of Leo is associated with the Tribe of Judah, symbolized by a lion, as in “The lion of Judah”.
Both temples were destroyed in the month of Av. Judah represents a powerful, resilient people who will always rise again.
VIRGO
Betulah בתולה
Virgo, August 24 to September 23, represents the sixth sign of the zodiac. It is also the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar, Elul, אלול.
Virgo resides in the path between our left logical minds, Binah בינה, and Tiferet תפארת, our hearts.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, Virgo opens a period of deep connection between the human soul and Divinity.
Virgo offers the energy to pay attention to detail and make positive changes in one’s life.
Virgo is associated with the Tribe of Gad.
The Tribe of Gad is a warrior Tribe, representing strength and readiness to fight and defend. They are
considered fierce warriors known for valor, strength, martial prowess, and their role in defending the Nation of
Israel. They are known as “mighty men of valor” and “trained for battle”.
LIBRA
Moznayim מאזניים
Libra, September 24 to October 23, represents the seventh sign of the zodiac. It is also the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, Tishrei.
Tishrei contains:
Rosh Hashanah ראש השנה, the Jewish head of the year.
Yom Kippur יום כיפור, the Day of Atonement.
Sukkot סוכות, the Feast of Tabernacles.
Simchat Torah שמחת תורה, the conclusion of the reading the Torah.
Libra resides in the 22nd path of the Tree of Life, connecting the Sephira of
Tiferet תפארת, beauty to Gevurah גבורה, discipline.
The glyph of Libra represents the Scales of Justice.
In the Kabbalistic tradition Libra represents balance, equilibrium, and the weighing of ones actions, both good and bad.
Libra is associated with the Hebrew tribe of Ephraim, representing judgment, balance, and new beginnings.
SCORPIO
Akrav מאזניים
Scorpio, October 24 to November 22, represents the eighth sign of the zodiac. It is also the eighth month of the Hebrew calendar, Cheshvan חשון.
In the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, Scorpio resides in the path connecting the Sephira of Tiferet תפארת beauty, to Netzach נצח victory.
The M in the glyph of Scorpio symbolizes a scorpion. The tail symbolizes a scorpion’s stinger.
Cheshvan is considered a bitter month. It is a time to transform bitterness into light.
Although Scorpio resides in the path between Tiferet and Netzach, it is ruled by Mars.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, Scorpios are warriors with the capacity to harness tremendous power and transform hidden fears into spiritual light.
The Tribe of Dan is associated with Akrav. The potent sting of the scorpion represents the power of the tribe.
SAGITTARIUS
Keshet קשת
Sagittarius, November 23 to December 21, represents the ninth sign of the zodiac. It is also the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, Kislev כסלו.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, the month of Kislev is symbolised by a bow, as in an archers arrow.
In the Kabbalistic tradition Kislev resides in Tiferet, which integrates the opposing forces of Chesed חסד kindness, and Gevurah גבורה, discipline.
Kislev represents the spiritual capacity to find hope in the deepest darkness.
Hanukkah falls in the month of Kislev, commemorating the Maccabean victory over the Syrian-Greek empire.
Many notable Judaic events occurred during Kislev:
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chassidism, falsely accused of treason in Czarist Russia, was released from prison in 1798.
The rain from the Great Flood in the time of Noah ceased on the 27th of Kislev.
The construction of the Tabernacle was completed on the 25th of Kislev.
The Tribe of Benjamin is associated with Sagittarius, represented by the “archer” or the “warrior”. The tribe of
Bejamin were known as skilled, fierce warriors.
CAPRICORN
Mazal Gedi מזל גדי
Capricorn, December 22 to January 20, represents the tenth sign of the zodiac. It is also the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar, Tevet טבת.
Tevet marks the start of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar 2nd in 425 BCE, which directly led to the destruction of the First Temple.
The 10th of Tevet is also observed as a day for remembering victims of the Holocaust.
Mazal Gedi resides in the Sephira of Gevurah גבורה, discipline, in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
The glyph for Capricorn represents a goat which has the ability to climb difficult terrain. This symbolises patience, perseverance, and determination.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, Tevet is a time for building inner resolve and endurance.
The Tribe of Israel associated with Mazal Gedi is the Tribe of Naphtali. The Tribe was known for swiftness in battle, military bravery and poetic eloquence.
AQUARIUS
Dli דלי
Aquarius, January 21 to February 19, represents the eleventh sign of the zodiac. It is also the eleventh month of the Hebrew calendar, Shevat שבט.
Aquarius means bucket in Hebrew. It symbolizes the need to act as a vessel, serving others rather than one’s ego.
Aquarius connects the Sephirot of Netzach, the power to endure, with Yesod, the emotional foundation.
The month of Shevat represents the tribe of Asher, known for producing rich olive oil and wealth.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, the symbol of Aquarius represents the water poured into a bucket.
The Tribe of Israel associated with Aquarius is the Tribe of Asher.
The Tribe of Asher is associated with abundance, fertility and wisdom.
PISCES
Dagim דגים
Pisces, February 19 – March 20 is the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac. It is also the twelfth month of the Hebrew calendar, Adar אדר.
Pisces is a time of hidden miracles, profound joy, and the ultimate spiritual potential to reverse negative decrees.
The glyph of Pisces represents two fish swimming in opposite directions, bound together by a cord, symbolizing duality, the connection between reality and fantasy.
Pisces is the last month of the Kabbalistic calendar, representing the culmination and “collection” of all previous zodiac energies, allowing individuals to complete their soul’s work.
Pisces is the month of Purim, which celebrates the saving of the Jewish people in Persia.
Pisces is associated with emotional and intuitive energy. It gives us the power to overcome negativity.
Pisces represents the tribe of Gad.
The Tribe of Gad were imbued with the power to overcome all negative force.
In the Kabbalistic Tree of life Pisces resides in the 29th path, which connects the Sephira of Yesod Foundation to the Sephira of Malkut, the Kingdom of earth.
