Our year of twelve months has much spiritual symbology. For this article, though, we are primarily concerned with the symbology of having twelve months associated with twelve astrological signs. I think this is a very timely subject since there has been news recently indicating that due to changes in the Earth's position, we should now have 13 signs. I don't think the physical existence of 13 constellations along that plane really matters. The ancient wise men knew the importance of symbols and chose to divide the year into twelve parts for it's symbolism, not for it's physical reality. 
    The twelve months represent the cycles of manifestation within the complete universe and the twelve steps of growth to reach enlightenment. The twelve stages are divided into six of devolution or involution and six of evolution:six stages of the fall and six stages of the rise to enlightenment. On the devolution side, Aries to Taurus represents the time in Eden before the fall. The fall itself is represented in Gemini and Cancer. The Astral Plane, Hades and the descent into matter is represented by Leo and Virgo.
    The six stages of evolution are essentially the same, but going up rather than down. Scorpio and Libra represent the ascent from matter to the astral plane. Capricorn and Sagittarius represent the climb to the mental or psychic plane of existence and the final step of growth to the spiritual worlds is represented in Pisces and Aquarius. Of course, this pattern of falling and rising doesn't just represent humans, individually or collectively, but also the entire physical universe which must return to it's original state as spirit.