" Okay, I've verified that there are indeed twelve towers.'

'A numeral that harkens to a surfeit of associations: months of the year, the apostles of Christ, fruits of the Cosmic Tree. The list is endless.'

'And let's not forget, the signs of the zodiac.' When he nodded, Edie continued and said, 'Okay, so we've established that twelve is a number chock-full of significance. But it's a mystery to me how these twelve towers relate to the known constellations. I thought the word "zodiac" meant "circle of animals"?'

Again, Cadmon nodded. 'The word is taken from the Greek zodiakos, from which is derived the abbreviated "zoo". '

'As you just mentioned, the signs of the zodiac are based on twelve constellations or star groups, each designated by a different animal; an ancient mnemonic device originated by the Babylonian astrologers.'

'While the circular zodiac is the more familiar design, during the Middle Ages a square zodiac containing the twelve houses was occasionally used. The triangular shape is symbolic of the fact that each house of the zodiac governs mind, body and spirit and does so throughout the course of one's life from birth through adulthood until death. "

― , The Templar's Secret (Caedmon Aisquith, #4)