The significance of 12 is that it is 3 X 4. Three 4s is 12. Four 3s is 12. Three is the number of spirit. Four is the number of matter. Twelve is thus the number of the living world -- of spirit in matter. Seven is also the number of the living planet, but in a different manner. Seven is achieved from 3 and 4 by addition, twelve by multiplication. What is the difference, symbolically, between addition and multiplication? Addition is passive -- it beings things together side by side. Multiplication is active -- it mixes things together. It is the difference between an unlit candle with an unburned match beside it, and a burning candle with a burnt match beside it.