Gemstones and the Body

Colors in Kabbalah and the Hoshen Gems

Kabbalah marks the beauty in this world and admonishes us not to spoil it.  The world of natural colors has multiple tints with an almost infinite range of hues, from light to dark. For example, dirt brown, light brown, red-brown, grey-brown, all the way through black.

The Gaon of Vilna stated that a person is a minor world within the world at large; a ladder with legs on the ground but with a head that can reach the heavens.

Kabbalah explains:

Human eyes correspond to the sun and moon.

Hair corresponds with grass and vegetation. The body, which consists of 2/3 liquids and 1/3 bones and muscle, corresponds with the universe which consists of 2/3 water and oceans and 1/3 dry land.

The kabalistic works state that the colors correspond to creation. Feet are dark like the ground, including all dark colors from black through dark brown and grey. The heavens kabalistically corresponds to the soul which is transparent and shines like the heavens. A person’s choice of color stems from the root of his soul.

There were twelve gemstones on the Hoshen breastplate corresponding to the twelve tribes, twelve astrological signs of the zodiac, twelve months and twelve colors. Each color of the Hoshen gems corresponds to a specific tribe, and matches that tribe’s characteristics. A person who is drawn to light-blue like the sky and sea needs to mitigate the stress and tension in his life and longs for serenity.

Humans are comprised of various minerals like iron, zinc, calcium, fluorine etc.

There is an oft-told story about a young child who peeled a chunk of whitewash from a wall and started to suck it. This child was missing calcium and instinctively found a source to fill his deficiency. Young children have better developed intuition than adults. A person is drawn to the color that he lacks and the mineral that he requires, whether physically or emotionally. The body is subconsciously drawn to what it lacks and to the elements that can fulfill its deficiency.

For instance, the turritella agate can help one find employment. A woman came to choose a gemstone and was drawn to the turritella agate. After looking at other gemstones, she instinctively returned to her original choice. After making her decision, she was surprised to learn about the stone’s talisman properties.  She was now at a financial and employment crossroad, and was caught up in these issues.

Once, two friends came into our store to choose jewelry. Each friend focused on a specific stone; one appreciated the citrine which is goldish-yellow, and the second liked the sodalite. Each one was convinced that her stone was the prettier of the two. The woman who chose the citrine then learned that it assists in financial matters. She noted the appropriateness of her choice, as she just bought an apartment and was financially stressed with the new mortgage.  Her friend was on a path to strengthened religious observance and spirituality, which corresponded to her gemstone of choice which was a light-blue color. This gemstone is reminiscent of the Decalogue, which were hewn from sky-colored sapphire.

The gemara relates that during the era that husbands traveled for months on end to fairs etc. for livelihood, they gave their wives zircons. Upon a husband’s return, he examined the stone. If it was transparent and shining, he knew that his wife had waited for him faithfully and anticipated his arrival. However, if the stone was cloudy, the husband understood that his wife’s heart was somewhere else.

During the era of the kings, such as Kings David and Solomon, precious gems were set into the royal crowns. These gems portended victory in battle; warded off the evil eye; and protected their wearer. Stones symbolizing success and good fortune were additionally included.

The twelve Hoshen gems are deeply embedded in the traditions of the Jewish Nation, along with their individual charms that were passed down from generation to generation. They provide protection, portend good fortune, and ward off the evil eye. They strengthen the body and portend good health. In the emotional realm, they bolster happiness and success.

The powers of these stones are not conflicting, and all twelve Hoshen gems can be worn together.