Have you ever wondered why we have a seven-day week? The answer lies in ancient astrology. The seven days are named after the seven classical celestial bodies that are visible to the naked eye: the Sun, the Moon, and the five planets Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. This ancient system, which has its roots in Babylonian and Vedic traditions, forms the basis of our modern calendar. The connection between gemstones and the days of the week is a direct extension of this cosmic correspondence. Each day is said to carry the specific vibration of its ruling planet. By wearing the gemstone of that planet on its designated day, or by performing important actions related to that gem on its day, you can align yourself more deeply with the prevailing cosmic energy, enhancing the power of your astrological remedies and bringing a greater sense of harmony and purpose to your weekly rhythm.
The Planetary Rulers of the Week
The link between the days and the planets is preserved in the names themselves, especially in Latin-based languages and in the Vedic system (Sanskrit). Understanding this rulership is the key to aligning your gemstone practices with the rhythm of the week.
- Sunday (Ravi-vaar): Ruled by the Sun (Surya/Ravi).
- Monday (Som-vaar): Ruled by the Moon (Chandra/Soma).
- Tuesday (Mangal-vaar): Ruled by Mars (Mangal).
- Wednesday (Budh-vaar): Ruled by Mercury (Budha).
- Thursday (Guru-vaar): Ruled by Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati).
- Friday (Shukra-vaar): Ruled by Venus (Shukra).
- Saturday (Shani-vaar): Ruled by Saturn (Shani).
The shadow planets, Rahu and Ketu, do not rule a day but are often associated with Saturday and Tuesday, respectively, due to their energetic similarities with Saturn and Mars.
Aligning Your Gemstones with the Days of the Week
This ancient connection has several practical and powerful applications in the practice of gemstone therapy.
1. Wearing a Gemstone for the First Time
This is the most important application. To properly activate a new astrological gemstone, it must be worn for the first time on the day ruled by its planet. This ensures that the gem is inaugurated when its corresponding planetary energy is at its peak. For instance, a Yellow Sapphire must be worn for the first time on a Thursday morning. This is a fundamental step in the correct procedure for wearing a gemstone.
2. A Gemstone for Each Day (The Navratna Approach)
In a more elaborate but traditional practice, some individuals who own all nine of the Navratna gemstones wear a specific gem each day to honor its ruling planet and attract its specific blessings for that day. This is a way to consciously align with the cosmic flow of the week. For example:
- On Sunday, one might wear a Ruby to feel more confident and authoritative.
- On Monday, a Pearl for emotional peace and tranquility.
- On Friday, a Diamond to enjoy social events and creative pursuits.
3. Cleansing and Energizing Your Gemstones
The weekly cycle also provides the perfect schedule for gemstone care. It is highly auspicious to cleanse and re-energize your gemstone on its specific day. For example, you can do a weekly ritual every Thursday morning where you cleanse your Yellow Sapphire and re-energize it by chanting Jupiter’s mantra. This keeps the gem’s energy pure and potent.
The table below provides a complete guide to the gemstones, planets, and days of the week.
| Day of the Week | Sanskrit Name | Ruling Planet | Corresponding Gemstone | Energy/Focus for the Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Ravivaar | Sun | Ruby (Manik) | Leadership, Vitality, Self-Expression, Authority |
| Monday | Somvaar | Moon | Pearl (Moti) | Emotions, Nurturing, Intuition, Public Relations |
| Tuesday | Mangalvaar | Mars | Red Coral (Moonga) | Energy, Action, Courage, Competition, Exercise |
| Wednesday | Budhvaar | Mercury | Emerald (Panna) | Communication, Business, Learning, Finances |
| Thursday | Guruvaar | Jupiter | Yellow Sapphire (Pukhraj) | Wisdom, Expansion, Teaching, Spirituality, Finance |
| Friday | Shukravaar | Venus | Diamond (Heera) | Love, Beauty, Arts, Socializing, Luxury |
| Saturday | Shanivaar | Saturn | Blue Sapphire (Neelam) | Discipline, Responsibility, Hard Work, Organization |
FAQs on Gemstones and the Days of the Week
1. Do I have to wear a different gemstone every day for them to work?
No, not at all. The primary practice of Vedic gem therapy is to wear your prescribed gemstone(s) continuously, every day. The practice of wearing a different gem each day is a secondary, more devotional practice for those who wish to honor each planetary energy in turn. Your main astrological gem works 24/7, regardless of the day.
2. What if my prescribed gemstone is for a shadow planet like Rahu or Ketu?
Rahu (Hessonite) and Ketu (Cat’s Eye) do not have their own days. Due to their energetic similarities, Rahu is associated with Saturn, so a Hessonite is typically worn for the first time on a Saturday. Ketu is associated with Mars, so a Cat’s Eye is often first worn on a Tuesday.
3. I missed the correct day to wear my gem for the first time. What should I do?
It is best to wait for the next cycle. If you were supposed to wear your Emerald on a Wednesday but missed it, wait until the next Wednesday morning (during the waxing moon, if possible) to perform the ceremony and wear it. Starting the remedy on the correct energetic tide is important for its success.
4. Can I use this knowledge even if I don’t wear gemstones?
Yes. You can align your activities with the energy of the day. For example, schedule important business meetings or communications on Wednesday (Mercury’s day). Plan social events or romantic dates for Friday (Venus’s day). Start a new exercise routine on Tuesday (Mars’s day). This is a simple yet effective way to work with the natural cosmic rhythms.
5. Is there a specific time of day that is best?
For wearing a gem for the first time, the most auspicious time is the ‘Hora’ of that planet on its own day, usually within the first hour of sunrise. The Hora is a one-hour period ruled by a specific planet. On a Thursday, the first hour after sunrise is Jupiter’s Hora, making it the perfect moment to activate and wear a Yellow Sapphire.
6. Does this connection apply to secondary gemstones (Uparatnas) as well?
Yes, absolutely. The rules apply to any gemstone being used to channel a planet’s energy. If you are wearing a Peridot as a substitute for an Emerald, you should still wear it for the first time on a Wednesday morning and use Wednesday for its weekly cleansing and energizing ritual.