The 72 Sacred Breaths of the Kabbalah

The Kabbalah teaches that from the Great Name of God—the Shemhamphorash—emanate 72 sacred breaths, whose radiance animates and organizes the life of all beings.

Just as the sun sends its rays and winds upon the Earth, the Spiritual Sun of the Great Name sends its subtle emanations toward us. Many Kabbalistic texts refer to these emanations as “angels” or “geniuses,” but we prefer to call them active radiances, or cosmic breaths, as they are true divine emanations, vibrating with a living intelligence.

According to the teachings of Virya, the number 72 carries the vibration of cosmic solidarity, of totality and universal harmony. Kabbalah teaches that Jacob’s ladder, the bridge between Earth and Heaven, had 72 rungs. A normal breath cycle is composed of 72 inspirations per minute, and the human heart beats, in balance, 72 times per minute—echoing the rhythm of cosmic harmony.

From this, the sages divided the 360° of the celestial sphere into 72 segments of 5°. Each of these breaths or angelic radiances governs one of these 5° segments of the zodiac. The number 5 is also symbolic—it is the number of humankind, the harmony of natural forces made manifest in the human being.

In a larger cycle, 360 × 72 = 25,920 years, which is the duration of the precession of the equinoxes—a sacred cosmic cycle. The intimate relationship between the number 5 (humanity) and 25,920 (the zodiacal year) governs both the microcosm and the macrocosm. Thus, every soul is marked, guided, and nourished by these sacred breaths, which the popular tradition has come to know as our Guardian Angels.

The 72 Guardian Angels – or Cosmic Breaths – are grouped by Element:

• 18 preside over the element of Fire: They assist us with action, initiative, regeneration, transformation, illumination, and new beginnings.
• 18 preside over the element of Water: They guide us through love, emotional healing, compassion, and heart-based wisdom.
• 18 preside over the element of Air: They support mental clarity, communication, logic, understanding, and the sharing of ideas.
• 18 preside over the element of Earth: They help us with material well-being, grounding, prosperity, and security.

We may be many to share the same angelic breath, for each Guardian Angel can infinitely duplicate itself while maintaining a unified divine Will. As the angel Hahahel revealed:

“We are multiple, yet of one Will.”

Each Cosmic Breath carries a sacred name transmitted through tradition, along with specific virtues and divine functions. These 72 names appear encoded in the Book of Exodus, and have been deciphered and listed below with their corresponding dates and guiding purpose.

The 72 Cosmic Breaths of the Year

(From January to December)

Dates

Guardian Angel

Divine Guidance

Jan 1–5

Nemamiah

Helps us find prosperity through work.

Jan 6–10

Yeyalel

Supports us in times of illness.

Jan 11–15

Harael

Offers wisdom to manage our affairs.

Jan 16–20

Mitzrael

Inspires devotion and service.

Jan 21–25

Umabel

Comforts us in sorrow and grief.

Jan 26–30

Iah-hel

Brings harmony to couples.

Jan 31–Feb 4

Anauel

Strengthens health and courage.

Feb 5–9

Mehiel

Inspires creativity and writing.

Feb 10–14

Damabiah

Protects all noble endeavors.

Feb 15–19

Manakel

Liberates us from negative emotions.

Feb 20–24

Eiael

Brings wisdom, understanding, and comfort.

Feb 25–29

Habuhiah

Supports healing and fertility.

Mar 1–5

Rochel

Restores balance and confidence, develops clairvoyance.

Mar 6–10

Jabamiah

Assists us in overcoming difficult tasks.

Mar 11–15

Haiaiel

Gives us courage to reach our goals.

Mar 16–20

Mumiah

Reveals sacred secrets.

Mar 21–25

Vehuiah

Ignites willpower and inspires action.

Mar 26–30

Yeliel

Spreads love, wisdom, tolerance, and peace.

Mar 31–Apr 4

Sitael

Helps us face responsibilities.

Apr 5–9

Elemiah

Brings professional success, mastery over destiny.

Apr 10–14

Mahasiah

Guides us toward peaceful and harmonious living.

Apr 15–20

Lelahel

Restores health and offers healing through the hands.

Apr 21–25

Achaiah

Supports those who have lost faith during trials.

Apr 26–30

Cahetel

Helps us accept and transcend life’s challenges.

May 1–5

Haziel

Encourages harmony among strangers.

May 6–10

Aladiah

Opens minds and reveals truth.

May 11–15

Lauvuel

Nourishes spiritual life and shields from envy and lies.

May 16–20

Hahaiah

Protects us from adversity.

May 21–25

Yezalel

Brings loyalty, respect, and reconciles relationships.

May 26–31

Mebahel

Deepens understanding.

Jun 1–5

Hariel

Guides toward success at work.

Jun 6–10

Hekamiah

Invites loyal friendship.

Jun 11–15

Lauviah

Brings illuminating dreams.

Jun 16–21

Caliel

Helps truth to prevail.

Jun 22–26

Leuviah

Leads us to inner peace.

Jun 27–Jul 1

Pahaliah

Helps us accept and understand destiny.

Jul 2–6

Nelchael

Aids in triumphing over evil.

Jul 7–11

Yeiayel

Brings well-earned recognition.

Jul 12–16

Melahel

Supports healing.

Jul 17–22

Haheuiah

Offers universal protection.

Jul 23–27

Nith-haiah

Brings insight into the inexplicable.

Jul 28–Aug 1

Haaiah

Guides us to truth.

Aug 2–6

Yerathel

Inspires service to others, beginning with self.

Aug 7–12

Seheiah

Encourages long and peaceful life.

Aug 13–17

Reiyel

Awakens inspiration and liberation.

Aug 18–22

Omael

Teaches us patience.

Aug 23–28

Lecabel

Brings glory and abundance.

Aug 29–Sep 2

Vasariah

Channels divine assistance.

Sep 3–7

Yehuyah

Protects from all evil.

Sep 8–12

Lehahiah

Guides us to calm and inner peace.

Sep 13–17

Khavakhiah

Heals and reconciles families.

Sep 18–23

Menadel

Frees us from harmful habits.

Sep 24–28

Aniel

Helps overcome life’s trials.

Sep 29–Oct 3

Haamiah

Protects truth-sharers.

Oct 4–8

Rehael

Supports group harmony.

Oct 9–13

Yeiazel

Comforts us in sorrow.

Oct 14–18

Hahahel

Leads us to our true vocation.

Oct 19–23

Mikhael

Grants discernment.

Oct 24–28

Veuliah

Brings success in ventures.

Oct 29–Nov 2

Yelahiah

Helps us through difficult times.

Nov 3–7

Sealiah

Guides us to quiet, dignified success.

Nov 8–12

Ariel

Fulfills dreams and aspirations.

Nov 13–17

Asaliah

Reveals the truth.

Nov 18–22

Mihael

Embodies love.

Nov 23–27

Vehuel

Brings divine renown.

Nov 28–Dec 2

Daniel

Bestows grace and beauty.

Dec 3–7

Hahasiah

Awakens personal wisdom.

Dec 8–12

Imamiah

Reveals who our adversaries truly are.

Dec 13–16

Nanael

Supports studies and learning.

Dec 17–21

Nithael

Helps deliver messages between planes.

Dec 22–26

Mebahiah

Inspires spiritual insight.

Dec 27–31

Brings power , abundance, and knowledge.