Key Takeaways
- The aura is the electromagnetic energy field surrounding all living beings, consisting of multiple layers (etheric, emotional, mental, astral, and spiritual bodies).
- Four key techniques for seeing auras: soft focus (looking slightly past the person), peripheral vision, hand practice against a white background, and low-light practice.
- Each aura color corresponds to specific qualities — red indicates passion and vitality, blue suggests calm and communication, violet points to spiritual awareness.
- With consistent practice, most people can develop some degree of aura perception — it is a natural human capacity that can be trained.
- Rudolf Steiner described developing supersensible perception as essential for seeing auras, emphasizing that it requires cultivating spiritual organs of perception.
Quick Answer
The aura is the electromagnetic energy field surrounding all living beings. Learning to see and read auras reveals information about physical health, emotional state, and spiritual development. With practice, anyone can develop this perception.
Understanding the Aura
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Thalira does not claim that any substance or practice discussed can diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your doctor before starting any new supplement or health regimen.
The aura consists of multiple layers corresponding to physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual bodies. Each layer vibrates at different frequencies and may appear as different colors to those who see them.
The Layers of the Aura
Etheric Body
Closest to the physical body, bluish-gray. Reflects physical vitality and health.
Emotional Body
Contains all colors, shifting with emotions. Reveals current feeling states.
Mental Body
Yellow or golden. Shows thought patterns and mental activity.
Astral Body
Contains all colors of the rainbow. The bridge between physical and spiritual realms.
Spiritual Layers
Higher layers reflect soul purpose, past lives, and connection to the divine.
Learning to See Auras
Soft Focus
Look slightly past the person rather than directly at them. Allow your vision to soften and become receptive.
Peripheral Vision
Auras are often first seen in peripheral vision. Notice what you see at the edges of your focus.
Practice with Your Hand
Hold your hand against a white background. Soften your gaze. Notice any haze or color around your fingers.
Low Light
Practice in dim lighting or candlelight. This reduces visual noise and makes subtle energies more visible.
Wisdom Integration
Rudolf Steiner described developing supersensible perception as a natural extension of spiritual practice. He cautioned against forcing clairvoyance and emphasized that genuine perception comes through moral development and meditation. The aura reveals not just colors but the souls history and purpose.
The Science of Human Light Emission (2025 Research)
While traditional aura reading remains a spiritual practice, modern science has confirmed that all living organisms emit measurable light. This phenomenon, known as ultraweak photon emission (UPE) or biophoton emission, is now a well-documented biophysical reality.
University of Calgary Biophoton Study (2025)
A landmark 2025 study by Salari et al., published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, used EMCCD and CCD cameras to demonstrate that living mice emit robust measurable light. After death, this light nearly extinguished—despite body temperature remaining at 37°C. Remarkably, some organs (brain, eyes, liver) continued emitting photons for up to one hour post-mortem, suggesting different organs "shut down" their light emission at different rates.
Biophotonic Signaling in Body and Brain (2025)
A 2025 paper in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience explored how biophotonic signaling functions throughout the human body and brain. The research identified muscles as major producers of electromagnetic energy and biophoton signaling due to their high mitochondrial content. This suggests the body generates and utilizes light-based communication at a cellular level.
Biofield Tensegrity Framework (2025)
Published in the International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine (2025), this paper proposed that biophoton production is directly related to oxidative metabolism in mitochondria. Increased biophoton emissions in states of oxidative stress indicate metabolic imbalances—suggesting that biophotonic emissions could serve as diagnostic tools to identify health imbalances and assess cellular wellbeing.
The Heart's Electromagnetic Field
A 2025 paper in the Research Journal of Innovative Studies in Medical and Health Sciences described the heart as the central generator within a toroidal electromagnetic energy model. The heart produces the strongest electromagnetic field in the body—measurable up to several feet away with sensitive magnetometers (SQUID devices). Geomagnetic frequency variations have been associated with measurable changes in cardiac, neural, and endocrine function.
Practical Implications
These findings suggest that what traditional practitioners describe as the "aura" may correspond to real, measurable biophotonic emissions. The spectral range of UPE (200–1,000 nm) extends from ultraviolet through visible light to near-infrared. While most of this emission is below the threshold of normal human vision, it raises the question of whether trained perception might detect these extremely faint signals under the right conditions.
Interpreting Aura Colors
- Red: Vitality, passion, grounding, sometimes anger
- Orange: Creativity, enthusiasm, social energy
- Yellow: Intellect, optimism, personal power
- Green: Healing, growth, heart-centered love
- Blue: Communication, intuition, peace
- Indigo: Deep intuition, spiritual awareness
- Violet: Spiritual connection, transformation
- White: High spiritual development, protection
Practice: Daily Integration
Spend 5 minutes daily practicing soft-focus vision. Start with plants or your own hand. Notice any haziness, color, or movement. Do not strain - let perception develop naturally. Record observations in a journal.
Continue Your Journey
Explore related wisdom teachings:
How to See and Read Auras: Complete Guide
Every living being emanates an energy field - a luminous body of light surrounding the physical form. Learning to see and interpret auras opens a window into the emotional, mental, and spiritual states of yourself and others.
What Is an Aura?
The aura is a multi-layered energy field extending outward from the physical body. It consists of:
- The etheric body: Closest to the physical form, extending 1-2 inches
- The emotional body: Reflects feelings and mood
- The mental body: Contains thoughts and beliefs
- The spiritual bodies: Outer layers connecting to higher consciousness
Colors, brightness, and patterns within the aura reveal information about a person's health, emotions, personality, and spiritual development.
How to See Auras
Method 1: Peripheral Vision Technique
- Find a plain background - a white or neutral wall works best
- Have someone stand 18 inches from the wall (or use your own reflection)
- Soften your gaze and look at a spot on their forehead or nose
- Expand your awareness to your peripheral vision without moving your eyes
- Notice the space between the body and the wall
- A subtle glow will appear - this is the etheric layer
- Continue gazing softly - colors may emerge beyond the initial glow
Method 2: The Hand Exercise
- Rub your hands together vigorously for 30 seconds
- Hold them 6 inches apart against a plain background
- Slowly separate them while gazing softly at the space between
- Notice the energy - you may see wisps, colors, or a glowing field
- Bring hands together and apart repeatedly, observing the energy's behavior
Method 3: Mirror Gazing
- Sit in front of a mirror in soft, natural lighting
- Position a plain background behind you
- Focus on the bridge of your nose in the reflection
- Let your eyes relax into a soft, unfocused gaze
- Observe the space around your head and shoulders
- Colors will emerge as you maintain the soft focus
Tips for Success
- Soft lighting: Avoid harsh artificial light or direct sunlight
- Relaxed eyes: Straining defeats the purpose - let vision soften
- Practice regularly: The ability strengthens with consistent practice
- Trust first impressions: Don't second-guess what you see
- Be patient: Most people see the etheric layer first; colors come later
Complete Aura Color Meanings
Red Aura
- Chakra: Root (survival, grounding)
- Positive traits: Energetic, passionate, strong-willed, action-oriented
- Challenges: Anger, aggression, impulsivity
- Physical: Connected to the adrenals and physical vitality
- Bright red: Healthy passion and energy
- Dark/muddy red: Anger, frustration, or physical exhaustion
Orange Aura
- Chakra: Sacral (creativity, emotions, sexuality)
- Positive traits: Creative, adventurous, social, confident
- Challenges: Overindulgence, emotional volatility
- Physical: Connected to reproductive organs and gut health
- Bright orange: Creative flow and healthy emotions
- Muddy orange: Addiction patterns or emotional blocks
Yellow Aura
- Chakra: Solar Plexus (personal power, identity)
- Positive traits: Optimistic, intelligent, charismatic, confident
- Challenges: Ego issues, anxiety, overthinking
- Physical: Connected to digestive system and metabolism
- Bright yellow: Joy, mental clarity, personal power
- Pale yellow: Spiritual awakening or psychic development
- Dark yellow: Stress, criticism, or power struggles
Green Aura
- Chakra: Heart (love, compassion, healing)
- Positive traits: Loving, compassionate, natural healer, balanced
- Challenges: Jealousy, codependency, heart wounds
- Physical: Connected to heart and immune system
- Bright green: Heart-centered living, natural healing ability
- Emerald green: Powerful healer
- Muddy green: Jealousy, resentment, or victim mentality
Pink Aura
- Chakra: Heart (higher heart, unconditional love)
- Positive traits: Loving, gentle, romantic, nurturing
- Challenges: Naivety, over-giving, boundary issues
- Bright pink: Pure love, compassion, kindness
- Magenta: Creative visionary, strong-willed
- Muddy pink: Immaturity or dishonesty in love
Blue Aura
- Chakra: Throat (communication, expression, truth)
- Positive traits: Calm, intuitive, expressive, truthful
- Challenges: Difficulty expressing feelings, isolation
- Physical: Connected to throat, thyroid, respiratory system
- Light blue: Peaceful, truthful, good communicator
- Royal blue: Highly intuitive, generous, clairvoyant potential
- Muddy blue: Fear of expression, blocked communication
Purple/Violet Aura
- Chakra: Third Eye (intuition, vision, psychic ability)
- Positive traits: Intuitive, visionary, sensitive, wise
- Challenges: Overwhelm from sensitivity, escapism
- Physical: Connected to pineal gland and nervous system
- Violet: Spiritual seeker, intuitive, charismatic
- Lavender: Imaginative, daydreamer, sensitive
- Dark purple: Deep spiritual knowledge but potential for delusion
Indigo Aura
- Chakra: Third Eye (deep intuition)
- Positive traits: Highly intuitive, empathic, old soul
- Challenges: Absorbing others' emotions, difficulty in the physical world
- Note: Common in "Indigo Children" - those here to transform consciousness
White Aura
- Chakra: Crown (divine connection, higher consciousness)
- Positive traits: Spiritually evolved, pure, transcendent
- Challenges: Difficulty grounding, perfectionism
- Pure white: High spiritual attainment, angelic connection
- Sparkles of white: Angels or guides present
Gold Aura
- Chakra: Crown (divine wisdom, enlightenment)
- Positive traits: Spiritually protected, inspired, divinely guided
- Challenges: Spiritual pride, attachment to being "special"
- Note: Often seen around spiritual teachers and those in service
Silver Aura
- Positive traits: Abundance, awakening, intuition
- Note: Can indicate money coming or spiritual gifts opening
- Dark silver/gray: Health issues or blocked energy
Black in the Aura
- Meaning: Not a natural aura color - indicates something blocking or draining energy
- Causes: Exhaustion, illness, depression, negative attachments
- Action: Rest, energy clearing, professional support if persistent
Rainbow Aura
- Meaning: Multiple colors present, indicating a period of change
- Positive: Versatility, life transition, high energy
- Caution: Can indicate scattered energy or burnout risk
Aura Layers and Locations
Colors by Position
- Left side: Incoming energy - what you're receiving or your feminine aspect
- Right side: Outgoing energy - what you're projecting or your masculine aspect
- Above head: Spiritual connection and aspirations
- Heart area: Emotional state and relationships
- Near body: Current physical and emotional state
- Outer edges: Long-term patterns and spiritual development
Reading Auras: Interpretation Guidelines
Brightness
- Bright, clear colors: Healthy energy, positive state
- Muddy, dull colors: Blocked energy, emotional issues, illness
- Intense colors: Strong feelings or life events in that area
Size
- Expanded aura: Open, confident, energized
- Contracted aura: Defensive, tired, or protecting oneself
- Uneven edges: Energy leaks or blocks in certain areas
Changes
- Auras shift with mood, health, and circumstances
- Dominant colors reflect long-term personality traits
- Temporary colors reflect current states
Cleansing and Protecting Your Aura
Cleansing Techniques
- Salt baths: Dissolves negative energy
- Smudging: Sage, palo santo, or cedar smoke
- Visualization: Imagine white light washing through your field
- Nature: Time in natural settings clears and restores the aura
- Sound: Singing bowls, bells, or chanting
Protection Techniques
- White light bubble: Visualize protective light surrounding you
- Grounding: Connect your energy to the earth
- Shielding: Visualize mirrors reflecting negativity away
- Crystals: Black tourmaline, obsidian, or amethyst for protection
Regular aura maintenance keeps your energy field healthy, vibrant, and functioning optimally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there scientific evidence for the human aura?
Research confirms all living organisms emit ultraweak photon emission (biophotons). A 2025 University of Calgary study demonstrated living mice emit measurable light that fades after death, with organs like the brain continuing to emit photons for up to an hour. A 2025 paper in Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience further explored biophotonic signaling throughout the body and brain. While this does not directly validate traditional aura reading, it confirms living bodies produce a measurable electromagnetic light field.
How long does it take to learn to see auras?
Most people begin perceiving the etheric layer (a faint glow around the body) within 2–4 weeks of daily soft-focus practice. Seeing distinct colors typically takes 1–3 months of consistent training. Rudolf Steiner emphasized that genuine supersensible perception develops through sustained moral development and meditation rather than quick techniques.
What is the difference between seeing an aura and having synesthesia?
Mirror-touch synesthesia, found in approximately 1.6–2.5% of the population, causes individuals to physically feel sensations they observe in others. Some researchers suggest aura perception may involve similar neural cross-wiring. However, traditional aura reading involves trained perception of the energy field rather than an involuntary neurological condition.
Can aura photography accurately show my energy field?
Aura photography (Kirlian/GDV technology) measures electrical coronal discharges rather than a traditional aura. Critical peer-reviewed studies have shown results are heavily influenced by moisture, pressure, and skin conductivity. While entertaining, these devices should not replace trained aura perception or legitimate medical imaging like MRI or EEG.
Why do different aura readers sometimes see different colors?
Aura perception varies because readers may focus on different layers of the energy field. The etheric body appears as a bluish-gray glow near the skin, while emotional and mental layers extend further and shift with mood. Consistent colors across multiple readings of the same area tend to indicate stable personality traits rather than transient states.
Continue Your Journey
- Aura Colors Meaning: Complete Guide to Reading Energy Fields
- The 7 Chakras: Complete Guide to Your Energy Centers
- Energy Healing Modalities: 12 Powerful Systems Compared
- How to Develop Intuition: 15 Practices to Strengthen Your Inner Knowing
- Healing Crystals for Beginners: Complete Guide
How to See and Read Auras: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn to perceive the human energy field using scientifically-informed techniques. All living organisms emit biophotons (confirmed by 2025 University of Calgary research). This guide teaches you to develop perception of these subtle light emissions through systematic practice.
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Step 1: Prepare your environment and practice soft focus
Find a room with soft, natural lighting and a plain white or neutral background. Position your subject 18 inches from the wall. Soften your gaze to look slightly past them rather than directly at them. This engages peripheral visual processing, which is more sensitive to low-intensity light like the biophotons all living organisms emit.
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Step 2: Begin with the hand exercise to build perception
Rub your hands together vigorously for 30 seconds to increase local blood flow and biophotonic activity. Hold them 6 inches apart against a white background. Slowly separate them while gazing softly at the space between. Notice any haze, wisps, color, or glowing field. This exercise trains your visual system to detect the subtle etheric layer.
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Step 3: Develop peripheral vision awareness
Auras are typically perceived first in peripheral vision because rod cells in the retinal periphery are more sensitive to low-intensity light than central cone cells. Practice focusing on a point on someone forehead while expanding awareness to the space around their head and shoulders without moving your eyes. The etheric layer appears as a faint bluish-gray glow.
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Step 4: Learn aura color interpretation by layer
Study the aura layer system: the etheric body (closest, bluish-gray, physical vitality), emotional body (shifting colors reflecting feelings), mental body (yellow-golden, thought patterns), astral body (rainbow bridge between physical and spiritual), and spiritual layers (soul purpose and divine connection). Note that left-side colors indicate incoming energy while right-side colors show outgoing energy.
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Step 5: Establish a daily aura practice and maintain your energy field
Practice 10-15 minutes daily, starting with plants or your own reflection. Record observations in a journal to track development over weeks. Maintain your own aura through salt baths, grounding in nature, sound clearing with singing bowls, and protective visualization techniques. Rudolf Steiner taught that genuine supersensible perception develops through sustained moral development and meditation.
Sources & References
- Salari, V. et al. (2025). "Biophoton emission from living mice." Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. University of Calgary EMCCD/CCD camera imaging study.
- Kumar, S., Boone, K., et al. (2025). "Biophotonic signaling in body and brain." Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience.
- Van Wijk, R. & Van Wijk, E. (2005). "Human biophoton emission." Forschende Komplementärmedizin, 12(2), 107-112.
- Steiner, R. (1904). How to Know Higher Worlds. Rudolf Steiner Press.
- Steiner, R. (1910). An Outline of Occult Science. Chapter on supersensible perception development.
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