Aura Reading for Beginners: See & Interpret Energy Fields

Have you ever noticed a glow around someone's head in certain lighting? Felt drawn to or repelled by someone's "vibe" before they even spoke? Sensed that someone was sad even though they were smiling? You were likely perceiving their aura—the electromagnetic energy field that surrounds every living being. While some people are naturally gifted at seeing auras, it's a skill anyone can develop with practice and the right techniques.

Aura reading isn't about having special psychic powers—it's about training your eyes and awareness to perceive subtle energy that's always been there. Just like learning to hear the individual instruments in an orchestra or taste the notes in wine, seeing auras is a matter of developing your perceptual sensitivity. This comprehensive guide will teach you proven techniques to see and interpret auras, from the basic science to advanced reading methods.

What Is an Aura?

An aura is the subtle energy field that surrounds and interpenetrates the physical body. It's composed of electromagnetic energy, biophotons, and what energy workers call "subtle energy" or "life force."

The Science of Auras

While auras have been described in spiritual traditions for millennia, modern science is beginning to validate their existence:

• Electromagnetic fields: Your body generates measurable electromagnetic fields, especially from your heart and brain
• Biophotons: Your cells emit ultra-weak light (biophotons) that can be detected with sensitive equipment
• Biofield: Scientists use the term "biofield" to describe the complex field of energy and information surrounding the body
• Kirlian photography: Special photography techniques can capture the energy field around living things
• GDV imaging: Gas Discharge Visualization technology photographs the biofield in real-time

The Layers of the Aura

The aura has multiple layers, each corresponding to different aspects of your being:

1. Etheric Layer (Physical Aura)

Distance from body: 1-2 inches
Color: Usually bluish-gray or white
Function: Blueprint of the physical body; reflects physical health
Easiest to see: This is typically the first layer beginners perceive

2. Emotional Layer

Distance from body: 1-3 inches
Color: Varies with emotions; fluid and changing
Function: Reflects current emotional state and feelings

3. Mental Layer

Distance from body: 3-8 inches
Color: Bright yellow when thinking; varies with thought patterns
Function: Reflects thoughts, beliefs, and mental processes

4. Astral Layer (Heart Chakra)

Distance from body: 6-12 inches
Color: Rose or rainbow hues
Function: Reflects love, relationships, and spiritual connection

5-7. Spiritual Layers

Distance from body: 12 inches to 3+ feet
Function: Connect to higher consciousness, divine will, and universal energy
Note: These outer layers are more difficult to see and require advanced practice

Preparing to See Auras

Develop Your Peripheral Vision

Auras are easier to see with peripheral vision than direct focus. Practice this exercise:

1. Hold your hands in front of you, fingers spread
2. Focus on the space between your fingers
3. Notice what you see around your fingers without looking directly at them
4. You may see a subtle glow or haze—this is the beginning of aura sight

Practice Soft Focus

Soft focus (also called "defocused vision") is key to seeing auras:

• Instead of focusing sharply on an object, let your eyes relax
• Imagine you're looking "through" the object rather than "at" it
• Your vision may become slightly blurry—this is correct
• It's similar to the way you look at Magic Eye 3D pictures

Increase Your Sensitivity

Prepare your energy system:

• Meditate regularly: Quiets the mind and enhances subtle perception
• Practice feeling energy: Start with feeling energy in your hands
• Reduce screen time: Excessive screen use can dull subtle perception
• Spend time in nature: Natural environments enhance energy sensitivity
• Eat clean: Heavy, processed foods can dull your perception

Technique 1: Seeing Your Own Aura (Easiest Method)

Start by seeing your own aura—it's easier than seeing someone else's because you can control the conditions.

What You Need

• A plain white or light-colored wall
• Soft, natural lighting (not too bright, not too dark)
• A quiet space where you won't be disturbed

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Position yourself: Stand or sit about 18 inches from a white wall
2. Extend your arm: Hold one hand up against the white wall, fingers spread
3. Soft focus: Look at your hand with soft, relaxed eyes—don't stare hard
4. Focus on the space around your fingers: Look at the wall around your hand, not directly at your hand
5. Be patient: After 30-60 seconds, you should start to see a subtle glow
6. Notice the etheric layer: You'll likely see a thin (1-2 inch) band of light around your hand first
7. Look for color: Beyond the etheric layer, you may see color—this is your emotional/mental aura
8. Experiment with movement: Slowly move your hand and watch the aura follow it

What You'll See

• First: A thin, clear or bluish-white outline (etheric layer)
• Then: A wider band of color beyond that (emotional/mental layers)
• The color may: Shift, pulse, or change as you watch

Technique 2: Seeing Another Person's Aura

Once you can see your own aura, try seeing someone else's.

Setup

• Have your partner stand or sit against a plain, light-colored wall
• Position yourself 8-10 feet away
• Ensure soft, even lighting (natural light is best)
• Ask your partner to relax and breathe deeply

The Process

1. Center yourself: Take a few deep breaths and set the intention to see their aura
2. Soft focus: Look at your partner with relaxed, soft eyes
3. Focus on their third eye: Look at the space between their eyebrows, but don't stare
4. Use peripheral vision: Notice what you see around their head and shoulders without looking directly
5. Look for the etheric layer: A thin band of light around the body, especially around the head
6. Notice colors: Beyond the etheric layer, colors may appear
7. Observe changes: Ask your partner to think happy thoughts, then sad thoughts—watch the aura shift

Tips for Success

• The area around the head and shoulders is easiest to see
• Don't try too hard—forcing it creates tension that blocks perception
• Blink naturally; don't strain your eyes
• If you lose the vision, look away briefly then return with soft focus

Technique 3: The Finger Exercise (Quick Practice)

This exercise helps you see the etheric layer quickly:

1. Hold your hands in front of you at chest height, palms facing each other, about 12 inches apart
2. Touch your index fingertips together
3. Slowly pull your fingers apart (about 1 inch)
4. Look at the space between your fingertips with soft focus
5. You should see a thin thread or stream of energy connecting them
6. Slowly move your fingers closer and farther apart, watching the energy stretch

Technique 4: Advanced - Seeing Auras in Different Lighting

Once you're comfortable seeing auras against a white wall, challenge yourself:

In Nature

Trees have strong, visible auras. Practice seeing the energy field around trees, especially at dawn or dusk when the light is soft.

In Dim Light

Some people find auras easier to see in low light. Try practicing in a dimly lit room or at twilight.

With Eyes Closed

Advanced practitioners can sense auras with eyes closed. After seeing someone's aura, close your eyes and notice if you can still sense the colors and energy.

Interpreting What You See

Aura Brightness and Size

• Bright, expansive aura: High energy, vitality, health, positive emotions
• Dim, contracted aura: Low energy, illness, depression, or depletion
• Pulsing or vibrating: Active energy, strong life force
• Still or stagnant: Blocked energy, need for healing

Aura Clarity

• Clear, vibrant colors: Emotional and mental clarity, health
• Muddy or murky colors: Confusion, illness, negative emotions
• Holes or gaps: Energy leaks, trauma, or illness in that area
• Dark spots: Blockages, pain, or disease (physical or emotional)

Quick Color Reference

(For detailed color meanings, see our complete Aura Colors Guide)

• Red: Passion, vitality, anger, or physical energy
• Orange: Creativity, confidence, social energy
• Yellow: Intellect, optimism, mental activity
• Green: Healing, growth, love, balance
• Blue: Communication, truth, calm, spirituality
• Purple/Violet: Intuition, spirituality, wisdom
• White: Purity, spiritual protection, high vibration
• Gold: Divine protection, enlightenment, spiritual teacher

Common Challenges and Solutions

"I Don't See Anything"

Possible reasons:

• Trying too hard (creates tension)
• Wrong lighting (too bright or too dark)
• Staring instead of soft focus
• Expecting dramatic colors immediately

Solutions:

• Relax your eyes and mind
• Adjust lighting to soft, natural light
• Practice soft focus technique
• Start with seeing the etheric layer (subtle glow) before expecting colors
• Practice daily for at least a week before judging results

"I See Something But I'm Not Sure If It's Real"

Trust what you see! Beginners often dismiss their first perceptions as "just imagination" or "optical illusion." While some of what you see may be afterimages or optical effects, genuine aura perception often starts subtly. Trust the process.

"The Colors Keep Changing"

This is normal! Auras are dynamic and change with thoughts, emotions, and energy shifts. A changing aura indicates you're seeing real energy, not a static optical illusion.

"I Can Only See It for a Second"

Build stamina: Like any skill, aura reading requires practice. Your ability to hold the vision will increase with regular practice.

Developing Your Aura Reading Skills

Daily Practice Routine

Week 1-2: Practice seeing your own aura daily (5-10 minutes)

Week 3-4: Practice seeing auras of willing friends or family

Week 5-6: Practice in different lighting and with different backgrounds

Week 7-8: Begin interpreting colors and patterns you see

Ongoing: Practice seeing auras in everyday situations (subtly, respectfully)

Exercises to Enhance Your Ability

1. Aura Journaling

Keep a journal of what you see. Note colors, patterns, and your interpretations. Over time, you'll see your accuracy improve.

2. Partner Practice

Practice with a friend. Take turns being the reader and the subject. Compare notes on what you each see.

3. Emotional Experiment

Have someone think different thoughts (happy, sad, angry, peaceful) while you watch their aura change. This trains you to see the connection between inner state and aura.

4. Plant and Animal Auras

Practice on plants and animals. They have simpler auras that can be easier to see than human auras.

5. Photograph Comparison

If you have access to aura photography, compare what you see with what the camera captures. This can validate your perceptions.

Ethics of Aura Reading

Always Get Permission

Don't read someone's aura without their knowledge and consent. It's an invasion of privacy to psychically "peek" at someone's energy field without permission.

Be Compassionate

If you see something concerning in someone's aura (dark spots, holes, muddy colors), share your observations gently and without diagnosis. Suggest they see a healthcare provider if appropriate.

Don't Diagnose

You're not a doctor. Don't diagnose medical conditions based on auras. You can suggest someone might benefit from rest, stress reduction, or medical attention, but don't claim to diagnose illness.

Respect Privacy

Don't share what you see in someone's aura without their permission. Aura information is private and personal.

Taking It Further

Once you can see and interpret auras, you can:

• Learn aura healing: Techniques to cleanse and repair auras
• Study chakras: See the chakras within the aura
• Practice aura photography: Use technology to capture what you see
• Develop clairvoyance: Aura reading is a gateway to other psychic abilities
• Become a professional reader: Offer aura readings as a service

Final Thoughts

Seeing auras is not about having special powers—it's about developing a natural ability that everyone possesses. Your eyes and brain are already capable of perceiving subtle energy; you just need to train them to recognize what they're seeing.

Be patient with yourself. Some people see auras on their first try; others need weeks or months of practice. Both paths are normal. What matters is consistent practice and an open, relaxed approach.

Remember: you're not trying to force something to appear. You're simply allowing yourself to see what's always been there. The aura exists whether you see it or not. Your practice is about removing the filters that prevent you from perceiving it.

Start today. Find a white wall, hold up your hand, and practice soft focus for just five minutes. You might be surprised by what you see. And once you start seeing auras, you'll never look at people—or the world—quite the same way again.

The energy is there. The colors are there. You just need to learn to see them. And now you know how.