Settle in
Before you begin
Curious about seeing aura colors? This simple exercise gives you a way to slow down, look closely, and record your impressions. Begin with your own hand, an uncluttered background, and a few quiet minutes. You do not need special equipment or a particular result.
Approach aura observation as a spiritual practice and a form of personal exploration. A color impression can be meaningful to reflect on without proving an energy field or defining a person's character. Stay curious about both the experience and its possible explanations.
Find a simple background
Choose a plain white, cream, or light gray wall. Move away from patterned backgrounds and strongly colored objects so there is less to distract your attention.
Use soft, even light
Try daylight in a comfortably lit room, away from direct sun. Position yourself so your hand is easy to see without glare or a strong shadow.
Settle comfortably
Sit or stand in a relaxed position. Give yourself a few unhurried minutes and keep a notebook nearby. The aim is to notice, rather than make a color appear.
A simple hand exercise
How to practice seeing aura colors
Move through these steps at your own pace. You can stop whenever you feel ready.
Hold your hand against the background
Raise one hand in front of the plain wall, with your fingers comfortably apart. Keep some space between your hand and the wall. Adjust your position until your arm feels supported and the background looks simple.
Rest your elbow on a cushion or table if that feels easier.
Let your gaze soften
Look gently at the background close to the edge of your hand or between two fingers. Let the hand remain in view without searching intensely for an outline. Breathe normally and keep your face and shoulders relaxed.
Blink normally; there is no need to hold your eyes open.
Notice what is there
Look for a brief moment, perhaps 10 to 20 seconds if comfortable. Notice light, shadow, edges, or any impression of color. You may see nothing unusual. Describe the experience to yourself before deciding what it means.
Avoid chasing an outline by staring harder or looking for longer.
Look away and take a break
Lower your hand and look at something else in the room. Let your gaze return to normal. Notice whether any outline or color seems to linger after you look away; this is useful context for your notes.
Finish the practice whenever you have had enough; one short look is fine.
Write a simple observation
Note the light, background, and what you noticed. Be specific: a pale edge, a brief blue impression, or no visible change. If you try again another day, compare your notes without expecting the same experience.
Keep observations separate from interpretations: what you saw, then what it brought to mind.
Explore a color's symbolism
If a color stood out, read its aura meaning and choose one reflection question. Consider which themes feel relevant to your life today. You can also explore a color simply because it interests you, even if you did not see it.
Let a meaning start a reflection rather than settle a conclusion.
Share the curiosity
How to look for colors around another person
To explore the exercise with someone else, ask whether they would like to take part. Have them sit comfortably against a plain background in soft light. Use the same brief, relaxed observation near the edge of a shoulder or hand, then pause.
Share observations as your impressions: 'I noticed a pale blue edge,' for example. Ask about their experience instead of assigning them a personality or emotional state. Keep the practice friendly, optional, and open to different interpretations.
Make room for your experience
What you might notice
I do not see anything
An ordinary-looking hand is a valid observation. You have not failed the exercise, and you do not need to extend it. You can return another day or explore color symbolism through reflection instead.
I notice a pale edge
Write down its appearance before naming an aura color. Consider the lighting, shadow, and background. A visible edge alone does not tell you what caused it or what it means.
The colors seem to shift
Note when the impression changes: with a glance away, a different position, or a change in light. There is no need to choose a single permanent color from a brief observation.
A useful distinction
Aura colors and afterimages
An afterimage is a visual impression that lingers after you look away from something. The Exploratorium explains how bright images can temporarily change the retina's response, leaving an apparent shape afterward. Keep this possibility in mind when an outline follows your gaze. Also note nearby colors and reflected light before giving an impression a spiritual meaning.
Learn more: Exploratorium: Afterimage.
A little clarity
Questions about seeing auras
Can everyone learn to see aura colors?
There is no guarantee that this exercise will produce visible colors. People describe different experiences. You can still enjoy the practice as quiet observation and use color meanings as prompts for reflection.
How long should I practice?
Keep each look brief, around 10 to 20 seconds if comfortable, with a break afterward. A few quiet minutes is enough for an initial session. Longer staring is not the goal.
Does the color I see prove someone's aura color?
A color impression by itself does not establish an aura or reveal someone's personality. Consider ordinary visual effects alongside your spiritual interpretation, and let people describe their own feelings and experiences.
Can I explore aura meanings without seeing colors?
Yes. Choose a color you feel drawn to, read its symbolism, and try its reflection question. You can explore themes such as courage, compassion, or clarity without claiming to have observed an aura.
The next little discovery
Noticed a color?
Explore its meaning.
Take the practice at your own pace. When a color catches your attention, explore its meaning, keep what feels useful, and leave room for your understanding to change.
Explore all 15 aura colors