Aura Readings: Photo, Colors, and Meanings
Experts help us read the vibe.
From Instagram to the mural at your go-to spa, you've probably seen the expression "good vibes only" pop up. Given the state of the world, you would not be alone in feeling like that's a pretty tall order. The fact of the matter is that as humans, we're constantly changing, growing, feeling, and evolving—and so are our vibes. Interestingly, those vibes are more visual, apparent, and possible to identify than you might realize, thanks to your aura.
If you're interested in learning more about your aura, like what colors and layers you've got going on—and what they mean—you may want to consider getting an aura photo reading. To find out exactly what that entails, we tapped four spiritual sources who just so happen to be experts on the subject matter.
Keep scrolling to find out what aura readings are all about, straight from the pros.
What Is an Aura?
All living things emit an energetic field—a “vibe,” if you will. This is referred to as your aura, a word with Latin and Greek roots that means “breeze” or “breath of air,” Liberty Apolinario, an expert on auras with metaphysical brand House of Intuition, tells us.
"The aura is simply an extension of the physical body, acting as a mirror to reflect and radiate the energy that a person holds in that specific time," says Apolinario. "It is the electromagnetic field that surrounds our body. It can reflect emotions, thoughts, personalities, and so much more."
As circumstances in life are always changing, so too is your aura. It basically represents your current energetic self. In addition to reflecting your consciousness, thoughts, and emotions in the moment, your aura will also show life experiences, thought structures, patterns, hopes, and aspirations, explains Juliet Doty, an astrologer, soul whisperer, and spiritual body trainer.
What It Looks Like
Your aura looks like colors floating above and around you—each of which correlates to your current experience and state.
"To put it simply, imagine an egg-shaped bubble that extends from the outline of your body, emitting different colors and shades," says Apolinario. "To most, auras cannot be seen by the naked eye, but it can be felt or experienced." If you're an energetically sensitive person, though, Apolinario adds that you might be able to see the layers of a person's aura.
You can do an aura photography session with a special camera that records a person's electromagnetic field on film via captured vibrations, as specific emotional states are associated with specific vibrations and, in turn, colors in the light spectrum, according to Apolinario.
Aura Colors
"Similar in correlation to the seven chakras or energetic centers amongst the body, each color within an aura has different representations," explains Apolinario. Also, like the seven chakras, we have seven layers to our auric field, she adds. "Each layer or 'body' corresponds to specific matters and factors in life," explains Apolinario. "Each layer of the aura deserves appreciation and attention, just like each of our chakras."
Purple
This color represents the crown chakra (spiritual). Signifying magical and unusual energy, a purple aura holds compassion, sensitivity, and the ability to manifest. On the flip side, purple in an aura can represent the need to recover or rest.
Indigo
Dark blue corresponds to the third eye chakra ((celestial/causal), which represents intuition, mental clarity, and being inwardly focused.
Blue
Light blue corresponds to the throat chakra (etheric template, which is all about communication, self-expression, and speaking one's truth. "Think of the etheric body as the auric layer closest to our skin—it represents our physical health and well-being," says Apolinario.
Magenta
What makes magenta extra special is that it's not found in the visible spectrum of light. It's composed of a mixture of red, violet, and blue. Considering this, an aura containing magenta is highly unique and creative.
Green
Green corresponds to the heart chakra (astral) embodying the energy of change, healing, compassion, and growth. Nurses, healers, teachers, and parents often have an aura with the color green.
Pink
Though it is rare to have pink within the aura, it is very similar to the overall vibration of green: gentle, compassionate, and deeply loving. An aura containing pink shows that there's a lot of love and care to give.
Yellow
Just as powerful as the sun, yellow represents the energy that the solar plexus chakra (mental) holds. The solar plexus emits the energy of fun, optimism, and inspiration. When an aura has yellow, there is no doubt that there is a cheerful, positive energy present.
Orange
This color correlates to the sacral chakra (emotional), which embodies the importance of creativity, confidence, and what simply makes you unique.
Red
Relating to the root chakra (etheric), red represents the physical realm, such as money, intimacy, and adventure. Having deeper, more "muddy" shades of red within an aura can represent being overworked or overly stimulated. "The more defined and solid the colors, the more intense the quality is in the person," says Doty. "If you ever feel like you are stuck in your feelings or overwhelmed by them, this auric layer will definitely show that," says Apolinario.
How to Read an Aura Photo
Christina Lonsdale—a visual artist and the author of Radiant Human, a book about auras and aura photography—noticed early on while taking aura photos of herself and others that each part of the image seemed to reflect a different part of a person’s self. “We’re dealing with layers of self here—the nuances of self—which is what I find so rewarding,” says Lonsdale. Here are the basics:
- Photo Top: The area above your head represents your mental state, what's happening for you right now.
- Photo Left: The lower-left color represents your internal state, the self you only share with your closest friends and loved ones.
- Photo Right: This shows your outer persona—what you're projecting out in the world.
- The Arch: This symbolizes your ideals or what you are striving for.
Aura Reading vs. Aura Photography
Most spiritual practices aim to bolster self-understanding, and getting an aura reading or photo is no different. They are different experiences, though.
When Mystic Michaela, aura reader and author of The Angel Numbers Book, does a reading, she sees patterns, feels energy, and pinpoints where someone might need encouragement to grow. “Reading an aura for me is a journey where I take someone by the hand and show them all the parts of themselves which deserve more love, need to flourish, and are waiting for the right moments to heal,” she shares.
On the other hand, Lonsdale says the benefit of taking aura photos is being able to have a physical object you can reference back to. "It is something you can share with others and reflect on."
When to Check Your Aura
Thre is no set rule for when or how often to get your aura photographed. "It really has to do with what your initial interest is and what is going on for you personally," says Lonsdale. "I know there are a lot of people who recommend a set time, but I really think it is more organic than that, given the people I've photographed in the past. If they're doing some deep personal work, whenever they've seen a shift, it would be more often, but if someone wants to have an annual birthday review, then that has some meaning attached to it also."
The same is true for aura readings. According to Michaela, it's about what feels right intuitively. Getting any sort of reading is an opportunity to self-reflect, but overdoing it can create a separation from you and your authentic connection," she says. "You already know all the answers; they are all within you."
How to Cleanse Your Aura
Just like you might feel the need to dry brush your skin more in the spring after a brutal winter, you can practice energetic hygiene to cleanse your aura and lift your vibrational energy, notes Apolinario.
There are a variety of rituals you can try, many of which are included in House of Intuition co-founders Alex Naranjo and Marlene Vargas’ book, Your Intuition Led You Here: Daily Rituals for Empowerment, Inner Knowing, and Magic.
Our favorite is the recipe for an aura-cleansing spray on page 139. You'll need Epsom salt, distilled water, camphor, sage, and lavender oils, and an amber spray bottle to keep the oils from going bad. Per the book, "This spray should be used on a regular basis, and especially during those times when you feel heavy or stuck."
The Final Takeaway
Your aura may not be visible to everyone, but by taking an aura photo, you'll be able to put a color to it. Each hue has its own significance and energy and is tied to one of the seven chakras. Additionally, your aura can change depending on what you're going through. The good news? If your aura feels heavy, there are ways to cleanse it.