How to See Auras: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Maybe you've caught a soft glow around someone out of the corner of your eye. Or maybe you've always picked up on people's energy and wondered if you could learn to see it too.

The good news is that you don't need a special gift to start. Here's a simple, step by step way to practice, plus what to expect along the way.

What Is an Aura?

An aura is the field of energy many people believe surrounds every living being. It's usually described as light and color, and it's said to reflect your mood, thoughts, and spiritual state. If you're new to the idea, start with our full guide to what an aura is and what the colors mean.

Can Anyone Learn to See Auras?

Many people believe so. Some find it comes naturally, especially people who are very intuitive or sensitive to others. For most, it's a skill that grows with patience and practice.

It also helps to know that "seeing" isn't the only way. Plenty of people sense auras as a feeling, a sense of warmth or heaviness, or a color that simply pops into their mind. All of these count.

7 Simple Exercises to See Auras

1. Start With a Plain Background

Ask a friend to stand or sit in front of a white or light gray wall. Busy patterns make it hard to notice anything subtle. Soft, natural daylight works much better than bright overhead lights.

2. Soften Your Gaze

Look at a spot just beside your friend's head or shoulder, not directly at them. Let your eyes relax and go slightly out of focus, the way they do when you're daydreaming. Stay with it for 30 to 60 seconds without straining.

3. Use Your Peripheral Vision

The edges of your vision are more sensitive to faint light than the center. Many people notice a glow out of the corner of their eye first. If you see something, try not to look straight at it right away. Let it stay in your side vision.

4. Notice the First Layer

Most beginners see a thin, clear, or whitish band hugging the body, often just an inch or two wide. That's usually the first thing people notice. Colors tend to show up later, once you've practiced for a while.

5. Practice Seeing Your Own Aura in a Mirror

To see your own aura, stand in front of a mirror with a plain wall behind you. Soften your gaze and look just past the outline of your head and shoulders. Mirror practice is a good option when you don't have a partner.

6. Relax Your Body and Breathe

Tension makes this harder. Take a few slow, deep breaths before you start. A regular meditation habit helps a lot, because it trains your mind to settle and notice small details.

7. Keep a Simple Journal

After each practice, jot down what you saw or felt, how long it took, and the lighting. Over a few weeks, you'll see what works best for you. Journaling also strengthens your intuition overall.

What Will I See First?

Most people go through a similar pattern:

First, a thin, clear or white outline close to the body.
Then, a soft haze that seems to move or shimmer.
Later, hints of color, often one main color that stands out.

If white is the color you notice most, here's what a white aura can mean. Don't worry if you only see the outline for a long time. That's completely normal.

Why Can Some People See Auras More Easily?

People who see or sense auras easily are often highly intuitive. Many are empaths who naturally pick up on how others feel. In spiritual terms, the ability is linked to clairvoyance and an open third eye.

Children are often said to sense auras more easily too. Many believe the ability fades as we get older and start second guessing what we notice.

If you're a sensitive person, it's also smart to look after your own energy. These tips on visualizing healthy boundaries can help.

An Honest Note About What You See

Your eyes play a part in this too. When you stare at a person against a light wall, your eyes can create a faint afterglow on their own. That doesn't make your experience less meaningful, but it's good to know.

It's also important to know the difference between practice and a health concern. If you suddenly see halos, flashing lights, or zigzag patterns when you're not trying to, or if the glow comes with headaches or blurry vision, please see an eye doctor or your physician. Those can be vision or migraine symptoms, not auras.

How Seeing Auras Can Help You

You don't need to see full color to get something out of this practice. Paying closer attention to energy can help you notice when you're drained, which people lift you up, and when something in a room just doesn't feel right. Many people find it makes them more patient and more aware.

Once you start noticing color, you can explore what each one means: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, purple, black, and rainbow. For more ways to build your sensitivity, here are 11 ways to strengthen your ability to pick up on spirit.

Questions About Seeing Auras

How do you see auras for beginners?
Use a plain light background, soft daylight, and a relaxed gaze aimed just past the person. Practice a few minutes at a time, and expect to see a faint outline before any color.

How can I see my own aura?
Stand in front of a mirror with a plain wall behind you. Soften your eyes and look just past the outline of your head and shoulders.

Why can I see auras?
People who notice auras are often very intuitive or sensitive to energy. That said, if halos or lights appear suddenly or come with headaches or blurry vision, have your eyes checked to rule out a health cause.

How long does it take to see auras?
Some people notice a faint glow on their first try. For others, it takes weeks of short, regular practice. Seeing color usually takes longer than seeing the outline.

Do psychics see auras?
Some do. Others sense aura energy as feelings or impressions, which is why many can read it over the phone. A reading is one perspective to help you understand yourself, and you're always in charge of your own path.

If you'd like to talk it through with someone experienced, our readers offer private, one on one phone readings in a comfortable, nonjudgmental setting. We're a completely independent psychic service, helping people since 1991.