An aura is the energy field that is believed to surround every living being (including plants and animals). Most of the time, the aura is seen as layers of colour around the subject. Becoming an aura reader is something that takes a considerable amount of practice. Some people are born with the ability, but anyone can learn it. This article is for beginners with an open mind.

Find a suitable background that fits your practice. If you're looking at the aura around your hand, a large sheet of white paper might be enough. If you're viewing a friend's aura, a plain wall for them to sit in front of is essential.

Get the proper lighting. Not too bright, and not too dark. Most people find that natural light, such as sunlight or a candle flame in a shady room, works best.

Position your partner, or yourself. 

• If reading yourself, hold one of your hands up against a white background in any way that's comfortable to you.
• If reading a partner, make them comfortable, and explain what you'll be doing. Have them wear clothes that aren't too patterned. They don't have to sit very still, so they can have a drink or read a book if they want one.

Relax your eyes as you gaze at your subject. It may help to look at the tips of your fingers or the head of your partner. Let your eyes fall out of focus a bit. You should start to see a haze around the edges, it might seem like a very clear light, or a light blue/white mist.

Determine any colour(s) that are visible. Colours may be clear and bright, or cloudy and muddy. Some people (like beginners) can only see one dominant colour while others may see multiple colours.

Be aware of after-images. If you stare at the same spot for long enough, your eyes will start to see after-images that are the inverse of what you're looking at. These are not auras, and you'll know this because you'll be able to see the after-image for a short time in front of your eyes, wherever you look. After-image colour pairs are: 

• black and white
• red and turquoise
• orange and blue
• yellow and violet
• green and pink

Be patient. When you first see an aura, it'll often disappear as soon as you blink or move your eyes. It takes practice to hold your focus steady.

Record what you see. Drawing a body outline and then shading in colours around it

 can be a fun way of recording what you see for later analysis, and it's something to show your subject so they can relate to what you're looking for. Be aware that some colours in auras are very difficult to recreate with coloured pencils.

Learn what the colours and shades mean. Get a guide to interpret what you've seen. A lot of people are surprised by how insightful it can be. In time you may be able to tune your intuition so that you can interpret the aura without the guide.

Common Aura Colours
The following is a list of aura colours that are associated with the person’s conscious and subconscious state. The colour spectrum varies with a person’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual states. 

• Red: The colour of strength, passion, impulsiveness and will. 
• Orange: colour of affection, kindness, and creativity. The muddier shades denote vanity, while golden orange represents self-control. Someone with orange in his/her aura may suffer from kidney troubles. 
• Yellow: Mental activity, optimism, perfectionism, responsibility, sometimes shyness. 
• Green: The colour of sympathy and reliability. The person may be an effective healer. Dark shades of green however indicate one who is jealous or hesitant. 
• Blue: The colour of calm, and spiritual and material attainment. May sometimes represent a tendency to moodiness and depression. 
• Indigo/Violet: The colour of the seeker who has inborn psychic and intuitive abilities. They represent an astounding ability in the handling of practical matters. Dark shades may show that the person is often misjudged and misunderstood. May indicate heart or stomach trouble. 
• Black: The colour of self-protection. The person is good at ‘wearing masks’. 
• Pink: A compassionate person who is fond of the arts. Darker shades of pink may point to immaturity and irresponsibility. 
• White: Purity and honesty. A colour associated with spiritually evolved persons. 
• Silver: The person might be pregnant or is going to be soon! However, this is not always so. Seeing this may indicate a person