Aura reading: What color is your soul?

In many cultures, the idea persists that living beings—humans, animals, plants—emit subtle energies beyond their physical presence. In Hinduism and Buddhism, there are descriptions of chakras (energy centers within the body) that connect with surrounding energetic layers. Ancient Chinese medicine and philosophy discuss concepts of “ki” and the “life force” flowing through the body and radiating outward. Ancient Greek writers spoke of “pneuma,” or breath of life, sometimes visualized as shimmering energy surrounding individuals. Christian mysticism also describes luminous auras seen around saints and holy figures. Others referred to them as “energy bodies” or “vibrational fields.”

Think of an aura as an invisible bubble, luminous glow, or halo that extends outward from the body. Its multi-layered fields are composed of different colors, intensities, and patterns that reflect our current health, emotional state, and even spiritual well-being.

In The Empath Series, Nathaniel Colt can see people's auras. However, I differentiate between relatively stable auras and vibes, which reflect a being's present emotional state.

His mother had asked him to explain what auras and vibes looked like. Auras had been easy. They looked like a halo of light and color surrounding a person. Everyone had a predominant aura, a unique signature that could shift depending on their emotions or physical state. Vibes, though, were harder to put into words. In the end, he had compared them to those trippy LSD sequences in movies: an endless flow of shifting, pulsing colors, constantly changing with every thought, every emotion, every fleeting mood.

- Excerpt from Wicked Hunt

Psychic power or natural ability?

In recent decades, aura reading has gained recognition not only as a spiritual or mystical practice but also as a tool for personal growth and holistic health. Many believe that through practice and proper technique, they can perceive this energy. Although some think heightened sensitivity is innate, others believe that, with patience and practice, anyone can learn to sense and interpret auras.

Yet, scientifically speaking, auras remain controversial. Skeptics point to a lack of empirical data supporting the existence of visible energy halos around humans, or any measurable phenomenon aligning with traditional aura descriptions. Some scientists attribute aura phenomena to visual illusions, such as afterimages, and cognitive biases, instead of actual energy fields.

Aura color symbolism

Understanding the colors that appear in an aura is akin to learning a new language that reveals hidden truths about a person’s emotional state, physical health, and spiritual well-being. Every color in an aura carries specific meanings rooted in centuries-old traditions and modern energy psychology.

• Red is one of the most dynamic and intense colors in an aura. It often signals passion, whether positive or negative, or physical vitality. A person with a strong red glow might be energetic, driven, and full of life. But it can also show anger or frustration if the shade appears darker or more chaotic. For example, during moments of conflict or stress, a red tint might intensify to highlight emotional upheaval or physical tension.
• Orange appears slightly softer than red but still vibrant. It reflects enthusiasm, creativity, and social connection. Bright orange indicates warmth and vitality; darker shades may suggest shame or suppression related to these areas. A character radiating orange might be lively and charismatic, but could also struggle with issues surrounding intimacy or self-expression.
• Yellow radiates warmth and optimism and is associated with curiosity and joy. A bright yellow aura can show mental clarity and happiness, but may also reveal nervousness if it appears as flickering or uneven patches. Think of someone who feels excited about new ideas: Their yellow energy sparkles outward as a sign of mental alertness. A bright yellow glow reflects an active mind eager for learning. It can also show confidence without arrogance. Conversely, dull yellow can indicate confusion or indecision.
• Green is perhaps one of the most balanced hues seen in an aura. It usually signifies physical and emotional healing energy and compassion for oneself and others. People who project a vibrant green aura may be caring and empathetic. They also seek harmony within themselves and their environment. Vibrant green suggests nurturing tendencies, whereas a darker green may point toward emotional wounds needing attention. However, darker shades like olive green could hint at jealousy or possessiveness if not balanced properly.
• Blue boasts tranquility and communication skills. Light blue shows serenity and spiritual openness. Someone whose blue dominates their aura might be gentlehearted with strong intuition. They tend to think before acting and prefer peaceful interactions to confrontation. A bright blue indicates honesty, clarity in speech—and often spiritual openness—while darker blues might suggest shyness or difficulty expressing oneself confidently.
• Indigo takes us into more mystical territory: it symbolizes deep insight, intuition beyond ordinary perception, and sometimes spiritual awakening itself. An indigo presence suggests that someone is highly perceptive on subtle levels. They may experience vivid dreams or have an innate understanding that surpasses logical explanation. In storytelling, indigo hue signals heightened psychic awareness and introspection.

Interpreting aura patterns and shapes

While color provides valuable insight into emotional and physical states, it is only part of the story. The shapes, patterns, and structures within an aura often reveal deeper layers of meaning. They offer clues about internal conflicts, spiritual development, or even imminent change. Movement adds another layer of depth. Auras may pulse softly, ripple outward like waves on water, or swirl chaotically during moments of turmoil. For instance:

• A mix of red (passion) with green (healing) may show someone driven by love but needs emotional balance. A fiery red aura might be fiercely determined or easily provoked. If their red hue appears dull or muddy, it could hint at fatigue or emotional imbalance—perhaps frustration that requires addressing.
• Darker hues mixed into vibrant colors warn us about internal conflicts manifesting physically or emotionally. For example, brownish-gray streaks amidst bright greens hint at stagnation. Excessively dark patches within otherwise colorful auras point toward suppressed emotions such as anger buried beneath happiness.
• Dullness across all colors may suggest fatigue or exhaustion, and possibly energetic blockages from stress. A dull orange suggests stagnation or frustration in expressing oneself.
• Bright flashes bordering on white might denote spiritual awakening or overload that requires grounding through meditation or grounding exercises.

Cleansing and shielding the aura

Nathaniel Colt’s empathy subjects him to a constant influx of foreign emotions and feelings. Just as his physical body, his energetic self requires care to stay healthy. To avoid being overwhelmed by the surge of energy, he developed several self-preservation and well-being techniques. Thus, he regularly cleanses himself of these foreign energies. He also spends a lot of time outdoors with his Rottweiler, Jackson. It’s a natural way to cleanse and recharge both the mind and energy field.

Beyond cleansing or grounding, Colt has learned to his aura as an energy barrier or mental shield against external influences. Here’s another excerpt from Wicked Hunt:

The real challenge was keeping his mental shield up at all times, but at least that was a skill he had mastered. He had read about telepaths who protected their minds from other telepaths, and the concept fascinated him. Based on those concepts, he developed his own technique to block out unwanted, foreign vibes. At the same time, he learned how to use his own as a kind of empathic radar and lidar. To do this, he shaped his aura into an energy shield, something like a force field straight out of a sci-fi movie.

Aura reading takeaways

People believe an invisible, electromagnetic-like field emanates from every living thing. While scientific validation remains elusive, countless individuals across cultures have relied on their perceptions or technological aids to read these energetic signatures for centuries.

Fiction depicts auras for their artistic value. Though dramatic visuals powerfully convey emotion and character relationships, they contrast with the subtle observation methods real practitioners use.

Buy The Empath Series

The Empath Series is a paranormal suspense series about a reclusive empath rejoining the world and the people he left behind. All three books are available on Amazon:

If you enjoy stories with a psychic investigator, serial killers, and an insolent dog, then you will love The Empath Series.