The word "aura" comes from the Greek word "avra" which means breeze or wind. Auras are fields of energy that emanate from all objects. Inanimate objects tend to have one colour or hue. While animate objects have many colours or hues that are constantly changing in colour and/or intensity. These hues are affected by many factors, both physical and emotional.

The Etheric (Lower Astral) aura extends about 2 inches out from the physical body and is usually a shade of blue in colour. The shade of blue relates to the physical condition and health of the physical body and is the easiest aura to see. Many see Etheric outlines of the internal organs. Some people see a light blue on a dark blue grid. This aura concerns survival issues, physical body function and physical sensation of pain, pleasure, automatic functions etc. It is connected to the Root Chakra.
 

Emotional Aura

The above three layers make up the lower astral and together form the personality. These three energy bodies begin to be created at conception and dissolve at death.
 

The celestial aura extends about twenty four inches from the physical body and appears as a bright iridescent light. This is the level of feelings within the world of our spirit. Here we communicate with all the beings of the spiritual world. We connect with Divine Love. It brings nurturing and awareness f oneself as an aspect of what is called, by some, God, love of all life and union with the All. The Third Eye Chakra is connected to this aura.

The ketheric template aura extends about thirty six to forty eight inches from the physical body and appears as an extremely bright golden or brilliant white  light that is rapidly pulsating. This aura surrounds and protects everything within its boundaries. It connects us with our higher mind, the Divine, spiritual information and the integration of the spiritual and physical aspects of being. The Crown Chakra is connected to this aura.

 
Stand in front of a mirror.  The background (wall, etc) should be blank and preferably white.  Rooms that aren't too bright usually seem to work better.  Stand approximately 18 inches from the wall. To see the aura, look at the wall behind you and a couple inches away from your body.  Remember the 3-D stereogram pictures that were popular a few years ago, where the trick was to look a few inches into the "noise" to see the 3-D image?  The trick to seeing auras uses the same  method.  Look beyond where you are standing.  Ignore your body; if you look at yourself you'll lose the aura image. 

You should see an area around you where the background wall may look lighter than the rest.  If you can, try to see the colour.  If you had to pick any colour (besides white) to describe this area, what would it be?  Also, different areas of a person's aura may be different colours.  The colour you pick for one area may be different than another area.

Once you think you see it,  sway from side to side.  The energy field you see should move with your movement.  An after-image would not move with you, it would only move as your own eyes moved.  Also, after-images are the exact opposite colour of what you were looking at; auras may be any colour.

You can also practice seeing the various colours, however, by looking at after-images.  Cut out several circles, each approximately 3-4 inches in diameter, from coloured  paper, or colour them in with markers.  You should end up having red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white and black circles.  Place one on a white piece of paper, and stare at it approx 30 seconds.  Remove the circle and look at the white paper.  You should see an afterimage, the exact opposite colour of the circle you stared at.  Bring the colour into focus, and you may find your eyes refocusing a few inches deeper than the surface of the paper, just like looking at auras.  Practice with each circle.
 

Most people have little problem seeing the whitish area around people.  A few months of practice, and you may notice that this whitish area separates into light yellows and blues and pinks.  More practice, and these colours will separate even further; oranges may be found where you once saw yellows, greens may be seen instead of light blue.  An electric blue or purple area may also be seen close to the body, and this is the Etheric body.  The Etheric body is quite vivid, and may be seen within a few months of practice, even while no specific colours are visible in the rest of the person's energy.  Eventually, you may see the person's chakras, which may look like brighter energy areas, energy vortices, etc.

At work, look at the auras of your colleagues as they talk to you.  Practice on your friends!  But remember, while you may be looking at auras, others may think you're staring, so be discreet. lol  ;-)

Auras tend to have a base colour to them, which determines the person's overall personality.  Also, several other colours may be shown at various places around the body. These other colours may describe the person's current state of mind, as well as any ailments.  Illnesses may be seen in the aura which have not yet manifested themselves physically.

Although certain colours have a general meaning, these colours may mean something totally different to you.  You will have to learn what each colour, or combination of colours, means to you personally.  For example, some people see pain as a red inflammation, while others may see it as a black blotch.  Pink may mean love to one person, and shyness to another.  While seeing the aura, feel it emotionally.  Describe the colour that you see in the way it feels to you.
Listed below are the basic Aura Colours, these may vary depending on your sight.
 

    Red  

Red is the first of the primary colours and in ancient symbolism it represented the body, the earth and hell, all three of which meant the same thing in the old mystery religions.

Red indicates action, change of passion, survival, force, vigour and energy. Its interpretation depends upon the shade, and as with all colours, upon the relationship of the other colours.
 
Dark red indicates a high temper, and it is a symbol of nervous turmoil within the person. A person with dark red in his aura may not be outwardly weak but suffering in some way, and it is reflected in his nervous system. Such a person is apt to be domineering and quick to act.

Light red indicates a nervous, impulsive person who tends to be very active, one who is probably self-centred.

Scarlet means the desire to bring about positive changes and passionate love. It brings the desire for vibrant life.

 
Pink or coral, is the colour of immaturity. Young people tend to have this colour in their aura and if it shows up in the aura of one who is grown it indicates delayed adolescence, a childish concern with self. Pink can also mean unconditional love, gentleness and a wise counsellor. It also indicates a natural peace maker and a friend to the vulnerable.

In all cases of red there is a tendency to nervous troubles, and such people ought to take time to be quiet and to get outside themselves.  Red may also indicate pain or an inflammation of some kind. A murky red can indicate general infections, blood problems as well as high blood pressure and high temperatures.
 

    Orange  

Orange as we know, is the colour of the sun. It is vital and a good colour generally, indicating a healthy metabolism, regular pulse rate and efficient immune system. thoughtfulness and the consideration given to others. Again, however, it is a matter of shade. A cloudy orange suggests allergies, infections in the reproductive system and menstrual pain.

Orange especially refers to the ovaries, large and small intestines, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys and muscles.

Golden Orange is vital and indicates self-control and creativity, artistic, the ability to be open minded and enthusiastic and have an optimistic nature.

Brownish Orange shows a lack of ambition and a don't-care attitude. Such people may be repressed, but usually they are just lazy.

In the early church orange signified glory, virtue, and the fruits of the earth, all of these being connected naturally with the sun.

Pale Orange indicates low self esteem, loss of identity.

 

    Yellow   

Yellow is the second primary colour.

When it is golden yellow it indicates health and well-being. Such people take good care of themselves, don't worry, and learn easily; good mentality is natural in them. They are happy, friendly, and helpful.  They may think a lot. It is the colour of the communicator and also means the person has a good memory.

A dull yellow can indicate skin and digestive disorders, tension, stress and nervous exhaustion.

Irregular streaks of yellow indicates hyperactivity.

If the yellow is ruddy, they are timid. They are often very indecisive and weak in will, and inclined to let others lead them.
 

   Green   

Pure emerald green, particularly if it has a dash of blue in it, is the colour of healing. Someone with this colour in their aura is helpful, strong and friendly. It is the colour of doctors and nurses, who invariably have a lot of it in their auras. However, it is seldom a dominating  colour,  being over shadowed by one of its neighbours.

A rich green reveals a loving heart with generosity, generous with money, time and love. A person with this aura colour can be trusted as they speak from their heart ad mean what they say.

An olive green brings good humour and new hope.

As it tends toward blue it is more helpful and trustworthy.

As it tends toward yellow it is weakened. A lemony green with lots of yellow, is deceitful.

As a rule the deep, healing green is seen in small amounts, but it is good to have a little in your aura.

A  pale green indicates the need for emotional dependency.

In the early church it symbolized youthfulness and the fertility of nature, taking this quite naturally from the sight of the fields in spring.
 

    Blue  

Almost any color of blue is good, but the deeper shades are the best.

Pale blue indicates a person with little depth, who struggles toward maturity. The person may not be talented, but he tries the best he can. He will have many heartaches and many headaches, but he will keep going in the right direction.

Mid blue, or aqua, belongs to a person who will work harder and get more done than a person with the light blue aura, though there may be
little difference between them in talent.

Those with deep blue have found their life's work and are immersed in it. They usually tend to be moody and are almost always unusual people, but they have a mission and they steadfastly go about fulfilling it. They are spiritual-minded for the most part, and their life is usually dedicated to an unselfish cause, such as science, art, or social service. Many sisters of mercy have dark blue auras, and many writers and singers do also.
 

  Turquoise  

Turquoise is the colour of the wise healer, for integration of mind and heart, feelings and thoughts, wisdom and experience.

Physical Associations - stimulates and strengthens the immune system, soothes inflammation, calms nerves, aides healing, soothes asthmatic problems and general respiratory difficulties. Helps heal skin complaints. Turquoise rules the throat, upper back, repertory problems and swellings of all kinds. Turquoise influences the thyroid gland and is used to restore harmony throughout the body.
 

    Indigo and Violet  

Indigo and violet indicate seekers of all types, people who are searching for a cause or a religious experience. As these people get settled in their careers and in their beliefs, however, these colours usually back into a deep blue. It seems that once the purpose is set in the right direction, blue is a natural emanation of the soul. Those who have purple are inclined to be overbearing, for here there is an infiltration of pink. In the early church indigo and violet meant humiliation and sorrow.

 

    Purple  

    White   

The perfect colour, of course, is white, and this is what we all are striving for. If our souls were in perfect balance then our colour vibrations would blend and we would have a pure white aura.  Christ had a pure white aura, and it is shown in many paintings of him, particularly those that depict Him after the resurrection. White is for limitless potential energy, and the life force integration, the colour o soaring spirit. It is the colour of Divinity.

Positive Qualities: At its most vibrant this aura is the colour of the innovator and creator. A highly evolved colour indicating higher levels of consciousness and purity.

Negative Aspects: A pale white can suggest a person is out of touch with the real world, while a murky white can reveal feelings of alienation from others.

Physical Associations: The vibrant clear aura is one of the integrated mind, body, spirit. A sense of completeness, good health and the ability to bring healing to groups of people who may be in conflict. White rules the whole body, the mind and the soul and the connections between them. White light is a natural pain reliever.

   Black  

Although black is not a colour per se, it does apply to auras. A person with a black aura or no aura is dying or will die soon. To see a person with such an aura is not uncommon. If you ever visit a person who is very ill you will notice that their aura is dull or lacks colour it does not shine. A person who is dying slowly loses there aura. When total black is present the person either is just about to die or has just died.
 

   Brown  

People who have a rich brown aura tend to have a special infinity with Mother Earth. A lover of the land.

A warm brown is a nurturer. humble, earthy, sincere, with a gentle heart.
 

  Kidney Bean  

A person with a kidney bean colour aura has gone through a chemical alteration in their body.
 

  Grey  

Grey means an absence of life force.  Grey appears because the body's energy has been significantly reduced.  It's like plugging a 220V electrical appliance into a 110V outlet. It also means scepticism.
 

  Silver  

This colour means a balanced life force, an appreciation for life and all that it offers as well as an universal outlook.
 

A pregnant woman may have sparkles around her stomach.   Green in a certain area may indicate that that area is in the process of being healed.  Again, this is a general colour chart, as you learn, you'll see clues in the aura which may indicate something special to you.