aurareading

Aura reading is the practice of assessing a supposed luminous energy field that surrounds living beings. Practitioners claim to perceive the aura and interpret its colors, density, and movement to describe a person’s physical health, emotions, personality, or spiritual state. Sessions are typically conducted in person or remotely, and readers may report impressions of color, brightness, or form, sometimes supplemented by guided meditation or visualization techniques. Many aura readers also provide lifestyle advice or energy-balancing recommendations.

Historical and cultural context: The concept of a personal aura has roots in mysticism, theosophy, and spiritualism of the 19th and 20th centuries; in contemporary times aura reading is common in New Age and holistic wellness spaces, often alongside other practices such as chakra readings and Reiki. Aura photography, which captures a visual image claimed to represent the aura, is a related but controversial technique.

Reception and critique: There is no credible scientific evidence that purported auras exist or that aura readers can reliably diagnose health or welfare. The field is considered pseudoscience by most scientists; success at aura reading often relies on general statements, cold reading, or subjective interpretation. Practitioners may vary in credentials; ethical concerns include avoiding medical diagnosis, ensuring informed consent, and avoiding exploitation.

See also: aura (paranormal concept), energy healing, clairvoyance, chakra, Kirlian photography.