Did someone ever say that “you have an aura about you” and you really weren’t sure what that meant? Perhaps you asked yourself, “Do I have an aura?” Or maybe even, “What is an aura?” Not to worry; there is truth behind this mystery. Your aura is literally an energy field that envelopes your body. It serves as a magnetic field that can pick up on emotions, circumstances, health issues, and other psychic debris that surrounds you. As if that wasn’t enough to wrap your head around, there are different aura colors that are designated as either outer aura or inner aura. Let’s take a closer look at what these two categories mean, what the different aura colors signify, and how to cleanse your aura when it becomes bogged down. 

Outer Aura

Your body projects perpendicular bioplasmic rays that come together with the inner aura (more on that in a moment) to create what’s known as health rays — or your health aura. Below the health aura lies your outer aura, which joins together with both inner and health auras. The Theosophical Society suggests that the human body is surrounded by five distinct sheathes: 

1. Annamaya-Kosha: The innermost sheath of the body

It resembles the shape of the physical body and is composed of the food we eat. 

2. Pranamaya-Kosha: The second sheath surrounding the body

Its shape, size, and strength depend upon the amount of oxygenated hemoglobin and red blood cells present in the body. It’s comprised of biomagnetic and bioplasmic bodies. 

3. Manomaya-Kosha: The third sheath encompassing the chest area of the body

Its size, shape, color, and strength depend upon the current state of the mind.

4. Vigyanmaya-Kosha: The fourth sheath that surrounds the head and neck area

Its size, shape, color, and strength of this sheath depend upon one’s intelligence level.

5. Anandmaya-Kosha: The fifth sheath that hovers over the top of the head.

Often associated with a happy mind and awareness.

Inner Aura

The invisible energy field that surrounds your body is considered your inner aura. If you get sick, you may experience a loss of prana (life force, breath.) This is otherwise known as a lack of pranic energy. An excess of prana in the body (pranic congestion) can also result in illness. Taittriya Upanishad (a Vedic era Sanskrit text) suggests that these are the six sheaths of the inner aura.

1. Annamaya-Kosha: The outermost sheath of the body

It mirrors the shape of the physical body and ties in with the skin, muscles, and bones, all of which are nourished by proper food intake. 

2. Pranamaya-Kosha: The second sheath that resides within Annamaya-Kosha

Associated with the biomagnetic and bioplasmic bodies, the respiratory system, blood vessels, blood, and other bodily fluids. 

3. Manomaya-Kosha: The third sheath that resides within the Pranamaya-Kosha

Linked to the peripheral nervous system.

4. Vigyanmaya-Kosha: The fourth sheath that resides within the Manomaya-Kosha

Linked to unmyelinated neurons and other cells (aka grey matter) of the central nervous system.

5. Anandmaya-Kosha: The fifth sheath that resides within the Vigyanmaya-Kosha

Linked to the inborn pain-relieving neuron cells of the nervous system and the pineal gland.

6. The Abode of Antaratma

It’s believed that the true abode of Atma resides within the Anandamaya-Kosha. However, 

according to Akhand Sutra (a spiritual scientist), it’s actually located in the central canal of the spinal cord, as well as the ventricles in the brain. 

Cleansing Your Aura

The colors contained in your aura reveal the basic nature of the soul, the emotions, or, in auric healing, the nature of any dysfunctions taking place in the physical body. For example, red (inner aura) signifies vitality, energy, strength, creativity, and passion whereas when red is seen as outer aura represents sexual passion, attraction, anger, frustration, physical and mental vitality. You can read about the other colors for inner and outer aura here

Your aura is heavily influenced by your lifestyle and the people with whom you interact with. With that said, it’s not uncommon for your auric field to become weak due to scattered psychic debris and negative energy and emotions. This can cause you to feel tired, irritated, stressed, and negative, all of which make you more susceptible to illness. To get back in balance, it’s important to cleanse your auric field on a regular basis. While you could book a reiki session, you can also do the cleansing yourself — here’s how. 

Get Wet

Be it a shower, bath, or simply walking in the rain, water has the power to clean your energy field. Make it more of a ritual by incorporating herbs, salts, and essential oils. Make sure you shower or soak for at least ten minutes while visualizing your aura healing itself as the water touches your skin and divine energy flowing through your body. 

Breathing Exercises

Not only does breathing aid with stress release, but it can help clean your aura, too — especially if you practice Kundalini’s “breath of fire” as practiced in Kundalini yoga. Take three slow and deep breaths in and out through the nose. Pay attention to how your core rises and falls. When you exhale, do so with small, sharp breaths that pump through the diaphragm. Continue this process while pushing out through the belly. Continue for about three minutes (longer if you feel comfortable) while visualizing the release of negative energy from your body. 

“Comb” Your Space

Cleanse your hands to free them from any impurities and negative energy. Find a quiet, distraction-free space where you can visualize your aura. Close your eyes and make combing motions with your hands, staring at the top of your head and working your way down. The key is that you perpetually visualize your aura being cleansed with each and every combing motion. Finish by washing your hands to eliminate any negative energy. 

Timed Writing

Grab a few sheets of loose-leaf paper, light a candle, and begin writing down whatever comes to your mind without overthinking. It’s helpful to set a timer — usually for about ten minutes — so you stay focused. Whatever you do, don’t reread what you wrote on the paper. The point of the exercise is to release thoughts, feelings, and energy you no longer need. Discard the papers and wash your hands to cleanse them of any negative energy.  


Contrary to what you may have seen in the movies, smudging is not some form of witchcraft. In fact, burning sage (or palo santo) and circling the smoke around your body is a great way to cleanse your aura. If the smoke bothers you, you can do the same exercise with a selenite crystal. 

Recite Positive Affirmations

One of the most effective aura cleansing methods is to simply recite positive affirmations. 

Find a quiet place to relax and imagine that you’re surrounded with a vibrant white light. Close your eyes and repeat affirmations that mean something to you such as “I am worthy.” Repeat it as many times as you can, ideally, until you feel the message has rocked you to the core. This is an exercise that can be done daily to help bolster your energy field.

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