Exploring the Subtle Bodies: A Guide to the Layers of Your Aura

The aura–or biofield–is made up of seven subtle bodies.

Each reflects unique aspects of our being—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Different traditions describe them slightly differently, but this seven-layer model is widely recognized in energy healing and intuitive work.

By understanding these subtle bodies, you can gain insight into our health, emotions, thoughts, spiritual potential, and overall well-being.

In this article, you’ll learn about these seven layers of the aura in depth–and get practical ways to harmonize and balance each one:

• The etheric body (1st layer)
• The emotional body (2nd layer)
• The mental body (3rd layer)
• The astral body (4th layer)
• The etheric template (5th layer)
• The celestial body (6th layer)
• The causal body (7th layer)

1. The Etheric Body (1st Layer)

Connection: Physical health, vitality, life force

The etheric body, or the first layer of your aura, is closest to the physical body.

It’s often seen as a faint bluish-gray or white outline, and reflects your physical health, energy levels, and overall vitality.

The etheric body is closely connected to your chakras, meridians, and physical organs.

• Location: Extends 0.5 to 2 inches from the physical body
• Color: Light blue, gray, and silvery-white
• Function: Mirrors the physical body; governs organs, tissues, and energy flow

Signs of Balance:

• Strong immune system
• Physical vitality and stamina
• Good health and recovery from illness

Signs of Imbalance:

• Frequent fatigue
• Physical illness or weakened immunity
• Chronic pain or discomfort

Practical Ways to Work with the Etheric Body:

• Regular physical exercise, yoga, or qigong
• Eating nutritious, grounding foods
• Practicing energy healing (e.g., Reiki or acupuncture)
• Getting adequate rest and quality sleep

2. The Emotional Body (2nd Layer)

Connection: Emotions, feelings, sensitivity

The emotional body, the second auric layer, usually appears as a multicolor field reflecting your emotions.

Colors constantly change with your feelings, indicating joy, sadness, anger, or anxiety.

This layer helps you connect deeply with others and respond sensitively to your environment.

• Location: Extends 1 to 3 inches from the body
• Color: A swirl of shifting colors, often influenced by your mood
• Function: Stores and reflects emotional states

Signs of Balance:

• Emotional stability and empathy
• Healthy emotional expression
• Ability to connect with others emotionally

Signs of Imbalance:

• Mood swings and emotional instability
• Overwhelming emotions, anxiety, or depression
• Emotional detachment or numbness

Practical Ways to Work with the Emotional Body:

• Journaling to process emotions
• Mindfulness and meditation practices
• Emotional release techniques (e.g., breathwork, EFT tapping)
• Counseling or emotional support groups

3. The Mental Body (3rd Layer)

Connection: Thoughts, ideas, intellect

The mental body, your third auric layer, is typically represented by bright yellow or golden hues.

This layer reflects your thoughts, mental processes, beliefs, and intellectual activities.

It helps you analyze, understand, and interpret your experiences.

• Location: Extends 3 to 8 inches from the body
• Color: Typically yellow or golden with structured lines or waves
• Function: Houses your thoughts, beliefs, mental patterns, and focus

Signs of Balance:

• Clear thinking, decisiveness, and concentration
• Strong analytical abilities
• Positive mental outlook and healthy thought patterns

Signs of Imbalance:

• Overthinking or racing thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating, confusion, mental exhaustion
• Negative thought patterns or limiting beliefs

Practical Ways to Work with the Mental Body:

• Affirmations and positive visualization
• Cognitive-behavioral techniques to reshape thinking patterns
• Reading and intellectual engagement
• Regular meditation for mental clarity and focus

4. The Astral Body (4th Layer)

Connection: Relationships, spiritual connections, dreams

The astral body serves as a bridge between physical and spiritual realms.

This subtle body relates to love, relationships, and spiritual experiences.

It’s closely connected with dreams, imagination, and psychic abilities.

• Location: Extends about 12 inches from the body
• Color: Typically pink or soft rainbow hues
• Function: Connects the lower (physical/emotional) and higher (spiritual) bodies

Signs of Balance:

• Healthy relationships and emotional intimacy
• Strong intuition and psychic awareness
• Vivid dreams and astral travel experiences

Signs of Imbalance:

• Difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
• Disconnection from intuitive or spiritual experiences
• Disturbed sleep or negative dream experiences

Practical Ways to Work with the Astral Body:

• Dream journaling to strengthen intuition
• Practicing lucid dreaming and astral projection techniques
• Cultivating healthy relationships and emotional boundaries
• Engaging in spiritual or intuitive practices (meditation, tarot reading)

5. The Etheric Template (5th Layer)

Connection: Divine blueprint, life purpose, spiritual expression

The etheric template appears as a structured, blueprint-like layer.

It contains the spiritual template for your physical form, including your purpose, talents, and potential.

This subtle body influences your deeper life path and spiritual mission.

• Location: Extends 1.5 to 2 feet from the body
• Color: Typically deep blue, cobalt, or transparent lines of energy
• Function: Blueprint for the etheric body and physical form

Signs of Balance:

• Clear sense of purpose and spiritual direction
• Alignment between actions and core values
• Harmony with one’s life path

Signs of Imbalance:

• Confusion or uncertainty about life direction
• Misalignment or feeling “off track”
• Persistent dissatisfaction despite material success

Practical Ways to Work with the Etheric Template:

• Regular meditation focused on life purpose
• Spiritual mentorship or life coaching
• Reflective practices (vision boards, intention-setting)
• Aligning daily choices with personal values and goals

6. The Celestial Body (6th Layer)

Connection: Higher consciousness, universal love, spiritual enlightenment

The celestial body vibrates at a high frequency and connects you to higher states of consciousness and unconditional love.

Its colors are radiant pastels or shimmering lights, often associated with spiritual awakening and divine connection.

• Location: 2 to 3 feet from the body
• Color: Typically iridescent, pastel light—pearlescent or shimmering
• Function: Connects to spiritual intuition, divine love, and inner light

Signs of Balance:

• Deep sense of unconditional love and compassion
• Profound spiritual connection and insight
• Experiences of bliss, inner peace, and spiritual ecstasy

Signs of Imbalance:

• Feeling spiritually disconnected or isolated
• Difficulty feeling compassion or universal love
• Spiritual confusion or existential distress

Practical Ways to Work with the Celestial Body:

• Practicing loving-kindness meditation (Metta)
• Engaging in prayer or spiritual devotion
• Studying spiritual teachings or wisdom traditions
• Participating in compassionate acts and humanitarian service

7. The Causal Body (7th Layer)

Connection: Higher self, soul wisdom, universal consciousness

The causal body is the outermost subtle body.

This layer connects you directly to universal consciousness, your Higher Self, and divine wisdom.

It’s your direct channel to universal knowledge, enlightenment, and spiritual freedom.

• Location: Up to 3 feet or more from the body
• Color: Typically golden, shimmering light—often with a strong oval shape
• Function: Contains your soul purpose, life blueprint, and connection to the Divine

Signs of Balance:

• Profound inner wisdom and clarity
• Unity consciousness, spiritual integration, and wholeness
• Ability to access deeper knowledge and insights spontaneously

Signs of Imbalance:

• Disconnection from higher guidance or intuition
• Loss of faith, spiritual despair, or existential fear
• Difficulty integrating spiritual experiences into daily life

Practical Ways to Work with the Causal Body:

• Regular deep meditation for spiritual integration
• Connecting consciously with Higher Self through guided visualizations
• Practicing mindfulness and presence in daily life
• Deep philosophical reflection and spiritual contemplation

Integrating and Harmonizing Your Aura

Each subtle body interacts with and influences the others, creating a complex, interconnected energetic system.

Balance and integration across all seven layers lead to overall harmony, health, emotional resilience, mental clarity, fulfilling relationships, and deep spiritual growth.

Regular spiritual practices, mindful living, healthy emotional expression, and energy healing can greatly enhance the harmony and vibrancy of your auric field, supporting your holistic well-being.

Embracing Your Multidimensional Nature

Understanding the seven subtle bodies is more than just spiritual knowledge—it’s practical wisdom that supports a balanced and harmonious life.

By nurturing and working consciously with each layer of your aura, you open the door to profound self-discovery, emotional health, deeper relationships, clearer thinking, and meaningful spiritual growth.

Explore and honor these subtle layers, and you’ll find yourself more connected, vibrant, and truly alive—ready to experience life fully in body, mind, and spirit.

Do you see auras?

Drop a comment below! I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences with seeing auras.