Some people can see the human aura. Some of us never have and some have  on occasion but do not usually. First off it is not a really big deal if you do or don't see the aura . It really does not seem to have any bearing on a  persons actual spiritual state  in any case. Many people never see auras, feel energy,  hear mystical information or have
visions and many of these people can be just as good or better as healing practitioners  and have as deep or deeper spiritual realization than people who do get the bells and whistles . Don't let this minor matter discourage you and if you do get the effects  don't get all
impressed with yourself either.

Most people when they do see an   aura do not see much more than a misty outline and often dismiss that as optical illusion or heat waves. This is subtle energy so it  is much more often quite light and ephemeral as the energy field is also pulsing and shifting. constantly. The aura is not the optical reaction you see when you gaze at an   object of one color for a long time then look away / It is not the spots you    get in front of your eyes when you look at a bright  light. nor is it the optical flashes and such you might get from eye strain or migraine headaches . There are a multitude of theories and methods for seeing the aura most of   them work some are easier than others to use . Crystals can be programmed to assist you with seeing auras and receiving information Though the first time I tried to program a crystal for this function I actually made it easier for other people to see my aura instead .

     Most  people  try too hard. Relax and kind of unfocus your eyes and allow yourself to observe, if you don't see anything different than usual that's fine. When out doors you might look along the tree line quite often the life force    or aura of the trees and other plants is  often visible as a kind of mist or faint  glowing outline. Most exercises  to see  auras call for  an area with indirect light kind of   like that of a cloudy overcast day or early twilight . You also need a neutral  or white plain  background so it won't interfere with your observations.  When you become familiar with seeing auras this won't be essential but at  first it helps greatly.

You have probably already done one of the fastest ways to get a glimpse of your own aura which is to face a neutral colored wall in indirect light and to hold your index finger together  at eye level move your fingers until you get the  optical illusion of having a floating third finger in the center . The little flare  of color you may see at your finger tips is your aura .

   You may be able to see your aura especially around your feet when you are  in the bathtub if the light is soft,  its easier with a white tub. Practice seeing someone else's aura  by having them sit near a  solid light colored wall and just look without focusing  especially around the neck and shoulders and head  bright colored clothing will make this more difficult.  near sighted people have the advantage because if they remove glasses or contacts they might achieve the unfocused vision
naturally.
    These are all open eye methods and while many people use closed eye   meditations it is best to get an idea of what you sense with your eyes open .With your eyes closed it may be more of a challenge to separate your own information and imagination from  the received input.

     Many people have commented that when seeing auras they only see the  "heat waves" or misty whitish outlines and are disappointed with themselves because they are not seeing lots of color  etc. . I used to feel that way  too I would occasionally see colors and or get symbolic imagery but most of   the time with most people all I could see was  the mist and waves. Many people find it easier to feel the energy of the aura In the first place there are permission issues many people are shielded by choice. Generally most of us will be able to see these things only with permission or compelling reason .     My personal experience is that and this is not true for everyone. Most of the  time with most of the people what is there to see is the waves and misty    outlines. with practice and by raising your frequency you might/will be able to see more from casual observation. Unless you have a particular need and   or the specific permission of the subject and "Your choice of Spiritual    identifier here"  or the person you are observing is feeling some relatively   strong emotion or focusing intensely or in effective meditation etc. most   auras tend to be fairly quiet  you will see colors among the passionate, the  impassioned, the angry, the seriously ill, the dedicated intellectual,  the saint  or   sage, the happy pregnant woman .young children at play,  etc..  When people are in seriously impaired health with the potential to die  they  may see much more of the auric field of others  In that case often  when their  health  improves or they decide to stay on Earth this heightened sensitivity may disappear. You also need yourself to be in a calm and detached but positive   accepting  mild anticipatory state not wrapped up in emotions or   preconceptions that will effect , impede , or superimpose you own energies   on the observed.  People who see all layers of the aura with ease right off have probably    spent lifetimes learning to do so and more importantly have learned to  perceive without the blocks and restraints most of us have imposed on   ourselves  that restrict our awareness of our deeper vision and perceptions. We can release those blocks should we have the will and cause to do so. Auras are not like neon lights very often these are mostly subtle effects   and the emotional and mental layers may change constantly  so we are   talking   about fleeting shifting subtle patterns of light and color  which are most  often intermingled with other auric and energetic patterns and which are    rarely isolated against a neutral background in soft light which is the best condition for observation.   the Aura is not to be confused with the optical effect of staring into light  bulbs etc. Soft light or twilight conditions  are often best for aura observation . The restraint and repression that has been prevalent in today's society also has caused a holding in and dampening of the auras light .The degree of  visibility and activity of the observable aura does vary to a degree   according to the cultural and social traditions of the  observed person . Many Chi gong Masters and Buddhist Adepts for example may  keep  their aura pulled in tight to the physical body  a lot  of the time . Failing to see  their aura does not mean  that they or you are not skilled or spiritual.

    You also need to become familiar with your own energy body the more you   know about your own energy the easier it will become to understand others   energy.  You need to be neutral there is a not striving but allowing state of being that assists and enhances  many of the psy sensitivities. There are also pitfalls in rigidly adhering to some formula of  interpretation of the human aura.  Your intuition untainted by your own   prejudices is vital here     Some of the older interpretive guides are for example inclined to ignore or discount positive qualities of red.   Some  past interpreters  have given a   more positive assessment of the quality of unquestioned obedience to authority then we are inclined to accept today.

What you may be interpreting    What you may perceive as you observe the aura and the information and     colors in the aura. First of all the layers are not really layers like  an onion  has but areas of different frequency or wave pattern that interpenetrate  each other. There are many  more than the seven to 12 most people  describe though for practical purposes that is enough to provide a general  understanding of aura functions .   Generally what most  people see when they observe an aura is some of  the   information from the first or etheric body  visible next to the skin.   This is mostly a bluish or grayish or whitish field. Weak spots and trauma   may show as thinning or swelling in the aura or breaks leaks spurts of  energy around the etheric outline of the body . They may also see information from the second or emotional body which is   often seen as clouds or patterns of multi colored light. traumas and injuries    in this layer may show up as muddy or loud colors  gray fogs  black spots  and sometimes shapes and symbols are seen in this energy field . information and damage can be compressed and layered. Even when you do see or sense the aura you will not get all the information.

  Barbara Brennon in her book  ("Hands Of Light") describes the different energy bodies as alternating between structured form like the blue grid   some see on the etheric (with physical related  information) and the colored  clouds of the emotional body .     The following part was taken down by me  as though    it were dictated to me  and could  probably be considered as channeled . )

   Your feelings thoughts and actions, your mission, pathway and dreams are all imprinted upon your aura from moment to moment and through the  eternity. While a reader may see  your own pattern, the perceiver and  reader may also have their own code. The way they receive and interpret   what they see may not be what is there but may be a code of information for   them filtered through their auric perception  All your feelings, thought, acts and the actions taken upon you do   impact upon your aura. Not everything is preordained, the passions and  fears and restrictions and freedoms your past and possible futures are all   held with in these currents.  Generally many born at the same time may have the same basic tone  on   a soul level  which is where expressions such as indigo children arise yet are  each separate being  so one of indigo soul tone for time may be pink or  yellow or blue in personal color brought into the incarnation yet have   different color visibly redominating from the experiences and action   reaction of the life and life plan that they are moving through as well as showing the paths and flares of the colors of the momentary influences, both   internal and external in the physical environment and from the spiritual creative  plane being flow  form and  isness  Which is what is simply called God by many. and from all the emanations thereof. How may I simplify, 

   What you are, what you feel, what is, so one coming in to   look upon your being may see "you are blue or yellow and green" and be seeing:

  a =  how you are feeling reacting at that moment.

  b.= how you have formed  patterns of feeling and reacting from the moments before.

  c=  what the plan or pattern intention was that you have brought into   the life with you.

  d= or how it harmonized or will unfold not unfold as "planned ".

   e = your past and or future life possibilities.

   f=  what abilities you have brought into this life.

   g=  your personal colors of personality, of nature, of innate wisdom.

   h=  your soul tones or essence these may be both permanent and transient as to life and eternity.

  I= your community or collective colors which indicate the commune of spirit and time and which all of similar mission and "cosmic heart" might share.

  J = How God manifests through you.

 These are but a few of the kind of thing that may be seen by that observer   of your aura .   and  to mention that  also manifestly visible may be elements of the  influences and connections with the many other entities  with whom you   interact and flow with .  The observer may see information and experience solely intended for that    perceiver with you being only a messenger of it for them.  Each plane and each separate but intertwined energy body has its own  colors. Perception will also vary from where the observer "stands" and  whether they see more than one area of influence and information at once  someone who sees the rose of your God Lovingness and bliss of the fifth  energy body only through the yellow filter of your or their adherances to the   intellectual rational approach may perceive that as  orange and say "oh what a passionate physical tribal type that is" and have   only seen the drop of water in the ocean of your being which is perfect in its   being and becoming and Isness and beloved, as are we all. Embrace with joy your unfolding and the beauty of your aura which is  manifest. You ARE, that is enough.  Do not be  consumed or concerned with   what others may say of their perceptions of you and your entire entity   through your Aura form but seek your own knowing and it will come to  you.
  (sela) (end of channely stuff)

COLOR IN THE AURA
    (remember that these are subtle colors impressions not a light show)    The energy field surrounding the physical body can be seen   by some as radiating and filled with  light   I checked every book  pamphlet and article and old lecture note  I could find  for what colors  mean  in the aura and just am going to put in almost everything any one said, obviously there are  apparent conflicts. This information is also useful in choosing color and crystals to use in healing and other work.

 RED
Vitality ,life force, assertion, forcible active   urges, stalwart brave, vengeful, virile ,passion,   drive, endurance. Force of   will, passion, vitality, desire, physical activity, excitability, anger, intensity of experience. maroon    stamina strength purpose and restraint fighting spirit warmth cooperative effort, recuperation, moodiness, selfishness 

Crimson  optimism go getter, challenging competitive nature  ,eager for success, ready to champion  cause ,reckless  scarlet  impassioned likable spiteful, short tempered volatile vivacious dark red anger, willpower 

PINK  sensitivity  , unconditional love ,gentleness willingness to help serves others ,easily hurt   not spiteful or jealous

ORANGE
creativity ,high aspiration , proud self sufficient ,direct, high minded, restrained, ambitious  not warm or sensual ,wants   success rides over others ,self justified ,confident narrow  outlook. sacrifice   Creative, artistic, expressive,   fullness of experience, urge to achieve  results or success.

  GOLD  Goddess energy transformation ,openness Golden may mean spiritual knowledge or mental strength.

YELLOW
  analytical, discipline Sun, dispel evil , scientific mind ,overcomes ignorance ,artistry ,wisdom, creativity , confidence Sunny, exhilarated, mental, power, expectancy, tenacity.

GREEN
growth, change, healing,  abundance, adaptable sympathetic, takes life easy , teaching, endurance, perseverance, persistence, high self-esteem.

Dark green   adaptability, turquoise Love, healing, heart ,generosity.

BLUE
peace, tranquility ,honesty Blue Depth of feeling, love, affection, communication, fulfilling  the highest ideals of unity.

INDIGO
spirituality ,integrity, psychic skills ancient memories,

VIOLET
vision, imagination, intuitiveness , healing Mystical, unifying, enchantment,  charm and
deep spiritual understanding. High spiritual energy that can transmute    lower energies.

WHITE
  God ,oneness Spirituality; highly evolved spiritually; motivated; incorporates qualities of  all other colors.

 BROWN  earthiness, grounded

healers often have green, blue,  or violet in the aura, happily pregnant women run to pastels, lovers often have a glow of rose throughout the aura, intellectual activities can show up as yellow tones  clear pure colors are indicative of stronger harmony than muddy colors

Color in Healing
Spiritual light and color is used for healing the aura and the physical body   for deepening  meditation and to promote specific effects in the energy field. As a tool for healing, color can be gazed at, beamed as healing light, meditated on, bathed in  ,worn, used in art and in ritual such as candle magic and mandala work and painting .   There are many systems of color healing and mandala work that can be used for healing, spiritual  development, manifestation of  material and  non material goals these can  involve the relationships of   the shapes and colors used as well as the intention for which the Mandala is created. not all Mandalas are circular in form . but can be any shape of image which is focused on in   meditation or prayer and manifestation. there are many systems of color   healing using the  color associated with the chakra that rules a particular  area of concern to strengthen the influence or the complimentary color  to    reduce an overcharge of energy is probably the most common method. Color is often an important guide when choosing crystals for various purposes some systems ae based mainly on the color of the crystals There are several pages in the crystal workshop about color and healing .with color .