[dmoiknlasd]

I prefer to read auric energy in this manner ;

Prepare the room with dim light
a comfortable arm chair for sitter and reader
Open in protection as you will
deep cleansing breaths
powering up raising energy
prep the sitter as you prep yourself that is ask them to raise energy also
achieving a light meditative trance
closing physical eyes
look through third eye

For auras I look to the left shoulder noting the colours and then to the crown and down the right shoulder noting the differences in these three areas .The right side has to do with males and the left side with females ie an area of olive green on the right side may indicate a health issue that has to deal with male issues ie father , bf . partner etc.

I interpret the colours in this manner ;
http://au.msnusers.com/AuntClairsParlor ... msetc.msnw
But you will want to consider what the colours mean to you , your guide and the sitter .Finally in answer to the background question . I find any dark colour in a dimly lit room helps the colours of the auric energy to stand out . I prefer dark solid blue or black but see what works best for your own sight . An A3 square of card or large poster board could be used I find that the colours leap out in waves and spikes and clouds and come away from the head about 15 cm on most people . The aura extends around the entire body but the head is easiest to view .

But you can also read your own hands and have sitters stand sideways and view their heart aura too . Once you get good at this it is possible to look at the energy of the skin and within the energy body . I do not see the colour of the skin but the hermetic colouring of the energy on and through the energy limbs .

I have read about seeing auras best on white backgrounds too . But I don't feel this helps me at all .

Here are some links ;
http://forums.astraldynamics.com/viewto ... light=aura

http://www.astralsociety.com/as/Forum/i ... 218.0.html
http://www.astralsociety.com/as/Forum/i ... 366.0.html
http://www.astralsociety.com/as/Forum/i ... 987.0.html
http://www.astralsociety.com/as/Forum/i ... 653.0.html
http://www.astralsociety.com/as/Forum/i ... 558.0.html