Orbs are mysterious, spherical forms of energy and light that conventional science can’t fully explain. The most common form of orb is the small white sphere often captured on digital cameras, although they have been spotted in many colours and a variety of sizes.

Orbs are the most common form of paranormal phenomena captured on video or camera by psychics and paranormal investigators. Quite often they appear without warning on ‘normal’ photographs and we’re not sure why they’re there. Be aware that not all photographs of orbs are genuine, however, as particles of dust and moisture can appear as orbs in your pictures. So perhaps the most exciting orbs are the ones that we can see with the naked eye if we are perceptive enough and release our limitations.

There are a number of theories that attempt to explain the strange phenomenon of orbs. Some say that they are a basic form of ghost or spirit – the portion of us that leaves the body after death. Another suggestion is that orbs are the manifestation of elementals or nature spirits. Shamanism and other ancient, nature based belief systems have always revered the consciousness of flowers, plants and the land itself.

Finally, the idea that orbs represent consciousness from other realms or dimensions is perhaps the most plausible. This suggests that the spherical, light form is how other-worldly or multidimensional consciousness can project itself into our third dimensional existence. This makes sense to me because I believe the nature of consciousness itself to be spherical and consider the form of the sphere (and circle) to be sacred. Some say that orbs collect information, while others claim that they deliver wisdom and healing to our realm. They suggest that the origin of this consciousness is angelic, faery or even extra terrestrial and that if we open to the possibility, we can even communicate with them.

After years of developing my own perception and psychic skills through meditation, working with energy and connecting with crystal skulls, I’ve found that I can usually detect orbs with the naked eye and this is then validated if I decide to take a photograph. Often I’ll be working with the crystal skulls, perhaps having placed them as elements of a 3D mandala and I’ll have lit some small candles, begun burning some incense or herbs and I’ll be sitting quietly in a relaxed state when the orbs appear. I might notice a sudden flash around the crystals or crystal skulls, or perceive something moving across the room very quickly from the corner of my eye. It’s not unusual for me to also feel a subtle change in atmosphere and there will be a sense I’m not alone.

When this happens, I’ll pick up the camera or reach for my mobile phone and take a few snaps. More often than not, I’m rewarded with the appearance of an orb or two, and when the images are enlarged there can be some amazing results; rainbow colours, geometric shapes, faces or even the outline of an entire being can manifest in these strange floating spheres.

In my view, orbs manifest when the energetics are favourable. It makes sense, therefore, when they appear in the vicinity of the healing altar, around the crystals or close to the crystal skulls. It also makes sense when they seem to be hovering near trees, flowers or plants, because they are resonating in harmony with the spiritual energies of nature. I sometimes get the feeling that orbs need to resonate with another ‘Being’ in order to appear, and that the life force energy of other ‘Beings’ is a key factor in how and why they manifest. However, I also believe that orbs can appear in their scores in places where the Earth energies are favourable or gateways to other dimensions exist.

My own photographs of the temples of Egypt are full of orbs, which is no surprise considering these sites have been places of connection with the Divine since ancient times. Ancient architects selected locations for these temples where the Earth energy is incredibly active and aligned them with the sacred geometry of the Cosmos, so even today in these places the veils between the dimensions are incredibly thin and the very walls of these temples are flowing with life force energy and spiritual light.

When orbs appear, I always acknowledge and welcome their presence. Even if they don’t seem to have a particular message to convey or a defined reason for showing up, I like to consider their presence as validation that there is so much more in existence than first meets the eye and I value them as ambassadors for the world of energy.

Whatever the explanation for orbs, experiencing them real-time is much more powerful than viewing them in photos. If you’d like to try to see orbs, find a safe, quiet place, meditate or raise your vibration, project the strong intention of lifting your limitations and seeing some energy spheres. You could enhance the energy with some crystals, a crystal skull or alternatively go out in nature and work with a tree or plant that you feel a connection with. When you are ready, use all your senses to perceive what is around you. Keep your digital camera handy but remember the most important record keeping facility we possess is within our own minds, so concentrate on embracing the experience rather than capturing the proof.

Rhian Kivits – Crystal Priestess

I spent last weekend working with Teacher, Therapist and Author, David Furlong, as a student on his Earth Energies training programme.

For me personally, the purpose of this experience was to increase my understanding of energies on the Earth plane and to revisit some of the space clearing techniques I had learnt previously, so that I could decide whether this is a service I will offer clients as an extension of my healing work.

In my experience as a healer, clients can be heavily debilitated by negative attachments – unwelcome energies that have literally ‘hooked’ into the aura – and these can be a significant problem for their health and well-being. Clients can walk around unaware of an unwelcome energetic visitor for days, months, or even years and struggle to find a root cause for their ailments, negative thought patterns and general lack of energy.

I’ve been used to tackling such problems with Spirit Release techniques and energy healing. However, imbalanced energies can exist in places and spaces due to the residual vibration of events and the disturbance of the energetic flow of the Earth and underground water, attracting unhappy or ‘stuck’ Spirits and the physical interference of 3D activities with the natural order of things. This is increasingly likely to be a problem as we continue to progress with urbanisation.

One fascinating technique I learnt this weekend was the use of dowsing rods. Dowsing, once known as Water Witching due to its notoriety as a method for locating water sources, is a tried and tested method of divination that can be traced back to the 15th Century. As an experienced pendulum dowser, I was probably at an advantage, being used to connecting with a divination tool as an extension of my own senses. But having never tried this particular art before, I was amazed at how easy it was to get going and how responsive the dowsing rods felt in my hands.

I worked with two L-shaped metal rods, one held in each hand. The rods act as an extension of the user’s own sensitivities to energy, and simply cross when a particular target is detected. The user determines the target by focusing their mind on what it is they are seeking. So the dowser could focus, for example, on finding a particular concentration of negative energy within a place or space, and the behaviour of their dowsing rods will lead them to an appropriate location. The dowser has then found their focus of attention and can then begin identifying the issue and the most appropriate healing or space clearing work to restore the energetic balance.

Dowsing rods somehow felt more appropriate for divination in spaces and places than the crystal pendulum, partly because they are practical to use outside and probably more reliable when walking around a room or outdoor space.

Having cleared the energies in my own and other people’s properties this weekend I feel confident there is a real place for this work as a service to people and to Mother Earth herself. We need to see ourselves as an integral part of the world around us and to recognise the interconnectedness of our existence – healing ourselves as individuals is only part of the picture. Ignoring our immediate and wider environments, such as our homes, workplaces and outdoor spaces is never going to be a satisfactory approach if we want to enjoy a harmonious future.

Rhian Gibbings