I’ve also been really been savouring the summer months, and this unusually warmer fall weather by spending time with friends as much as possible. In addition to all of this, I recently finished up a year-long design project that I was working on with some friends, which was such a rewarding and fun experience (stay tuned for the immersive case study coming in the next few months).

I first came across aura readings on social media, and have been interested in them for a while. After doing some research, there is really only one reputable place in Toronto that does them. After work one day, I made my way to Rose Aura, located in the west-end of the city.

Evelyn founded Rose Aura in 2017, and has been operating out of this very small studio just off College Street. When I arrived, she was so welcoming, and proceeded to explain to me the process of how my aura photo will be taken. I sat on a chair and placed my hands on these two sensor machines beside me and we proceeded to do some deep breathing exercises (something I never do), as a grounding exercise. While sitting on the chair, she explained that an aura is the unseen electromagnetic energy field that surrounds me. Most commonly known as an “irl vibe check" lol. They cannot be seen with the naked eye, but can be felt by others. Aura readings are able to provide insights into one’s emotional well-being and state. Fun fact: auras can be up to 9 feet in length!!!

Evelyn explained that this photo will be a snapshot of my energy in that very moment, as aura’s can change from minute to minute. She instructed me to hold my pose for 10-15 seconds in order for the camera to capture my photo along with my aura, which was being extracted from the sensors my hands were on. We then walked over to a little counter where I waited for my photo to develop, where she had a beautiful crystal collection, along with a sheet that explained all of the chakras and corresponding colours. She explained chakras to me, and as my photo started to slowly devlop, she began my reading. It was definitely overwhelming to take in all of the information, as it was my first time being exposed to chakras, but was able to make some info on my takeaways (see below for my cute photo):

• In the past two weeks I've been feelinf overworked & tired (the murky red mixed with the yellow on the lower left) & I can expect to feel this way in the coming weeks too lol (lower right side)

• All of the colours above my forehead represent my present energy and the thoughts and feelings that I’m experiencing. i think a lot and have a lot of mental energy and very active thoughts (the bright red), but am physically tired.

• She also explained that the pink mixed with the purple means that I am giving kind and comforting energy to others. the bright red means i’m very secure in myself and i have a great sense of intuition and to lean into that more

She encouraged me to be kind to myself, and to breathe in order to be less tense and to ground myself, and to also look at my aura photo to feel a sense of calm. After leaving the shop with my photo—and with a beautiful crystal—I was reflecting on how accurate my reading was, and wondering how it would change if I practiced more grounding and wellness techniques. It would be cool to start a tradition of getting an aura reading semi-anually to see how it shifts throughout my life.

Since the pandemic began, I’ve noticed my focus get progressively worse over the months at home. Struggling to complete a task in its entirety without any distractions has become a new annoying thing in my life. I know I can work more efficiently and effectively, and want to strive to get to that place again by trying to make a more conscious effort to minimize my multi-tasking especially while working. One small thing that I find helps a lot to get me into the zone to focus is listening to the same song or playlist on repeat until said task is fully completed.

The warmer weather and the potential for there to be some normalcy this spring and summer has been something that I’ve been looking forward to for a while. This playlist consists of a mix of some funky tunes that make me hopeful and happy, and honestly just put me in the best mood. I find it so interesting how this pandemic has affected all of us in different ways, but especially the way in which just being a functioning human being has become so much more difficult and exhausting at times. Here’s your reminder to bask in the sun, and try not be too hard on yourself for the ways in which you’ve changed during this time. Happier days are coming…

If you’re interested, you can listen to it here.

Although I’m publishing this project a couple of months later, discovering new music and revisiting some old favourites has been one of the highlights for me this year. It’s given me the space to understand and process my emotions and feelings, while also providing me with comfort during the difficult times.

If you’re interested, you can listen to it here.