There are countless guides on how to leave your body for an astral projection, and just as many that describe the out-of-body experience itself. But how often do we hear about what actually awaits on the other side? What does the astral plane look like, and how does it feel to be there? This article dives into the essence of the astral realm, offering a glimpse of what’s really out there beyond the veil.
Once you cross the veil into the astral planes, a sense of wonder unfolds around you. It’s as if you’ve entered a world beyond earthly logic—a place that feels both mysterious and oddly familiar. There’s a weightlessness, a sense of total freedom, almost as though gravity and time have lost their hold. The air itself seems charged, filled with a soft, shimmering energy that flows through you like a warm, gentle breeze, echoing in tune with your own essence.
Visually, the astral realm is breathtaking. The scenery can shift based on your emotions, intentions, or state of mind. Colors appear deeper and more vivid than anything you’ve seen before, radiating a life of their own. These colors pulse, change, and seem to breathe around you, as though you’re standing inside the very essence of creation.
The landscape often combines the surreal with the ultra-real. Some parts might look like earthly scenes—gardens, forests, or even cities—but with an ethereal glow that feels otherworldly. Every detail is sharp and alive, almost as if each element knows you’re there. Objects, too, appear to emit a soft inner light, giving the impression that they’re aware of their surroundings.
The structures in this realm seem to pulse and shift. Buildings may shimmer like crystal, forests might give off a vibrant green glow, and the sky stretches as an endless palette of colors that ebb and flow, almost as if in tune with your thoughts.
There’s a profound peace, a sense that your spirit truly belongs. You feel liberated, free from the limitations of the physical body, and there’s a lightness that lets you drift without effort. Even your thoughts and emotions feel tangible, as if they have their own weight and presence. Happiness seems to brighten the landscape itself, while curiosity opens up new paths and vistas.
In this realm, you feel deeply connected to everything around you. It’s like every molecule is aware of you, responding to your thoughts and intentions in a way that feels deeply intimate. The sensation is almost like being enveloped by a warm, loving force—a direct connection to something universal and wise, perhaps even familiar at a soul level.
In the astral planes, encounters with other beings are common and deeply meaningful. These beings often feel like more than mere acquaintances; they are entities with wisdom, compassion, and a keen awareness of your presence. Among them, two distinct types often appear: guides and guardians. Each has a unique role, and meeting them can feel like reconnecting with an ancient, familiar presence—someone who has known and cared for you across time.
Your guides are luminous, gentle presences that often radiate warmth and compassion. They don’t have fixed forms, but rather, they appear as beings of light or soft, flowing energy. When you meet them, it feels as though they bring a soothing calm, as if they’re wrapping you in a protective, understanding energy. Some people describe guides as looking vaguely human, with features that reflect their own personality or past-life connections, while others see them as radiant, ethereal figures.
Meeting your guide often happens when you need guidance, healing, or insight. They communicate telepathically, and their messages arrive as impressions, emotions, or even direct knowledge. It’s as though they pour understanding directly into your mind, bypassing language altogether. Their wisdom feels timeless, filled with a kindness and clarity that’s grounding. In their presence, you might feel an immense wave of love—a type of love that transcends any earthly experience.
Guides help you see beyond the surface of things. They might lead you through the astral planes, showing you places, memories, or insights that you need to explore. Often, they encourage you to release fears or doubts, gently guiding you to see yourself from a higher perspective. After an encounter with a guide, you may feel renewed, as if you’ve been reminded of a deeper purpose or a forgotten truth about your own soul.
Guardians, on the other hand, are protectors. Their energy is often more intense, direct, and steadfast, like a powerful shield surrounding you. Guardians tend to feel larger, both in presence and energy, exuding strength, courage, and a fierce love. They are here to safeguard you as you navigate the astral planes, ensuring that you remain in alignment with your highest self.
While guides offer gentle wisdom, guardians are there to keep you safe. Their communication is clear, sometimes even more direct, as though they want to make sure you’re aware of any potential risks or distractions. They might appear at times when you’re uncertain or feeling vulnerable in the astral realm. Guardians can also serve as gatekeepers, standing between you and places you’re not yet ready to explore, guiding you back to familiar grounds if necessary.
Encounters with a guardian are grounding, giving you a sense of security. Some people describe these beings as warriors, cloaked in light or armor, radiating a strength that reminds you of your own resilience. When you meet your guardian, you may feel as though you’re being “seen” deeply, recognized for your courage and growth. Guardians often teach you about inner strength and boundaries, reminding you that you carry a core of power within you.
In both cases, these encounters leave you with a profound feeling of connection. Guides and guardians act as links to the higher realms, but also to the deepest parts of yourself. With them, you feel seen, loved, and respected in a way that goes beyond words. The connection with these beings often fills you with gratitude, as you realize that you’re not alone—these wise and protective energies are by your side, supporting your journey.
The astral realm also has its darker layers, called the lower astrals. This area feels denser and more chaotic, with landscapes that sometimes resemble barren wastelands, shadowy forests, or empty cities where the energy feels heavier and less vibrant. The air here seems thick and still, and colors are muted, appearing in shades of gray, dull browns, or dark reds. The atmosphere can feel unsettling, with a quiet that feels different from the peace of higher realms; it’s more like a weight pressing down, as if the area itself holds onto stagnant energy. Although I have ventured into the lower astrals in the past, I now avoid this area. It’s an experience that can be valuable for understanding all dimensions of the astral realm, but I prefer to focus on exploring the higher planes, where the energy is lighter and the encounters feel uplifting.
In the astral planes, every encounter is meaningful. No matter where you travel. Each presence you meet reflects a part of your journey, offering wisdom, support, and love. When you return, you might carry with you a greater sense of purpose, a sense of peace, and the reassurance that there are energies dedicated to helping you explore, grow, and understand the mysteries of existence.
In the astral, time becomes fluid. Moments feel like they stretch and expand, or sometimes dissolve altogether. You might spend what feels like hours exploring, only to return and realize mere minutes have passed. It’s as though you’re stepping into a realm beyond time, where each moment holds layers of truth waiting to be discovered.
The calm here is unlike anything in the physical world. It’s a silence filled with presence, a stillness that invites exploration and an expansion of consciousness. You feel drawn to go further, to understand this vast, multidimensional world and your own role within it.
In the astral, you’re free, fully aware of your multidimensional self. The experience is profoundly transformative leaving you with a sense of purpose, unity, and the feeling of coming home.