Sparkles in the air

paulforel · 10-11-2008 11:06AM

This is a weird thing I've noticed occasionally over the last few years, but especially in the past six months, when I've been seeing it on a daily basis.

It seems to me like the air is milling with tiny sparkling particles (almost always white - very rarely other colours, especially blue). It's very difficult to describe what they're like, but they seem energised - they move occasionally in short curved or spiralling paths, although they mostly just flash in and out of my vision. I can see it most easily in the sky, but if my head's in the right place, for example right after I've woken up from a light sleep, I'll see it anywhere, with any background - the road, buildings, my desk. I can occasionally see it in the dark (not pitch dark, though) and when my eyes are closed.

I've seen the same thing myself, as you describe it- little spirals shooting off and on....in clusters. Saw them today against the blue sky, I've seen them before.

Nothing wrong with my vision.....I see auras, too, btw and have had some para experiences incl OBE...

Paul...

paulforel · 10-11-2008 11:13AM

arrietty wrote: »

..the air is milling with tiny sparkling particles (almost always white - very rarely other colours, especially blue). ...they seem energised - they move occasionally in short curved or spiralling paths, although they mostly just flash in and out of my vision......Does anybody else see this? Any ideas what it might be?

Hi, I've seen the same little spirals, myself. Today again, in the past, as well. No explanation. I see auras and have had a couple of OBE's plus some other para experiences.

Thanks,

Paul

Hugh_ · 24-09-2009 05:39AM

Quoted from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_field_entoptic_phenomenon

Blue field entoptic phenomenon

The blue field entopic phenomenon or Scheerer's phenomenon is the appearance of tiny bright dots moving quickly along squiggly lines in the visual field, especially when looking into bright blue light (such as the sky). This is a normal effect that can be perceived by almost everybody. The dots are due to the white blood cells that move in the capillaries in front of the retina of the eye, near the macula.

Blue light (optimal wavelength: 430 nm) is well absorbed by the red blood cells that fill the capillaries. The eye "edits out" the shadow lines of the capillaries by dark adaptation of the photoreceptors lying beneath the capillaries. The white blood cells which are much rarer than the red ones and do not absorb the blue light well, create gaps in the blood column, and these gaps appear as bright dots. They won't appear at the very center of the visual field, because there are no blood vessels in the fovea. The effect is rather weak, and many people don't notice it at all. It is strongest when looking at a smooth blue surface.

In a technique known as blue field entoptoscopy, the effect is used to measure the blood flow in the retinal capillaries. The patient is alternatingly shown blue light and a computer generated picture of moving dots; by adjusting the speed and density of these dots, the patient tries to match the computer generated picture as well as possible to the perceived entoptic dots. This then allows calculation of the blood flow in the capillaries. This test is important in diseases such as diabetes which can cause retinopathy.

Scheerer's phenomenon should not be confused with "floaters" (muscae volitantes). Scheerer's phenomenon is distinguished by the appearance of multiple, identical-looking bright dots that follow each other rapidly along the same path. Floaters are variable in appearance; although they sometimes are dots, they often have the appearance of threads or shreds of crumpled cellophane. Floaters remain almost stationary or drift slowly and do not follow well-defined paths. They are due to debris floating in the vitreous humor of the eye. There are also several phosphenes that need to be distinguished from Scheerer's phenomenon.

paulforel · 24-09-2009 07:34AM

Hugh_ wrote: »

Quoted from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_field_entoptic_phenomenon

Blue field entoptic phenomenon

The blue field entopic phenomenon or Scheerer's phenomenon is the appearance of tiny bright dots moving quickly along squiggly lines in the visual field, especially when looking into bright blue light (such as the sky). This is a normal effect that can be perceived by almost everybody. The dots are due to the white blood cells that move in the capillaries in front of the retina of the eye, near the macula.

Hugh, thanks for posting this, it is appreciated very much!

The description of how they look is very close to what I see. As I see them they are either semi-circles shooting in and out of sight, squigglies or even straight lines that go shooting in and out of my vision. The 'dots' are sometimes half arrows, not necessarily dots.

So I appreciate your suggestion since as I can see, everyone is speculating and [until this] no one seems to know; or better said, perhaps I've not known what to call it so I can research this.

The explanation provided is as good as any I suppose, being a layperson and not an opthamologist I would not know right from wrong here.

It would go a long way if someone were to provide a picture; is that too much to ask? I tried Google and Scientific American but nothing showed up.

Someone had told me it was 'quantum energy' but what do I know...

I kinda like your explanation better. I'd still like to see a picture or maybe an opportunity to draw out what I see and have someone confirm what I'm seeing is what is referred to Wikipedia.

Also, I see there is now a riff between those who want to attribute this to the paranormal and those want us to go see an eye doctor, LOL!

I think suggesting there must be a paranormal, metaphysical or supernatural explanation for this is premature since except for Hugh and Wikipedia, no one really knows either way. At least, not in the mainstream.

To make my point more clear- I have seen three times some kind of energy wall or 'shield' floating in front of three different person's body. It was in all three cases as wide as the person's torso and it extended from the top of their chest to their lower stomach.

Smoky dark grey in color, not solid and it was about three inches the first time I saw it, about four or so inches the second time and last year (I'm 58) I saw it floating in front of someone and it was a good eighteen inches!

All three times there was about an inch of space between this wall/shield and the person's torso.

And if that is not good enough, the last time I saw it the person had tear drop shaped sparks coming off her head, also.

The first two times was when I was 13 and I could not approach the adults but this last time I asked the girl if she even knew of what I could easily see, right immediately in front of me. She did not know what the heck I was talking about.

I had hoped she did, that would have helped to understand what that wall/shield is/what it is for.

Which is my point- I've been visited twice by either the same or two different ghosts while practicing seeing my aura in the mirror; I've been levitated and I've had three SOBE's.

I also have some Intuitive gifts that are off the chart.

Having spent more time seeing the aura since I started practicing last August and am now also seeing what I had been calling 'aura patches' but are apparently referred to as 'energy fields', floating over an animal or human (I see them most often in pictures which is where I do most of my aura practice work), I have come to decide that wall/energy shield is not supernatural, after all but is a property of our bodies for which I don't have an explanation. Nor in spite of the fact I've brought this up repeatedly on the 'net, no one has mentioned that they also have seen this. And why I've not seen it but three times in 58 years escapes me.

But as I said, I've come to think it is not paranormal or metaphysical or supernatural.

It exists but no one either knows of it or is willing to admit they've seen it, too.

So inasmuch as certain of you would like to suggest I visit my local psychiatrist and some of you will want to suggest this is a supernatural phenomenon, I'm not sure that is true.

To actively suggest an 'answer' need be one or the other simply because this is a 'spiritual' forum seems shortsighted and is certainly thinking that will doom enlightenment or learning.

Thanks,

Paul

Hugh_ · 24-09-2009 03:19PM

Here's the closest visual representation I could find online to the phenomenon:

In my own experience, I have noticed that the movement is directly related to my own heartbeat.

Relating this to the explanation on Wikipedia this makes sense, because it is the white blood cells moving through the capillaries in the retina of the eye.

When my heart beats, there is a speeding up of the dots, which is logically how it should be.

Unfortunately the picture gif shows rather continuous movement rather than quick/slow linked to each beat.

student30 · 24-09-2009 09:59PM

I'm just reading this and wanted to share my experience. I too see sparkles,WOW thought I was all alone!They can be swirling and all different colours, usually purple, not like the stars you see when dizzy or looking at bright lights more like glitter floating in the air and moving around. I see them in daytime and intensely in the dark. When this began I didn't know what it was, but always felt a wonderful calm and warm peaceful feeling. Now I have realised through meditation that these are angels, other people may refer to spirit guides or spirits or beings from other dimentions but for me I believe in angels.
Now I see faces come through having developed this further. Just notice any feelings you may get, it really is an amazing experience and if you see sparkles imo it is your angels letting you know they are here. I see it above peoples heads, and can feel the atmosphere change also.
Enjoy and the more you relax the more you will see.

paulforel · 25-09-2009 02:33AM

Hugh_ wrote: »

Here's the closest visual representation I could find online to the phenomenon:

Unfortunately the picture gif shows rather continuous movement rather than quick/slow linked to each beat.

Thanks for taking the time to put this up....but this is not what I see.

There is a 'tail' attached to the 'darts' I see and they do not have 'star' heads; they have 'half' pointers on them.

And as I said, these darts pop in and out of sight, not just swirl around.

Anyway, thanks, though, Hugh_

Hugh_ · 25-09-2009 04:40AM

paulforel wrote: »

Thanks for taking the time to put this up....but this is not what I see.

There is a 'tail' attached to the 'darts' I see and they do not have 'star' heads; they have 'half' pointers on them.

And as I said, these darts pop in and out of sight, not just swirl around.

Anyway, thanks, though, Hugh_

Yes, I see them the same way as you do too, with a tail and half pointers on them as well, and they dissappear out of sight after they quickly move after each heartbeat.

That's the white blood cells moving through the capillaries in the retina.

This was the closest representation picture that I could find online, unfortunately the person who made it probably did not have the drawing tools or time available to make them exactly like how they appear.

paulforel · 25-09-2009 05:01AM

Hugh_ wrote: »

Yes, I see them the same way as you do too, with a tail and half pointers on them as well, and they dissappear out of sight after they quickly move after each heartbeat.

Well, okay. The only other thing to point out is that I occasionally see these darts all traveling in the same direction, sort of like a school of fish.

?

Paul

Alex00 · 04-10-2009 03:47AM

paul forel you won't find any answers here

paulforel · 04-10-2009 05:06AM

Alex00 wrote: »

paul forel you won't find any answers here

I have no idea what that means.

Hugh has at least said and described that he and I see the same thing so that is at least something.

You post neither adds nor detracts from what Hugh has said, Alex.

paulforel · 04-10-2009 05:18AM

Alex00 wrote: »

paul forel you won't find any answers here

I just realized- are you 'the' Alex with whom I've already been in contact by email a few times?

If so, I'm mostly following my nose and in fact I think it was you who referred me to the original post here several months ago.

Hugh thinks he has an answer- it is not what you told me this is but I'm not opposed to at least being polite and listening to what Hugh has to say.

Nor am I 'seeking answers here', Alex. I'm mostly just responding to what is being posted here about these little white jets by being a good listener.

This is not my priority- I've told you I spend most of my time experimenting with what I see of the aura.

How have you been, anyway? I wish you'd email me more often and let me know how you are doing.

No AP yet; almost but not quite. I'm working on it, though.

I wish I knew some short cuts, LOL...

Best,

Paul

Ulsteryank · 04-10-2009 07:35AM

I've always seen this too! I always figured it was some trick played on my eyes trying to stare out into the sky or something, but never asked anyone else if it happens to them.

Hugh_ · 07-10-2009 01:16AM

paulforel wrote: »

To make my point more clear- I have seen three times some kind of energy wall or 'shield' floating in front of three different person's body....

But as I said, I've come to think it is not paranormal or metaphysical or supernatural.

It exists but no one either knows of it or is willing to admit they've seen it, too.

Hi paulforel, I think what you may possibly have seen here is what's known as a "migraine aura". I experienced one when I was about 16, it came and went over about an hour period, and I haven't seen one ever again. It was colorful and sparkly and seemed to float several feet in front of me. I never experienced a headache with it, but some people do experience migraines with them.

There are videos about them on youtube, a search for "migraine aura":

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=migraine+aura&search_type=&aq=f

You can also search google images for some pictures that people have drawn of them:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=%22migraine+aura%22&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=

there are many pages of images to see there...

Here's the Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aura_(symptom)

and the entry for "scintillating scotoma", the most common type of visual aura:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scintillating_scotoma

I hope this helps. Take care.

Hugh

amigodex · 15-12-2010 10:24AM

What you see is called "prana", it's energy, well kind of. Pranayama is a yoga technique for breathing this "prana" and energize your self with it.
Since I learned the concept of prana I've always associated with Star Wars's midi-chlorians and the force as if this prana would be the stuff from which the universe is made. I dunno it's such a comparison. But you can find lots of info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prana
Bye!

15-12-2010 11:30AM

paulforel wrote: »

Thanks for taking the time to put this up....but this is not what I see.

There is a 'tail' attached to the 'darts' I see and they do not have 'star' heads; they have 'half' pointers on them.

And as I said, these darts pop in and out of sight, not just swirl around.

Anyway, thanks, though, Hugh_

Something to do with dust on the eyes then

C_Scan · 15-12-2010 02:42PM

amigodex wrote: »

What you see is called "prana", it's energy

Yes, what you are seeing is air prana. Sometimes called 'vitality globules'.

If you observe them on a bright sunny fresh day, compared to a cloudy dull day, you will notice a big difference in activity and brightness.

This 'energy' is absorbed by our body. This is another reason why people can feel 'low energy' on dull days and 'high energy' on bright crisp days.

The healing modality 'Pranic Healing' teaches fantastic techniques to utilize the Prana which you see in the air to maintain good health and to recharge the body to heal faster.

mb3 · 13-06-2011 06:16PM

hello, never used this forum or this type of forum before just came across it when i was checking the internet to see if i was going a bit loopy!!!

i fell asleep on my couch earlier and when i woke up i was just being lazy for a bit and looking out of the window. i seen what i can only describe as tiny shiny white movements in the air...not the air around me, just in the air outside (through the window). if i tried to focus my eyes on one of them it would just disapear but when i just stared at the sky i could see them very clearly. they moved randomly like snowflakes in the wind, but very fast!
i have never seen anything like it before and it made me feel like i was seeing things! i probably would have thought that i was seeing things, or was something to do with my eyes, if it wasnt for the fact that i could only see these things outside through the window...not in my immediate space! they were quite clearly in the air outside......can anyone elaborate or am i a bit mad:(

Sparkles in the air

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