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January/February 2008 Cosmic
Orbs: Capturing These Mysterious Lights on Film

by Hope Mead

As we find ourselves in new territory, we need tools to help us navigate and explore our new paradigm of existence. There are many well-known tools for exploring the nature of life, such as meditation, yoga, prayer and fasting.

Yet I never imagined that my digital camera would become just such a tool. It has done this by allowing me to capture in a photograph a glimpse of a greater reality that is peeking through the veil of our three-dimensional limited way of seeing.

Cameras (especially digital) are now picking up phenomenon that exist in different parts of the light spectrum than are normally not seen with the naked eye. These phenomenon are manifesting in different forms, but one of the most commonly seen in photographs are round glowing balls of light called orbs.

I first discovered orbs about six years ago and became instantly fascinated and enchanted by them. Now, after taking more than 20,000 images with orbs in them, it has become clear to me that there is some form of higher consciousness involved in the phenomenon and that higher vibration energy attracts them.

Orbs have been photographed around sacred sites for many years and are now showing up everywhere. I have seen them swarm in photos when live music is played, children are laughing or friends are joined together. They appear en masse while someone meditates or sends them love. I have photographed them in nature as well as inside convention halls. The commonality of their appearances is the presence of strong emotion, be it joy, love, bliss and even grief.

Many of us have felt that there is more to existence than what we can readily perceive with our eyes. Yet we live in a "seeing is believing" world that has, for the most part, denied the reality of other worlds and dimensions that are unseen and not easily explained. This is one reason the orb phenomenon is so exciting - we are actually able to see the unseen.

It's simple to experience orbs yourself using a digital camera. Find a location that feels sacred or joyous to you - a church or a healing spot, an outdoor party or celebration, a special place in nature - anywhere that positive energy or vibrations are felt. Get together with a group of people and have fun. Singing or playing instruments works well, as music brings in higher frequencies. Be sure to use your flash as it seems the orbs are usually seen with its aid.

Take pictures at dusk or when it's already dark. Orbs have been photographed in daylight, with or without a flash, but it's rare. Frame the shots so that subjects are toward the bottom of the frame, with more sky than ground. Be prepared to shoot and shoot (which is easy with a digital camera) and to revisit a location several times to cultivate the area.

A small percentage of people see orbs with the naked eye, yet it is generally through the photographic medium that they are seen. But most importantly, it is through our hearts that they are felt.

Hope Mead produced Orbs: The Veil is Lifting, the first full-length film that brings together scientists, spiritual teachers, and experts to explore the orb phenomenon. She has spent her life exploring the interaction between spirit and form through photography, energy work, song writing and dance. Visit www.orbprojectbook.com.