If you vibe with the concept of karma (AKA the gifts and baggage we carry from actions in past lives) or the ideas of fate and destiny as they relate to the future, you may be excited to know there’s a spiritual concept encompassing all of the above: the Akashic Records. Understood to contain the entire past, present, and future of every soul—an energetic log of all events, thoughts, and emotions that ever have or will occur—the Akashic Records have their origin in the centuries-old concept of Ākāśa in Indian philosophy¹, as a kind of infinite void or fifth element. But ever since the concept was adapted and brought to western audiences by members of the Theosophical Society, the Akashic Records have also been viewed as an archive of the universe.

It’s a concept that can feel, understandably, really hard to wrap your brain around. Again, we’re talking about a sort of spiritual record holding within it everything that ever has happened and will happen—no biggie! But according to Akashic Records reader Krista Rauschenberg, co-host of the podcast Beginner’s Guide to the Third Eye, it’s actually possible for anyone to access the Akashic Records and gain spiritual insights from connecting with all the aspects of their own soul, in this life and others.

Below, Rauschenberg breaks down the meaning of the Akashic Records and shares the secrets to accessing Akashic knowledge, as well as what to expect from an Akashic reading experience, in terms of discovering your soul’s history and fate.

What are the Akashic Records?

The Akashic Records are thought of as “an energetic library of information that contains the details of your soul and its journey,” says Rauschenberg. “They span through past lives, present incarnations, and future possibilities.” To be clear, however, the records do not have a physical manifestation; they exist in an energetic realm that you have to experience, she says.

As for the term “Akashic?” It’s derived from the Sanskrit word Ākāśa, which can refer to the fifth element (or “ether”) in Hinduism or “cosmic space” in Buddhism. In modern interpretations, Ākāśa (or Akasha, transliterated into English) is “considered the subtle, spiritual essence that pervades all of space and is the medium through which all things manifest,” says Rauschenberg. “In the context of the Akashic records, the term ‘Akasha’ is extended to refer to a metaphysical ‘library’ or ‘database’ that contains the energetic imprints of all thoughts, emotions, events, and experiences throughout time.”

The history and origin of the Akashic Records

Akashic Records exploration can be traced back to ancient civilizations. “Hindu philosophy and ancient Egyptian and Greek traditions all had notions of a cosmic or celestial archive,” says Rauschenberg. The concept of the Akashic Records as it’s understood today, however, has its roots in Theosophy, a spiritual and religious movement founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott (and stemming from Buddhism and Indian philosophy) that promotes the interconnectedness of all souls and the ability to seek divine truth through personal enlightenment.

Blavatsky is credited with introducing western audiences to the concept of the Akashic Records, which she claimed to have learned from Tibetan monks, as well as spiritual techniques for accessing the Records (like clairvoyance and psychic abilities) and in so doing, connecting to higher consciousness.

During the early 20th century, the American clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, known as the “Sleeping Prophet,” brought more attention to the Akashic Records. “He claimed that he could access the Akashic Records during trance-like states and used this source for his many psychic readings,” says Rauschenberg. “His work contributed to popularizing the concept in the Western spiritual community.”

Who can access the Akashic Records?

With the proper training, anyone can access the Akashic Records. Typically, you would access your own Akashic Records—meaning, the segment of information in this universal compendium that relates to your soul—but you can also access the records of someone else, so long as you have their name. (This is why you can also get a reading done by a professional Akashic Records reader.) That said, it’s important to always get a person’s explicit permission before opening their Records.

It’s also important to keep in mind that just because anyone can open the Akashic Records doesn’t mean they’ll be able to understand and interpret them. “Intuiting the Records can take time and practice depending on an individual’s relationship to themselves in an energetic fashion and their level of trust in the divine source and the universe,” says Rauschenberg.

Also, some people’s Akashic Records are easier to open than others, adds Rauschenberg: “It depends on how open and familiar someone is with their own energy.” If you’re less connected to your core energetic self, it can be tougher to access the Records.

Benefits of working with the Akashic Records

It can facilitate spiritual growth and evolution

Akashic Records exploration can assist with your spiritual journey and facilitate personal growth. “The Records are thought to contain not only personal information, but also universal wisdom and insights,” says Rauschenberg. Which is all to say, a reading could broaden your perspective on life or the interconnectedness of all beings, and help you find greater alignment with your spiritual path, she says.

It can enhance self-awareness

Aside from realigning your future, an Akashic Records reading can help you better understand your present reality. “By exploring the Akashic Records, you can gain insights into your past experiences, relationships, and patterns,” says Rauschenberg. Such self-awareness can point you toward a deeper understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, and even your core purpose in life.

It can help you process and heal from past trauma

And much in the way that the Akashic Records can highlight your soul’s current reality, this energetic log can also reveal buried aspects of your past and help you process trauma. “The Akashic Records have the ability to heal on multiple levels—emotionally, mentally, and energetically,” says Rauschenberg. That’s because accessing the Records can help you “identify and learn more about past traumas, limiting beliefs, and unresolved emotions,” she explains, which opens the door for healing.

What to expect when accessing the Akashic Records

Because working within the Akashic Records is an energetic practice, the experience can be very subtle in nature, says Rauschenberg. It also can’t be pursued with intellect—connecting requires feeling not thinking, she says.

At the same time, everyone’s experience will be unique. For Rauschenberg, it’s all-encompassing: “When I read for people, I feel things in my body, I hear things, I see things, and I know things,” she says. “An individual may have one or all of those sensations depending on their level of energetic expertise.”

Much of that depends on how connected you are to your own instincts and intuition—which is often a tough relationship to nurture in this world. “Unfortunately, some of us have been shamed out of connecting to our intuition,” says Rauschenberg. “We might have been told we were being too sensitive, or silly, or weird, which can make people push away their gifts, and at a minimum, not trust them.” In that case, your experience of the Akashic Records may be more limited in scope.

What questions should I ask in the Akashic Records?

The good thing is, there’s no wrong question to ask while accessing the Akashic Records—Rauschenberg has had clients explore almost every aspect of life, from work and purpose, to health, family, and parenting. The most important thing you can do is approach the process with an open mind and a willingness to receive any guidance and insights you’re given, she says.

If you’re eager to access the Records as a means for personal growth, you may want to consider asking about:

• Your soul’s purpose in life
• Your past-life karma
• Your emotional wounds and their origins
• Your relationship challenges

How do you access the Akashic Records?

If you haven’t worked with the Akashic Records before or feel apprehensive about addressing past trauma, you might want to tap in a professional, says Rauschenberg. “This is a sacred practice that I consider to carry a high level of responsibility, so I would recommend personal or guided study and mentoring before opening your own or anyone else’s Records,” she says.

That said, it’s certainly possible to access the Records with a personal spiritual practice, which Rauschenberg outlines here:

1. Find a quiet and comfortable space

It’s important to do this work in a place where you’re both safe and secure, and where you won’t be interrupted. Practice your preferred grounding technique (like breathwork or meditation) to still your body and quiet your mind before getting started.

2. Have a clear intention

Carefully consider what you seek to understand while in the Records without attempting to control any outcomes. Having an intention is important as is being in the spirit of acceptance and curiosity.

3. Call upon spiritual guides

It can be helpful to explicitly ask for the support of any higher power with which you resonate—whether that’s spirit guides, angels, or another kind of divine being—when attempting to connect with the Akashic Records.

4. Recite a prayer or mantra

You can access the Akashic Records by reciting an intentional opening prayer or mantra, which contributes to creating a sacred, protected space for the spiritual practice. While there isn’t one specific opening prayer that’s used to access the Akashic Records, many practitioners use the prayers created by Linda Howe, a leading expert in the field of Akashic studies.

5. Get settled in

Take a few minutes to find a sense of grounded energy and calm, and allow your physical body to acclimate to the spiritual practice.

6. Ask your desired questions

Once you’ve settled in, you can begin asking questions in order to gain insights about everything from your relationships and life purpose to the challenges you’re facing. Focus on the information you wish to receive.

As you’re receiving information, use your intuition to interpret it. Pay attention to any images, thoughts, sensations, or sounds that come to you, and notice what comes to mind.

7. Practice gratitude

At the end of a session, consider saying a closing prayer to express gratitude for the insights and knowledge you’ve received. (Looking for some guidance? Refer to the prayers from Akashic Records expert Linda Howe linked above.)

8. Record your experience

Keep a journal on hand to document everything you receive during your spiritual session. This way, you can refer back to the images, symbols, and messages that you’ve written down at a later date, when they may take on new (or clearer) meaning. Over time, recording your experience with the Akashic Records will also illuminate your progress and help you develop a relationship with the Records.

Important tips for anyone interested in getting a professional Akashic Records reading

Clarify your intentions and questions beforehand

Interested in having a professional open your Akashic Records and share their spiritual insights? You’ll want to get clear on your intentions for the reading and what questions you’d like to have answered. “Whether you’re seeking insights about relationships, life purpose, or personal challenges, having a clear intention can enhance the depth of the reading,” says Rauschenberg.

Approach it with an open mind and heart

It’s totally fair to be skeptical of any spiritual process that’s new to you—but in order to allow for the clearest reading, it’s important to approach any Akashic Records experience with curiosity and openness. “The information received may come in the form of symbols, images, feelings, or intuitive insights, but be receptive to whatever unfolds and avoid approaching the experience with rigid expectations,” says Rauschenberg.

Remember that interpretations can vary

“Some practitioners view the Akashic Records as a metaphysical reality, while others interpret them more symbolically or psychologically,” says Rauschenberg. Because of that, different readings for the same person can and will vary; the more willing you are to explore aspects of your life and consciousness that are not immediately apparent, the more meaning you’ll be able to gain from such different interpretations.