Metaphysical beliefs stem from a philosophy that is rooted in the idea explaining the ultimate nature of being and the world that transcend traditional science. Metaphysical readings also explore cosmology and ontology, which have traditionally been considered branches of metaphysics. This term has also been used to describe any subject that reaches beyond the physical world. This could span such subjects as aura viewing and astrology, of which there is much literature written on.

People who hold metaphysical beliefs often seek to clarify the notions by which people understand the world, including existence, property, space, time, causality, and possibility. Something like aura reading can be useful for such exploration, because the aura is considered the life force energy of all things, both physical and nonphysical. There have been metaphysical readings that state the aura permeates all space, inanimate objects and animate objects, and it connects all objects to each other.

Many people hold metaphysical beliefs because they simply want to start their own personal exploration into what types of things there are in the world and what relations these things bear to one another. Astrology is one way of exploring the world and the relationships that human beings have between one another and the world around them. Astrology came from ancient human's observation that lunar events correlated with Earthly cycles. When humans became agricultural the cycles of the moon and the equinoxes became even more important, as well as the correspondence between seasons, movements of the constellations, animal husbandry and crop growth.

Metaphysical beliefs span everything from spirits to faith healing to crystal power to the occult and much more. The basic principle that ties all these things into one category is their other-worldly natures, which attract people who are concerned with understanding the nature of being and the world we live in.