Here are my definitions of Astral Projection, Etheric Projection, and Lucid Dreaming. This way, people who have been wondering can see the differences.
There are also other forms of projections, such as Mental Projection, and Bilocation. Bilocation is quite complicated.
Astral Projection
In AP, your 'conciousness' and 'astral body' separate from the physical body and the Physical Realm, going into the Astral Realm. You kinda have a sense like your floating. You have use of all your five senses, plus the ones given to you in your astral body. When you have very vivid dreams, this is usually a form of accidental, natural AP.
AP is 100% safe, and nothing can enter your physical body when you are in AP. If theres any sign of danger, you get 'reeled in' quickly. Ever had a dream where you're falling off something and wake up just before you hit the ground? Yep. Very similar to that. ^_^
Etheric Projection
Etheric Projection is when your etheric body separates from your physical body. Etheric Projection is a OBE or usually when you have a NDE, and they stand for Out of Body Experience and Near Death Experience. It can be dangerous if you go into shock or are disturbed, and that can cause physical death, which rarely happens.
You have all your 5 senses; and you are technically still in the Physical Realm.
Lucid Dreaming
Okay, firstly, contrary to popular belief, Lucid Dreaming is not controlling your dreams. It is simply the awareness that you are dreaming. Hence the 'lucid' part. Personally, I dont think it requires more definition, because that is all it is. The awareness that you are dreaming; and also, you're still in the Physical Realm.
I get these weird tingling feelings like I am being electrocuted when trying to do AP. Is this normal, and what is it?
This is called 'The Vibrational Stage.' Just before your bodies are about to separate, you reach this stage. It is perfectly normal and you have nothing to worry about! It is just a sign to show you are about to go into the Astral Realm.
I'd like to add my two cents, if you don't mind. :)
I believe in a theory presented by different authors of the realms being a template of one another; the Astral planes are a template of the Etheric planes, which are a template for the physical plane. This being said, the difference between projecting on the Astral and Etheric is the ties to a physical place. When we Etherically project, we are projecting our spirit on the sublte (non-physical) level, but in a way that we still are conscious of the physical realm.
I'm not really sure why Etheric projection would be anymore dangerous than Astral projection as they are really facets of the same thing. You're just projecting your consciousness and spirit to a higher or lower realm. Let's not forget the inner realms as well. ^_^
EP is seen as more dangerous than AP because the physical body is near a state of catalepsy, which is a condition in your nerves when your muscles are rigid, and you are highly sensitive to pain, more than usual. So if you go into a state of shock, I can only imagine the consequences! :P
Agreed.
Of course EP and AP originate from the same thing, it is likes said, a differing level of existence. It is this difference that gives them dissimilar factors and qualities. In EP one is put into a very vulnerable place as imperative precursor is nearly completely translated to the Etheric Body. In AP this does not happen. The "Astral Body" remains dependent.
That is what I find to be the particular reason most people consider EP to be more dangerous.
However there are people who claim to project etheric wise with fewer problems than when they astral project. Cases such as these allow the concept of astral/etheric travel to remain a highly objective topic.
