I read a lot of the Improved Invisibility posts and saw a lot of different ways to look at them. I'll probably stick with how I've been doing it so I don't piss my players off.
I have another question for you all fine folks out there.
Do you allow astrally projecting mages to cast invisibility (mana based) on their auras?
I allow astral "stealth" tests and the like and my players and I came up with a discussion on why someone would want the mana based invisibility. I said that mana based spells can be used on the astral. As I have read it, another astrally aware character can make an assensing test to determine if their is a spell in the area, but otherwise might not notice it in the flotsom and jetsom of the astral terrain. With that line of logic, I allow a character to cast invisibility on their aura. It keeps them out of site unless they give an astral entity reason to make an assensing test. I like this as it can help keep a Shadowrun "quiet". And since they took out a lot of the Twink things you can do on the astral in 3rd Ed I am not quite as opposed to my players taking an astral jaunt occasionally.
Just a question, interested in seeing what you folks have to say.

I allow this. I call it Masking.

By the RAW there is no way to make your aura invisible. i personally think that's a great idea. Mages already make astounding scouts. Allowing them to breeze by astral gaurdians makes them too good IMo.

indeed. and, no, i don't allow invisibility to work on astral sight.

Why would you want to make your aura invisible? If you see a thing moving around and you know it to be alive, yet it gives off no aura, you've defeated the purpose of being invisible. Now, you've become a subject of interest to anyone perceiving in the area. Regardless of whether you can hide the glow of the aura, astral perception still allows those using it to see physical forms.

They're talking about making an astrally projecting aura invisible, not one tied to a meat body.

Ah, I misread your initial post. So with that new understanding, no way. Heh, that makes the mage WAAYY overpowered. That is, unless you're going to start allowing enemy mages use the same ability... but talk about broken. I shudder to think of the ramifications of such a spell.

Can anyone say 'Turn to Goo'?

don't forget that if he was casting it, it would hafta be cast after the mage started projecting and all spells cast while projecting do physical damage

Not to mention that even though the astral entity (not limited to projecting mages here) would also have an active spell eluminating them unless they can mask the mana spell anyways.....so, to actually work, would require an initiate with Masking....and that is if you house ruled a way to hide the aura to begin with.