Every so often (perhaps two-three times an hour) a large yellow glow appears around my characters head and the same noise from me recovering souls plays.

I know it's not me gaining humanity thats a black and white glow and idea what the hell it is?

Check to see if your Estus Flask count goes up next time, I imagine that's what it is. I'm pretty sure if someone kindles the bonfire you are connected to, you get a free estus flask. (This is speculation and hearsay, but I'm pretty sure there is some truth to it.)

Someone near you kindled a bonfire, and you got an estus flask

@Theresonlyone: I think that's you gaining an estus flask. That happens whenever someone kindles the last fire you rested at.

Ahh that is awesome it scared the crap out of me the first time.

@Theresonlyone said:

Ahh that is awesome it scared the crap out of me the first time.

I think you just summed up Dark Souls.

Hey, since we are here, I have a question: I was playing and saw what looks like the Way of the White covenant symbol on the ground (looks like the targeting reticule, but not like it was stitched with thread). I went up to it and my heal miracle had a white circle around it. I used the miracle and the circle went away from the miracle and the ground. This had happened twice.

Did I heal someone in another world? Is it connected to the Way of the White covenant? How could I do this myself?

@SuperWristBands: I think you're looking for this thread: http://www.giantbomb.com/dark-souls/61-32697/these-rings-everywhere-are-creeping-me-out/35-519540/

@Timing: Thanks guy. Sadly that thread does not have clear answers but it did give me enough information to search for an answer.

@SuperWristBands: I believe it is you healing other people who are also in the way of the white covenant as being in that covenant also draws you nearer to others in it / people who are in human form.

@McShank: Didn't mean to mislead (I should have put this in the first post) but I was not in the Way of the White covenant when I saw it. I believe I was not in any covenant at the time.

@Turambar said:

@SuperWristBands: There is a specific ring given to you by Gwynevere for entering the princess guard covenant that allows you to see the synergy points. Using a miracle near that orb makes the miracle stronger. It seems to exist for people regardless of the ring in NG+, but I don't see any without the ring in my first playthrough.

I did have the ring, but it was not equipped. I was also on my first playthrough but I was very near the end.