Hi Jeni,
I think what you experience is what RB calls 'strobe effect'. I have it too since I started working with energy. The brow center (third eye) 'strobes' accumulated energy upward into the crown center. You can find more about it in Astral Dynamics on page 185.
With me the flashes are usually white and occasionally red or blue. No rainbow colors like you have. According to RB this effect is a strong indicator that clairvoyant potential is present. The flashes will come more frequent (with less intervals), speeding up to a 'vision screen' that can be manipulated. So, it sounds like we're in for some fun!

I also have been seeing 'energy-patterns' before going to sleep or when i wake up. Like spirals and cristals.
I think all this is cool too. it makes me look forward to going to bed.

And it's comforting: I don't have obe's yet, but at least SOMETHING is happening!
A-M