Whether or not you’ve met a psychic, most of us are aware that some people are born with a mystical sixth sense that allows them to pick up on information about the past, present, and future. But, just as we have five basic senses to help us observe the physical world around us, people can perceive extrasensory information in a variety of ways. Clairsentience, or the ability to feel knowledge and energy, is one of the most fascinating. But what exactly is clairsentience, and how does it differ from other psychic experiences?
Clairsentience, which translates to “clear feeling,” is defined as the ability to detect extrasensory knowledge through non-tangible feelings. When we can distinguish clairsentience from other common psychic abilities, such as clairvoyance (think Raven’s visions in That’s So Raven) or clairaudience, we can better understand what it means (which is when people hear psychic messages rather than receiving them visually). Clairsentience is similar, but it refers to an innate emotional awareness of psychic information rather than seeing or hearing things.
“Being clairsentient is literally ‘feeling’ everything,” psychic love expert Sara Kohl of Keen.com tells Bustle. “It takes a high level of discernment, spiritual knowing and awareness, and a lot of compassion.”
According to psychics and astrologers, here’s the real meaning of clairsentience.
What Does “Clairsentience” Mean?
People who possess clairsentience have clear access to emotions and energies, whether they pertain to what is happening in front of them or to something that is taking place in another location or time. However, possessing clairsentient traits also suggests that a person has psychic access to information. Therefore, clairsentience goes a step further: It’s about knowing and feeling things that haven’t otherwise been revealed to you, either consciously or unconsciously. Clairsentience takes things a step further: It’s about knowing and feeling things that haven’t otherwise been revealed to you, either consciously or unconsciously.
How Does Clairsentience Feel?
Being aware of the feelings and energies around us is a natural part of being human, and most of us have this experience when we have “gut feelings” about something or simply connect emotionally with others. However, psychics claim that the preternatural feelings associated with clairsentience are even more intense and pronounced than the average person is used to — and that they frequently result in deeper and more insightful information.
“It can be difficult for clairsentient people not to take things personally because it is so easy for them to detect people’s moods and feel what is going on inside,” says Kohl. “Because of this heightened sensitivity, they are often drawn to positive energy and will literally flee anything that appears dark or heavy — as the dark can be too much to bear.” Clairsentient abilities can feel like a supercharged and psychically charged version of intuition, so experiencing them can be intense and difficult to ignore. That is why clairsentient people must cleanse their energy fields regularly to avoid taking on the psychic burdens of others.
Astrology Or Other Mystic Arts Clairsentience
Clairsentience is a psychic gift, but it can also be used to improve the practice of other mystical divinatory arts like astrology, tarot, or energy healing. “Being clairsentient allows me to do energy work because I can see inside people’s energy fields and detect any anomalies,” Kohl says. Kohl uses clairsentience and energy healing in her professional practice to help people clear their chakras and remove energetic blockages.
Clairsentience can also be useful in more structured practices like astrology. “Astrology is a detailed and nuanced system that requires a great deal of time, study, and memorization to become competent at,” Jessica Lanyadoo, astrologer, psychic medium, and author of Astrology for Real Relationships, tells Bustle. When combined with other types of knowledge, clairsentience can add depth and personalization to almost any practice.
How to Acquire Clairsentience
If you want to improve your clairsentient abilities, you should start by trusting your intuition and being open to even the most subtle messages that come through. “Anyone can access their own clairsentience,” says Kohl. “What is most important is to ask for it and to broaden your energy field so that the desired information can flow.”
Listen to your inner voice if you’re ready to start strengthening your natural clairsentience. “When you receive a loving message from your higher self or intuition, trust that it is correct,” says Kohl. “Your internal guidance will begin to tell you what you should do, where you should go, and what is best for you.”