The term clairvoyance is from 17th century French with clair meaning “clear” and voyance meaning “vision” and the term is used to refer to the alleged ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the known human senses such as through ESP or extra sensual perception. This information can be seen as in a vision, heard (clairaudient) from an entity’s voice, or felt through empathy (clairsentient).
The word “clairaudient” describes a person having the power to hear things beyond the normal realm of ordinary perception. Many clairaudients are able to give clairvoyant psychic readings without having to use any divination tools such as tarot cards, pendulums, crystal balls or scrying. Many people feel they obtain a higher quality reading from a psychic who is clairaudient. Some clairaudients will use divination tools as they feel some people are more impressed if tools are used.
The word “clairsentient” describes a person having the ability to feel and obtain information from physical and emotional sensations. While some can obtain these feelings by actually touching an object, others do not need to. Many clairsentients are able to give clairvoyant or psychic readings without having to use any divination tools such as tarot cards, pendulums, crystal balls or scrying, but that does not mean they still won’t use them as a visual aid or tool.
Most psychics consider themselves to be clairvoyant, but there is a difference between methods used and if a psychic sees visions or hears spirit voice he or she is considered to be truly clairvoyant. Shamans or medicine men or women would fall into this category. Any Psychic who claims to be able to communicate with the deceased would be considered to be a clairvoyant medium and would also be in the clairvoyant category. It is interesting to note that the definition or diagnosis of schizophrenia is very close to describing someone who claims to be clairvoyant. Edgar Cayce, John Edwards, and Sylvia Browne are all considered to be or to have been clairvoyant.
