A Guide to the Six Different Clairs

Have you ever had a gut feeling about something that turned out to be true, sensed someone’s emotions before they said a word, or suddenly thought of a person right before they contacted you?

To many, these subtle experiences may be known as a sixth sense. Others refer to it as a type of clair—a term used to describe the different ways we intuitively perceive information beyond our five senses. For example, some people see vivid images in their mind’s eye, others feel sensations in their body, or just know things without explanation.

When I first started doing Reiki, I often felt sensations in my body during sessions—tightness, warmth, even emotions that didn’t belong to me. At first, I thought this was just a part of the job and dismissed it. But over time, I learned I was clairsentient, and these reactions were actually messages, helping me understand what my clients needed most in that moment. Once I started listening to my body and trusting what it was trying to tell me, I was able to tune into my natural strength and use it for decision-making and guidance that aligned with my highest self.

This is why understanding the different clairs—and seeing which ones resonate with you—can be so helpful in deepening your self-awareness and navigating life's ins and outs.

What Are the “Clairs”?

The word clair comes from the French word meaning “clear.” When combined with a specific sense, it describes a form of intuitive perception. Here are the main ones:

1. Clairvoyance – “Clear Seeing”

You receive intuitive messages through images, symbols, or visions in your mind’s eye (your third eye chakra). It can feel like daydreaming or seeing flashes of insight when you close your eyes.

You might be clairvoyant if you:

• Visualize things easily in your mind

• Often receive symbolic dreams or mental imagery

• See energy or auras around people or objects

Develop this gift by: working with visualization meditations, dream journaling, or studying sacred symbols.

2. Clairaudience – “Clear Hearing”

You hear intuitive information as sounds, words, or music that may not be audible to others. This could show up as inner dialogue or even hearing a name, song, or phrase that feels like a message.

You might be clairaudient if you:

• Often hear messages in meditation

• Talk to yourself or process things through sound

• Feel inspired by music or notice lyrics that speak to your situation

Develop this gift by: spending time in quiet spaces, working with sound healing, or practicing channeling through writing.

3. Clairsentience – “Clear Feeling”

You receive intuitive information through your body and emotions. You may absorb others’ energy, feel emotional shifts in a room, or sense when something is off—without knowing why.

You might be clairsentient if you:

• Describe yourself as highly empathetic or sensitive

• Feel physical sensations like chills or stomach flutters during intuitive moments

• Sense the energy of people or places easily

Develop this gift by: grounding your energy regularly, practicing discernment, and learning to differentiate your emotions from others.

4. Claircognizance – “Clear Knowing”

You just know things without logical explanation. Insights drop into your awareness fully formed—sometimes surprising even you.

You might be claircognizant if you:

• Get sudden flashes of insight or solutions

• Struggle to explain how you know something—you just do

• Tend to process things mentally or intellectually first

Develop this gift by: trusting spontaneous thoughts, free-writing, and asking inner guidance questions in meditation.

5. Clairalience – “Clear Smelling”

You perceive intuitive information through scent—like smelling your grandmother’s perfume out of nowhere or a scent that alerts you to danger.

You might be clairalient if you:

• Smell things that no one else seems to notice

• Connect deeply with memories or emotions through scents

• Are often the first to notice odors in a space

Develop this gift by: practicing scent-based mindfulness and noticing any shifts in your perception of smells when tuning into energy or spirit.

6. Clairgustance – “Clear Tasting”

You receive intuitive messages through taste—often connected to spirits, memories, or health-related intuition. This is less common, but quite powerful.

You might be clairgustant if you:

• Randomly taste foods or substances with no physical cause

• Taste things during healing sessions or spiritual work

• Associate strong emotional memories with taste

Develop this gift by: staying aware of your sense of taste during intuitive experiences and noticing patterns.

Which Clair Are You?

You don’t need to be a psychic or healer to benefit from understanding your intuitive senses. When you start to recognize how your inner guidance speaks to you, life begins to feel more aligned and intentional. Whether your intuition comes through a sudden knowing, a gut feeling, or a whisper, it’s all part of the same sacred intelligence that lives within you. It's just a matter of listening. You may even discover that you resonate with more than one clair.

If you're curious to find out which of the clairs you're innately attuned to, ask yourself:

• When have I felt a strong inner knowing that proved true?

• Which of the clairs resonates most with me right now?

• How can I start paying more attention to the way intuitive messages come through?

  
  

Remember, let your intuitive journey be playful, curious, and compassionate. These gifts are not about “getting it right”—they’re about reconnecting to the wisdom already flowing within.