The 7 Clairs: Unlocking the Language of Your Intuition

Discovering the 7 Clairs: How Your Intuition Speaks to You

Everyone has intuitive abilities—yes, even you. The question isn’t whether you’re intuitive, but how your intuition speaks to you. That’s where the “clairs” come in. The clairs are the different ways we receive intuitive information, and understanding them can help you unlock your natural spiritual gifts.

Some people receive visions or images, while others feel energy, hear inner guidance, or suddenly just know something without being told. Learning to identify and develop your strongest clair(s) can deepen your connection to yourself, your intuition, and the world around you.

Let’s explore what the 7 main clairs are, how they might already be showing up in your life, and how you can begin to strengthen them.

What Are the 7 Clairs?

The word "clair" comes from the French word meaning "clear." The clairs are the ways we intuitively receive information beyond our five physical senses. Everyone has access to all of them to some degree, though some may be stronger than others.

Clairvoyance – Clear Seeing
Clairvoyance is the most widely recognized of the clairs. It's the intuitive ability to receive visual information. This might look like symbols, colors, words, numbers, or even full scenes playing out like a movie in your mind's eye. These images can appear with your eyes closed or open. Some people see them vividly, while for others, the images are more subtle and symbolic. This clair is often active in people who are creative or visually oriented. This is my strongest clair. I often see things to share with clients who do sessions with me.

Clairaudience – Clear Hearing
Clairaudience is the ability to receive intuitive messages through sound. You might hear a voice offering guidance, a song that suddenly starts playing in your mind with a meaningful message, or even a single word that stands out clearly. These sounds can be perceived internally (like your inner voice) or externally, as if they are being spoken aloud. People with strong clairaudience are often drawn to music, sound healing, or communication-based work. This is my second strongest clear. It's not uncommon for me to hear songs or versus of songs while doing energy healing sessions.

Clairsentience – Clear Feeling
Clairsentience is the intuitive sense of feeling. This includes sensing other people’s emotions, physical discomfort, or energy—even if they haven’t said a word. You may walk into a room and immediately feel the atmosphere or know how someone’s doing without asking. Empaths often experience strong clairsentience. It’s also the clair that helps energy workers and healers tune into the energetic body.

Clairalience – Clear Smelling
Clairalience is the ability to perceive smells that aren't physically present. This might be the scent of a deceased loved one’s perfume, a familiar flower, or even the scent of smoke or food associated with a specific person or memory. These smells come through suddenly and often hold a personal or symbolic message.

Clairgustance – Clear Tasting
Clairgustance is the ability to taste something without having eaten it. This might be the taste of a favorite dish from childhood, a metallic flavor, or something sweet or bitter—each carrying a message or connection. While it’s one of the rarer clairs, it can be particularly strong in people who are attuned to food, cooking, or sensory experiences. I was working with a medium once and she said, "I'm tasting apple pie right now." I knew it was my grandmother coming through. She was known for her apple pies.

Claircognizance – Clear Knowing
Claircognizance is when you just know something to be true without any logical explanation. The knowledge seems to drop in out of nowhere, and there's a deep sense of certainty that accompanies it. People with strong claircognizance may get sudden insights, ideas, or answers that later prove to be accurate. This clair often shows up in moments when you're asked a question and the answer just comes instantly—without thinking.

Clairtangency – Clear Touch
Clairtangency (also known as psychometry) is the ability to receive information by physically touching a person, object, or even a place. By holding something like a piece of jewelry or a photograph, you might receive images, emotions, or even words related to its history or the person connected to it. This clair is especially active in those who are tactile or sensitive to the energy of physical objects. Over 30 years ago, a medium asked to hold my wedding ring. She was getting all kinds of information that didn't make sense to me. She asked, "Were you the only one to wear this ring?" I wasn't. It had been my mother's ring and she was divorced from my father. All the information the medium got from the ring made sense for my mother.

You Might Be...

Here are signs that one or more of the clairs may already be active within you:

You might be clairvoyant if:

• You see flashes of light, colors, or shapes

• You daydream often

• You can see auras or energy around people

• You have vivid dreams or a strong imagination

• You’re drawn to art, beauty, or symbolism

• You see things out of the corner of your eye

• You had imaginary friends as a child

• You notice shadows move when no one is there

You might be clairaudient if:

• You hear guidance or songs in your head

• You’ve heard your name called with no one around

• You’re sensitive to noise or easily distracted by sound

• You’re drawn to music or sound healing

• You hear ringing or buzzing with no physical cause

• You receive words or phrases in your mind that feel like messages

You might be clairsentient if:

• You feel other people’s emotions as if they’re your own

• You get chills or goosebumps when something resonates

• You’re told you’re “too sensitive” or empathetic

• You feel a shift in energy when entering a room

• You cry easily during emotional content

• You know when someone is lying or uncomfortable without being told

You might be clairalient if:

• You smell scents that aren’t physically present

• A familiar scent triggers strong memories or emotions

• You associate certain people or places with specific smells

• You’re highly sensitive to fragrance or odors

• You’ve smelled a deceased loved one’s perfume or cologne

You might be clairgustant if:

• You’ve tasted something out of nowhere

• Certain thoughts or people bring a distinct taste to mind

• You react strongly to flavors and textures

• Food has emotional or spiritual meaning for you

• You’ve experienced a symbolic taste, like sweetness during a healing moment

You might be claircognizant if:

• You get insights or ideas out of nowhere

• You “just know” something before it happens

• You find yourself giving advice without knowing where it came from

• You have a hard time explaining how you know things—you just do

• You’re often right when you follow your instincts

You might be clairtangent if:

• You feel energy or emotion when holding objects

• You’re drawn to antiques or items with a story

• You prefer to touch things to feel connected

• You receive images, feelings, or impressions from a photo or item

• You’ve had strong reactions when handling someone else’s belongings

How to Develop Each Clair

If you’re ready to strengthen your intuitive senses, here are three ways to begin developing each clair:

Clairvoyance (Clear Seeing):

1. Practice visualizing objects, shapes, or scenes with eyes closed.

2. Work with imagery like oracle cards or art and note intuitive impressions.

3. Keep a dream journal to track and interpret visual symbols.

Clairaudience (Clear Hearing):

1. Meditate in silence and listen for inner words or sounds.

2. Ask Spirit for guidance and pay attention to songs or phrases that follow.

3. Tune into everyday background sounds to sharpen auditory awareness.

Clairsentience (Clear Feeling):

1. Do daily body scans to observe emotional and physical shifts.

2. Practice energy sensing with people or objects.

3. Keep a journal to track feelings before and after interactions.

Clairalience (Clear Smelling):

1. Use essential oils in meditation and observe what memories or insights arise.

2. Practice recalling memories triggered by familiar scents.

3. Ask for signs through scent and stay open to spontaneous experiences.

Clairgustance (Clear Tasting):

1. Eat mindfully and explore the emotional/spiritual layers of flavor.

2. Practice bringing familiar tastes into awareness without eating them.

3. Meditate and invite symbolic flavors to arise during connection with Spirit.

Claircognizance (Clear Knowing):

1. Try automatic writing and let insights flow freely.

2. Keep a journal of your sudden knowings and gut instincts.

3. Act on your intuitive insights, even in small ways, to build trust.

Clairtangency (Clear Touch):

1. Practice psychometry by holding objects and noting impressions.

2. Meditate with crystals or meaningful items and observe what you receive.

3. Use your hands to sense the energy field around people, places, or things.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a professional psychic or medium to develop your intuitive gifts. The clairs are simply ways your higher self, Spirit, or the Universe is already communicating with you. The more you pay attention, the more guidance you’ll notice.

Whether you’re drawn to visual symbols, emotions, sounds, or sudden insight, your intuition is a powerful tool that can support your personal and spiritual growth.

Start by identifying your strongest clair, and give yourself permission to explore—your inner wisdom is waiting to be heard.