Basically, a clairvoyant is simply someone who has clairvoyance powers, in that they can often see things before they happen. As such, the powers which they possess are for the most part referred to as 'extrasensory perception', second sight, or sixth sense, and this phenomenon is something which can be traced as far back as the eighteenth century. In fact, literature from that era is full of accounts relating to seers and profits, and it's a well known fact that in those years clairvoyants were highly respected people. Such was their standing in society that they were often called upon by powerful leaders for the sake of giving advice and guidance.

The term clairvoyant is derived from French. Translated literally, it means clear vision. However, clairvoyance has can have many meanings. While visions may be a method of transferring messages to some clairvoyants, others may hear messages, read signs or simply listen to their inner voice.

A person who practices clairvoyance is called a clairvoyant. Clairvoyants vary in skill, but many have the ability to see into beyond the present time into the future, offering those who use their services a glimpse of what is to come. Highly skilled practitioners may also be able to view events of the past. A few are able to pass beyond the realm of the living to communicate with those who have gone before.

Many people believe that everyone possesses such powers when we are born, but due to the way in which we are brought up, such powers don't fit in with what's considered to be the normal way of life, and so it ends up being that not many people are able to develop their ability to its full potential. It's hardly surprising then that the vast majority, who do manage to develop the skills, are in fact children of clairvoyant parents who in turn have invested an adequate amount of time in order to teach the skills to their offspring.

In the vast majority of cases, learning the skills usually begins with medication as this practice allows people to relieve themselves of stress and negativity. Meditation also enables a person to open up their mind in order to receive messages coming from the universe, which is why clairvoyants should ideally set aside at least half an hour each day so that they can spend time in a calm atmosphere in order to practice meditation.

Furthermore, those who are undergoing training will always be encouraged to clear their mind rather than try to force the issue of clairvoyance. A clairvoyant can often be compared to a person who has misplaced their keys, in that once they have cleared their mind, they become more relaxed and that's when the keys are usually found.

As your clairvoyant power grows, you may wish to include other methods of clairvoyance. These include dream interpretation or the reading of palms, tea leaves or tarot cards. These methods will aid you in understanding the messages you receive.

As a clairvoyant's skills develop, so their instincts play an increasingly crucial role with regards to the powers they possess. This instinct, or inner eye as it's sometimes called, is an incredibly powerful tool for all clairvoyants. Interestingly enough, it is not only clairvoyants who have an inner eye, but instead, we all do. I'm sure that if you take a moment to think about it, you'll recall one or two occasions where you've instinctively had a bad feeling about someone or something. The only thing that separates clairvoyants from everyday people is that clairvoyants don't choose to ignore messages coming from the universe. Ideally, we should all learn to embrace our instincts rather than suppress them.

Your attitude and environment will play a large role in your ability to receive messages. When negativity and chaos exist, it is difficult to clear the mind. Clairvoyants should seek to have a calm, soothing atmosphere. Feng shui may be used to better direct the flow of energy through your home or work space.

The use of aromatherapy or crystals will help cleanse the area of negative energy. Many clairvoyants practice yoga to help calm the spirit and unlock the power within. Hypnosis or aura cleansing may be necessary to fully rid the mind and body of negativity.

Interestingly enough, clairvoyants are not mystical people who hide away from society, but instead, they can follow several paths with regards to their line of work. In fact, clairvoyants are often called upon by law enforcement agencies in order to provide assistance in solving crimes and to help find missing people. Likewise, many have used their skills and powers in order to establish a career, such as by writing books, appearing in television documentaries, and making predictions in magazine columns. Alternatively, some clairvoyants earn their living by offering readings, either in person, over the phone, or via the Internet.