I Died Yesterday

Sitting next to my husband in a truck driving south. I could see the Rocky mountains out the open window to my right. I could feel the warm summer breeze in my hair. There was music playing on the radio and a little boy around the age of seven was sitting on my other side looking out the open window. We were giving him a ride...somewhere. I'd just turned to my husband to tell him something inane when the brightest white light I've ever seen suddenly exploded somewhere in front of us. There was no sound with the explosion...only the intense white light. I closed my eyes and grabbed my husband's leg reflexively, my immediate thought that I'd somehow gone spontaneously blind. But, at almost the same time I felt my husband grasp harder to the steering wheel as he said "Oh shit" in a tone of voice I'd never heard him use before and the realization struck us both at the same time what the white light meant.

Knowing we had only an instant before we died, I was suddenly desperate for him to know how very important he's been to me. Still blind, I screamed "I love you!" but there was no air. I took great gulping breaths of nothing. It was as if every molecule of oxygen had disappeared with the flash of light. All sound was gone from the world and my lungs wouldn't expand; there was nothing to fill them. I kept trying to scream I love you as I felt the truck lift off the ground and fling effortlessly sideways with an unbelievable force before everything went dark.

Of course this didn't "actually" happen. I didn't die in a nuclear explosion that flattened Denver. But I'll now carry the memory of Death by Warhead in my memory for the rest of my life. Not as a memory of a dream I had one Sunday in August, but the memory of actually dying by an atomic bomb. 

Normally, he's in bed with me when I have these types of dreams and he's kind enough to wake me up when he realizes that I'm in the middle of one and then take the time to reassure me that it's not real until I can calm down enough to go back to sleep. But, this time, he'd got up early with the dogs (0530, their usual weekday wake up time) so that I could sleep in. I woke up immediately after the dream, obviously shaken and laid in bed for a few minutes trying to reassure myself with my usual mantra of "it was just a dream...it was just a dream" before heading downstairs to tell him about it. And, even though I felt a little more settled in myself when I started to recount the dream to him, I found myself shaking and sobbing and gasping for breath as if I were recounting an event that had just happened, not sharing something that transpired only in my head. While I don't feel as raw now one day later, that feeling of panic is still lurking just below the surface ready to rise back up if I look at it too closely.

I've had violent dreams like this for as long as I can remember. They used to utterly confound my mother as we didn't have a television for most of my childhood and, growing up in a cult-like religion, our exposure to the world was extremely limited thereby giving no possible basis for my dreams to have come from some outside influence such as a horror movie, a book or...the news.

And these dreams aren't like normal dreams that fade in a few days the details of which remain just outside of your grasp, fuzzy, slipping away as you wake up. No. These dreams are in technicolor and I wake from them as if I'm literally experiencing the events in real time. The unsettled feeling can last for days, the intensity never subsiding but instead turning into a memory of an event that feels like it actually happened, not like remembering a dream. So real, in fact, that I keep a separate journal of these dreams because I often need to verify the difference between the events I dream and those that actually happened because the quality of the memory isn't a memory of a dream, but the memory of an event as real as my wedding or the birth of my children.

Because they're so real, I've often wondered if there are different dimensions in which these events actually occur. Timelines, lifetimes that run parallel to the one in which I find myself typing this update. I can't explain where they come from. Can't connect their occurrence to stress in my life, movies I've watched, books I've read, conversations I've had, medication changes, lack of sleep...I've tried every reasonable and logical explanation and continue to come up short. 

I'm not crazy...my mom had me tested (Big Bang Theory reference here). But I have no explanation. I don't even know who to ask. Or what.

Is this common for empaths? 

Is it common for shamans? 

Is it common for intuitives in general?

Does everyone experience dreams that are so real that live rent free in their memories now as events that occurred? 

Therapists tell me that it's related to stress (it's not, at least for me), that I should get on a regular sleep schedule (I am), or that I need to watch more calming movies before bed (okay, they may have a point there as we often watch horror movies before bed). But, seriously, I've never found an answer that makes any more sense to me than the parallel universes theory. I'd love to hear if this is common for my followers. At least maybe we're in good company...? Hastag silver lining...nah.

Are You An Empath?

A Word for Empaths & Intuitives

As empaths, we FEEL everyone.  You probably can’t go into a crowd of people without anxiety.  And then the confusing ‘noise’ of everyone’s emotions.  Before someone explained to me what this was, I

thought I was literally losing my mind.  It had gotten to the point that I’d only go do things like grocery shopping in the middle of the night when the store was relatively empty.   Going in the daytime was just too confusing, and I’d end up leaving the store and realizing when I got home that I’d forgotten half the things on my list and I was a wrung-out hot mess who just wanted a stiff drink, a good cry, and a nap.  I’d stand in line, if the store was busy, and could FEEL the anger of the man in front of me from the fight he’d just had with his girlfriend or wife.  I could FEEL the woman behind me and the sadness she had because her mother had just died (throw in said dead mother, and that made it worse with HER feelings), and the checker who was pissed off that she was still at work on a Thursday.  The worst part was, I’d feel those emotions as if they were my own.  I hadn’t yet learned to separate out what I felt from the people I was picking it up from (that comes with being intuitive and just takes practice), what I was, and that those feelings were NOT mine…I just felt them all.  And it would be totally and overwhelmingly confusing.  As soon as I’d get in my car, it would feel better, but it didn’t go away for hours. 

I was at a party once, sitting in a corner, completely miserable, when a stranger walked up, sat down, and said, “Has anyone told you that you’re an empath?”  Of course, I naturally thought he was insane, but then he started explaining what that meant and I could relate to everything he was saying.  He explained that everyone is ‘broadcasting’ energy 100%^ of the time; it’s like body heat; you can’t really control it if you’re not trying.  It’s often in the form of emotions.  And, for someone sensitive to that ‘frequency’, it means they pick it all up like a radio station.  For some people, it’s just ‘static’:  A vague feeling that you’re not quite right.  For others, like me, it was ALL.  OF.  IT.  Because I was also experiencing physical symptoms of things I didn’t have.

People who are empaths are drawn to the healing arts.  This ranges from veterinary assistants, x-ray and ultrasound technicians, to doctors, and everything in between.  They’re also often caretakers (think hospital volunteers or teachers).  But here’s where the problems start.

It’s a very common and seriously dangerous belief that, as an empath, it’s your job to share your psychic space with others.  That, somehow, if you’re not FEELING what they’re feeling, you’re doing it wrong, you’re holding back, you’re being selfish, or you’re generally just not being very compassionate.  Yes, it makes them feel better.  That doesn’t make it right.  Just like you wouldn’t invite most of your clients into your home and snuggle with them in your bed, it’s equally ridiculous to allow them into your inner space.  That ‘inner bubble’. 

I’ll tell you why.

Every person emits measurable energy.  The average person emits between 62 and 68 Hz every day, all the time.  Every person also has that inner space.  A place from which we ‘broadcast’ that emotional energy.   To a person who doesn’t understand the process, they walk around all day sending and receiving all this energy ‘information’.  That’s sort of like walking through common space yelling your social security number.   As empaths and healers, the antithesis of us is out there as well, most equally unaware though some do this on purpose, who are happy to receive the fantastic healing energy you’re broadcasting.  Which then leaves you feeling drained.  No energy to speak of.  Interacting with other humans is a chore.  You begin to have physical pain that can’t be explained.  Headaches.  Bad dreams.  I won’t even begin to touch on all the crap that comes with this type of this purposeless shared energy.   (And we’ll save the conversation about purposely putting your energy into something for another day as that’s a whole ‘nother can of worms!) 

So, what can you do?  

It’s amazingly simple, but it requires some discipline.  And consistency.  That’s it.  Those two things to be successful. 

Imagine your Self in a bubble.  It can look like whatever you want it to look like.  Mine is black.  It’s opaque and invisible; only I can see it.  No one can see in, but I can see out.  It’s also impenetrable from the outside.  Nothing can get in unless I let it.  When I work with children, I use the Harry Potter invisibility cloak, and that works well, too.  You can use whatever works for you.  The vehicle doesn’t matter one bit.  Only that it’s completely impenetrable, absolute, and you control it completely.  That’s it.  (There’s more information on how to specifically do this in the list below)

Within that bubble are you and your Guides/Angels/God.  No one else.  I repeat:  NO.  ONE.  ELSE.  The friend who is hurting?  Nope.  They don’t get into that bubble.  The client you have that’s suffering?  Nope.  Not them either.  I can’t stress this enough.  Think of it like sex…you’re careful about your partners.  And you can contract some seriously nasty Psychically Transmitted Diseases (I’m being silly, but it’s a good analogy, and we’re all adults here so go with it J).  But, we’re not equally careful about who you let into that most sacred of spaces.  The temple.  The place where your Soul lives and interacts with the world and all of those higher beings here to help you.

In my practice, I don’t share that space, either.  Not even with my husband.  And I can honestly say that it makes me more effective as a healer, not less effective.  That space has to be kept as pure as it can be. That space is from where your intentions come.  It’s where your soul rests and your spirit finds peace.  No one gets in there.  And that is not a selfish thing, not sharing that space.  It’s necessary, not just for spiritual health, but for physical health, too.  Because that space, once violated by energy that isn’t yours, then becomes infected with the other person’s ‘stuff’.  And they’re (usually) doing it without knowing it.  Like a person with tuberculosis coughing in your face; they might’ve meant to cover their mouth, but the damage is now done. We think that to truly show compassion or empathy, we have to take on the suffering of others.  Think about it though:  If you do, you become weak.  If you’re weak, you’re ineffective.  If you’re ineffective, you’re helping NO ONE.  Including your Self. 

Healing isn’t for everyone.  The ACT of healing, that is.  Intentional healing.  But, as empaths, we draw people to us who are hurting even if we don’t mean to.  They just show up.  Mainly, because we’re broadcasting healing.  And that makes people feel good.  But it makes us feel like crap if we’re not controlling it.  Here’s the kicker though:  IF you can learn to control HOW you’re broadcasting, if you learn to do it with intention, it won’t be draining to you; it will be energizing.  You’ll be able to help more people; not just help them to FEEL better, but help them to BE better. 

If you’re in a job that requires you to be hands-on or close up with people who are ill, mentally, physically, whatever, you’re at an even higher risk.  And it’s most important to keep that wall up.  That bubble strong and in place all the time.  I promise you’re still going to feel compassion and sympathy.  You’re still going to be effective at your job.  Actually, more so, because you’ll start to be able to purposely broadcast healthy energy that is only yours, not contaminated with every single messed up being with whom you come in contact every minute of every day (because that’s what you’re doing right now). 

So here’s the recipe:

1)      Realize that’s what you’re doing.  Notice when you’re doing it, broadcasting it all without protecting yourself.

2)      Stop doing that.  That sounds trite.  But it’s easier said than done.  This is where the discipline and consistency start.

3)      You’ve lived your life to this point doing this.  Over that time, you’ve accumulated TONS of other people’s psychic crap.  Treatments like energy work I perform, Reiki from a Reiki master, etc., will all help to get rid of that stuff that you’ve accumulated and leave your psychic space a clearer and healthier place to jump off from as you begin to…

4)      Start practicing protecting yourself.  If you’re a woman, I suggest doing it consciously every morning when you put on your makeup.  That’s a ritual.  Something you do every day.  For men, when you shave…it should be something you do DAILY.  Put on that protection when you’re putting on your makeup.  Imagine that it will be there every minute of your day and that you’ll notice ‘weak spots’ when they occur.

5)      Start paying attention to your own emotions.  If you know you started off the day in a good mood, when you’re suddenly feeling tired/exhausted/angry/emotional/ etc. etc. etc., tune in, make sure the bubble is up, and then look at JUST the emotions inside it that YOU can account for.  Then work backward to when you started to feel that feeling that really isn’t yours.  Learn from those times and move forward.  THIS TAKES PRACTICE.  But I can honestly say that it probably saved my life. 

6)      Once you’ve got a handle on the fact that something in your bubble isn’t yours, do the Porcupine Maneuver:

a.       Go somewhere outdoors, preferably in the grass, and take off your shoes (if possible).

b.       Close your eyes, and visualize your bubble/cloak/protection.

c.       Gather your energy, and then forcefully project it outward, like a porcupine tossing quills.  Those quills are everything inside your bubble that isn’t yours.  You can do it more than once until you start to feel more centered and calm.  This sounds ridiculous, but it works.  It sometimes helps to expel a deep breath as you release the junk you’ve accumulated.

d.       Once you feel back to your normal baseline, put your shoes back on and go about your day.

e.       Do this in different places each time.  Universe will take care of the negative stuff that you’ expel, but it’s always a good idea to do this in different spots so things don’t build up in one place.

It’s important to make this a part of your life.  Like taking your vitamins.  Regular exercise.  Eating right.  It’s NOT SELFISH.  If you want to truly be effective, it’s a necessity.

WHY THE DARK IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE LIGHT

As energy workers, intuitives, and healers, our focus (usually!) is on the light. Spreading it, working with it, trying to stay within it.

But, life is about balance, and dark is part of that. At this time of the year as Halloween comes near, the focus turns to the dark. In our primarily Christian culture (in the US), we've been taught that it's something to fear or something that shouldn't be focused upon.

But, what if that's not correct?

We know that when we die, something comes next. Most of us have had experience with the dead in some form, seeing a 'ghost' or having 'that feeling' from time to time that we're not alone. And, though our body may initially react with a feeling of fear, deep down we know that sharing space with those who have gone on before us isn't truly an UNhealthy thing at all. The dead around us are part of a healthy spiritual ecosystem.

It's also very important that even as we work in the Light and continue to strive to be the best human we can be, that we explore the 'dark' sides of ourselves, too. The baser human sides of us that struggle with Ego and pettiness, sadness and disappointment, bad habits and Ego (yes, I meant to say that twice because it truly is a struggle). And that's every bit as important as focusing on the Light, if not more so, as understanding our Dark helps us understand ourselves as a Whole.

Something to do as we near Halloween, also called Samhain (pronounced sow-en) or All-Hallows' Eve, is to recognize that it's the perfect time to send some energy towards those close to us who have died. As the veil between our world and theirs becomes thinner and thinner, it's also much easier to communicate. You might notice songs on the radio that remind you of them. You may come across something in your home that they gave you that you'd forgotten about, almost as if it were left there intentionally (it probably was!). They may be in your dreams. You may catch a whiff of their perfume or cologne. All of this is a wonderful loving reminder that they're not truly GONE; they're still around us, still loving us, and still missing us as much as we miss them.

Ways to honor that can be varied, from the simple act of thinking of them (and don't forget to tell them how much you love and miss them, as you don't need an intuitive intermediary like me to do that for you! They can hear you directly!), to going to a favorite place you shared such as a park or restaurant, listening to music you loved together, and even setting a place for them at dinner inviting them to join you for something very human: A meal.

Know that everything you do in their honor is seen and acknowledged, and take the opportunity that this "dark" time of the year provides to participate in those things you may not be able to see. But, be assured in your heart that they're very real and that you ARE being heard. 

What Happens When We Die?

As you can imagine, I see a lot of dead in my work, whether I'm just out and about on my own, or when I'm called by clients who are having issues in their home or work space with dead who are stuck and seem unable to move on and are either causing serious issues or just disruptions in the lives of the living.

I think that I've talked here a few times about how puzzling it is to me in dealing with the dead in that

it seems that when we die there's oftentimes really no one there to tell us what comes next. To help us figure out where we go from here. To point us in the right direction.

I can only see so far after someone crosses. What I KNOW to be true from the years I've done this are:

• First, time doesn't seem to pass in quite the same way once we die as it does when we're alive. I haven't quite figured that one out, yet...
• When someone dies, they don't become wiser. They can't see the past, present, and future. They don't generally change in any real way (other than their form, obviously), so any character traits that were acquired on this side roll over into that side, too. For instance, a racist while living will still be a racist on death until he moves through the processes of dying and transition. In other words, we don't seem to fundamentally CHANGE when we die. We're still the same spirit we were in life. When people first die, they spend a bit of time mourning what THEY lost. After all, just as the living have to deal with the loss of this person in their world, the person who died mourns what he's leaving behind. This can include visiting family members, going to his funeral, and trying to wrap up any loose ends he's left which can also include finding someone like me who can reach out to the living and act as their voice.
• What happens immediately after he dies is also tied to his beliefs about death while he was alive. It would appear that, if we have a strongly-held belief about, say, purgatory, we experience something very like purgatory. If someone believes that nothing happens when we die, they have a very difficult time coming to terms with the fact that they are dead and something is definitely going on as they've not just ceased to exist in any form. Whereas someone who really has no idea of what happens next, but is open to anything that might happen tends to move on to whatever's next with relative ease. After the initial mourning period is over and the person has come to terms with the fact they're no longer physically present in this world, they generally go somewhere where I can't see them. BUT, I can feel them there and know that they're with their loved ones and Guides/angels who are helping them learn the lessons that they needed to learn from this lifetime before moving on to whatever's next.

For people who have no strong belief about what happens after we die, they seem to move through this process and then to whatever's next in a relatively fast way in weeks to months. If they were ready to die when they left, all the faster.

But, I've always found it extremely odd how many dead are 'stuck' here. Seemingly as if no one ever met them when they arrived there, or provided any sort of direction as to what was going to happen next or what was expected of them in order NOT to be stuck.

I've pondered this for years. I'm serious. For YEARS. But a few weeks ago, I had an especially puzzling client/haunting situation and was thinking about this again when talking to my Guides and asked them if this meant that there was no god, stating that it seems fundamentally unfair that we should die and have no direction or help when we cross. But, his answer sorta blew my mind:

"Why is it so puzzling? It's how you're born into THIS life, isn't it? Not knowing anything, having to learn it all by trial and error? With no guidance other than experience?"

Right. Totally right. That's EXACTLY how we come into this world. So, now my question isn't whether or not that's an indication of the existence of a higher power/god, but rather, is death from here rebirth somewhere else?

Meet The Clairs

The Clair Senses

This collective word phrase includes any or all types of psychic sensitivities that correspond to the physical senses of sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and sense/intuition.

The first that we’ll discuss is Clairvoyance.

Clairvoyance:  1.  A person who has a supernatural ability to perceive events in the future or beyond normal sensory contact. 

Synonyms:  Psychic, fortune teller, medium, telepath, mind-reader, remote viewer

Clairvoyance literally translated means clair, French for “clear”, and voyance meaning “vision”.  It is that ability to reach into that psychic frequency and visually perceive “within the minds’ eye” something not physically known.  A person with this ability is called ‘a clairvoyant’, or “One who sees clearly”. They generally receive extrasensory impressions, sometimes in symbols, sometimes in ‘moving picture’ form or mental images, but are seen without using the physical eyes.  The information is generally outside the limits of time and space.

The clairvoyant may reach the mental space in which to perform this through meditation, or sometimes it can happen spontaneously.  Clairvoyance, in a nutshell, is one who receives their psychic/extrasensory information in visual images as opposed to smells or sounds (though these two might also be present in a clairvoyant).

Clairaudience

Noun 

From the French, clair (clear) audience (hearing).

The power to hear sounds said to exist beyond the reach of ordinary experience or capacity, as the voices of the dead.

Synonyms:  Psychic, telepath, medium, fortune teller.

A clairaudient is someone for whom their ‘knowing’ “comes in the form of sound in the form of ‘inner ear’ or a mental tone perceived without the aid of the physical ear and beyond the limitations

of ordinary time and space.  This can be in full sentences or single words, sometimes alone, and sometimes also as clairvoyance, which may or not be present, the ability to also see as well as hear, though they are often both present in a person with this ability.  It’s not unusual for an intuitive who is clairaudient to also be clairvoyant, though usually one or the other clair- is the primary ability while the other ability is secondary.  Clairaudience is hearing, either internally within ones’ mind, or externally through ones’ ears, something outside of oneself speaking.  In other words, the clairaudient hears words spoken either inside or outside of their mind.  This gift often first manifests as hearing ones’ name called while sitting in silence.  Clairaudience can also be present on a temporary basis, such as when an intuitive or someone sensitive to the ‘other side’ is in a specific location known, though not available to the person at will.

This particular gift comes with most of the “mental instability” baggage.  After all, when you’re filling out new patient paperwork at a new doctor’s office and come to the question, “Do you hear voices”, the logical answer is an emphatic “NO”, despite truth to the contrary!   An online medium, Amanda Meder, states, “While clairaudience and mental illness can both consist of voices within the head – the similarities stop there.  Clairaudient mediums can learn to control these voices.  Spirit voices tend to not be constant, but instead, are more brief and to the point.  Spirit voices tend to engage in a genuine dialogue with you, answering questions that you have and providing feedback.”   She goes on to say that another distinguishing factor that separates the voice of Spirit from an internal mental illness, a true “hearing voices” such as seen in schizophrenia, “…generally do not prevent functionality, nor do they suggest harmful behavior.  Spirit voices are gentle, safe, rational (often more rational than your own), and usually quite compassionate”, and we disagree on this point.  It is entirely possible to be clairaudient when surrounded by negative entities and is, in fact, a diagnostic process when dealing with these situations.  So, yes, it does take some discernment on the part of the hear-er to determine whether one is truly clairaudient, or might possibly require medical diagnosis.

Again, Clairaudience is often present with one or more of the other ‘clair’s, as we will discuss further in the coming days.

Clairsentience

Noun 

From the French, clair (clear) sentient (feeling).

The power to hear sounds said to exist beyond the reach of ordinary experience or capacity, as the voices of the dead.

Synonyms:  Empath, empathic ability, psychic, telepathic, medium, sixth sense.

A clairsentient is someone with the ability to feel the past, present, or future physical and emotional

states of others, both living and dead, without the use of the other five senses.  In general, clairsentient is the catch-all name for an intuitive.  Some call it a ‘gut feeling’ that, over time, proves itself to be far more than just a “feeling” and more accurately described as a “knowing”.  

In discussing clairsentience, it’s also useful to describe two types of intuitives:  A Physical Medium and a Mental Medium or Psychic Knower. 

Mental Medium – The mental medium is the most common type of the two mediumships with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of mental mediums all over the world.  It’s also an innate skill that, if present, most people can develop with practice and discipline, even a little bit.  A mental medium is one who is either of the three Clairs we’ve discussed so far:  Clairvoyant, Clairaudient, or Clairsentient.  Each of these three mediumships is a type of mental medium, wherein the intuitive is SENSING something without using the other five senses.  (For example, I am a mental medium.)

Physical Medium –  A physical medium is completely different than a mental medium, and the ability is quite rare, and isn’t something that can be learned or taught.  One is generally born with the ability.  A physical medium is when a person has the ability to allow external entities to act through their physical body, and can also be called a spirit communicator.  Rather than a ‘knowing’ that involves only the mind as in mental mediumship, the physical medium will actually experience the memories of whomever is being channeled, oftentimes taking on their death state, the pain of their death (or life, for that matter), and the physical symptoms of the person being channeled.  A Physical Medium actually experiences the experience of what they ‘know’ rather than just knowing it.  Physical mediums tend to have much shorter lifespans than mental mediums due to the punishment the body undergoes with this gift.  (For example, Amy Allen, the intuitive from the Travel Channel show The Dead Files, is a physical medium).

Clairsentience also encompasses one who is empathic, who feels the emotions of others either spontaneously (without control) or on purpose (with control).  Emotions are a huge part of clairsentience.  Sudden inspiration, insight, or instinct that just pops in out of the blue is oftentimes clairsentience.  A sudden ‘gut feeling’ which often allows one to get the sense of a situation or event very quickly, almost like a computer download.  Clairsentience can also manifest as an almost physical feeling that some describe as “being pulled towards”, or a nudging towards.

Clairtangency, Clairolifaction, and Clairgustant

Today, we’ll discuss three other kinds of Clair- that aren’t as well known as those we’ve discussed previously.

Clairtangency (more commonly known as Psychometry)

Noun 

From the French, clair (clear) tangent (touching).

The ability touch an object or area and perceive through the palms of ones’ hands information about the article or its owner or history that was not previously known to the person.

Synonyms:  Psychometry.

The ability of being able to see the history of an object through touch isn’t as common as other forms

of Clair, though it can be present in combination with any of the other Clair senses.  For me personally, it’s not as reliable as my other Clair senses, but I find that I’m drawn to old irons when I’m at an antique store.  The first time it happened to me was quite by accident.  I was browsing through an antique store and happened to pick up an old-fashioned iron, the kind that had to be set in hot coals to heat, just because I was curious how heavy it was.  As soon as I wrapped my fingers around the handle, I could see through the eyes of whomever it was who had owned it, and saw that I/she appeared to be standing next to an open window that looked very old, late 1800s I think.  I could see clotheslines outside the window with sheets on it, and could hear the sound of a boy outdoors playing.  It took me totally by surprise as nothing like that had ever happened before.  I started picking up items at random, and found that I would have a similar experience with other irons, but not necessarily with any other objects.

Clairolifaction

Noun

From the French clair (clear) olifact (smell).

The ability to smell a fragrance or scent that isn’t physically present in ones’ surroundings.  The odors are perceived without the aid of the physical nose and beyond the limitations of ordinary time or space.  

Synonyms:  Clairscent (not to be confused with Clairsentient).

Again, this is a Clair that can be experienced in conjunction with any of the other Clairs.  One may smell the scent of their mother’s perfume who passed.  The smell of pipe tobacco that they remember from their grandfather.  Generally, one with the ability of clairolifact perceive information from smell which most often manifests while using one of the other Clairs.  For example, one might be giving a reading to another person and suddenly have a very strong smell of fresh-cut wood.  In sharing this with the person for whom the reading is being performed, it might trigger a memory or other event in which trees played a large role (i.e., a father who was a lumberjack).  Often, clairolifact comes into play in the presence of a loved one who’s crossed, a way of letting us know that they’re present and visiting us.

Clairgustant

Noun

From the French clair (clear) gustance (taste).

The ability to taste a substance without putting anything in the mouth.   It is claimed that those who possess this ability are able to perceive the essence of a substance from the spiritual or ethereal realms through taste.  

Synonyms:  None.

The example is given of a death-scene investigation in which the intuitive person suddenly has a very strong taste of chemicals in their mouth, later to find that the person died of a drug overdose, poison, or was gassed.  As with Clairolifaction, this Clair is less common and can be present in conjunction with any of the other Clairs, particularly with Clairscent, the ability to smell scents not physically present in ones’ surroundings.

Help For The Haunted

On a Tuesday afternoon in September 2014, I created a Facebook page called 'Help For the Haunted'. This was a means by which people could find help they needed if they were experiencing signs of a haunting or possession.  Having been through similar in my early 20s, and having finally learned how to deal with the terror of that situation, I then needed a way for people find that help when they need it without actually advertising, though I suppose if one were to pay enough, they could talk the Phone Company (do they still make paper phone books?!) into letting them have a listing for Ghost Buster.

A few of my close friends and some recent clients were agreeable to being the first members of the group.

It's now 2017, and the page that started as a tiny little space to help people help themselves, is now close to 200 members strong.  And, I don't think it's unreasonable or self-aggrandizing to say that this is the very most supportive space on social media.  Each person, each member, has brought with them their own gifts and experiences, and their openness and willingness to share those sometimes very personal parts of themselves have made this space what it is today.

Having now grown so big, this blog will serve as the depository for our combined knowledge, searchable by anyone, and available to all.       ~Melissa

CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Chatwell
UncommonShaman.org
Melissa works in close proximity to doctors providing complimentary therapies to assist in whole-body healing usually in tandem with talk therapy and Western medicine as she finishes her Reiki master certification. She works with realtors in the US & abroad, clearing space for sale or healing, & helping new home and business owners ensure the best start in their new location. She loves doing readings for people, whether in person locally, or over the phone internationally.  She hasn't met a haunting challenge yet that her Guides weren't capable of fixing.  She lives in Colorado with her husband & their two dogs. You may contact her here.

Tara Johanna
http://canadiancrystalhaven.weebly.com/

Tara Joanna is a certified Ambassador of Divine Love, certified in numerology, Reiki Level 2, certified Crystal Healer, Realm Reader, and Tarot Reader. She can help with angel healing, energy healing, crystal healing, and only promotes love and light.  You may contact her here.

Julia Kollo
https://www.facebook.com/kjkniagara/

You may contact her here.