What are the Different Types of Psychics?

Psychics have been a part of the cultural experience since ancient times. Nostradamus made his famous predictions of the future in the 16th century. From tarot cards to séances to online readings to crime solving, psychics continue to play an active role in today's world. Psychic talent is said to manifest in numerous and unique ways. Some psychics work by touch, others tap their hyper sense of feelings, and others use tools, such as a rod or stick. Classic clairvoyants have visual or auditory experiences, using their instincts or their "sixth sense" to find meaning hidden from others, and channels allow spirits to use their body to communicate with the living.

Of the Senses

Psychic phenomena often involve the senses. A psychometrist obtains psychic impressions of people by touching objects that they have touched, and an aura reader looks for energy fields, or auras, around people. The aura reader then interpretes the colors of the auras they see to provide insight. The clairaudient hears sounds that are inaudible to others (e.g., they can hear the screams of a loved one from miles away).

Feelings Based

Some psychics get their power through feelings. The empath can tangibly feel what others around him are feeling and can sometimes also sense their needs and drives. Often an empath can have difficulty differentiating her feelings from those around her. That is, the empath become something of an emotional sponge.

Implement Based

Often psychics use implements to encourage their talents. An automatic writer, for example, sits with a pen and paper and lets his subconscious mind write his predictions. He is often unaware of what is being written until he finish. A dowser uses a rod, stick or pendulum to find lost items or hidden items (including water). Also in this category are diviners who use tools such as tarot cards, runes, crystals and various other means to tell the future.

Instinct/Thought Based

Psychics are often thought to have a "sixth sense." This sixth sense usually applies to pyshics who use instinct or thought as their medium. A psychic who uses strong intuitions about her actions (i.e. something feels like a bad idea) is considered an expansion of her instincts. Clairvoyants also fit into this category as they receive thoughts about what is going to happen in the future. Telepathy, which is the ability to know another's thoughts or communicate with them through thought, is also an ability that deals with the mind.

Outside Beings

Psychics also use outside beings to gain information. A channel allows different spirits into his body to get information. Conversely, a physic a may use astral projection to leave her body and travel to other places. Automatic writers are somethimes placed in this category as some believe that their talent comes from another being who control them as they write under a trance.