A psychic terms glossary is a plain language guide to the words you hear in psychic, spiritual, and metaphysical readings. Below you will find clear definitions for more than eighty of the most common terms, arranged from A to Z, so you can quickly understand any word you come across.
If you would like personal guidance on any of these ideas, you can speak with one of our tested psychic readers or explore the different types of psychic abilities.
A
Akashic Records. A believed cosmic record of every soul's thoughts, words, and actions across time. Some readers describe tuning into it for insight into a person's path.
Alomancy. A form of divination that reads the patterns salt makes when it is thrown into the air or onto a surface. The shapes are believed to hint at hidden truths.
Angel Numbers. Repeating number sequences, like 111 or 444, that many people feel carry gentle guidance or reassurance from a higher source.
Apparition. A visible appearance of a spirit or ghost, often reported as brief or unexpected.
Ascended Master. A spiritually enlightened being believed to have once lived as a human and to now offer guidance from a higher plane.
Astral Body. A non physical version of the self that is believed to travel beyond the body during astral projection.
Astral Projection. An out of body experience in which a person feels their awareness travel apart from the physical body.
Astrology. The study of how the positions of the sun, moon, and planets are believed to shape personality and life events.
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Call (800) 966 2294Aura. The energy field believed to surround every living person. Its colors are thought to reflect mood, health, and spirit.
Automatic Writing. Writing that flows without conscious thought, believed by some to carry messages from spirit or the deeper self.
B
Bibliomancy. A form of divination that seeks guidance by opening a book, often at random, and reading the passage that appears.
Biofeedback. A technique that uses awareness of the body's signals, such as breath and heart rate, to support calm and balance.
Black Magic. A traditional term for ritual or intention work aimed at self serving goals. It is a belief system rather than a service offered here.
C
Candle Reading. Reading meaning from the way a candle flame moves, flickers, or burns during meditation or ritual.
Cartomancy. Divination that reads meaning from cards, including ordinary playing cards as well as tarot.
Chakra. One of seven energy centers believed to run along the body. Balanced chakras are thought to support a sense of wellbeing.
Channel. A person believed to receive and pass along messages from spirit or higher guidance.
Charm. An object believed to carry protective or lucky energy for the person who keeps it.
Claircognizance. Clear knowing. The intuitive gift of simply knowing something is true without being told. It is one of the psychic abilities known as the clair senses.
Clairaudience. Clear hearing. The gift of receiving words, sounds, or messages beyond ordinary hearing, often used by a psychic medium.
Clairsentience. Clear feeling. The gift of sensing emotions and energy through physical or emotional feeling.
Clairvoyance. Clear seeing. The gift of receiving images or visions in the mind's eye. Learn what a clairvoyant is.
Cleansing. The practice of clearing unwanted or heavy energy from a person, object, or space.
Crystal Ball. A clear sphere used as a focus for scrying, where the reader looks for images and impressions.
D
Déjà Vu. The sudden feeling that a present moment has already been lived before.
Divination. The broad practice of seeking insight or guidance through tools and signs, such as tarot, runes, or scrying.
Doppelganger. A believed spirit double or look alike of a living person.
Dream Interpretation. The practice of exploring the symbols and feelings in dreams to understand their meaning. See our guide to common dream symbols.
E
Ectoplasm. A substance described in older accounts as appearing during spirit communication. It is mostly a historical idea today.
Empath. A person who feels the emotions and energy of others deeply, almost as if they were their own. Read the signs of a spiritual empath.
Energy Blockage. A place where a person's energy is believed to be stuck, which some connect to stress or unease.
Extrasensory Perception (ESP). The broad term for receiving information beyond the five physical senses. Learn more about extrasensory perception.
F
Feng Shui. The practice of arranging a space so that energy flows in a balanced, supportive way.
G
Ghost. The believed spirit of a person who has passed, sometimes felt or seen by the living.
Grounding. A simple practice of reconnecting with the present and the earth to feel steady and calm.
Guardian Angel. A protective spiritual presence believed to watch over a specific person.
H
Haunting. The repeated presence of spirit energy believed to linger in a place.
I
Intuition. The quiet inner sense that guides you toward what feels right, often without clear logic.
K
Karma. The idea that a person's actions shape their future experiences, in this life or beyond.
Kundalini. A form of spiritual energy believed to rest at the base of the spine and to rise as a person awakens.
L
Lucid Dreaming. A dream in which you know you are dreaming and can sometimes guide what happens.
M
Magic. The practice of creating change through focused will, intention, and ritual.
Manifestation. Focusing thought and feeling on a goal in the belief that it helps draw the goal into your life.
Meditation. A calming practice of focused attention that supports clarity, balance, and inner quiet.
Medium. A psychic believed to communicate with the spirits of those who have passed. See what a psychic medium does.
Mediumship. The practice of connecting with spirit to pass along messages of love and reassurance, offered through psychic medium readings.
Metaphysics. The study of reality beyond the physical world, including energy, spirit, and consciousness.
N
Near Death Experience (NDE). A profound experience some people report after coming close to death, often described as peaceful and vivid.
Numerology. The study of how numbers are believed to carry meaning and influence in a person's life.
O
Oracle. A source of guidance, such as a wise person or a deck of oracle cards, used to gain insight.
Out of Body Experience (OBE). The sensation of awareness existing outside the physical body.
Ouija Board. A lettered board used to spell out messages believed to come from spirit. Many readers suggest caution and respect when using one.
P
Palmistry. Reading the lines and shapes of the hand to reveal personality and life patterns.
Paranormal. Events or experiences that fall outside ordinary scientific explanation.
Past Life Regression. A guided practice that explores memories or impressions believed to come from earlier lifetimes.
Pendulum. A weighted object on a chain used to receive simple yes or no guidance through its movement.
Poltergeist. A type of spirit activity linked to noise or the movement of objects.
Precognition. The sense of knowing about an event before it happens, often through feelings or dreams.
Psychic. A person who senses information beyond the five physical senses through intuition and energy. Wondering about your own gifts? See Am I Psychic?
Psychic Medium. A psychic who both reads energy and communicates with spirit.
Psychic Symbols. Familiar images, sounds, or scents that carry a personal or spiritual message. Explore common psychic symbols.
Psychometry. The gift of sensing information about a person by holding an object that belongs to them.
R
Reading. A session in which a psychic shares insight and guidance about your life, feelings, or path.
Reiki. A gentle energy practice that supports balance and relaxation, related to our spiritual readings.
Remote Viewing. The practice of sensing a distant or unseen place or object using the mind.
Runes. An ancient set of symbols cast or drawn for guidance and reflection.
S
Scrying. Gazing into a reflective surface, such as a crystal ball or water, to receive images and impressions.
Séance. A gathering where people attempt to communicate with spirit, often with a medium guiding.
Sixth Sense. The intuitive sense beyond the usual five that lets you feel or know things directly. Discover what the sixth sense is.
Smudging. The practice of clearing energy from a space or person, often with herbs or gentle ritual.
Soul. The believed eternal essence of a person that carries their spirit and identity.
Soulmate. A person with whom you share a deep and natural soul connection.
Spirit Animal. An animal believed to offer guidance, protection, or a mirror of your inner nature.
Spirit Guide. A non physical presence believed to support and guide a person through life.
Synchronicity. A meaningful coincidence that feels like more than chance, often taken as a sign.
T
Tarot. A deck of symbolic cards used to reflect on the past, present, and possible paths ahead, offered in our tarot card readings.
Telepathy. The believed ability to share thoughts or feelings with another mind directly, sometimes felt between lovers.
Third Eye. An inner center of intuition and insight, often linked to the space between the brows.
Trance. A focused, relaxed state that some readers enter to connect more deeply with spirit or intuition.
Twin Flame. A believed intense soul connection often described as two halves of one spirit.
V
Vibration. The energy frequency believed to be carried by a person, place, or feeling.
W
White Magic. A traditional term for intention or ritual work aimed at healing and good.
Witchcraft. A broad practice of working with natural energy, intention, and ritual. It is a belief system with many traditions.
Y
Yin Yang. A symbol of balance between two complementary forces present in all of life.
Yoga. A practice of movement, breath, and stillness that supports balance in body and spirit.
Z
Zen. A form of mindfulness and calm focus rooted in Buddhist practice.
Speak With a Reader
A glossary can open the door, and a caring reader can help you make sense of what any of these ideas mean for your own life. Call us any time at (800) 966 2294 to connect with a reader, or book a clairvoyant reading or spiritual reading whenever you feel ready.
The Psychic Line is an independent psychic service you can trust, guiding people with warmth and honesty since 1991.