“Follow your gut”
“I had a feeling about that…”
“Something tells me…”
“I feel weird about this…”

We are comfortable using our rational mind to work out problems, but our intuition provides a lot of wisdom if we learn how to use it. Sometimes referred to as a sixth sense or a psychic ability, our intuition gives us information through many different means, like thoughts or feelings or just a sense. For many it is a mystery and is not entirely understood how intuitive information comes through or what our intuition actually is. But taking the time to learn about our intuition provides an opportunity to strengthen it and make it grow.

Most people can recount at least one experience that was difficult to explain from a rational perspective, but was highly intuitive. Like a experiencing a coincidence that is just too strange or surprising to ignore. Maybe you have thought of someone right before they called you. Or you ran into an old friend in a city or country neither of you lived in. Maybe you sensed danger or tensed up in an uncomfortable situation and decided to leave. Or you knew you needed to go somewhere, even when people told you not to. Perhaps you’ve noticed something off about someone and decided to not trust them. Or just saw something special in someone and decided to try to get to know them.

Intuition can be used to our advantage and for some people it is comes very easily and can even be their primary way of functioning. Artists, musicians and other creative people can be exceptionally intuitive. They sense things that are not so easy to explain and can communicate through means beyond the rational mind. Mothers are also known for being intuitive. They have ‘eyes in the back of their heads’ and know if their children are in trouble (or making trouble). They instinctively know how to protect their children and find their red notebook hidden under the chair when it’s time to leave for school.

There are also people who are professional intuitive readers and psychics, and some can have different areas of expertise. For example, there are medical initiatives who can detect illness or disease in someone’s body. There are mediums who can connect to people who have passed. There are psychics who help with crime and others who can predict tragedy like natural disasters or accidents who can help by warning people in advance. There are even animal psychics! Some people are just general readers who can offer advice and insight to people who come to work with them.

The general consensus is that every person has intuitive capabilities, but some are more gifted at using and understanding these skills than others. We can compare it to singing – most people can try to sing and may physically be able to get out a few notes, but some people are significantly more talented at singing than others. With practice and training, however, even the most off-key and off-beat singer could learn how to carry a tune.

Intuitive development can come in many forms, and people who have gifts in this area have become more and more comfortable sharing them. There are books you can read and classes you can take if this is an area that is interesting to you. We invite you to explore this topic in more detail if you feel inclined.