Clairaudience is the ability to mentally hear people's voices outside of natural hearing range. This is merely an aspect of another psychic ability such as Empathy or Sensing rather than a separate power.
The most prolific users of this ability are Whitelighters and Cupids. In fact, it was once stated by Leo Wyatt that a Whitelighter can hear their charges' voices all the time.
Description[]
Sensing[]
Piper, in possession of Leo's powers, can hear his charges.
One vital aspect of a Whitelighter's and certain Cupids' power to sense and locate their charges is the ability to psychically hear their charges speak, even if they are miles aways. This power is only effective as long as a connection is formed between the protector and their charge. It allows their charges to contact them by first calling their name to draw their attention.[1] However, as proven by Chris Halliwell when he heard Phoebe Halliwell calling for him, Whitelighters can put charges on mute by choice.[2]
The Elders can send a global alert to warn all Whitelighters to be cautious of an unidentified threat. To those who hear it, it sounds like a dentist drill that goes in and out, and if not learned to handle it, it can make a Whitelighter feel extremely uncomfortable. It can also reach half-Whitelighters.[3]
During one of Piper and Leo's heated arguments, Wyatt used his magic to swap their powers, giving Piper all of Leo's powers, including the power to sense his charges. Using his sensing ability, Piper could hear Phoebe calling out to her for help.[4]
Empathy[]
- "I can't. The pain. The noise."
- —Prue to Father Thomas.[src]
A by-product of channeling heightened emotions is psychically hearing the being(s) they are channeling speak even if they are outside natural hearing range.
Prue is overwhelmed by the voices of people arguing.
This will drive a human being insane if they obtain Empathy but was never destined to have it. They will fight against the emotions and the voices in their head, but it will ultimately kill them unless the power is withdrawn. However, with guidance from a true Empath a human can learn to control the power, turning it on and off at will.
One notable instance of Clairaudience was when Prue Halliwell gained Empathy unnaturally. While she was temporarily an Empath, Prue was able to hear the arguments people were having all over the city. This was due to Prue's Empathy picking up on the intense emotions behind the angry words people were shouting at each other.
While humans can learn to embrace the emotions and the voices connected to them, demons will not be able to. The crushing weight of human emotions and the voices connected to them will drive a demon insane, but not kill them. Vinceres is a prime example of this, he was driven insane but was able to fight the effects to stay alive.[5]
Telepathy[]
A by-product of reading people's thoughts is psychically hearing the being(s)' thoughts they are channeling speak even if they are outside natural hearing range.
One notable instance of Clairaudience was when Christy Jenkins eavesdropped on the Charmed Ones' conversation from Magic School and channeled them to transport to their location.[6]
List of Users[]
- Whitelighters (through Sensing)
- Whitelighter-Witches (through Sensing)
- Christy Jenkins (through Telepathy)
- Prue Halliwell (through Empathy; formerly)
- Piper Halliwell (through Leo's powers; briefly)
Gallery[]
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Notes and Trivia[]
- This power is not to be confused with Telepathy (the power to hear someone's thoughts) or Super Hearing.
- Natalie could hear Phoebe's voice calling out to Leo when she was standing next to him up in the Upper Regions.
References[]
- ā Season 2 episode, "Awakened"
- ā As mentioned in season 6 episode, "I Dream of Phoebe"
- ā Season 7 episode, "Little Box of Horrors"
- ā Season 5 episode, "Siren Song"
- ā Season 3 episode, "Primrose Empath"
- ā Season 8 episode, "The Torn Identity"