Key Difference – Precognition vs Premonition
Precognition and premonition are two abilities between which a key difference can be identified. These terms are used extensively in psychic studies and are considered as parts of clairvoyance. In this sense, both precognition and premonition deal with events that have not yet taken place. First, before comprehending the difference between precognition and premonition, let us define the two words. Precognition refers to foreknowledge by paranormal means. On the other hand, premonition is a feeling that something is about to happen. The key difference between precognition and premonition is that while premonition is more of a feeling that the individual has that something negative is about to happen, precognition is a deeper sense of knowing that extends beyond the emotional realm.
What is Precognition?
Let us begin with precognition. In the introduction, precognition was defined as foreknowledge by paranormal means. In psychic studies, this is considered as a special ability that an individual has which allows him to see the future. However, it must be highlighted that precognition is sometimes considered as superstition and has no scientific basis although some people believe in it.
Precognition refers to a vision that an individual has during a dreamy state. This does not mean that the individual has a clear cut vision of what is about to happen. On the contrary, visions are often rather difficult to comprehend as they come in abstract forms or symbols. Another special feature of precognition is that the individual can connect the foreknowledge that he gains to an event. It must be emphasized that not all dreams that we have are precognitions.
What is Premonition?
Premonition is a feeling that something is about to happen. This is also considered as a psychic ability. In day to day language, people use different terms to refer to premonitions. They are intuition, gut feeling, etc. Premonitions create an uneasy feeling in the individual that extends beyond a general anxiety. For example, imagine you pick up the phone but even before you speak to the person at the other end, you know there is bad news. This is a premonition.
Unlike a precognition, a premonition is predominantly a strong feeling or sense that the individual has about something. In this sense, it cannot be associated with an event. Another key difference is that in a premonition the person only has a feeling; it cannot be considered as a forewarning. Premonitions are common in waking hours. This is because the person experiences a higher sense of emotion.
What is the difference between Precognition and Premonition?
Definitions of Precognition and Premonition:
Precognition: Precognition refers to foreknowledge by paranormal means.
Premonition: Premonition is a feeling that something is about to happen.
Characteristics of Precognition and Premonition:
Emotion:
Precognition: Precognition extends beyond emotions.
Premonition: Premonitions are strictly within the realms of emotion.
Time:
Precognition: Precognition is associated with dreams, hence mostly during the night.
Premonition: Premonitions occur during the daytime in which the individual is awake.
Connection:
Precognition: In precognition, the individual can link the event to the vision that he had.
Premonition: In a premonition, the individual has a sense or feeling about something but cannot directly link it to an event.
Image Courtesy:
1. Henryk Weyssenhoff – Przeczucie 1893 By Henryk Weyssenhoff (1859-1922) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
2. Iceberg-ice-age By George Grie [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons