As a supernatural thriller author, my writing is fueled by the strange, the unexplained, and the deeply human urge to understand what lies beyond the veil. One of the most enduring and intriguing beliefs—found in countless cultures around the world—is that young children and animals are particularly sensitive to spiritual entities. But is this just folklore? Or is there something deeper at work?
The Innocence of Youth and the Unfiltered Mind
Many cultures believe that children, especially those under the age of seven, exist in a liminal space—closer to the spiritual world they’ve just emerged from. In fact, Tibetan Buddhism refers to the first years of life as a time when the soul is still adjusting to the material world. During this time, children are believed to have “thin boundaries” between the physical and spiritual realms.
Modern psychology has an interesting take on this too. A study published in the Journal of Cognition and Culture (2008) found that children up to age six often display what researchers call “magical thinking”—the belief that thoughts can influence reality, or that unseen forces can affect the world. While mainstream science sees this as part of cognitive development, spiritual traditions interpret it as a natural openness to energies and presences adults have learned to tune out.
How many times have you heard of a toddler pointing to an empty corner and saying, “There’s a man over there,” with chilling seriousness? Or speaking casually about a deceased relative they’ve never met? These moments often leave adults shaken. And in some cultures, they’re taken as proof that children are seeing what we no longer can.
Animals: Guardians of the Threshold?
Animals, especially dogs and cats, have long been associated with supernatural sensitivity. Ancient Egyptians revered cats as sacred, believing they could see the unseen. In Celtic folklore, dogs were said to guide souls to the afterlife and alert the living to ghostly visitors.
Science acknowledges that animals have heightened senses—especially sight, smell, and hearing. Dogs, for instance, can detect frequencies and vibrations humans cannot. This may explain why pets sometimes growl, whimper, or bark at apparently empty spaces. But could it also be something more?
In a 2010 paper from the International Journal of Behavioral Biology, researchers observed that dogs often react to subtle environmental cues imperceptible to humans. While not a supernatural claim, it does support the idea that our animal companions may pick up on presences we overlook—whether it's the low hum of energy, a shift in temperature, or something… else.
A Portal to the Paranormal
In my Iconoclast series, I’ve often written about characters who see what others cannot. These aren’t just fictional devices—they reflect the very real idea that some among us may be more attuned to what lies beyond the visible. Whether it’s a child fresh from the other side or a loyal pet with senses we barely comprehend, the idea that we’re not alone—even when it seems we are—remains both unsettling and oddly comforting.
So I pose the question to you:
Have you ever seen a child talk to someone invisible? Or watched your pet react to something that wasn’t there?
Share your experience in the comments. Your story might inspire my next book—or remind someone else that they’re not imagining things.
Stay curious and keep your senses open,
Mary Ann Poll
America’s Lady of Supernatural Thrillers
