Let’s start with the definition. Hiraeth is an untranslatable Welsh word that describes a longing for a home, place or feeling that no longer exists or never existed.
It’s homesickness for places from your past that you can’t return to or even that you’ve never visited before. Hiraeth can also mean nostalgia for the past, people who are long gone, or feelings you have been feeling.
But it can also describe the feeling of longing for imaginary places, feelings, and people – for example, people you read about. Sometimes, it’s as if you’re taking a glimpse into your past life and coming into contact with people and things that existed a long time ago – or at least could have existed.
Harith is a perfect example of an all-encompassing term that is impossible to explain in just one or two words. Everyone who knows this rare word puts his own meaning into it.
Harith of ancient souls and deep thinkers
Old souls and deep thinkers are among those people who know what a harith is better than anyone else. These individuals are more susceptible to feelings of nostalgia and unexplained sadness.
According to ideas of New Age spirituality, old souls are believed to be more intuitive, more connected to their inner self, and more likely to remember their past lives. If you are connected to these beliefs, you can consider Harith as a connection to your previous reincarnations.
In this case, it’s a feeling of longing for the places that were your home, the people that were your family, and the things you did in your past life. It’s just one way to see this emotional state.
If we follow the logic, a person with old soul characteristics translates into a thoughtful introvert. He is a very contemplative person, a dreamer, and an abstract thinker.
Such people are prone to feeling sad or pensive for no apparent reason. They think about their past a lot and immerse themselves in fantasy worlds.
It is not surprising that they may sometimes feel an inexplicable longing for imaginary places and people. They also have a habit of overanalyzing their past, so that they feel nostalgic for the home they used to live in or the experiences they used to have.
When can you try Harith?
We’ve all felt this emotional state at some point in our lives, but most of us had no idea there was a name for it. Hiraeth’s best example is the feeling you get when you stare up at the starry sky.
It is an inexplicable longing, but you do not know what or whom you long for. The stars in the sky seem so far away, and yet, it’s as if they are calling you. Is it a lost homeland trying to reach from a distant galaxy, or is it the stardust that speaks within you and revives your connection to the universe?
I’m sure you’re familiar with this feeling, although it’s hard to explain. You can also experience Hiraeth while looking at the sea or ocean. The limitless surface of the water, the reflection of the sky, the inaccessible horizon.
What is there beyond that? It’s lands you’ve never trod before, city lights you’ve never seen, and strange air you’ve never breathed.
This happens when you begin to feel an inexplicable longing for places you have never been and are not even sure exist. Maybe they are just a product of your imagination.
Did you feel this emotional state? If yes, then what is Harith for you? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
