This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 14th day of April, 1934, in accordance with request made by self - Miss [276], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mildred Davis, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. L. B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. EC: *"Yes - this is a pretty big place! Yes, it's in the second basement." Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [276]; this we have had before.
2. As to the physical forces, or physical body, these we find are very good in the present. The reactions in the general physical body, the mental body as related to same, are developing towards a normal balance, with the proper coordination in all phases of the experiences of the body.
3. Relating to the mental body and those reactions in the imaginative functionings through which ideas or ideals may be formed, as in this body, there may be quite a dissertation given respecting what the mental body really is, or how it may be called a body at all:
4. There are organs; there are arteries; there are veins, nervous systems, along which it may be said that the mental body functions as for its manifestation in materiality. Yet no one outside of a body may be able to tell what another body thinks or feels by watching, measuring, testing, in any form or manner, those reactions to the organs, veins, and various conditions in activity to give expression.
5. Hence, being in such relationships to that which is both physical AND material - and spiritual - it may be well said there IS a body.
6. For, as may be said, DESIRE [SFG I, lesson on Desire] is that impulse which makes for the activity of the mental body, whether the impulse is from that desire or the desire is produced by the environs that affect a physical organism - or that which arouses or attunes the spiritual or soul body to an activity.
7. In this particular body, [276], we are speaking of, we find these facts well demonstrated; for there are are periods when it may be said there is the whole activity from the physical desires produced by the environs of the body itself. There are periods when it may be said the desires, or the activities that make for the action of the mental body, are precipitated into activity wholly from the experiences of the soul, or spiritual influences of this entity - this body, this being.
8. Hence, as indicated, how well may the body control those that are of a mental state in their evolution or development in material things! and thus partake more of materiality, yet motivative by the same spirit or life.
9. Again how well, how excellent, may the expressions of the purely mental body find those spiritual things that lead to the expression in the activities of the body as to bring into manifested form - either by the deeds done in the body, the activities of the physical self, or the expressions that may be made through the activities of other portions - or of the sensory forces of same in speech.
10. Hence how glorious may be those things to which the body may attain, either from those forces of the earth - that may be termed a career - or a success - or that appear as a gift, or a genius, or an individual that is endowed with super-normal powers in its activity in the earth.
11. Again how well balanced, how simple, yet how true, how patient! yet how earnest, how enthusiastic! yet how determined, how well may all these attributes - that are often so contradictory in the experience of many - become manifested things and experiences in the activities of this mental being that is found in this body!
12. Well, then, that those who would influence, or direct or make for influencing the life and the experience of this entity in this formative period, be earnest, sincere, sure, and well-balanced in that which they would present in this entity's experience - either as example or precept. For, SOME day - in this experience - will the activities of this body-mind, this soul-mind, give expression to that it has been governed, ruled or influenced by in forming that which is to be the work of the body, of the physical body, of the mental body, and upon which the soul-being will in this experience feed.
13. Then, if this be true - those things that have just been said, the natural question that arises in the minds or experiences of those that would study psychic forces - or any of the philosophies that have to do or deal with the principles motivating the influences or activities of individuals in this earth's plane in the present - would be:
14. What has karma to do with this body, then? What is the fate, or the destiny, of such a soul? Has it already been determined as to what it may do, or be, for the very best? or has it been so set that the activities and the influences, the environs and the hereditary forces, are to alter?
15. These indeed are worthy questions, in the light of that which has been given.
16. If there be any virtue or truth in those things given in the spiritual or Christian or Jehovah-God faith, His laws are immutable. What laws are immutable, if truth and God Himself is a growing thing - yet an ever changeable, and yet "ever the same, yesterday and today and forever"?
17. These things, these words, to many minds become contradictory, but they are in their inception NOT contradictory; for Truth, Life, Light, Immortality, are only words that give expression to or convey a concept of one and the same thing.
18. Hence, Destiny is: "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." And like begets like! And the first law of nature, which is the material manifestation of spiritual law in a physical world, is self-propagation - which means that it seeks self- preservation and the activity of the same law that brought the thought of man (or the spirit of man) into existence - companionship!
19. What, then, is karma? And what is destiny? What has the soul done, in the spiritual, the material, the cosmic world or consciousness, respecting the knowledge or awareness of the laws being effective in his experience - whether in the earth, in the air, in heaven or in hell? These are ever one; for well has it been said, "Though I take the wings of the morning and fly unto the utmost parts of the heavens, Thou art there! Though I make my bed in hell, Thou art there! Though I go to the utmost parts of the earth, Thou art there! Truth, Life, God! Then, that which is cosmic - or destiny, or karma - depends upon what the soul has done about that it has become aware of.
20. What, you say, has this to do with this soul, this entity, that - as we have given - is well balanced and attuned as to that it will do; by its own activating forces of its will, its desire - that arise from its experiences in the mental, the spiritual and the material world? Because it is thus making its destiny, its karma! For, HE will stand in the stead. For, by sin came death; by the shedding of blood came freedom - freedom from a consciousness, into a greater consciousness.
21. So, in His promises do we live and move and have our being. Be patient. But know much may be done.
22. Ready for questions.
23. (Q) Regarding the physical, give cause and remedy for my red arms.
    (A) The cause is the natural tendency from the hereditary forces, in the activating forces of blood and body and mind, and may then be that which bespeaks of that which is worth while in the experience - of those things that have just been outlined, as to how and why the body-physical, the body-mental, the body-spiritual, is well balanced in the present. And to cure same would be to take from the body much vitality, much of the better things that go to make up this channel.
    But, to be sure, if these are covered, or not roughened by atmospheric pressure, changes come about!
    But rather would there be given from here, be rather PROUD OF the expressions there!
24. (Q) Will you give a prescription for a solution that will make straight hair wave, if possible without heat?
    (A) As we have indicated, if the pits of the lowly persimmon - with the bark of the roots of the tree - are distilled, adding only the preservatives as necessary for the keeping of same, and used as a massage for a period into the scalp of individuals, it will make the hair wave - even kinky, if so desired.
25. (Q) What is the correct treatment for frost-bite?
    (A) The better, as we find, is petrol - or coal oil, massaged - and taken in very small quantities.
26. (Q) Taken internally?
    (A) Taken internally and rubbed on too!
27. (Q) What is the condition of my eyes?
    (A) Very good, as indicated. While at times, from cold or exposure, or from the activities, or when there is poor lighting, there is some strain on same. But the head and neck exercise taken regularly will overcome this.
28. (Q) What is the condition of my teeth?
    (A) Very good. Some local attention needed.
29. (Q) What is the best cleanser for teeth?
    (A) Equal combinations of salt and soda - calcium [sodium chloride?] chloride and bi-carbonate of soda, equal parts. Nothing better!
30. (Q) Is body eating correctly?
    (A) Very good.
31. (Q) What meats are best for this body?
    (A) If meats are taken, they should always be either of fowl, lamb or mutton. Not too much of other meats. Wild game preferable, if meats are to be taken.
32. (Q) What is the best formula that will make my skin brown from the sun?
    (A) Sun tan for some is good. But for those that have a certain amount of pigment in the skin, as indicated in this body, to make for variations as to the effect of weather or sun upon exposed portions of the body - made up of the atomic vibrations to which the circulation in various portions of the body is reactive - to get a sun tan would not be well for this body; for it would burn tissue before it would tan. That which would be more effective (if the body is insistent that it desires the tan) would be the use of vinegar and olive oil (not vinegar made from acetic acid, or synthetic vinegar, but the use of that made from the apples) combined with coffee made from resteaming or re-vaporing used coffee grounds. The tannin in each of these, and the acids combined, would become very effective. But it will wear off, of course, in a very short time even - if used.
33. (Q) What is best for the spiritual development of this body next summer - to go to camp, take a trip, or stay with family at ... Lake?
    (A) This had best be determined in self, from the developments and from those conditions that arise between now and that time when this decision must be made.
    As we find, the better would be that the body in its own abilities of its own meditations, and that which may be pointed out to itself, determine - which is asking first: Which is right? Answer from the reasoning of the physical mind. Then in REAL meditation let the inner self answer, as by its own writing - and Do that!
34. (Q) Is Miss Possell the best teacher for the flute for this body? If so, how long? If not, who is?
    (A) For the next two and a half years. The best; for they have taught one another.
35. (Q) Any further advice?
    (A) There's much that may be given, as indicated - but this for the present.
36. We are through with this reading.

    Two copies to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 5/01/33 She obtained Ck. Physical 276-5, answering questions.
2. 2/25/33 She wrote: "I have persuaded my dear parents [[255] & [378]] to let me have a Mental & Physical Rdg. Do you think you could squeeze one in somewheres? The questions are enclosed. Mother is sending the dough."

REPORTS

1. 7/31/35 She obtained Ck. Physical 276-8.

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation