This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 15th day of July, 1933, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [279], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

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

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body, [279]; this we have had before.
2. As we find, the general physical conditions of the body are very good. While conditions arise in the physical body that produce anxiety at times and a great deal of fear, from the purely PHYSICAL reaction or condition there is little that is abnormal. When conditions do appear that produce the feelings in the system of distresses to organs, or to the body in its functioning, and fear is manifested; this (the action of fear in the physical) produces the effects in other portions of the body, as a reaction from an organic or organical functioning disturbance. Yet, this at times may be called that of nerve reaction, or nervousness, neurasthenia, or any names that one may choose to call it.
3. However, if the body would master self, in that there would be no giving away nor the fear arising, the body would find self being endowed with influences and power that would make for an ability in the mental and material sense to cope with many things outside the ken of most human experiences.
4. In meeting the conditions, then, if the body desires to be rid of these occurrences or impressions or experiences, there needs to be the coordination between the sympathetic and cerbro-spinal system such as (this is from the physical) not to produce the physical reactions.
5. This may be done by keeping the system in an even balance, by working off the energies and the imaginative influences or forces within the body, through holding to the purely material side of influences and activities within the body and carrying out those suggestions that have been given from time to time to meet those things as they arise.
6. Ready for questions.
7. (Q) What can be done for the pains at back of neck and base of skull?
   (A) These are the physical effects of allowing self to become afraid, when there is the feeling of the body being possessed by influences that apparently arise within the activities of the system. And, as indicated, the manipulative measures and baths, rubs, salt rubs and the like, will make for an according in a manner as to prevent physical distress.
   Rather, if the body would surround self with those influences that are from and of the Creative influence alone, the spiritual essence that may emanate from the Creative Forces of the Fatherhood in man, that may make for manifestations, the body may become imbued with, guided and directed by, that which would make for influences, for Creative activity, that would bring physical quiet as well as spiritual fortitude in the experience of the body.
8. (Q) What causes the terrible drawing feeling in the legs so much lately?
   (A) The same character of activity, the muscular forces responding to those influences that come from over the system, and with fear produces that reaction which makes for poisons - and these center in movements, or locomotion, or locomotory activities; hence contracting to those.
   Necessary that these be relaxed from the physical standpoint, if they are to be forgotten and not used in the material things, spiritual things, mental things, in the same manner. Physically, apply those things that have been outlined.
9. (Q) What is the condition of the blood?
   (A) Very good save at times when this fear, this anxiety, produces that hormone - and that in the hormone activity - which causes an increase in the salinity, that makes for weakness of the stamina in the system.
10. (Q) Why cannot I get rid of the lesions in the upper dorsal area?
    (A) The allowing of fear to enter in, the lack of surrounding self with that innate endowed ability for the spiritual influences to direct, and calling on more of the material forces, make for those hindrances in a physical sense.
    They are relieved at times. Then, with the recurrence of this fear activity, they return.
11. (Q) Is there any ulcerous condition in the digestive system?
    (A) There is NOT!
12. (Q) Is there anything organically wrong with me?
    (A) As given, there is NOT!
13. (Q) Is Psyllium Seed recommended for me at this time?
    (A) Occasionally take Psyllium Seed; it is excellent for the better activities of the system, in absorbing and eliminating through the body.
14. (Q) Should I continue the colonic irrigations? If so, how often?
    (A) When necessary, these are very good to eliminate and take poisons from the system. Once in two months, or once in a month - something of that nature is very good, PROVIDED there has been the recurrence of those things that call for and produce the poisons that ARE to be eliminated from the system! When these conditions DO NOT occur, do not strain the body through such activity!
15. (Q) Would I be greatly benefited by abstaining from smoking?
    (A) As we have given before, this in moderation is very well for the body; for most people. Yet, if the body gets or obtains within self that feeling, that fear, that this is producing or causing any of the distresses - through the action or the effect of smoking upon the nervous system - more and more it will affect the body! It of itself does not! Rather a sedative, and an alleviate. [See 279-18, Par. R2.]
16. (Q) Have I any cause to fear a severe mental breakdown?
    (A) No cause whatever, if the body will more and more surround self with those suggestive influences that it innately knows and feels, that may be manifested between a Creative influence into the material and mental life of a body; for it may make of itself that it will, in the mental or material world.
17. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to File
    [7/15/33 Immediately following above, EC gave him Rdg. 279-19 answering questions on his business.]

BACKGROUND

1. 2/18/33 He obtained Ck. Physical 279-17 giving further advice for his condition of neurasthenia.
2. 7/11/33 "I have been sort of sick mentally. Not as badly, I'm glad to say, as I used to be, but just a little down in the mouth and despondent. I have had only one 'attack' lately, and that was just the other evening. I was home alone reading a paper when I had a peculiar feeling around the eyes, as though my eyes wanted to close and couldn't. Then, a sort of numbness in the head, and immediately following a short dizzy sensation, followed by a wild palpitation of my heart. Being alone, I was more or less frantic. But, I went to the medicine cabinet, took a sedative pill, and lay down on the bed. I quieted down in a few moments, and felt a little better. About five minutes later, that same dizzy feeling, and the palpitation. I called the doctor from downstairs, and he came up in a few minutes, and listened to my heart. Told me there was nothing wrong organically, but that I was quite nervous. He attributed it all to nerves. I pray to the Lord that I can overcome these terrible ordeals. I have had about four of these spells, almost exactly alike each time, in the last eight or nine months."

REPORTS

1. 7/18/33 He wrote: "I was glad to see the information in the Ck. Physical gave me a pretty good bill of health. But, I cannot seem to reconcile myself to the fact that these things that happen to me are induced mentally. On the other hand, when I am feeling well, as I do at the moment, I cannot see how I feel so frantic when I get those spells. Due to the fact that I've had several of these spasms, as I call them, at intervals of approximately a couple of months, I can't seem to make it out. I do hope that the added encouragement given by the readings will help me through the trying times when, and if, they should occur again.
   "I once read an editorial, it was about 12 yrs. ago, during the last depression. It was titled, 'There is none so sick as the one who only THINKS he is sick.' Maybe that's my trouble. I have been told that this 'sickness' of mine is a rebellion of my ego. It is an attempt to combat my seeming inability to have the luxury and security to which I had become accustomed. I guess the only way to prove whether that is so is to get back to the 'successful' class again.
   "Many, many thanks, Edgar, and write me, won't you?"
2. 7/69 The following article was printed in the Oxford Public Ledger, Oxford, N.C., and taken from WRAL Broadcast of Jesse Helms on June 30, 1969:
   GOVERNMENT REPORT SHOWS LIGHT SMOKING MAY BENEFIT
   F. Thomas Wooten, Ph.D., is a scholarly gentleman connected with one of the facilities at the Research Triangle and, as such, he has become fascinated with the cigarette-smoking controversy. It so happens that Dr. Wooten is himself a non-smoker, and he does not advocate that anyone acquire the habit.
   However, Dr. Wooten does advocate that all of the facts be given in any debate - including the great debate as to whether it is an established fact that cigarette-smoking does constitute a health hazard.
   Dr. Wooten suggests an examination of a report right out of the Surgeon General's office, which was printed and distributed by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The document, based on a study of 134,000 persons, was published in May, 1967, and is entitled "Cigarette Smoking and Health Characteristics - United States, July 1964-June 1965."
   The report is replete with statistical tables, every one of which clearly shows that moderate cigarette smokers (that is, people who smoke but smoke no more than half-a-pack a day) are the healthiest people of all - with fewer diseases than people who smoke more cigarettes BUT: with fewer diseases, also, than people who have never smoked at all!
   "To me," Dr. Wooten comments, "this fact is absolutely astounding in view of the great barrage of government statements that smoking is injurious to health. Here is a government publication that clearly shows that light smoking may reduce the incident of disease." Then he added: "It seems to me that the equal time provision of the law should extend to this information also. It would be interesting to know why it does not."
   We would reiterate that Dr. Wooten is a non-smoker, and in no way advocates that anyone take up the smoking habit. Maybe there ought to be a further rewording of the warning label on cigarette packages, so as to read: "Caution: The Surgeon General Says That Cigarette Smoking May Be Hazardous To Your Health - And Then Again the Surgeon General Says That It May Be Helpful If You Smoke Just Ten A Day."

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