Background information preceding 294-15 as told to those
gathered to hear the reading on
1/13/25:
My last experience with a return of ophonia was possibly the
most noteworthy. I do not know as I yet understand its whole
import. This was the experience: [
12/19/19]
For about 10 days I had been unable to speak above a whisper.
I felt that if I were able to get myself in the subconscious
state, possibly I could through that means again find relief.
It was Sunday afternoon. My wife sent the older boy for a
walk and ride with the younger boy, who was then a very small
baby. We retired to the bedroom; where I proceeded to put
myself into the unconscious state.
The experience lasted possibly 30 minutes, and it is the only
one where I have been able to recall anything that
transpired. There have been quite a number of times when I
have had dreams while in such a state. Was this a dream?
Scene 1:
Apparently, there was spread before me all the graveyards in
the world. I saw nothing save the abode of what we call the
dead, in all portions of the world.
Scene 2:
Then, as the scene shifted, the graves seemed to be centered
around India, and I was told by a voice from somewhere, 'Here
you will know a man's religion by the manner in which his
body has been disposed of.' [See
275-29, Par. 22-A, on
12/21/32.]
Scene 3:
The scene then changed to France, and I saw the soldiers'
graves, and among them the grave of 3 boys who had been in my
S.S. class. Then I saw the boys, not dead but alive. Each
of them told me how they met their death; one in machine gun
fire, another, in the bursting of a shell, the other in the
heavy artillery fire. Two gave me messages to tell their
loved ones at home. They appeared much in the same way and
manner as they did the day each came to bid me good-bye.
Scene 4:
As the scene changed again, I apparently reasoned with
myself, 'This is what men call spiritualism. Can it be
true? Are all those we call dead yet alive in some other
plane of experience or existence? Could I see my own baby
boy?' [Milton Porter Cayce]
As if a canopy was raised, tier on tier of babies appeared.
In the 3rd or 4th row from the top, to the side, I
recognized my own child. He knew me, even as I knew him. He
smiled his recognition, but no word of any kind passed.
Scene 5:
The scene changed, and there appeared a lady friend who was
being buried in the local cemetery during that selfsame hour,
one whom I had known very well and from whom I had purchased
many flowers for distribution by the children in my S.S.
classes. She talked with me about the changes that men call
death, said that it was a real birth. Especially she spoke
concerning the effect the gift of flowers had upon
individuals, and how they should be given in life rather than
at funerals or death. As to what they meant, and how they
spoke to the invalid, the shut-ins, and meant so little to
those that had passed from material to the spiritual plane.
Then she said, 'But to be material for the moment, some
months ago someone left $2.50 with you for me. You are not
aware of this having been done, and will find it in a drawer
of your desk marked with the date it was paid, Aug. 8th, and
there are 2 paper dollars with a 50 cent piece. See that my
daughter receives this, for she will need it. Be patient
with the children, they are gaining much.'
Scene 6:
Again the scene changed, and there appeared a man [
4971] who
had been a fellow officer for years in the church of which I
was a member. He spoke of his son [
228], who was a very
close friend of mine, but was soon to return from the army,
saying that he would no doubt return to his place in the
local bank but advising that he rather accept the offer which
would be made from a moving picture house. Then he spoke
concerning the affairs of the church, and then I was
physically conscious again.
When I awoke my voice was alright, I could talk normally,
though my wife told me I had said not a word during the whole
30 minutes. I told her immediately about the experience.
In re Scene 5:
I went to my office and looked in the drawer of the desk
where I was told to look and sure enough there was the
envelope that had been received on the 8th of August by one
of the young ladies who had since left the studio (and this
was in December).
In re Scene 6:
The next day I had occasion to go to the bank and the young
man, my friend, took my deposit. I asked when he returned,
and he said last night. I asked if he expected to remain in
the bank and he said he thought so. Then I told him I had
something I would like to relate to him, and that he could
act as he felt right. He came to the studio within the hour,
and I related to him the whole experience. He told me that
on his way home from Washington he had stopped in Atlanta,
that he had been approached by a friend and asked to take the
management of a moving picture theatre, but he had that
morning mailed him a letter rejecting the offer, but that he
would immediately wire him accepting it - which he did.
What this experience meant, I do not know, whether I have the
whole interpretation.
In re scenes 1 through 4:
This one thing I do know. I have traveled in many portions
of the country, north, south, east and west. There are few,
if any, cemeteries, that do not appear familiar, so much so
yet that when I see even a corner of one I can with a few
minutes reflection tell many intimate things about that
particular cemetery.
What was it? I do not know.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation