This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 13th day of August, 1926, in accordance with request made by Miss [349].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Dr. T. B. House.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give a physical and mental reading on this body, with suggestions for the improvement of either or both of these. You will answer any questions I might ask you regarding same.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body here. This we have had before.
3. Now, for the physical and mental conditions in this body, there are those, in both the physical and mental, that may be set in order, as it were, that the physical functioning of the body, through the mental efficiency, may bring more efficient work in physical and in mental, and thus give the entity those abilities to serve, and gain, mentally and materially, through such service.
4. In the physical forces there are those conditions of which the body should be warned, and of minor corrections and conditions that should be taken note of, that these may not become so inset in the physical functioning as to cause detrimental conditions to the body, in the way and manner either to become a functional, in the way of chronic, or become organic in such a way and manner as to give constant distress to many of the functioning organisms of the body.
5. Those, especially, that should be taken note of (this in the physical we are speaking of) - that as regarding the digestion, and of the congestion as has been produced in times back in the system, and left a weakness in the mucus producing portions of the sensory system, and which may, with an overtaxed digestion and eliminations not being proper, cause distress, either directly or indirectly, to many portions of the system. Those conditions as have to do with the digestion consist in these conditions existent in the system:
6. Little care is taken by the body as to WHAT is eaten (just so its pleasing to the taste), or WHEN same is eaten. When such conditions exist, there may be this assurance to most any individual - that the digestive system is put to a severe test, for the system needs that balance kept in same, that the used strength of the body, by the normal activity, and by the normal functioning of the system, may be not only replenished by that food as is taken of the proper nature and character, but also that the eliminations of those used forces, and of the drosses of that that is taken IN system, shall be eliminated in something near the normal condition, else we find we will overtax either the physical or the mental forces of any body. In this condition, in [349], we are speaking of, we find as this:
7. There is the tendency to overeat at bad hours for eating, to under eat when the body really needs replenishing - to not care for the eliminations. Hence, little by little, that insidious condition begins to show, through that of little toxins created at times, and more left in the system, through constipation, overtaxing of kidneys and liver, and the consequences - the distresses as are caused occasionally to the digestion, and the excess and pains caused through those conditions peculiar to the sex of the individual.
8. In that condition as exists as regarding the congestion as has been produced, and the effects of same as is shown or exhibited in the blood supply in the present time, we find in the 2nd and 4th cervical the effects of a pressure produced, and with this condition existing in the system of a foreign bacilli, as is known as that of the streptococci nature, gives the increase of the excitement to the mucus producing portions, in bronchials, throat, larynx, and the nasal cavities show an excess of the conditions. Hence the fullness as is produced in the throat, soreness appearing at times in the trachea, and the bronchials and the larynx. These are, as it were, AFTER effects of this condition. Also that of the nasal cavity shows, with this excess, there is a minor form of growth as has begun to show in the upper portion, and in the back part, of throat. This may be relieved by the manipulation, as is necessary to correct the subluxations as are seen in the cervical and upper dorsal region; also by inhaling, or drawing through the nostril, that of equal parts salt, soda, and of tartaric acid, see? small quantity in warm water, and this snuffed through the nostrils. This should be done at least once each day, preferably just before retiring.
9. At least three to five adjustments should be made for the cervical and dorsal condition.
10. Care and attention given to the diet in this manner:
11. Eat the meal regularly. Not necessary that when mental work is required that the body be overloaded with food, but that of the nutritious nature, and that that with the little outside work, or outside exercises as the body takes that of the nature that will keep a balance. Never any white bread. Whole wheat or Graham, or rye, may be taken. Never, or VERY SELDOM, any vinegar or acid, at least until the body is in much better condition in the digestive manner. The meats should be few and far between! Fish or fowl may be taken in moderation. Vegetables, especially raw cabbage, celery and lettuce - these may be taken. Fruits, cereals of mornings. Little of the green fruits through the noon. The vegetables in the evening.
12. Follow these in their normal way and we will find we will bring the better conditions in the physical manner to this body.
13. In the mental forces, these we find are exceedingly active, yet they (the mental), in this physical force, have yet to reach that conclusion of its own mind as to what to do with the body, mentally or materially. The whole answer must be in self, and not depend upon any other one, for, as has been given, each individual must work out [his or her] their own salvation. (This does not mean merely spiritual) with fear and trembling. Choose that thou hast in hand - not say, "Who shall ascend into heaven to bring down a message to me?" or "Who shall descend into hell to bring up one to me?" Answer from that in thine OWN heart. Prepare thy ways. Make the paths straight. Seek the Lord when He may be found, for in HIM is Life, and the Life is the Light of the World. Be not a willy-nilly, nor a shilly-shally one in mental or physical action. Seek the ways that are His, and all else shall be added unto thee.
14. Ready for questions.
15. (Q) Is my present environment the happiest for me and should I continue in it or will it be best for me to change my environment? If so, what should I do?
    (A) These have been answered.
16. We are through.

BACKGROUND

1. 4/21/26 She obtained Life Reading 349-1.
2. 6/15/26 Mr. [257]'s letter: "You will receive a request today from my secretary for a reading particularly on her throat. Will you kindly give this immediately as I have promised for some several weeks to write you in reference to same."
3. 6/25/26 EC's letter to Mr. [257]: "I haven't had any word from your secretary as yet. Possibly she knows from some of the other letters I have written that I am a long way ahead with my appointments, and felt it wasn't necessary."
4. 7/06/26 [349]'s letter to EC: "I have withheld sending to you for another reading because I realized that you were busy with far more important readings than mine... I am enclosing a list of questions that I should like to have answered because it really does mean very much to me. The other reading [349-1] was perfect and I marvel how a stranger could read my character so perfectly... What causes condition of throat? Suggest treatment and cure. What is wrong with my nose? Is an operation necessary? Do I use my voice too much? Does that affect my throat? Why am I continually losing weight? Why do foods seem to nauseate me? Please suggest diet. Why do I get nervous easily? How can I retain good temper and cheerfulness all the time? When will I get married? When will I meet my prospective husband? Will I be more contented and happy when married than I am at present? Should I have married when I had the opportunity? What sort of person will my husband be? Will we love each other? Am I in love at present? Why does this person make me unhappy? How can I put him out of my heart? What is my chief charm and how can it be developed so that I will have a charming and attractive personality? How can I increase my income? How can I further assist my present employer in developing the business? Please give me general advice as to how I should conduct myself to be happy in my present work. Is my present environment the happiest for me and should I continue in it or will it be best for me to change my environment? If so, what should I do?"

REPORTS

1. 8/20/26 [349]'s letter to EC: "Thank you very much for the reading which I received on Monday. I have been so very busy all week that I have not had a chance heretofore to write you how remarkable the reading was.
   "Mr. [257] left town on Monday and therefore did not have opportunity to explain it to me thoroughly although he has promised to do so upon his return.
   "Sunday, I was ill with an attack of nervous indigestion - my third - and had the doctor. It was only yesterday that I felt better for the first time all week, as I have been following your advice. The reading stated that was my main trouble and receiving this reading on Monday, when I felt so ill, seemed so opportune as it gave me the real condition.
   "Further, the reading diagnosed exactly what is wrong with my throat and nose in more complete detail than advice given me by the throat doctor. Do you wonder that I am so enthusiastic about the reading? I told Mr. [257] I thought it was truly remarkable.
   "I have been following your advice concerning my diet and really feel better. I am going to eliminate that cause of my being nervous and upset easily and I hope in that way to gain weight, lose my nervousness and take better care of myself. I shall follow your advice in regard to treating my nose and I am sure, that with the help you have given me, I shall become a new person. I wish I could repay you in some way."
2. See subsequent readings in re her health, her life and work.

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