This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 12th day of January, 1937, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [464], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body here, [464]; this we have had before.
2. As we find there are many changes in the general physical forces of the body since last we had same here. In many ways and manners conditions HAVE been on the improve. These as we find are the variations in the conditions in the present, and that as we have had - and then the more or less acute condition which has arisen in the present:
3. Through those portions of the system in the lower lumbar area, where the closeness of the segments in the lumbar and lower dorsal has long given so much distress by the preventing of the proper or full circulation through the torso portion of the body, and thus affecting through the branches of the sympathetic nervous system other portions of the body, these we find have been more relaxed by the application of the electrical forces than has been heretofore accomplished.
4. This however as we find taken advantage of by the use of more of a massage, with the electrical treatments, would - after overcoming the present conditions - prove more effective for the body.
5. In the present we find there has been an overloading or overtaxing of the system by cold and congestion. Thus poisons and accumulations through slowed circulation, produced by superabundance of acidity through the body, bring on this effect more or less of the "flu" and the attending conditions of inflammation in the circulation, the high pulsation, a little temperature and a general aching throughout the body.
6. As we would find, then, first is to meet the immediate or acute conditions:
7. We would let the body rest from any foods almost save liquids; and in the taking of liquids let these be mostly of citrus fruit juices. And as a strength builder take the beef juices; not as broths but the pure beef juice - this taken in small sips many times during the day, not large spoonsful or cupsful but every hour or so a teaspoonful taken slowly will give strength and vitality. And the orangeade, lemonade, citrus fruit juices - all of these or their combinations taken many times a day, and if these are taken warm all the better. If the desire is for these cold, take them then VERY slowly.
8. But cleanse the system with those properties of Castoria - Fletcher's Castoria, which we find would be the more preferable under the existent conditions.
9. Begin by taking this in very small doses; half a teaspoonful every half hour until a full bottle has been taken.
10. Then take a high enema to relieve the strain.
11. Then the next day take a full bottle of Castoria in about three or four doses, two and a half to three hours apart in the doses.
12. Keep the body warm, keep the feet warm. A sponge-off with mustard water, or setting the feet in mustard water - and the limbs - would be well for the body. Rub away from the body rather than towards the body with the mustard baths.
13. Then as we find begin with the massages (after the body is relieved) and with the electrical treatments that have been indicated.
14. These as we find are the better conditions for this body in the present.
15. Ready for questions.
16. (Q) What causes so much trouble in my left side? Is it the lower stomach or the upper bowels?
    (A) It is the lower portion, as has been given heretofore; it is the transverse and descending colon, though these are only a portion of the trouble but give the greater distress under the present conditions. But the massages after the immediate conditions are overcome will be most beneficial to this condition.
17. (Q) Why are my legs so weak?
    (A) Because of the cutting off of the circulation by the pressures in those areas as have been indicated. Thus the necessity under the present condition for the hot mustard sponges or baths for the lower portion, from the knees especially downward.
18. (Q) What should be done for my eyes?
    (A) With the massages the greater help will come, though these need necessarily, some adjustments for glasses for the eyes.
19. (Q) What causes me to feel so sad and depressed, and how may I overcome same?
    (A) The poisons that are as accumulations in the system. These work upon the nerve forces through those branches as has been indicated to the sympathetic nerve force, which act upon what may be said to be the reflexes to the sensory forces of the body. Thus does the body respond to reflexes or conditions from without and bring on those conditions for melancholia or "Don't Care" or an overexcitement to work off the energies that lack the vitality for sustaining in the body their activity.
20. (Q) Any spiritual advice?
    (A) Do these things as has been indicated first. Then begin with the massages, with the electrical treatments that have been administered.
    And in the spiritual, keep constructive as much as possible; knowing that there are within self those influences that may bring help and HOPE to self as well as to others.
21. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 464-17 on 3/20/36 and subsequent Reports.
2. 12/31/36 She submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 1/20/37 Mrs. [464]'s ltr.: "I received your letter and the Reading. I went to see Dr. Case last night about having the electrical massage but he was in conference with other doctors and I couldn't see him and his wife couldn't give it without his say so. So I didn't get it. That is my hard luck. I did all the other things that the Rdg. suggested. I haven't had a cold this winter and I was surprised at the Rdg. saying I had one. I don't know where to go from here. I am stalled and I feel rotten. Excuse that nasty word but it is most expressive. I was a little disappointed in the Rdg. I am troubled with an ailment that it never mentions. I think I have kidney trouble and I have always thought so and I think that is the cause of all my troubles or most of them. I am sick and tired of the whole mess of troubles. Sick and tired of everything and wish there was an end to it all. I just hate my life and I have always been sore because I was born into this detestable world. I dislike to see a baby born for I know it will get 10 times more sorrow than joy and it is pure selfishness to bring them into the world and try to kid them into a lot of things that are nothing more or less than not. What is love? it is like a flower that blooms for a day. Would a person live a life time for 5 minutes of joy, bah! Why kid ourselves we know a spade is a spade. Why call it a graceful toil [?] cleaver? or a means to riches untold and day dream. The whole thing from start to finish is a farce. Strip life of its flowery adornments and what have we. Nothing.
   "I am tired, disappointed, and hurt right through and through. I wish I could just close my eyes and be no more. Let's hope that you are not so near the depths of despair but you must not take on the sorrows of your patients or that would weigh you down and unfit you for work. Nature does not treat every one so unfairly as she has done to me. In many ways she has been kind but where it hurts the most I have suffered bitterly."
2. 2/04/37 "Some people can step right out of their sick troubles. I wish I could. I haven't the will power of a Jack Rabbit. I have been doctoring with Dr. Case for 6 mos. and I am just about the same. If a doctor gives me a pill I want to know what is in that pill and what it is for. If it is a nerve pill there will be a reaction when I stop taking them. So when I get a reaction I am down and out again. I have been with you a long time. I am a neurotic and I know it, and I know there is no help for me except through myself, and I haven't the courage to get right up and fight this thing out to a finish. One in my condition is in an agony of mind all the time. I am scared to death of myself and nothing else, although I do think that my weak legs are apart from the nervous trouble and that aggravates the nerves and upsets me...
   "My two girls are both good to me and I am very glad I have them. [Husband] is good too in every way except the way a wife loves the best and in that he is quite inhuman, so I don't bother him and he doesn't bother me.
   "You will be glad to get rid of me and my mournful letters. I never was so lonesome in my life as I have been this winter... I am glad that I have met you through your good work and hope that I have not been too much of a nuisance to you all. Life has given me a raw deal from childhood up. Being supersensitive I get everything. A hair feels like a rope on my hand. So you may know how my nerves are."
3. 2/08/37 EC's letter: "Am thinking you will find a great deal in Christian Science. It is like everything else, possibly not for all of us, at just this stage of development, but for those who will make practical application of it there is nothing that can equal it. I know of some very lovely experiences of a great many with its principles... We have enjoyed your letters. I am still looking forward to the opportunity of talking with you in person. I feel sure that I will sooner or later. We usually get around to the things we plan, even though they seem to fail for the time. You know, our minds are the builder, and we keep on thinking a thing until we make it a part of us, be it sickness or health. As Jesus said, 'it is not by taking thought alone, but by working at it, that we accomplish.'"
4. 4/26/37 "I don't go up to Dr. Case any more. The pills he gave me made my stomach upset, but I still think he is fine and he did help me a lot, but I have gone back to Dr. Leavitt - he is in Chicago. He is a psychologist and I think he is fine too, but I find it most awful hard to do the things he wants me to do - take physical exercises and walk out every day and accustom myself to doing the unusual things. In short I have to face the music...I have been 2 mos. with him and I have a little more confidence in myself, but my strength is very slow in returning. I don't give in to every little thing any more like I used to. I don't know how all this will turn out. Dr. Case was not very good at giving powerful auto-suggestions, the result of which is more than half the battle in many cases of illness - that I have proof of...Dr. Leavitt says I can have health if I will work for it. He knows all about the nervous people, so I can't fool him with any of my symptoms. He calls them feelings and emotions only to be swept aside, ignored, trampled on, forgotten."
5. 5/17/37 "In Dr. Leavitt's letters he asks if I have a serious heart trouble. I had the flu in Feb. and kept getting more cold and my heart has been on the rampage more or less ever since, so I am writing for a rdg. I have had a cough and wheezing and so short of breath over the least exertion for a long time, and my eyes and ears are affected."
6. 5/22/37 See 464-19.

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