This psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 2nd day of July, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [849], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Hugh Lynn Cayce and Mae Verhoeven.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the physical condition of this body at the present time, with suggestions for further corrective measures; answering the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the body here, [849]; this we have had before.
3. As we find, conditions are gradually on the improve.
4. It would be well if the body would take these conditions and circumstances in mind, - that while there is the healing in the body, there must be the healing AND the consistency also in the mind.
5. Physical conditions in the present are such that many varied conditions and circumstances, which apparently from outward appearance have nothing to do with the physical body, may cause a great deal of irritation. For the physical activities of breaking up of poisons and of static conditions may react upon the nerve forces of the body, and especially on the centers that regulate the imaginative as well as the sensitive forces of the sensory system, - as to produce a great deal of irritation.
6. And it finds expression in impatience, or an oversensitiveness as to its own value or worth. These may become such conditions as to really hinder in the effective valuation of the applications made through the body forces.
7. Hence, as is often spoken in some quarters, "you know the body is better because he's become so irritable."
8. These are conditions, then. There is betterment. It is possible to overtax the system by breaking up too fast. Hence, as has been indicated through these channels, - and as may be indicated in many quarters by those who contemplate the activities of the coordination of physical, mental and spiritual well-being of an individual, - there should be such periods of reactions as to give nature a chance, or to give a chance for the natural reactions to gradually take place.
9. To be sure, then, - keep the activities of the vibrations from the low electrical forces.
10. Keep the rubs with the oils as a part of the daily treatment. These should be given following the exercise in the water, as well as with the weights in the machine, as well as when there are the attempts to become active in the locomotion of the body forces.
11. This becomes aggravating, to be sure, to those who necessarily must make such applications, - but when there is the physical activity, bathe off those areas across the lumbar and sacral and the sciatics, with a mild soda solution - or an alkalized water, warm or hot; and then apply the oil rubs, see? It is not necessary that this be given for half to three-quarters of an hour, as of a general massage being given, but massage these specific areas. These also assist in the activities of the system being able to pick up and distribute same to the areas through which eliminations are to be carried on.
12. The greater improvement is in the ability of the body to coordinate more in each channel of elimination; that is, as may be illustrated: there is the ability of the body now to perspire even through the knees and the lower limbs, which he hasn't been able to do for a long, long period. These are showing indications not only of a better circulation but of coordination in the eliminating channels, and thus not such a great hardship is worked on the alimentary canal; though this, to be sure, must be kept open.
13. It is well that more of the venom be given when there is the specific breaking up. This has been done very well, but have these periods close together and not too far apart - with a little longer rest between the attempts; that is, several breaking ups and then a longer rest period before producing such a muscular strain, see? with a greater amount of massage and a keeping of the diets.
14. These, with the regular attitude that has so oft been indicated, should be in keeping with the best forces for this body.
15. Ready for questions.
16. (Q) Since Mrs. Townsend is to be absent for 15 days, what can I do besides exercise and swim that will help take the place of the massage?
    (A) This is a very good period of rest for the body, if there is followed out that as indicated. When the exercise is taken, - either with the swim, in the exerciser, or the attempts to use the limbs, - sponge off with the hot soda water and then apply Peanut Oil.
17. (Q) Am I exercising properly in the water?
    (A) Very good. That which gives the body, of course, better poise, better ability for activity. These of course, as the attempts in walking, are the ones that use the muscular force properly.
18. (Q) Is the breaking up in legs and hips going fast enough?
    (A) As indicated, don't overdo it; that is, don't have so much that we will set up irritation. For it is bad enough on the irritation of the mental forces of the body, to say nothing of the nerves and muscles and tendons in the body.
    To be sure, it is slow - but it is the sure way, without destroying tissue that is gradually being rebuilded.
19. (Q) Any other suggestions?
    (A) Keep at it, but purposefully for good - in His name; not for self and not for the glory of any individual, save Jesus the Christ.
20. We are through with this Reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 849-64 on 4/24/42.
2. 6/23/42 He submitted questions.
3. 6/24/42 See his letter to friend Mr. [341] under 849-45 Reports.

REPORTS

1. 7/03/42 Letter: "Maybe this still sounds a little screwy to you...maybe you do not quite get what I said about the monk's habit having fallen on me again. There is to be no other life for me but this one: no other writing of any kind: nothing but lecturing and writing in this field, in this work. As to money: all I make goes to my family, and I will retain only enough to subsist simply - a room for my things at Virginia Beach, and expenses while on the road. Though I may make a lot of money, and though I shall always have a wife: I will always be poor, and I must be celibate. Wise are the ways of the unseen forces.
   "Meanwhile I am laboring mightily in matters of health. I do not know what the reading said yesterday, but progress is very apparent. One odd development is that some weeks ago I was taken with coughing spells. At first the pain to my back was excruciating, but gradually the coughing loosened the muscles and now it is not so painful. Some phlegm has come up, and the lung capacity has increased quite a bit. My legs can be pulled apart about twelve inches, at the knees, and the deposit - where it is left - is soft and spongy. I get in the water and stay about an hour. The T of the water is about 86, and it is like a warm bath. I swim by myself several times, each time for about five minutes. Sometimes Mrs. Townsend gives me my treatment in the water..she can break a lot more that way.
   "So things move...mentally, physically, spiritually."
2. 7/13/42 Letter: "Nice guy, not to thank you for my swell reading...it's the heat. I have never experienced anything like it. It moved in about three weeks ago and knocked us into silence and lassitude. Though we wear only rags of clothing, keep the house open day and night, sleep without even a sheet over us, and keep an electric fan going constantly, we perspire without surcease and keep the alcohol, Fuller's Earth and baby powder busy... I stay out of the sun except for my swims, but even when I am ducking my head under water constantly I get over doses of sun... I am burned and blistered and twice have spent evenings with an ice pack on the back of my neck... I haven't written a hen scratch in all that time. Today we have a breeze for the first time in three weeks, and it is heavenly.
   "But I believe all this is fine for me. First, I stay in the water about two hours, and it has given me great strength and coordination, so that I swim by myself for ten minutes or more at a clip, moving both arms and legs, and being able to turn around, etc., without losing balance. In the interims I cling to the float and work my legs, up and down and apart.
   "The heat is making me perspire, and that is helping the body get rid of poisons - as the reading said, I am perspiring where I have not been able to for several years. My mouth and tongue sting, I am so acid, but everything possible is being done to get the poisons out. The reading was wise to warn me against feeling badly mentally, because with my head, hands, and feet itching, my tummy upset, my mouth stinging, my head dizzy, and all of me hot and perspiring, the tendency is not toward being cheerful - but I have managed to do that by keeping the warning of the reading in mind. Mrs. Townsend will be back tomorrow might from a two weeks trip, and I am proud to have missed her only in the last three days, and then only in the neck and shoulders. But this heat - my hands and arms are dripping as I write this!"
3. 7/21/42 Letter:
   "What you said in your letter about needing massage to cause the poisons to drain correctly is certainly right. Since Mrs. T's return my hives have not ceased, but they do not bother me in the hands and mouth...instead they break out over the areas where the breaking up is occurring. The heat causes us all to perspire constantly, and I tell them that I have the satisfaction of knowing that it is doing me a lot of good.
   "There's always something out of joint, though, and now it is my float, which sprung a leak. No one seems able to fix it, and I guess I will have to have something else made, with pontoons and canvas, to take its place. Meanwhile I am missing the water.
   "The warning in my reading is very helpful... I keep pointing my imagination toward the big word ahead, and all the annoyances are put on the right side of the ledger...
   "I'm glad you are busy. Before you know it the book will be out, and then you'll know what being busy really means...me too..."
4. 8/03/42 Letter:
   "So now I aquaplane into the water in fine style. By the time the sled has sunk under me I am out far enough to swim. I am ferried back in and beached on the sled, which is then drawn back up to the sandbox. While in the water for, say, an hour, I swim for forty minutes of that time, in four ten minute periods, using the other twenty minutes for five minute rests, during which someone holds a hand under my neck to keep my head above water (it is easy, because the water is very buoyant and quite calm). This exercise has done wonders for my back, shoulders, and arms.
   "Now for the walking. I sit on the kitchen stool, which is just high enough to allow my foot to touch the ground (with shoe on) while my crutches are under my arms. I can now get up off the stool by myself and stand alone on the crutches (also sit down again) but as yet cannot take a step. So, literally and figuratively, I have but one step more to go - looks as if I'll keep that October date."
5. 9/16/42 Wire to HLC: "Walked on crutches yesterday for the first time. My thanks to you, your Dad and all the family. Love from all." [849]
6. 10/03/42 Letter: "They would set me on the kitchen stool and give me my crutches. I would stand up on them. Then I would strain and work and do everything I could to take a step. I failed once. I failed twice. I failed many times.
   "Then, on the evening of September 15, I succeeded. I went 8 steps. The next Sunday I went farther. Now, thanks to the dear Lord and your powers, I can walk the length of the porch, turn around, and walk back again.
   "You know how happy we are. You know how awful have been the weeks of uncertainty; that's why I didn't write. Now the crisis is past. We've won.
   "A soldier boy named Jim McDonald comes every evening to help me. He is an Irish boy from Staten Island who studied for the priesthood and taught theodicy, fundamental theology, and metaphysics in St. John's University, Brooklyn, before the army got him. He taught all his classes in Latin. He has dinner with us, and then we talk and play music. The goal line is crossed, but I've forgotten how to celebrate. Give my love to everyone, and a kiss to the ladies...tell H. L. thanks for keeping me informed... I'm not worried any longer..."
   Love, [849] and [1102]
7. 10/06/42 He submitted questions for Ck. Rdg.
8. 10/09/42 See 1981-2, Par. 18-A in re past associations.
9. 10/16/42 See 849-66.

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