This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 17th day of June, 1937, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1089], through Sponsorship of his cousin, Mr. Edgar Cayce.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Carrie S. House, also Maud M. Lewis and little granddaughter from Greenville, Alabama.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body here; this we have had before.
2. In many ways, many manners from the physical forces, we find conditions not so good as when last we had same here.
3. Most of these as we find, however, arise from indiscretion and the tempering of the body and the bodily functions and the mental attitude towards the activities about the body; causing the weakening of the vitality and the vital forces of the body.
4. Unless precautions are taken in these directions, the inclinations are such that this might become more of a constitutional disturbance and later an aggravating force in the pulmonaries or through the activity of the circulation, in such measures as to become greater destructive forces.
5. As an aid to the general physical as well as the general mental attitude of the body, we would prepare a compound in this manner, to be taken internally:
6. To 6 ounces of Distilled Water we would add 2 ounces of the fresh Wild Cherry Bark, as the carrier. (This bark would preferably be gathered by self. Scrape off the outer bark and use that which is next to the root itself. Rather than being taken from the body of the tree, it should be taken from the body of the root - or that closer to the ground, you see.) Let this come to a good boil. Boil so that when it is strained off there is only about three ounces (3 ounces) of the solution, or a Cherry Pectoral. To this add:

   Compound Simple Syrup...............2 ounces,
Grain Alcohol.....................1/2 ounce,
Saltpetre.........................1/2 dram,

   Elixir of Lactated Pepsin.........1/2 ounce,
Tincture of Stillingia............1/4 ounce.

   Shake the solution well before the dose is taken, which would be a teaspoonful every evening before retiring, and half a teaspoonful every morning upon arising. Take these two doses each day for about three weeks, then leave off for two weeks, then take another course of same.
7. Then the general mental attitude, the spiritual understanding:
8. Know that in self there are the possibilities of a whole world; for in the Creative Forces and their activities among the children of men was given, "Be ye fruitful, multiply, SUBDUE the earth!"
9. Hence all influences, all forces, all activities are subject to the will of the individual man.
10. As to whether these influences are used constructively or destructively makes them error or right in the sight of man.
11. Hence then the standard or the rule that has been set by the individual as its ideal in its relationships to its Maker and its fellow man becomes the all-important experience of each individual in its dealings with itself and its fellow man.
12. In Jesus, who became the Christ, you have a pattern, you have an example. Study then to show yourself approved unto that standard. Know that His promises to man, as to his relationships to things in the earth, to things about the individual, to his Maker, to the heavenly Father, are true. For as He gave, "Though the heavens and the earth may pass away, my word shall NOT pass away - but shall be FULFILLED EVERY WHIT!"
13. Then walk circumspectly in the light of thine own understanding. For as you understand and live to that standard, it is acceptable; and as changes come and you are shown the way, you grow in grace, in knowledge, in understanding of what thy Lord hath for thee to do.
14. You did not come into materiality for an act of a whim, but of your own choice, through the channels open for you. Hence each day, each hour, each association is an OPPORTUNITY for you to know your Maker, your Lord, your God, the better.
15. Use such opportunities, do not abuse them. Keep the body, the mind, the whole of the intent and purpose circumspect; not as to what others say but as to what your conscience - in prayer, in meditation - may show you. For as He has given, "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit." This is the answer then to each soul.
16. For, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." What is the whole commandment? "That ye love one another, even as I have loved you, even as the Father hath loved thee - ye abiding in me and I in Him."
17. These be the promises in Him that are safe, sane, peace, harmony, and understanding.
18. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [GD's note: 6/06/37 [1089]'s questions submitted which did not get asked in 1089-7:
    1. In my last reading, a compound containing saltpetre was suggested. Would that help now and in what proportions? 2. What will help me from forgetting names and happenings? 3. What should I do in regard to religious beliefs that I used to profess? 4. Do I still have a conscience that I can trust?]

BACKGROUND

1. 6/16/36 See 1089-6 with subsequent correspondence.
2. 6/06/37 [1089]'s letter: "...Lately I have been so miserable that I think a reading will help. I have practically lost sight of the good side. It all seems such a mess. Yes, I know the trouble lies within me and not the world. I would like a physical and mental reading. I think sometimes that something is wrong physically and mentally..."

REPORTS

1. GD's note: Extracts from 1089-7 were sent to Miss [369] who has some of the same problems as [1089].
2. 6/23/37 [1089]'s letter to EC:
   "...Received the reading and your letter. You ask what I think of the reading. Well, the part concerning the physical is very clear and specific. But to me, the spiritual or 'religious' part is not definite enough for me to understand exactly.
   "I don't really know what I think about religion. Probably you say, 'What do you mean?'
   "Well, this is the story - speaking from the standpoint of the Catholic Church, I am out of the church, so to speak; doesn't worry me except that I would like to know what I believe. It's easy for a person to say 'I believe' - but down in the heart is the main thing. With all sincerity, I don't know how much I believe that the church teaches. As far as I have been able to find out, the church actually believes what they say and hide nothing.
   "Thomas Sugrue wrote me possibly a year ago and left me with the impression that all of the priests don't know about the exact facts.
   "When I try to solve it - I become more muddled than ever. Invariably, I come to the conclusion that it is all beyond my feeble mind to understand. Just to believe a lot of things and know nothing about the 'why you believe' and etc. gets me. The priest here now told me to go on to confession - I could say nothing - just smiled. What would be the use if I more or less doubt some of the teaching. To be sincere I would have to admit my doubt and that would automatically mean the refusal of absolution.
   "Is that a mess or what? So you see, I'm satisfied with the physical diagnosis but am not yet cleared up on the spiritual. If you have a suggestion, tell me. Thanks for everything..."
3. 7/05/37 EC's letter to [1089]:
   "...Hope you are feeling a whole lot better physically, and that thinking things over, you are feeling better also from the spiritual angle. Now as to the church, [1089], you can never be out of the church unless you deny God, for the church is really in you. Isn't that true?
   "One thing I am sure of: If the readings teach anything, that is not basically true, whether from the standpoint of the Catholic Church or what, then the reading is all wrong. For, the first principle is God is one, ONE, and anything that deviates from that then must be wrong. As to ordinances, there may be some things that do not apparently agree, but they, too, in their final analysis must agree if they teach the truth; and the only judgment that can be properly drawn is what does it bring into the experience of the individual? If good, it must come from the source of good; if evil, then best not to have anything to do with it.
   "As to what anything or organization teaches, no one can judge until they have tried it or observed it in the lives of others. The best thing for you to do (which would be well in keeping with your Life Reading) is to take a piece of paper and write down on it what you really believe. Possibly, from what you say, it wouldn't take a very big piece just now. And that that you do believe practice it each day in your dealings with your family, your friends, your enemies, your mere acquaintances, and see just how well it works. Then find from what source you came to that belief, for I am persuaded it is as well, yes, better, to know in whom you believe, as much as in what you believe. The church is tried and you can't doubt that very well now, can you? But in your experience how do the beliefs work in the daily life? Have you tried them honestly? Best do that before you say you do or don't believe this or that.
   "Tom and his wife were here at the meeting as many others from many places; wish you might have been here. Well, you will when it is the proper time. I hope so anyway. You can't solve it, [1089], by just studying about it. Remember Jesus said 'You cannot change your stature by taking thought' but you are growing every day, toward the good or the reverse. It is in the application as James put it in James 1:22 - 'But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.' Or as he puts it in 2:17 'Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.'
   "So to be able to find peace and understanding one puts to work that they know and as needs be the rest may be added.
   "Now play that on your noodle a while and you will find the most wonderful tune coming forth imaginable. But if you just wonder about it, you will still be confused.
   "Hold tight to that that is good. Don't let a lot of ideas confuse you..."
4. 2/14/38 [1089] obtained his eighth and last reading, 1089-8.

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