This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of August, 1937, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1427], Jr., new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by his brother, [...].

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

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, the conditions physical and mental, of [1427].
2. In giving that as we find would be helpful, both the physical and the mental attitudes - as well as conditions - must be considered.
3. And if there is the DESIRE on the part of the entity, the body, to rid self of the disturbances, this may be done - provided the trust, the hope is put in the proper place; and then worked at.
4. In most respects we find the body-physical is very good, near to normal from outward appearance and from activities within; yet there ARE evidences of a weakness in the PHYSICAL body through the desire for GRATIFYING of appetite that has blocked the will of the mental forces by gratifying of a physical desire for the emotions of a mental and physical experience; thus becoming a destructive influence to the physical and the mental body.
5. Then, how have these activities so worked, so manifested themselves upon the physical as to deplete that resistance which should manifest itself in a physically, materially, WELL body?
6. In the gratifying of a desire, these become habit-forming; in the manner of the effect then of the drug and the effects of alcohol upon the system weakening the will and thus weakening the coordination between the manifestation of spiritual truth with material gratification of flesh desires.
7. These we find manifest themselves upon the nervous system of the body, and give expressions in the nerve system between the cerebrospinal AND the vegetative or sympathetic nerve system.
8. Hence from the continual gratifying of an emotion or desire for those things that dull or subdue, or put aside the effects of a mental reaction, we find that physically there are pressures that exist in the ganglia of the upper dorsal and through the cervical areas, that magnify then the desire for gratifying upon the cardiac and the secondary cardiac system.
9. Thus the craving, the gnawing in the gastric forces of the digestive system - or the liver and heart activity in its ganglia - makes for the INORDINATE DESIRE!
10. So the body becomes physically overcome by the mental anguish produced by DESIRE upon the system.
11. Hence we find not only are there the effects of the desire but these are magnified by associations, by environs; and there is then - in the nervous system, through those pressures and in those areas indicated - the longing for gratification.
12. This then becomes the source and the very nature of the disturbances to be met.
13. How, then, may they be met?
14. The applications heretofore for the correction of these desires have been constantly surrounded by those that make for the same character of impressions upon the mental self as FIRST induced or caused the habit to become a part of the mental and physical body.
15. Then, WE would give that not only must the body-mind turn to the spiritual promises that are a part of its mental and spiritual self, but the environment must be changed; so that the spiritual promises may be put to active service and work to replace the habits with the habits of doing GOOD, doing right, doing justice, being merciful.
16. These are naturally a part of the whole of the entity's self, and the harm comes to self from only anxiety, shame and inordinate desires from those about the entity.
17. DO NOT - those, then, about the entity - CONDEMN; lest a worse fate befall thee!
18. For these conditions may be overcome with this body if the entity will turn first to the spiritual self, and seek spiritual aid and guidance from within; then put self IN an institution where all these phases of such experiences are understood and application made for the REMOVAL of the pressures.
19. If the entity's mental self then KEEPS the seeking to the Christ-love, the Christ-spirit, there WILL be the abilities to remove those things that have so easily beset the body.
20. Know this first and foremost: ALL HEALING of any nature must be of God; for God (in Christ, to man) alone is life, is health, is good; and when applications are made of mechanical means, electrical means, the vibratory influences of medication or what not, the GOOD is the manifestation of Creative Forces or God!
21. Just as the blush of the rose, the beauty of the sunset, the dew upon the grass, the beauty of love - all are to man's understanding, to man's spiritual self - upon the spiritual portion of man's mind - a manifestation of God, that Creative Force, that everlasting Life.
22. Life alone is eternal because it is of God; and only in Him may it be RIGHTFULLY sought!
23. Then, four weeks should be sufficient. Go to Macon, Missouri - Still-Hildreth; have corrections made in the cerebrospinal system to produce coordination between the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal system.
24. During that whole period - pray and study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman - not ashamed of the weaknesses but showing forth in thy daily life, that ye walk and ye talk with Him; who has promised to be thy STRENGTH, thy might, if ye will seek to do His biddings.
25. Let others seek with thee in prayer - not in unbelief. For indeed may ye in thine experience PERSONALLY know that as He hath said, "If ye will ask in my name, BELIEVING, doing, ye may know the Lord that He is indeed good and cares for the children of men."
26. Then seek and ye shall find, knock and it will be opened unto you.
27. We are through for the present.

    Two copies to Self (one copy for Still-Hildreth Sanatorium, Macon, Mo., attention Dr. A. G. Hildreth)
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. [1427] and his brother secured a Physical Reading for their father, Mr. [3775], in 1924.
2. 3/18/34 Miss [243]'s letter:
   "...I had a letter from Aunt [...] [wife of [3775]]. She said [1427] was home and she was with him every minute of the time, said he looked and seemed so much more like himself than he had for two or three years - brooded over his family affairs and the loss of his business [due to his drug addiction] but he hadn't decided yet what he would do."
3. 5/05/35 Miss [243]'s letter:
   "...I wrote [304] about [1427] - they have him in the Nashville, Tennessee hospital. Aunt [...], [[3775]'s wife] is just heartbroken as well as the others - it is just pitiful]. [...] [[1427]'s sister] looks like a piece of stone - she has just hardened herself and withdrawn from all of her friends..."
4. 8/04/37 Brother's letter requesting a Physical reading for [1405]:
   "...I have another case that I would like very much to have your opinion on. As you probably know, [1427] has never been able to get away from a habit of several years. He has had numbers of treatments but always back to the same thing in a few weeks. It remains with the individual, of course, to stay off. I talked with Cousin [243] over a year ago about what help you might give - she thought it would be worth- while, so I am writing to see what you think - we would like to hear from you on the matter..."
5. 8/06/37 EC wrote suggesting that [1427]'s cooperation be secured.
6. 8/11/37 Mr. [1427]'s letter:
   "...While talking to [...] [brother] a few days ago he told me about a reading you gave for [1405], also the one you gave Cousin [486] sometime back [for alcoholism]. He said that Cousin [486] says that you did him more good than anything else he had ever tried, and as his case was somewhat like mine, I am writing you asking if you would give me a reading. Of course I realize that in my case it is different from one where the patient has something specifically wrong with them physically. I have had any number of physical examinations and apparently there's nothing wrong with me. I stand a perfect examination so far as the doctors can tell. I know you are familiar with my trouble and I can't understand why I haven't been able to stop the use of drugs, but I haven't. Have never stopped trying and have had around twenty-five treatments, but it seems that I invariably go back to it. I, as well as the rest of my family, would appreciate you giving me a reading and if there is any other information you would like to have concerning me or my case, please let me know..."
7. 8/13/37 EC's letter to Mr. [1427]:
   "...Have yours of the 11th. Mighty glad to hear from you. You know I am happy to try and help. I'm sure you realize, though, that I will have to have your cooperation. I will try the reading on the morning of the 21st, 10:30 to 11:30 EST; that will be 9:30 to 10:30 your time. Please give me the address at which you will be at that time. If possible be quiet and in a prayerful frame of mind, wishing and hoping for help for yourself. I realize many people think that spiritual things are to be used only on Sunday. I feel sure God is our Father every day in the week, and that He hears prayer. I wish, too, that you would let me put your name on our 'Glad Helpers' prayer list. This is what they call themselves. When you hear from them, you only have to write your name on a card and check a few questions they ask. I feel sure you will be all the gainer for this little try. You have always been a favorite of mine, [1427], and I'm just hoping and praying that there may be some suggestion that will help you overcome this trouble. Through the years we have had many such cases as yours, some physicians among them, and most of them have found real help. They always do when they will turn to God and Christ for the help. While I may be the channel through which a message may come, it is in God the help comes. Please let me know where you will be at the time set, and be sure to keep the appointment. I wish we could make it sooner, but that is our first open time. We can only make two readings in one day..."

REPORTS

1. 8/24/37 EC's letter:
   "...Guess you have your reading and have read it over. There is little I may add; only that, from the experience of others, I would suggest that you put it into practice. Of course, unless it answers to something within yourself, there is not much to be gained from it; it would become just another experience of going some place, staying a while, coming home, and the whole thing to go over again.
   "Now, [1427], know that it is not what some other one may think of it, but, as you read it over, does it appear to be talking just to you? If so, then you can do something about it. From the reading, evidently habit creates a condition in the physical system, much like - if you will pardon the expression - a hog finding a gap in the fence. It may be a good fence in every way except the gap. If - IF - you will take God as your partner in helping to fix the gap, with Him you can do it.
   "I have asked the Prayer Group here to put you on the daily prayer list. You will hear from Miss Florence Edmonds (the leader of the Glad Helpers). See if you can't keep the period as she sets for you; it will only take a few minutes. Know that we all will be praying with and for you, and that Jesus really cares. Now, [1427], you know I am no preacher; but give this a fair trial, won't you? I sincerely believe you will be thankful for the try the rest of your life..."
2. 10/01/37 Mr. [1427]'s brother wrote:
   "...I have been wanting to write you for several weeks. First I want to thank you for your effort in the reading for [1427]. We felt that you certainly gave the only real remedy for his trouble. We would not have thought so much of it if you had prescribed cures of this or that kind. Without a doubt the only real cure is from our Creator. We have made an effort along this line. His cooperation is lacking. He does not want to try. We as individuals, Mother and myself, have been strengthened by daily prayer with him but he is not - mainly, I believe, because he doesn't try or want to be cured. We got him to write to the Missouri people, but so far as getting him to go, he doesn't want to. He wrote you for the reading, but when it comes to taking any action he will not. If he will not try to help himself I can't see much hope for him. He certainly must make some effort. Just what we are to do with him no one can tell. He just admits now that he does not want to try. Many times he has said he wanted to make the effort to get away from it. He cannot be held in any hospital or institution against his will. Not even the Narcotic Farm at Lexington, now. He was there for several months in 1935 - 1936, but they can only hold those committed on criminal charges now, according to a ruling of some judge in the courts up there. There are many others here in [..., Ky.] in his condition, and they do not want to do anything. Therefore, I can see no hope for any of them..."
3. 12/12/42 Mrs. [844] [wife of [486]]'s letter:
   "...It is too bad that Aunt [...] [wife of [3775]] had to die so soon for she was so useful and fine. [...] [[1427]'s wife] and [...] [[1427]'s younger brother] have the home and [1427] is away again and I suppose at the hospital where he goes so often. I do wish they would let him stay longer this time and maybe he might get better. He tries so hard I think and if they had no money he would have to do better. It must be a disease with him..."
4. 10/25/43 Mr. [1427]'s letter:
   "...I have been in a sanitarium here at Madison, Tennessee for about five weeks now - and while here met a young fellow who after reading an article in September issue of Coronet about you has become very interested in having you give him a reading. His trouble is not the same as mine, but he has not been able to get any especial benefit here..."
5. 4/13/64 GD's note: Through the years Mr. [1427]'s brother who requested the reading for him, and for their father, has remained an active member of A.R.E.
6. 9/06/73 Mr. [1427]'s brother requested a copy of 1427-1. Later GD heard from [1427]'s daughter that Mr. [1427] had died on 12/11/63, at the age of 68 yrs., not ever having overcome his addiction. She said her parents had separated, because of his addiction, when she was a little girl, though they continued to love one another the rest of their lives.

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