11/11/40 [
1947]'s letter to EC:
Armistice Day.
Dear Mr. Cayce,
I have never bothered you very much with the tale of my
life up until I met you, but I have the strong desire and
urge that now is the time to do it. I am not coming for
advice, - I'm trying to rely upon divine guidance to help
me in that way, but I feel that at least you have a right
to know.
I married my husband without loving him, since he put on
enough pressure to convince me that I should. He knew that
I did not love him, since I was honest with him about it.
The one person who had given me the spiritual encouragement,
the understanding which I so greatly needed, and with whom
the first reading said to keep the association "inviolate",
had obligations which made it impossible for me to marry
HIM [
1991], as I should have chosen, many years ago. My
husband knew all this, but convinced me to marry him after
all, anyway. So I finally conceded.
We were comparatively happy the first two years, during
which time the children were born. I respected him, because
professionally he is very fine, and well thought of.
Domestically, he [
2381] is a different person, however.
I have my faults, as you know, and heartily admit them.
One is that I have been brought up to believe that our source
of income is spiritual and meets all needs. That, to my
husband, makes me very impractical and irritates him
terribly. Since there was always a drain on finances, then,
I have always worked since we have been married, to help
provide a living. That has suited my husband fine, with the
exception of the time I GAVE my time to help people in the
schools in ... since two salaries were not allowed in one
family there. I gave about two hours a day, and was not paid
a salary (until the end of the year when I was voted a
hundred dollars as a token of appreciation) for that one
year only.
The fact that I was giving that time free (no job being
available), was ridiculous to my husband, who measures thing
in money, and he will never forget it. The next source of
irritation to him was that I was interested in psychic
phenomenon. He said after we had been married, that if we
ever separated, it would be because I was interested in
psychic affairs, and that no intelligent person believed
such things. At that time he began his domination. I was
not allowed to go to a movie, if he couldn't go, because it
would place him in an unfavorable light. I could not drive
down town without his permission. I could not call a doctor
for the children, when they needed it. His time was spent
almost entirely at his office, and he gave no time to his
family. Having had a lonely, and unhappy childhood, I
craved companionship, but he always said "Wait until I get
the next job, and I'll give it to you." But with the next
job, it was always "wait until the NEXT job."
Finally after seven years of this, which was growing
increasingly worse, although he scarcely ever saw us, or
showed much interest in what was happening to us (he asked
me to drive alone across the United States with the children,
because he didn't want to be bothered, THREE TIMES) I
obviously had begun to fill up my life with constructive
enterprises to keep from being lonesome, and to use up the
amount of energy which I happen to have to use in SOME way.
I had always had the full responsibility of the children,
anyway. He never knew, and doesn't yet, what their bed-time
is, or much about them. Very recently, he has taken great
interest in the younger one [
2004], but ignores the older
one [
2005]. Incidentally, he was voluntarily working at his
office the second time, and was in bed, at home, the first
time, when the children were being born at the hospital! All
this from lack of interest on his part. He has admitted it.
I said very little about this for seven years, until I saw
he was beginning to be restless, and he had mentioned a
divorce, our second year in N. Carolina (the year before I
came to you). He had always felt I was no help to him,
although anyone who knows me will tell you that I have never
caused him any trouble of any sort, and have contributed to
his standing in every community in which we lived. In fact,
most people feel that I have been at least AS successful as
he, if not more so, - in some cases. I have always left an
excellent reputation behind me wherever I have been, by doing
my work as well as possible. My mother thinks he is jealous
of any ability I may have, but I doubt that. I still think
he HAS to dominate. Meanwhile I nearly died of a nervous
disease which came, according to doctors, from oppression and
worry.
When there was a possibility of his leaving ... to go west,
I wondered, since he was restless, had mentioned divorce, and
felt I was no help to him, that he might be happier going
alone, or finding someone else to help him better than I.
You probably can't imagine it, but for seven years, I was
very self-effacing, and quiet about all of this. (It is
only lately that I have begun to stand up for my rights as
an individual, with the amount of energy you have seen me
exhibit. The readings gave me new hope.)
Well, that summer, I was frantic with worry over the right
choice to make. I didn't know which way HE would be happier:
with, or without me, but I was willing to let him try it
without me, so he could see for himself. But whether it was
wrong or right, I did not know. At that stage of the game,
I met Mrs. [
1992]'s aunt, Mrs. [
1663], who told me about you.
Thus I had the readings. A great day!
After a terrible summer of dominating on his part, I decided
to follow the readings, and you know what happened from then
on. Except that when he went west, I knew that would be the
test. If he REALLY needed me, he would find it out THEN, and
the resulting letters from there would tell the story. Well,
the letters were all about his job, and he didn't even
mention missing us!
You know the intervening material. I felt a pressure or
urge to give help to a friend [
2080] in ..., as you know. I
couldn't see any sensible reason why, - so I asked questions
if we were designated to be together in the future, or what,
and influenced him to get a reading to see what help he could
get. Well, you know all that, and finally at the end of the
year, I finally saw some beginning results of the effort. I
still don't know, why I had the urge to help him. Maybe it
was wrong, but he is a better man today, than he was a year
ago, from what I hear, so it has been worth it at any cost.
I had of course learned my husband didn't need me, and I had
long since grown away from him, but I was still following the
readings (Of course unknown to him. All my psychic study has
had to be unknown to him. I don't like being two-faced, but
in this matter, there was no choice.) I decided I would not
tell him but I felt it was useless for us to go on together,
until he had had his first year in his new job, without any
other pressure.
In August, 1940, I returned from camp (suggested by the
reading) to ... to tell him it was useless for us to go on
together. (He had come to ... to teach a summer session, and
I had had the reading concerning Santa Barbara.) This was
this past summer, a year after the first reading, in which
everything had turned out as predicted.
I was now prepared to follow the second reading, since the
first had been so true. But to my surprise (and from here
on, you haven't heard what happened to me) his attitude
seemed pleasant and changed. Very much encouraged, I decided
the reading was wrong, it wouldn't be necessary to go to
Santa Barbara, and I started for ..., Oregon, ahead of my
husband, since he was delayed, to visit both our families en
route (Alone with the children again). My friends from ...
started me off on my journey, on their way north, and even
asked me to call them along the way to assure them of my
safety (which hadn't occurred to my husband, as usual). But
he gave me money, and suddenly wired me in Colorado he would
drive me on from Denver.
Even though we were at my mother's, ill with colds, we
jumped at the chance, after the unexpected wire, and met
him in Denver. There, the bomb fell. He told me he would
appropriate the children (whom he scarcely knows) and I could
go on my way to have a career! For the sake of the children,
I flatly refused, and continued on my way to ..., until on
the way, he demanded my only piece of property, besides. I
realized then, that he hadn't changed, and wouldn't ever
change, and that I must go on with the children then, in
order not to ruin all of our lives, before we would get
established in ... and have to break it up later. THAT was
the time to make the choice.
I told him my decision, praying constantly and asking for
divine guidance before I had even come to the conclusion. He
went into a rage, put on two scenes before the children which
threw them into hysterics, and which they will never forget,
and threatened, or started to strike me. I begged for time
to go away to get divine guidance, away from all pressure,
but he refused, so in self-defense, I took the children and
left. It was too far back to Colorado, or to N. Carolina,
and I had no safe place to go. I had driven two thousand
miles alone, and we were all too weary to go much further,
so not knowing where else to go, I followed the reading and
came to Santa Barbara, in desperation. Perhaps it was wrong,
but I did not make ONE move without asking for spiritual
help, first, or without following the inner promptings which
came as a result.
At first, here, it was very discouraging. I knew no one, and
had practically no money. The superintendent had refused my
application the reading had told me to make, and which would
be accepted. My husband flew down twice, once going through
all my mail during my absence, but told me he would reform if
I came back, and made many beautiful promises, and seemed for
the first time, very sympathetic. Hoping for the best, I
told him about the readings. I BELIEVED him when he seemed
impressed, and sympathetic and offered to get one for
himself. We agreed to follow the decision as given in the
reading.
In the meantime, the job was offered to me by the Supt. of
schools after all, (at very little money, but at least a
chance to begin). I waited for my copy of the reading
[
2386-1] which said we could be together two years in the
west and then go south. But it said not immediately, but
COULD BEGIN IN A FEW MONTHS. Acting on that, and having the
chance to help many girls in the high school, I accepted the
job for the "few months", not knowing how long that would be,
and yet wanting to help as long as I could. In the meantime,
my husband called and said the reading said for me to come
immediately and begin cooperating. I told him I hadn't
understood it in that light, and had given my word to help
the high school for a while, at least. Later I found out he
has been laughing the [at?] the readings behind my back, was
fooling me into thinking he believed them, said they aren't
practical, and for me to come immediately and not follow
them. I told him I would come back as soon as the first
installment of girls was taken care of, and would come to him
around February. He said I also would have to PROMISE NEVER
TO HAVE ANOTHER READING, and I FLATLY REFUSED.
He has worked on my family, and my friends in Oregon, getting
them to believe against the readings and censure me for
having or following them. There aren't many things I refuse
flatly to do, but if everyone in the world turns against me,
I won't give up on something which saved me from utter
despair, gave me spiritual strength, and showed me how I
could be of use to humanity.
He has told my friends he loves me and needs me, and is lost
without me. He tells ME he can get along beautifully without
me, doesn't love me, but wants the CHILDREN (who never even
mention him, and who are perfectly contented). He says he
will GET someone to take care of them. I will fight to the
last ditch, if necessary, for them, because I wouldn't
entrust them to ANYONE else, and the readings back me up in
that.
Things have opened up here miraculously for me here in the
meantime (lately), except that the building hasn't sold, as
the reading indicated, which my husband holds over my head,
and says it proves the readings can be unreliable. He has,
meanwhile, cut me off without any support, even though I said
I would return to him, and cooperate, in the few months that
the reading indicated. He had long ago told me I couldn't
do anything in the way of helping people if I came to ...,
because I seemed to think I HAD to save the world, and he
didn't want me to embarrass him by doing anything but the
usual social activities (playing bridge, serving tea and
dancing). That is not my ideal in life. I have always
managed my home and my work successfully before, and I think
I can do it again. But there is too much to do to help
others, and I will NOT waste that time playing bridge and
serving tea exclusively. If he will cooperate and let me
help in some way in which I am able, I will cooperate to
make a home with him for the children, in spite of the fact
that I don't love him. I am willing to sacrifice my own
feelings, IF I CAN DO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE IN LIFE for which
I am fitted.
The adult class can open now (per the reading) if the money
comes, and I have prayed for help morning, noon, and night
since I arrived here "not my will be done, but Thine", in
everything I have done.
Since my husband can meet people so well, as the reading
mentioned, he can seem sincere on the surface, and probably
has to you. He has fooled me many a time, so I don't wonder,
if he does others. But God help me, I am still clinging to
the truth, and being fair, and will, unless he causes trouble
for the children. Then, and then, only, if necessary, will
I stop protecting him, as I have done heretofore to his
friends, and mine. But the good forces, with your help, have
helped us (the children and me) this far, and I have every
faith that they will continue doing so.
Thank you again for bringing something so wonderful into my
life. I merely felt the urge to tell you the truth, so here
it is. This age is about to end, and we all have all we can
do, to help everywhere we can to defeat the black forces
which are using the last power that have in every way
possible against us. Thank you again for your help, and
God bless you all.
Lovingly, [
1947]
Santa Barbara
[Handwritten note]: I've sent a book, through a chain of
others, to you. The date for retreat out here is next summer
1941. Does that agree with yours?
12/04/40 EC's ltr. to [
1947]:
Dear Mrs. [
1947]:
Yours of the 12th came while I was in N.Y. for a three weeks
stay, hence the delay in answering you.
It is needless for me to try and tell you how very much I
appreciate your confidence in me in telling me the situation,
as for your faith and loyalty to the help that the
information through me has brought you - can only say - All
Praise to HIM the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. And
to assure you of my willingness to through HIS Grace offer
any service of any kind I may be able to render you.
Have time and again met just such circumstances in a bit
different name but know the type all too well. My heart is
too full to try and say much just know God will not let you
down. Hold fast to your desire to help OTHERS an - not
merely to become a never-do-well.
Please let us hear from you - just as often as you feel the
inclination to write those whom you know are praying with and
for you and your children.
Will be glad to see the Book - haven't been given just the
date for the decision as yet.
All send love and regards.
Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce
2/23/41 [
1947]'s ltr. to EC:
THE PERSONALITY CLINIC
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
Please address mail to home address - ... St.
Dear Cayces,
I haven't completely faded out of existence, and I certainly
haven't forgotten you. I just merely have been through one
of the greatest trial periods in my life, but the results
are:
I set up the Personality Clinic in the High School, as the
last reading indicated, and then started the adult service as
also indicated (See pamphlet below). In addition to that, my
final decree - (divorce) - was granted Feb. 15 with custody
of the children, and some support until they reach their
majority. The new business isn't making money yet. But it
is breaking even, which we think is very good for an infant
(a new one I mean new business).
One miracle after another has happened while I've been
setting it up. Remember this was a brand new community in
which I didn't know a SINGLE soul when I came!! Now about
1500 people have heard the plan. I broadcast, in addition
this week, talked to A.A.N.W., & the girls' assembly at the
State Teacher's College. (It hasn't been easy, but is HAS
been successful so far.) More than one person has said "YOU
MUST HAVE MAGIC TOUCH - YOU'VE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL IN SETTING
THIS UP."
I wish I could have told them it was YOU, not I that was
responsible - because it's true! Most appreciately - and
gratefully [
1947]
THE PERSONALITY CLINIC
A School for Self-Improvement
Includes the Services of:
* A Body Culturist
* A Dietitian
* A Clinical Psychologist
* A Photographer
* A Speech Expert
* A Hair Stylist
* An Instructor in Make-Up, Hair, Nail and Skin Care
* A Rhythmic Dancing Teacher
* A Swedish Masseuse
* The MacGregor Cabinet
* A Clothes Staff
* Miscellaneous Outside Speakers And Authorities
TELEPHONE ...
SANTA BARBARA CALIFORNIA
CURRICULUM
(The permission of a physician for exercise and diet
is required)
EXERCISE: Correct posture, a strong, healthy and well
proportioned body, increased vitality and less fatigue are
principles stressed by the exercise specialists. Exercise
daily.
Rhythmic dancing for development of grace in movement,
correct standing, sitting, and walking. Offered twice
weekly.
WEIGHT CONTROL: Diets are planned individually for each
class member by the dietitian and are checked by her weekly.
Weight is taken weekly; measurements, every two weeks.
The MacGregor Cabinet incorporates the infra-red the ultra
violet, and the vitamin D sun rays as aids to elimination of
toxicity and fatigue, as well as in aiding the maintenance of
normal weight. One treatment with Swedish massage each week.
PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELLING: Personality adjustments and
mental hygiene help is made available through class
instruction and individual conferences. Once weekly.
VOICE: Speech work includes the recording of each voice at
the beginning and at the end of each six weeks, with class
and individual instruction during the intervening time. Once
weekly.
GROOMING: Instruction and actual experience in skin, nail,
hand, hair care, and make-up, as important aids to grooming.
Individual differences stressed. Daily.
MUSIC APPRECIATION: To build up listening repertoire of
symphonic music. Twice weekly.
CLOTHES: The dress staff provides clothes from the shops, so
that the individual, under supervision, may try on clothes
and colors in order to diagnose her individual needs in lines
and colors which will enhance her appearance.
PHOTOGRAPHS: Photographs are made at the beginning and at
the end of the course as soon as the individual feels she has
achieved the desired results.
THE PURPOSE of the course is to bring each class member in
contact with the best professional help available in the
community, with the least possible expense, so that she
learns the most reliable and scientific solutions to her
problems of making herself as healthy and attractive as
possible.
THE STAFF
[...], Body Culture
[...], Santa Barbara City Schools, Speech
[...], Hair Styling and Beauty Department
[...], Clinical Psychologist
[...], Rhythmic Dancing
[...], Photographer
[...], Swedish Masseuse
[...], Dietitian
[
1947], Music Supervisor, and General Director
Two six-week classes meeting daily, Monday through Friday.
The Morning Class, 9:00 to 10:30 daily.
The Evening Class, 6:00 to 7:30, daily.
A limited number of registrations are now being taken for the
next six-week course. Registration week, February 24 to 28.
NEW CLASSES BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 3RD
Tuition for six weeks, $35.00, (five dollars upon
registration, and five dollars each week).
Please telephone for an appointment with the director. There
is no charge for the individual conference for consultation
on personal problems.
Santa Barbara teachers will be granted three units credit by
authority of the evaluating committee of Santa Barbara's
Schools. Meetings missed by teachers may therefor be made
up during the following six weeks class.
The Personality Clinic is a Non-Profit Corporation
THE PERSONALITY CLINIC
TELEPHONE ....
3/04/41 EC's ltr. to [
1947]:
Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Mrs. [
1947]:
We were all indeed happy to have yours of the 23rd - and to
hear from you, we naturally have wondered and wondered - am
glad to know you are coming all along alright - am in hopes
you are happy in your work, and have peace and harmony within
your own self, that is one of the best ways to judge the
success of the venture, know you have been and are busy every
moment of your time, that helps am sure use unless there is -
the doubt within self that it has not been worth the trial
and the effort put out, know we are all here praying with and
for you, and know you can and will make more than just a
success. It is a proof positive of course of what can be
accomplished, will one follow the suggestion, yet would
certainly like to know it has brought something else other
than just getting something done.
Am sure you are quite right with the divorce, how are the
girls, do they like California, am sure you have made and
will make many sincere friends, friends of ours who have
recently visited Cal. think it one of the friendliest places
they ever visited. Am wondering about your experience.
Mrs. Cayce hasn't been so good since Christmas, got a bad
fall injured the side of her face, that had already had a bad
lick, and cold or Flu right after settled in her right eye,
has given her a lot of trouble, is much better now, and hope
to get her to the specialist in Ky., now very soon and hope
she will come along alright. We are using the new offices
built adjoining the house makes it very much nicer, also
gives us a place to meet, hold classes each Tuesday evening
study at the Bible. Just begun a series of meeting in
Norfolk, first meeting last night, will hold them each week
for several weeks - or through March.
Most people say Cal. is a fertile field for interest of the
kind in Psychic matters, don't know whether you have met many
of those or not, have you.
Thanks again for letting us hear, all send love and regards
[signed] Edgar Cayce
8/01/41 [
1947]'s ltr. to EC:
SUMMER CAMPS FOR GIRLS
..., NORTH CAROLINA
Dear Cayces,
If you can find time, I would certainly appreciate having a
check physical reading. I'll wait for a verification of time
then I'll send the $10.00. I'm so glad to have had the
fleeting glimpse of you. I wish I could have had much more
time.
The thing that worries me is the immense amount of trouble
I had this year, in spite of following the readings to the
letter. EVERYONE has criticized me for following the
readings, and I sense that they respect me less for doing it.
Nevertheless I hung on, somehow. Could the readings have
been wrong? Could I have been misunderstood them? All of my
family say they have been the root of all my trouble. My
friends say the same thing. I have not lost faith but in the
face of such disaster I went through, it is hard to know what
to answer. Any advice you have to offer will be greatly
appreciated.
If you feel any of the following questions are out of line in
this reading, please omit them. I want to be fair, but I
can't afford another life.
Please don't work too hard. Mrs. [
1992] said she didn't send
on the books I wanted you to have, so I should send it
shortly.
Best regards to you all and much love.
8/05/41 EC's ltr to. [
1947]:
Dear Mrs. [
1947]:
Certainly was good to see you again - even for a few minutes
do hope in not too distant future may have the opportunity to
talk with you at length - making the appointment for the
check ups for the morning of the 9th 10:30 to 11:30 E.S.T. be
sure and let me know where each of you are at the hour.
Now as to the information and your experience - am sure Mrs.
[
1947] no one can answer that but yourself, of course many am
sure have felt and do feel that you are very foolish even
trying to pay any attention to such information - that again
you know by something within yourself. You know many
hundreds yes thousands, have found such information good for
themselves, but that never necessarily means that it would
answer to some one who has not faith or confidence in the
sources of the information - just weigh it in your own
mind - take all the things you have seen with it pro and
Con - then compare with your own Ideal, and you can determine
for your self whether it it worth any thing or not.
Do hope we may help with the check ups - trust you are
feeling good, the Children fine, and most of your worries
back of you.
With love and regards from all
Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce
8/09/41 See
1947-7.
5/31/42 See
903-33, Par. 31-A advising Mrs. [
903] to do work
similar to Mrs. [
1947]'s in re teen-age group dramatic and
physical training.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation