This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 9th day of December, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [3395], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER, and Mrs. [3268].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) Harmon Bro.

TEXT

1. GC: You will go over this body carefully, examine it thoroughly, and tell me the conditions you find at the present time; giving the cause of the existing conditions, also suggestions for help and relief of this body; answering the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the body here.
3. As we find, these are wonderful experiences for this body, even in the suffering and in the trouble - if the body will only accept it as such. Ye have taught, ye have preached it in thy literature and thy activities, as to how and as to what spirituality, practically applied in the life of the individual, should create for its environ, if the mental and body-mind is the builder of the body. Why not try practicing it in self?
4. These are not harsh words, nor meant to be harsh, but the lack of proper eliminations is the source of infection that causes arthritic tendencies. In the natural consequence of the mind, in reason, this should indicate to such a wonderful, a beautiful mind as this entity, the lack of self-control, the holding back in self of those things that should be stressed in mind, in body. These are indications of the nature of disturbance in the mental self, if the soul-purpose is in the right direction. And who could question here the purpose of this entity?
5. Then, in bringing about proper attunement of soul-purpose, mind-activity, the body results should be creative and helpful, just as the attempt in the mind structure here to create that environ for others. Can one teach greater truths than one practices in one's own life? Yes, for out of the mouths of babes comes the wisdom of the ages. For the soul-purpose is set in the oneness of Creative Forces.
6. Here we will find for this body that to attune body to mind, to purpose, would be the correct manner in which to attune all to a cooperative body-building influence.
7. Here we have had congestions in liver. These have ofttimes caused very poor eliminations. These have caused pressures to be produced through alimentary canal, causing a stoppage in central areas of the cerebrospinal supply to such disturbed areas. And we had some years ago touches of neuritis, touches occasionally of rheumatism. These were from neglect in body-forces. These gradually increased, until the emunctory and sympathetic circulation took upon itself poisons that became as an accumulation through such areas. Then there came headaches, dullness in body-forces.
8. There were those stimulations given that only increased for the moment the excitement of centers, but no measures were taken to eliminate the sources or causes of these disturbances. These gradually lost their power or influence upon the central nervous system to increase or to create the reflexes that would cause areas so disturbed to react irrespective of the conditions produced.
9. Then we began to have the arthritic tendencies in nerves and muscles - the rebellion of the physical activities because of neglect created in the body by lack of proper eliminations through the system.
10. In the present many of those things that have been added have become the sources of greater irritation, when the first proper stimulation should have been to the activity of the liver and the alimentary canal.
11. We would begin applying hot Castor Oil Packs for an hour each day for three days in succession each week. On the morning of the fourth day take internally two tablespoonsful of Olive Oil.
12. Do this for three to four weeks. After each series of the Packs, each week, increase gradually the quantity of the Olive Oil until at least half a teacup is taken.
13. Each week following the series of Oil Packs have a good massage. It would be well the next day after the oil is taken to have a light sweat or Fume Bath, using witchhazel; followed with an oil rub with this combination of oils:

    Olive Oil (heated)..........2 ounces,
Tincture of Myrrh...........2 ounces,
Lanolin (liquefied).......1/2 ounce.

    These will make for improvement in superficial circulation. After the three to four weeks of using the Oil Packs followed by the massages as indicated begin (not before) with the short wave electrical treatments, taking these for two to three weeks.
14. Then leave these off a while.
15. Then commence from the beginning and start all over again.
16. In the meantime, throughout the period, let these thoughts be oft in thy meditation and prayer:
    USE ME, O GOD, IN THE WAY THOU SEEST THAT I CAN SERVE THEE AND THY CAUSE IN THE EARTH THE BETTER.
17. Ready for questions.
18. (Q) Should I discontinue all present treatments when I begin with these?
    (A) Choose between these, for there is set before thee today good and evil - choose thou.
19. (Q) What can correct recurring facial paralysis?
    (A) The proper coordination between the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal system, in the areas where the massages are to be given - the upper dorsal and through the cervicals, as well as the muscles and nerves around neck and head.
    Do these things as indicated if we would bring better conditions for this body.
20. We are through with this reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy to Miss Goodall for indexing
    (12/09/43 GD's note: See directions [which were enclosed] for preparing Castor Oil Packs.)

BACKGROUND

1. 6/25/43 Letter from [3395]: "...Since writing you last week I have read the book and realize how full your time must be. I still want to become a member for I am very much interested in your work, so I am returning the application blank which I had filled in, so that you may put me on the waiting list for a December reading. I had to agree to the eye operation today as the doctor said it was getting worse. But I still have the problem of my arthritis and it is all probably connected in some way with my general physical condition. I would very much like to have your help on that when you can give it for I have been very much handicapped for a long time. Perhaps at that time they could ask you whether my case resembles the one described in the book [951] and how nearly the treatment would be that outlined there. If it would be similar it might simplify the necessity of your giving full instructions. I would try following that now only that my symptoms are not just like hers and as there are so many types of arthritis I might be doing the wrong thing.
   "I would like very much to have a Life reading also but I do not know just what the requirements are for applying for it. Mrs. [3268] understands that one may ask for it at an additional fee of ten dollars. And I believe I need the mental and spiritual counsel even more. I wonder if it is possible, without being selfish, and taking too much of your time to ask for all three at once? I feel very much the weight of my responsibility in having a guiding hand in sending out literature to thousands of boys and girls all over the country - our work is for interdenominational Sunday Schools. I was left with this work when my husband died, and now with my son and daughter, we are trying to carry it on. We need all the help and guidance we can get for we do want to put into this material just the things that will help most in bringing these boys and girls and the adults of the Sunday Schools and churches into a living knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel. So whatever help you can give us will be very deeply appreciated. This is even more important by far than any personal advice to me. But I feel I could do a lot better job if I could get my physical body into good shape - at the same time I realize that my long illness and necessary confinement at times to a wheelchair has some way brought me an inner spiritual development I might never have found otherwise. I am better now and able to be about but am lame and have more or less pain and headache and now this visual trouble for which I am to be operated a week from tomorrow.
   "I write all of this so that you may judge what kind of readings I should ask for. You will understand that I would enjoy knowing about my past and any influences there are from that but most of all I want to make the very best I can out of what may remain to me of this life I am living.
   "Thanking you so deeply for any help you can bring. I shall let you know what my address will be in December. It will probably be ..., California..."
2. 10/14/43 She requested Physical reading for her daughter, Mrs. [3399].
3. 11/27/43 [3395] submitted the following questions:
   (1) What is the cause of my arthritis and would you please outline a definite course of treatment for its relief? (2) Would it be advisable to have Dr. Wilson operate on my knees and remove patella to increase degree of motion or might this fail to heal and result in more trouble than I have now? Is there any way to loosen up my stiff joints? (3) What is the cause of my frequent headaches and is there a cure? Has my diet anything to do with it? (4) Can anything be done to correct the partial double vision caused by the paralysis of one of my eye muscles? The recent operation helped but did not entirely cure - should I do anything further? Has this condition any connection with the recurring facial paralysis which I have had twice and can anything be done to correct this tendency? (5) Are the treatments which I have been taking with the Radioclast short wave machine with hemopathic rates given from an examination of the blood, of any permanent value or should they be discontinued? (6) Are Divine healings such as those described as taking place at Lourdes, France, authentic and is it possible to have such healings here today through prayer?

REPORTS

1. 1/05/44 [3395]'s letter: "...The appointment for the Life reading for January 15, 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. EWT, is perfectly satisfactory with me. I must tell you at once that the physical readings for both [3399] and myself were a perfect diagnosis, we think, and we hope to derive much benefit from the treatments. I am especially glad that you emphasized the religious and psychological factors. [...] has only within the last few months come into a rich religious experience after going through the period of doubt which I think most young persons go through. This gave her added encouragement and she is more than ever happy.
   "You ask if any additional questions have occurred to me. The only one I believe would be, more a matter of change in the last part of the first question as I sent it to you for the Life reading. In that I asked 'Am I making progress in my spiritual life and are there special changes which you would advise that I make in my present habits of thinking and living?' I think it would be more in line with what I want to know if I limited that question of progress to cover only the last four years since my awakening. For up to four years ago I was just a 'nominal Christian' and had no real deep prayer life nor sense of inner peace nor realization of the joys of the spiritual life and the service of others. I was full of doubts and conflicts and fears and I KNOW I was making no progress then. But in '39 I was drawn under the influence of Glenn Clark - I believe I was led to seek him out - for I felt the need. And my life has been very different since then. There isn't much excuse for the years I wasted for I was always surrounded with Christian influences. Father [...] who founded the plant was one of the most devoted Christians I ever knew, and gathered about him a group of earnest workers. Of course, all along I thought I was being a Christian but I didn't have the enthusiasm nor inner life that I have now. If I had all along had this, I'm sure I would not have the wrecked body I have now. But we can only go on from the place where we are, and I am supremely happy in that both my son [...], and my daughter, [...], have found this experience now early in life and I am sure they will go on to accomplish much in their lives for they are keenly alive to the opportunities they have for service in an organization like ours. They and [3399]'s husband, [...] are now in active charge of the business and any directives you can offer will be welcome. In my present physical condition I am not able to help very much except to try to help in guidance. And that has been necessary since the death of both Father [...] and my husband. I'm hoping to be restored to greater usefulness.
   "So I think this question might better read: 'Am I making the right kind of progress in the last four years since this change came into my life, and are there other special changes which you would advise that I make in my present habits of thinking and living?' "Thank you so much for your help. I shall continue to pray that you may be given the strength to carry on. I wonder if the reason that the readings sometimes do not go through is that you are too physically weary toward the end of the day?
   "And thank you so much for the beautiful Christmas story. It is a wonderful help. I hope some day we may have the story of Jesus' life as a boy and of his education for service. I'm sure that would be an inspiration and guide.
   "I would have answered your letter more promptly, but I have been in the hospital for three weeks because of another fall. I have these falls a lot because of my stiff knees. I know that 'pride goeth before a fall'! And maybe this is the trouble! My old subconscious mind probably has plenty of prides and selfishness still stored away, - but my CONSCIOUS mind is not at all proud of my record. However, in the months to come, sometime, I would like to ask for a Check reading, about whether anything might be done at this late date about these knees. Sometimes they remove the patella and this gives several degrees more leeway for motion, IF it is successful. But I guess the time for this has not come yet anyway for this question did not get answered in my Physical. Perhaps I had better let well enough alone. I've had a lot of help from the verse, 'He will give His angels charge over thee - lest thou dash thy foot against a stone' - and most of the time this works, but about once a year something seems to happen to block the effectiveness of this. Perhaps even so, some good comes from it - I'm given time to THINK.
   "And I think you may as well omit the second question I asked for my Life reading. I am now quite convinced that no former life need necessarily have had anything to do with my illnesses of the past few years, for there have been enough of inhibitions, fears and worries in this present life, which I carried with me such a long time, to account for the kind of body I have now. I think all these were quite unnecessary - but if I had to have the results in order to bring this awareness home to me - then I accept them with thankfulness.
   "I shall look forward to January 15th with anticipation, and please address me here in ..., as I expect to be here all winter. With very kindest regards..."
2. 1/15/44 See 3395-2, a Life reading.
3. 4/17/44 See 3395-3, a Check-Life reading.
4. 6/02/44 Letter from [3395]: "...I was very sorry I was unable to accept your very kind invitation to come to the Congress but it is out of the question for this summer. I would surely like to come and I am sure you will have a most interesting time. I shall look forward to hearing about it. "I believe I am scheduled for a Check reading on June 17th and I hope you have not crowded yourself too much at such a busy time in order to give it. I have been trying to follow out your directions faithfully and I think I am getting better, but I suppose it will take some time yet, as I have been a long time getting into this condition. I am just finishing the fourth cycle of the treatments (hot castor oil packs, massage, olive oil internally and short wave) and I would like to know whether I am doing them correctly. I haven't been quite sure what kind of short wave to use nor how often. I have been using the General Electric Inductotherm on an average of about three times a week during the specified period.
   "But the thing I particularly wanted to ask about was whether anything else could be done about my headaches which are on the increase. I wake up in the early morning almost every day now with this headache and I am just no good until I get rid of it. Is it anything I eat? Is there any special diet I should follow? Or is it the elimination that is at fault? I shall appreciate so much your help. I feel very hopeful that someday I shall get this body into good condition again. In the meantime I feel perfectly sure that the spiritual side is making progress - and that is the most important."
   Thanking you most sincerely, [3395]
5. 6/17/44 See 3395-4, her second Physical reading.

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