Reading 1861-1

TEXT OF READING 1861-1 M 33 (Teacher of Music, Protestant)

Text

Date: 4/8/1939 Sex: M Age: 33 ReadingID: 8252

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 8th day of April, 1939, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1861], new Associate Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended indirectly through “Mysteries of the Mind” Program over WOR.

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.]

In his studio at Time of Reading … College, 3:55 to 4:15 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. …, Va.

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 for this body. You will answer the questions he has submitted, as I ask them.

2. EC: Yes, we have the body here, [1861].

3. Now, as we find, there are disturbing conditions which prevent the better normal physical functioning.

4. For the full or complete understanding it would be necessary for the whole life ENTITY to be reviewed.

5. But as we find in the present, there are hindrances that are of specific and of sympathetic nature, that have to do with the sensory forces of the body - or the optic forces - and the general disturbance that becomes a contributory cause to this specific condition.

6. As we find, these conditions may be materially aided.

7. And when there is the opportunity (which should come within the next three months), these corrections may be made in such a definite way and manner as to improve the general force and the vision at least to a seventy-five to eighty percent normal vision; and gradually this, too, as we find, may be materially aided.

8. These, then, are the conditions as we find them with this body, [1861]:

9. With an affectation in the system that was of an ERUPTIVE nature, with cold and congestion which followed same, and the extraordinary measures taken with some rather strong solutions, we find that lesions were left in centers along the cerebrospinal system which prevented the normal impulse of nerve forces between the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal system; which has hindered the activity to the optic nerve.

10. This, through this impingement, in the upper dorsals and through the cervical area, caused first some inflammatory forces, and then caused to the optic forces themselves an inverting and a shortening of the vision, or the reflectory forces through the activity of the cornea upon the optic nerve itself, emaciating as it were the matter in the eye itself. Thus a refractory action was caused that brought a greater and greater shortening of the vision for the body.

11. Now: As soon as it is a practical thing, we would begin with the removal of the pressure here, osteopathically; and the Dobbins’ method we would use in these particular directions.

12. After at least ten of the osteopathic treatments have been given in the manner indicated, we would also begin then with the low electrical forces through the optic force itself, in the Erlanger method of application, at least twice a week; to electrify the nerve forces so as to again make for the connections between the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal system so as to cause the proper reactions to the system.

13. Doing these, we will bring a much nearer normal reaction to the body.

14. That the body is supersensitive to harmonious reactions will be materially helpful in a sympathetic manner for the general conditions of the body.

15. During the periods of application it will be necessary in the diet that there be especially those foods rich in vitamins for the building up of the blood supply, as to make for the better blood and body-resistance building.

16. We would begin at once with the use of a tonic in the form of Codiron, to prepare the system through the addition of the vital forces necessary - two tablets at the meal twice each day.

17. Do these, and as we find we will bring better influences and forces for this body, [1861].

18. Do that.

19. Let the attitude ever be in that way and manner in which the Creative Forces will supersede the desires of the body; and in that prayerful manner, this would be used as the outline, - yet in the entity’s own words:

20. OUR FATHER, OUR GOD! I seek Thy aid, Thy help now! That I, as Thy servant, may be a better channel through which the love and the hope, the beauty and the praise may be manifested that is promised in the love of Jesus, the Christ, Thy Son!

HELP THOU, then, O GOD, my weakness! and make me strong in Thy might, to do Thy will!

AND MAY THOSE who minister do so in the way and manner as Thou seest, O FATHER, is best for me, now!

And not in my way, nor my will, but Thine be done in and through me; helping me thus to bring in the harmonies of the vibratory forces of music - that offer a channel of expression - more joy, more peace, more love into the hearts and minds and lives of Thy children!

I ask it, Father, not in a selfish manner, but that Thy love may be manifested in me.

21. We are through with this Reading.

Copy to Self ” ” Ass’n file

(4/8/39 GD’s notes: See extra sheet [which was enclosed] of directions to leave with Dr. Dobbins, after he has gone over your full Reading: Dr. Frank Dobbins, 551 Fifth Ave., New York City.

See extra sheet [which was enclosed] of directions for Dr. Gustav Erlanger, 20 West 77th St., New York City, who is to give the electrical treatments after the first ten osteopathic treatments are given.

Codiron is manufactured by The Lawrence Laboratories, Chicago, Ill. It sells for 1 a bottle of 60 tablets, 3 a bottle of 250 tablets.

At your convenience we would appreciate a history of your case to the time of obtaining the Reading, so we may have something with which to compare our information.)

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 4/15/39 [1861]‘s letter to EC:

My dear Mr. Cayce

I possibly owe you an apology for not having written to you before this time, but I assure you that the fact that I have delayed in writing is no indication that I am ungrateful or unappreciative of your reading.

Permit me to say, at the outset, that I believe your diagnosis of my case is entirely correct and when I have given you a brief history you will see that it is, too. I did not send in a history with my reading - rather, request for a reading - because I wanted to prove to my family that you could give a diagnosis without a history. Therefore, I was particularly glad when you mentioned this fact at the bottom of your reading. [See 4/8/39 GD’s notes at the end of 1861-1.]

To begin with, my mother had a fall that caused me to be a premature baby of less than seven months. After birth, there were convulsions at about a minute apart for some 48 hours, resulting in the eruption of the eyes. It was noted at six months of age that there were white spots in my eyes and that I could not see light. I was taken to Dr. John Dunn, who said operations were necessary, but he kept postponing these from time to time until I was four years old. I did not walk until the age of two.

When I was four, my mother realized that Dr. Dunn would continue putting the operations off and took me to Dr. Davidson, who operated immediately on one eye. He died before time for the next operation and I was taken to Dr. Wilmer in Washington, who said that Dr. R. H. Wright, who had been practicing with the late Dr. Davidson, should continue the operations. Dr. Wright performed seven of these operations at intervals of three months and he said that he could do me no further good. These operations consisted of needling away the dead lens or cataract. At this time, I could see to walk with strong glasses, but could not read. I was then seven years old. Drs. Davidson and Wright were Richmond men.

At the age of eight, I was put in the Virginia School for Deaf and Blind, at Staunton. After being there for a year and a half, we heard of a certain Dr. Richards of New York and he gave me the first glasses that enabled me to read at the age of nine. These consisted of strong magnifying lenses that were hooked over my street glasses and I could read by holding the reading matter very close to my eyes.

In 1921, Dr. E. L. Morrison of Washington performed another needling operation, but I still continued reading thru two pairs of lenses.

In 1933, Dr. William Feinbloom of New York fit me with my present telescopic reading glasses, which permit me to read at about two or three inches from my face.

In addition to the above mentioned doctors, I have seen other doctors of New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, who told me that nothing more could be done for my eyes. Incidentally, the men who fitted me with glasses had to go against the advice of my doctor brother-in-law and other medical men, who called Dr.s Richards and Feinbloom quacks, but I have discovered through my own experiences that the medical profession is biased and they think no doctor is competent who does not adhere to their established ethics and customs. However, I resolved to keep on grasping every possible opportunity to improve my sight and it makes no difference to me whether methods are in line with what the medical profession practices or not.

I trust that I have given you the facts that you wished to know, but will be glad to answer any questions that you might care to ask.

I am communicating with Drs. Dobbins and Erlanger, but will be unable to go up for treatments until after my return from California in late July. I am obligated to fulfill my teaching engagement at our Rose-Croix University and I don’t feel that I should place the Rosicrucian Order in an embarrassing position by not carrying out my promise. However, I must admit that I am most anxious to begin the treatments, but I feel that some good will come from my work for the Rosicrucians this summer. Incidentally, I don’t know where the money is coming from to finance these treatments and I don’t know just how long I will have to stay in New York, but I am leaving all of these matters to the higher power, as I have done so many times in the past, and I am sure everything will work out all right in due time.

It must be a great source of satisfaction to you to know that you are able to help so many people and I can find no words to convey to you my deep feeling of appreciation. I have always felt that the Father would help me when I was ready to receive His help and I hope that I may be a living example of what trusting things to Him will do for those who will take or accept Cosmic guidance without question, as I have always tried to do. I am convinced that as soon as one can get to the place that he can feel that there are no limits to God’s power and if he will follow God’s plan and leadership things will really turn out as they should. I trust that it interests you to know that the prayer that you gave in my reading was substantially the same as that I mentally uttered at the time of your reading. It is also the substance of the philosophy of my life for the past seven years. This has saved me from countless hours and days of worry and has enabled me to maintain and improve my general health.

The chief point that I want to make in this explanation is that so many people profess to believe in God and Christ and they go to church on Sundays and the world thinks them good, but, they die in ignorance of God and Christ because they refuse to recognize and accept the channels through which they might receive Cosmic assistance. They are content to remain bigots and rely on their denominational beliefs to save them. In short, they can’t realize that God works in ways that are far beyond any man-made denominational conceptions.

I could go on writing, but I have written enough to give you some idea of what my inner beliefs are and I wish to assure you that I will be all too glad to give you and the Association the benefit of any information that I can give as my case progresses and will keep you informed whenever steps are taken to carry out your suggestions.

Again thanking you for your invaluable assistance to me,

Very sincerely yours, Mr. [1861]

R2. 4/18/39 EC’s letter to [1861]:

I, of course, expected to write you immediately after your reading, but was kept from doing so by circumstances that seem beyond my control. But feel better and now have yours of the 15th. Thank you for same, also a review and report of your condition and feelings in the matter of the analysis given. These are good and sincerely hope there comes to you as much good as have experienced for my own son, the one you heard on the “Mysteries of the Mind”. He is about your age and at the age of 5 1/2 had a very bad mishap that he was blind for a season. There seemed no hope at all, yet the child’s simple faith in the help that might come, am sure brought the healing, for he said to the doctor who told him he must take out his eyes or one of them at first if he were to live at all, and the child told him: “But Daddy, when he is asleep is the best doctor in the world.” And it proved so for the child, for he has good eyesight now.

Have seen others also, Mr. [1861] - have one now [See 1844-1] that is being treated by the same ones to whom you were sent and he writes me he has gained at least 50% and he has only been taking one Month.

Feel sure you will have no trouble making arrangements for the treatments - will see possibly both of these men next week as expect to be in N.Y. for a talk before our Assn members.

Let me hear from you when ever you have chance. Know we wish to be of help in any way we can, so call on us.

With all good wishes

Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce

R3. 11/12/39 [1861]‘s letter to EC:

Dear Mr. Cayce

I know I have not written to you for quite some time, but that fact does not mean that I have lost faith or am any less interested in the work you are doing. I have been reading the Association Bulletins with much interest and sent for the Convention Booklet. I would have attended that convention had I not been on my way to the West Coast at the time. I spent the entire summer in California to much profit.

I hope that it interests you to know that I have had an X-ray taken of my spine and this tallied exactly with what you said about it in your reading. And while I have been unable to take the time to go to New York as yet; you have done me an incalculable service in diagnosing my eye trouble and it means so much to know that I will eventually have this corrected. Again I want to express to you my deep appreciation.

I am enclosing a check to the amount of $20.00, for which, I am requesting a full Life Reading. I should like you to answer the following questions in this reading:

1. Should I marry the girl to whom I am engaged?

2. What can I do to ensure my economic future and what line of work should I follow and how shall I proceed if I am to change from what I am now doing?

I am asking that you kindly give me an appointment on some afternoon other than Tuesdays or Fridays, as I teach on these afternoons and also every morning.

With kindest regards and sincere good wishes,

R4. 11/15/39 [1861]‘s letter to EC:

Dear Mr. Cayce

I will try to get you a print of the X-ray, but am not sure that I can, as it was taken in California. If I can’t, I might possibly let you have mine.

I will be in my own bedroom in my residence, …, Va., on the afternoon of November 23rd for the reading.

I might add that if you can tell me in this reading what I could do to bring about an opportunity to get the eye treatments, I should appreciate it. This not being concerned with the physical body, I thought it might be possible to have this answered within a life reading, but I am leaving it all up to the Cosmic to reveal these things thru you and this was only suggestive on my part.

Thanking you for your continued willingness to help me with my problems.

Very sincerely yours,

R5. 11/23/39 See 1861-2, a Life Reading.

R6. The following is a letter of testimony from him [1861] four years after the reading was given:

“From the time of my birth until four years of age, I was almost totally blind. During my boyhood, I went through a series of operations by noted specialists, who needled small portions of cataracts from my eyes with each operation. Having cut away as much as they could, without injuring the sight, the doctors said that they had done all they could for me and that I would have to rely on glasses for any further improvement. However, I never lost hope and always felt that some means would be found in the future that would answer my prayers for improved vision.

“Some years ago a series of radio programs dealing with various psychic experiences in a dramatized form, ‘Mysteries of the Mind’, were broadcasted. Upon writing in for further information, I received a copy of a little pamphlet, telling something of the work of Edgar Cayce and the Association. I immediately obtained a Physical Reading.

“The reading gave a brief history of my eye trouble and diagnosed its cause, then gave suggestions for its correction. It stated that certain pressures in the spine were causing an impingement upon the nerves of the eyes, hindering the normal activity of the optic nerve, shortening the vision and emaciating some of the matter of the eye itself. It was suggested that I go to two doctors [Dr. Frank P. Dobbins, 196 Richmond Ave., Port Richmond, Staten Island, N.Y. and Dr. Gustave Erlanger, 20 West 77th St., New York City.] in New York for osteopathic and electrical treatments. Immediately following these treatments I found that I had gained the use of my left eye for reading purposes. Until then I had been entirely dependent upon my right eye for reading. Treatments from a Norfolk osteopath, use of violet ray, massage, and vitamins, as suggested in later readings are assisting the improvement. Control of the eye muscles has become almost normal; the general physical health has improved one-hundred percent; susceptibility to colds is lower than it has ever been throughout my lifetime. It might be interesting to note that X-Ray photographs, taken after the first reading has been received, verified, exactly, the trouble in the spinal column.”

Background

Background

B1. 3/27/39 [1861]‘s letter to EC:

Dear Mr. Cayce

I have long been interested in things psychic and have been making a study of this field for a number of years and am now working to develop my own psychic powers. I am a Rosicrucian and have been invited to teach music in their Rose-Croix University at San Jose, Cal. this summer. I have been teaching violin, harmony and the history and appreciation of music here at … College for Girls for the past eleven years. You can see, therefore, that I am in no way a skeptic about your psychic powers, for I feel that such things are perfectly natural.

Now, to get down to my own problem:

I have only about 10% normal vision and do not see to recognize people and read with the aid of very powerful telescopic glasses; not being able to read music and play at the same time, I have to memorize every piece before playing it. I do not think it necessary to give you a past history of my case and it really was not necessary to tell you how little or much I do see. However, I will say that I have been petitioning the Cosmic for some time to show me the means of obtaining normal sight and I believe you are the answer to this petition, for I know enough to believe that I should not tell the Cosmic how to provide such means and I have left it entirely with the Cosmic to carry out its own purpose in the matter and never thought that I would hear of you right here within my own state via the WOR Mysteries of the Mind Program and thence through the Psychic News Letter of New York.

Feeling that my most pressing problem is that of my eyes, I am asking that you tell me in your reading how I can obtain normal sight so that I might better carry on my life’s work? I suppose this would come within the scope of a Physical Reading and I am making application for such a reading on the enclosed application form. However, if this question can be answered under either of the other readings it would make no difference, so long as it is answered. But for my eyes, I should be most interested in the Mental and Spiritual Reading, but this will have to wait until later.

Having given you the above explanations, I am asking you the following two questions that I wish answered in my reading:

1. How can I obtain perfect or normal eyesight?

2. How can I develop a perfect technique on the violin and piano? Assuring you of my desire to cooperate with you in every possible way and of my deepest appreciation of anything you can do to help me with my immediate problems.

Very sincerely yours, Mr. [1861]

B2. 3/30/39 [1861]‘s letter to EC:

Dear Mr. Cayce

Thank you for your letter of the 29th.

Yes, Saturday, April 8th, will be convenient for me and I will be in my studio at … College from 3:30 to 4:30 in a relaxed state with the door locked to prevent any intrusion. I am going to my studio because my mother is having a DAR Meeting here at my home that afternoon and I am afraid something might happen to prevent my meditation at the proper time.

Again thanking you for your interest and feeling sure that whatever the result of the reading might be will be the manifestation of the Cosmic purpose.

Very sincerely yours, Mr. [1861]

Mentioned Entities

New York City, Visions, Initiation, Osteopathy, California, Purpose, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Jesus Christ, Prayer, Psychic Development, Air Shafts (Pyramid), Chicago, Creative Forces, Entity (Cayce Term), Gertrude Cayce, Gladys Davis, Healing, John (Apostle), Lord’s Prayer, Massage Therapy

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 1861-1, ReadingID 8252.