Reading 254-1

TEXT OF READING 254-1

Text

Date: 2/13/1911 Sex: M ReadingID: 1139

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce in Hopkinsville, Ky., this 13th day of February, 1911, on the work of Edgar Cayce.

[Edgar Cayce; L. B. Cayce, Conductor; Katherine Faxon, Steno. [Katherine Faxon was one of the earliest stenos; she, and some of the others, usually signed as the steno.]]

Time of Reading 4:15 P. M. Hopkinsville, Ky.

1. LBC: You have before you Edgar Cayce, Jr., self.

2. EC: Edgar Cayce, Jr.? [EC was named for his uncle Edgar, Mr. LBC’s older brother, who was still living at this time.] Yes, we have had him here before.

3. LBC: [Continuing the Suggestion:] Now he, in his subconscious mind, has wonderful powers. We are about to enter into a great business and professional enterprise, and if he is properly managed, will make a success for himself and others associated with him. We want you to outline a mode of procedure that will be successful. We want you to tell us how to organize.

4. EC: [In undertone], repeating the suggestion: We organize for a great business; we have it, a business, from different standpoints. We have a difference from the capabilities of his work; we have it from the power of the work. We can follow it from one field, or the other field. We can take it from the material, from the spiritual, or we can take it from the ethereal [etheric?]. It can be treated from either. We have it from either point, but we cannot mix the points. Same as we have in the body, physical, mental and abnormal or spiritual self. We have the use of all in the physical body, same as we have the use of all in the material world.

5. We organize a business venture.

6. (Q) Where should we locate? (A) We have in the body now, a mind, a physical body, and the mental self of Edgar Cayce, Jr., as we have it here in the material world. We have now its relations between the material world, or business world, and its relations between the mental or spiritual world; the mental self, the action from other bodies of the same material world. We have the action of consequent control through the ethereal [etheric?] world. We have an organization of the materialistic through bodies outside, controlling the portions or workings through the business of the works done by this ethereal [etheric?] body [GD’s note: All bracketed inserts are mine. In later years, EC referred to the etheric body which lay suspended above his physical body during the readings.] here of Edgar Cayce.

We have into the world all bodies subject to ethereal control. We have all bodies subject to (that is, the abnormal mind, now) ethereal control. Subject to the will of the mental self of the individual man. The development of each individual has this in itself. The condition that we have [Edgar Cayce?] to help the individual bodies are through their individual self, assisted by material objects obtained into the mental mind of the material man.

We have this body here, this mind, this matter, that we have here, of Edgar Cayce, Jr., through the ethereal world, as it gathers from the force given out either from the present, the past, and given back to the material man through the subconscious self, acting in the material body by the control to which it is in a state of coma.

The control of the subject of self first [Edgar Cayce?] is to be gained and kept under control - the best control of the body in itself.

We have first the direction to the body wherein we have communication, or communion with the control we have gained to the ethereal [etheric?] world; that is, outside, the minds of all matter. It is the mental capacity of all matter. All mental man, through the control by suggestion to the mental, or the invisible action of matter on the mind in the individual self [of Edgar Cayce?], or the organism of the system wherein the man is made. The development of each is to be gained by its control, which is gained by its material work shown to the material man. That is, we have here man (that is, humanity) by nature handed down from one body to the other, who looks for material, or acts on the physical self. And action gained from the ethereal [etheric?], or mental, without its production through the material has no effect on the man.

The place where we use these, for this, is anywhere, so we have it fixed for use to develop or show to the mental- physical man the structure of things gained through the channel where we have contact here with the material world; and the means whereby these can be gained is the ones who see personal gain to self.

7. (Q) Where and how should we obtain the necessary money for this business? (A) That depends on the place and business we have had here before. Now, we have a business here within this body. We have the materialistic, we have the physical and we have the mental.

8. (Q) We want the business of diagnosing the physical condition of bodies. (A) [EC repeating the suggestion?] Physical condition of bodies. Diagnosing the mental condition, physical condition, the abnormal condition of other bodies. The physical body, acted on by physical means, material means, for physical benefits for individual bodies. The action of material things to individual bodies, claiming to the individual body, of throughness of the material thing in itself. Whereby, or how, shall we gain the material means for the futherance of the ethereal project here?

9. (Q) Well, tell us where and by what means to get this money. (A) Only whereby they receive personal gain, or physical gain, gain for the material man or body in the outside world - as we have it here at present. Where we have established in itself, whereby it is shown to the material world the workings of the ethereal body, do we establish credence with the material. Thereby we gain credence of the material world and they give of their means for personal gain. As we give credence to these, and it is shown by its material gain through the mental, physical man, or to the material man, he will give of his means for the maintenance of the concourse* through the ethereal man and physical man.

10. (Q) How shall the professional side be arranged and managed so as to obtain the greatest success? (A) By doing these things, giving to the material man from the ethereal world here. Here, you see we have communication from all of these, from before. We have communication from all these present, and from the physical bodies. The physical condition of a body is the condition existing in that body at the present. If we have a body suffering from a mental state, from a physical state or from an abnormal condition of all combined together, it given from the ethereal state by that condition whereby we show to the mental man outside, or the material man, whereby we gain credence from these; whereby we are able to show ourselves to the man here. And the closer we are followed here with these the stronger we become, because we become more thorough, you see in our works; we show more strongly to the material man the workings of the ethereal world. As we gain

• [CON’COURSE (kon’kors; kong’-;70), n. [F.CONCOURS, tr.L. CONCURSUS,fr.CONCURRERE to run together.] 1. A flocking together, as of people; any moving, flowing, or running together. 2. An assemblage; gathering. 3. An open space where several roads or paths meet, as in a park; an open space or hall where crowds may gather. 4. OBS. Concurrence; cooperation.]

more control to these we gain more to the abnormal or subconscious mind of man, to give credence to these conditions that exist in all bodies. Whereby we gain these controls is got by how these are to be given out to individual selves, as we have now, here. This body [Edgar Cayce, Jr.?], which has become racked with pain, you see, from the physical condition of the man - if we give this then to the material man, as through this agent here, we rid this body of this pain. [Was advice given to EC here, which the steno typed separately, of which we have no copy, or was “This body” simply used as a hypothetical case to illustrate the point?] The material man becomes conscious of this body because we have had material good to the man. We answer both to his inner conscience and to the physical man, and to the outside world, whereby we gain credence, whereby the material that has been used into this man, or that has used these agencies for this man here, gains credence. And the minute we gain credence and give credit to ourselves we lose it all.

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. The following article authored by Harmon Bro appeared in the October 15, 1950 issue of THE SEARCHLIGHT:

CHRONOLOGY OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF EDGAR CAYCE AND THE A.R.E.

In working on his manuscript, tentatively entitled, A SEER AND HIS GIFT, Harmon Bro, prepared the following chronological study of the life of Edgar Cayce and the Association.

It is being printed here for the following reasons:

(1) Many new and old members will find it interesting, and helpful in discussing THERE IS A RIVER, and the work of the Association.

(2) Through a chronological study of this type it is possible to re-examine the highlights of progressive steps and perhaps re-evaluate the various activities on a comparative basis. Thus it should aid us in planning future operations. - H. L. C.

EDGAR CAYCE’S YEAR AGE

1877 Edgar Cayce born on farm, near Hopkinsville, Ky., March 18.

1887 (10) Starts as a country church sexton, Old Liberty Church.

1890 (13) Vision, followed by incident of spelling book clairvoyance next evening.

1892 (15) Baseball injury incident: dictates strange items while in state of shock. Quits school at end of eighth grade, goes to work on relative’s farm.

1893 (16) Family moves to Hopkinsville, from country. Edgar Cayce works in Hopper’s Bookstore and then in Richard’s Dry Goods Store, shoe department.

1895 (18) Meets Dwight L. Moody, finally gives up plans to become a minister.

1897 (20) Proposes to Gertrude Evans.

1898 (21) Moves to Louisville, Ky., works in J. P. Morton Bookstore.

1900 (23) Starts out from Hopkinsville in new job as EDGAR CAYCE’S YEAR AGE

traveling salesman and insurance agent for father; becomes ill, loses voice and returns to Hopkinsville.

1901 (24) First psychic reading, March 31; recovers voice. Gives readings for patients of Al C. Layne. Works as photographer’s apprentice to Mr. Bowles, Hopkinsville.

1902 (25) Moves to Bowling Green, Ky., with job in Potter’s Bookstore, May. Gives readings in dramatic Dietrich case at home.

1903 (26) Marries Gertrude Evans, June 17, settling in Bowling Green.

1906 (29) Has acquired thru a partnership two photographic studios which burn down in November and December, leaving him in debt. Incident with physician’s harming him, and giving of readings on races, ends experimental and entertainment readings.

1907 (30) Son Hugh Lynn born, March 16.

1909 (32) Pays off studio debts in Bowling Green. Goes alone to Alabama, works as a traveling photographer for H. P. Tressler Co.

1910 (33) NY Times article on Edgar Cayce, October 9, followed by much publicity. He moves home to Hopkinsville, in partnership there with Dr. Ketchum and Mr. Noe readings daily for first time, as “Psychic Diagnostician.”

1911 (34) Ten day trip to Chicago to give readings for Chicago Examiner. Second child born and dies. Wife ill with Tuberculosis and readings save her from apparent death, convincing Edgar Cayce of their value. Investigation by Dr. Hugo Munsterberg, of Harvard U.

1912 (35) Quits Ketchum and Noe partnership, moving to Selma, Ala., to give up readings and open photography studio for Tressler Co. Soon buys out studio.

EDGAR CAYCE’S YEAR AGE

1913 (36) Wife and son come to Selma in Spring.

1914 (37) Six year old son injures eyes, January, but readings achieve recovery and prove their value. Edgar Cayce has appendectomy.

1915 (38) Edgar Cayce meets David Kahn in Lexington, Ky., in August.

1918 (41) Son Edgar Evans born, February 9.

1920 (43) First trip to Texas with Kahn, on oil well hopes; start of Cayce Petroleum Company.

1922 (45) Oil boring fails, leases sold. Cayce goes to Columbus to see Mohr about hospital, then to Denver, then to Birmingham, Ala., for lectures and readings.

1923 (46) After trips from Birmingham to Texas, to New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Kansas City, and Dayton, gets family from Hopkinsville and decides to return to Selma to give readings as life work. Secures Gladys Davis as secretary, September 10th. Gives up thriving Selma studio to move family to Dayton, Ohio, with Arthur Lammers, and to give readings on the mind and soul as well as on illness. First life readings, information on reincarnation.

1924 (47) Interest shown by Tim Brown, M. B. Wyrick, Morton Blumenthal.

1925 (48) Blumenthal arranges for family to move September 16, to Virginia Beach, where readings say hospital can be built.

1926 (49) Mrs. Leslie Cayce, Edgar Cayce’s mother, dies on October 26. Son Hugh Lynn starts in college.

1927 (50) Association of National Investigators is incorporated on May 6. Leslie Cayce, Edgar Cayce’s father, comes to Virginia Beach.

1928 (51) Dr. Wm. M. Brown, psychology professor at EDGAR CAYCE’S YEAR AGE

Washington & Lee University, visits first time. Dr. and Mrs. House come to run hospital. Cayce Hospital opened, November 11.

1929 (52) Dr. House dies, October.

1930 (53) Dr. Lydic, osteopath comes to head hospital staff, January; also Miss Annie Cayce, sister of Edgar Cayce, as housekeeper. Magazine, The New Tomorrow, is begun in April. Atlantic University opens, Dr. Brown as president, Autumn. Hospital returned to Blumenthal, September 16.

1931 (54) Association discontinued, hospital closed, February. Meeting to found new Association, June 6; incorporation of Association for Research and Enlightenment, July. Cayces move to house across from closed hospital. Trip to New York, October, with Edgar Cayce arrested, November 7. First Study Group begun, September 14, with lessons which develop into A Search for God.

1932 (55) Atlantic University closed at mid-year. Cayces move to Shore Drive in March, then to house on Arctic Crescent in May. Bulletin started, September. First Congress, June.

1935 (58) Edgar Evans goes to Duke University. Mrs. Evans, mother of Gertrude, dies. Health Home Remedies Co., is started to handle products of readings; fails.

1936 (59) Contacts with parapsychologists; Dr. Rhine, Dr. Murphy. Dr. Lucian Warner visits Virginia Beach.

1937 (60) Leslie Cayce dies, April 11, on trip away from Virginia Beach.

1939 (62) Tom Sugrue comes to live with Cayces, ill; writes Such Is The Kingdom and works on biography of Edgar Cayce; stays until 1941.

EDGAR CAYCE’S YEAR AGE

1940 (63) Office unit added to Cayce residence, September 29.

1942 (65) A Search for God published by No. 1 Study Group of Norfolk, Va., after eleven years of work.

1943 (66) There Is A River, biography of Edgar Cayce, published in March. Hugh Lynn enters Army, April, 1943. Coronet article, “Miracle Man of Virginia Beach,” published in September.

1944 (67) This Week’s Readings, weekly sheet of extracts, started on January 5. Last reading given by Edgar Cayce, September 17; more than 15,000 readings had been given to about 6500 people in his lifetime. Stroke and final illness of Edgar Cayce.

1945 (67) Death of Edgar Cayce, January 3. Death of Gertrude Cayce, April 1.

1945 First Congress after Edgar Cayce’s death. New members continue to join without securing readings. The Edgar Publishing Company, incorporated, July 24. Son, Hugh Lynn Cayce, returns and resumes managership, November. Executive Committee begins active leadership work.

1946 Former Cayce home made Association Headquarters. Library lending service begun. Abstracting program begun. Association Lecture Program inaugurated with New York Annual Lecture Series, begun by Tom Sugrue.

1947 First Public Meeting devoted to Edgar Cayce Foundation, New York.

1948 Searchlight inaugurated, other periodicals discontinued, November 1. Edgar Cayce Foundation established to micro- film and index Cayce records, February. First Regional Conference, West Coast, April.

1950 A SEARCH FOR GOD, Vol. II, published. Project X, experiment in psychic development, held in August.

1950 (cont’d) Program of Counseling Research begun. Quarterly Virginia Beach Conferences begun, October.

Many readers will check with interest the recurrence of September in connection with outstanding events in Edgar Cayce’s life. Members of the family learned to expect changes in September.

September, 1910 - Dr. Ketchum presented paper on Edgar Cayce before Boston Clinical Research Society.

September, 1923 - secures Gladys Davis as secretary.

September, 1925 - moved to Virginia Beach.

September, 1930 - hospital returned to Morton Blumenthal.

September, 1931 - first study group formed.

September, 1932 - Bulletin started.

September, 1940 - offices and vault added to home.

September, 1943 - Coronet article published.

September, 1944 - last reading.

Do you know of other September dates in connection with the Association which are outstanding? - H. L. C.

R2. The following is a compilation of Edgar Cayce’s formative years composed by William T. Turner [Christian County Historian, Hopkinsville, Ky. Taken from William T. Turner’s booklet copyright 1977, EDGAR CAYCE’S HOME TOWN]*, Hopkinsville, Ky., compiled for Centennial Observance of Edgar Cayce’s birthday, March 18, 1977. (HLC wants everyone planning programs to have a copy of this, to keep the facts straight.) *[See 3/77 294-1 Reports.]

CHRONOLOGY OF LIFE AND WORK OF EDGAR CAYCE The Formative Years 1877 - 1912

1817 William Cayce, paternal great grandfather of Edgar Cayce, moved from Cumberland Co., Va., to Christian Co., Ky.

1828 Charles Major, maternal great grandfather of Edgar Cayce, migrated from Culpepper Co., Va., to Christian Co., Ky.

1877 Edgar Cayce born near Beverly, seven miles south of Hopkinsville, March 18.

1883 Began formal education in a schoolhouse behind Liberty Christian Church.

1888 Confessed faith in Christ and united with Liberty Christian Church, October 13.

1889-93 Attended Beverly Academy, located between Beverly store and Liberty Church.

1890 Vision, followed by incident of spelling book clairvoyance.

1893 Moved with family to Hopkinsville in December, occupied home at 705 West Seventh, southeast corner Seventh and Young Street.

1894-98 First job at Richards Dry Goods Store, then in Hoppers bookstore both located on Main Street.

1897 Became engaged to Gertrude Evans, March 14.

1898 Moved to Louisville, Kentucky to work for J. P. Morton & Co., August 1.

1899 Home for Christmas and decided to remain in Hopkinsville.

1900 Formed business partnership with father L. B. Cayce to sell Woodman of the World Insurance; severe illness in March; lost voice on April 18; went to Louisville June 8 to take a business course at Bryant & Stratton Business College; returned to Hopkinsville in the fall and began work in the photograph studio of W. R. Bowles at corner of Ninth and Virginia.

1901 “Hart-The Laugh Man,” a hypnotist, put Edgar Cayce to Sleep on the stage of Holland’s Opera House and his voice returned - February 12, gave first psychic reading (physical), March 31; recovered voice. Began readings for patients of Al C. Layne.

1902 Frank H. Bassett Sr. obtained for him a photographer’s position in Bowling Green with Lucian D. Potter’s Bookstore in May; roomed in the Boarding House of Mrs. Hollins with Dr. Hugh C. Beazley; gave readings in the Dietrich case.

1903 Married Gertrude Evans, June 17.

1904 Formed photographic studio partnership with Frank J. Potter, cousin of L. D. Potter, in July.

1905 Dalton case, resulting from fall sustained by George Dalton at the construction site of new L & N Railroad Freight Office, May 31.

1906 Cayce Studio on College Street in Bowling Green conducted a $40,000 art exhibit of paintings, carbon prints, and water colors, opened in November; studio destroyed by fire December 23.

1907 Son Hugh Lynn Cayce born March 16; State Street Studio burned in September.

1909 Moved family back to Hopkinsville, August. Worked that fall in Gadsden, Alabama; home for Christmas; conducted first psychic reading to be held in the Dalton Building, corner of Virginia and Seventh, in December.

1910 Worked for Russell Bros., Photographers, Anniston, Alabama, January to July 4 then associated with H. P. Tressler, of Montgomery, Alabama, July to October, New York Times article appeared October 9; moved back to Hopkinsville and formed the Psychic Reading Corporation with Dr. Wesley H. Ketchum, Albert D. Noe Sr., and L. B. Cayce; photographic studio opened on second floor of Thompson Building, Main Street between Seventh and Eighth; gave readings daily for first time as “Psychic Diagnostician.” Rented Mrs. Arnold’s cottage at 1910 South Main Street.

1911 Roswell Field, brother of Eugene Field, with Hearst’s Chicago Examiner, came to Hopkinsville in February to write a feature article on Edgar Cayce for the paper; in March Edgar Cayce, L. B. Cayce, and A. D. Noe Sr., made a ten day trip to Chicago to give readings for the paper; son Milton Porter Cayce born March 28 and died May 17; wife Gertrude suffered tuberculosis, much improved by first year.

1912 Investigation by Dr. Hugo Munsterberg, of Harvard University broke partnership with Dr. Ketchum and A. D. Noe Sr.; filed suit against them for $28,000 in Christian Circuit Court for breach of contract, (settled out of court in March 1913), family moved to Anniston, Alabama in March; then to Selma to open photographic studio.

1918 Son Edgar Evans Cayce born February 9.

1923 Gladys Davis secured as secretary September 10; Family moved to Dayton, Ohio in November.

1925 Family settled in Virginia Beach, Virginia, September 16.

1927 Association of National Investigators organized May 6.

1928 Hospital dedicated November 11.

1931 Hospital closed February 28. A.R.E. organized June 6.

1942 THERE IS A RIVER published in March.

1944 Last psychic reading given September 17.

1945 Death of Edgar Cayce January 3. Death of Gertrude Evans Cayce April 1.

R3. JT’s note 12/8/99: See 3775-1, R9. for 8/30/1999 KENTUCKY NEW ERA article on restoration of Edgar Cayce’s school, Beverly Academy, by his cousin, Christian County Historian, William T. Turner.

Background

Background

B1. GD’s Note: See 294-1 (EC’s own case number) quoted by Dr. Wesley H. Ketchum in the NEW YORK TIMES Sunday, 10/9/10, as Edgar Cayce’s explanation, under hypnosis, of the source of his knowledge. Also see Reports to 294-1 covering newspaper articles in re the discovery and miraculous credibility of Edgar Cayce’s psychic power.

B2. 12/1/10 See 294-2, a physical reading for EC recorded by Addie L. Pool, stenographer, and conducted by either Al C. Layne or L. B. Cayce. This was another reading to restore his voice, the first having been given [See 3/77 Chronology under 254-1 AND 294-1 Reports] on March 31, 1901. This rdg. outlines the condition which resulted from an accident as a child, causing him intestinal stricture troubles, neuritis, etc., throughout the rest of his life, even with all the helpful measures he was able to take because of his own physical readings.

B3. GD’s Note: According to the Chronology, EC worked in Alabama as a photographer most of the year 1910, coming back to Ky., periodically to see his family and to give readings. He also gave readings in Alabama. (See 6/18/10 testimonial letter of Andrew J. Hyde, Jacksonville, Ala., under 294-1 Reports, who tells of conducting the readings and the wonderful diagnoses obtained through Edgar Cayce in the psychic state.)

I think the reading, 254-1, was obtained, or sought, 2/13/11, for starting the “Psychic Reading Corporation with Dr. Wesley H. Ketchum, Albert D. Noe, Sr., and L. B. Cayce; photographic studio opened on 2nd floor of Thompson Bldg., Main St. bet. 7th & 8th; gave readings daily for first time as ‘Psychic Diagnostician’. Rented Mrs. Arnold’s cottage at 1910 So. Main St.”

Mentioned Entities

Hopkinsville, Wesley Ketchum, Alabama, Gertrude Cayce, Thomas Sugrue, Virginia Beach, Morton Blumenthal, Chicago, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Kentucky, New York City, Selma Alabama, Physical Body, Book of Job, David Kahn, Dayton Ohio, Edgar Evans Cayce, Gladys Davis, Ohio, Search for God Study Groups

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 254-1, ReadingID 1139.