Who Was Edgar Cayce?

Edgar Cayce (1877-1945) was an American mystic and clairvoyant who became known as “The Sleeping Prophet” for his ability to enter a trance-like state and provide detailed readings on a wide range of topics. Born in rural Kentucky, Cayce discovered his psychic abilities as a young man and went on to give over 14,000 documented readings during his lifetime.

The Cayce Readings

How the Readings Worked

Cayce would enter a self-induced hypnotic trance, during which he claimed to access what he called the “Akashic Records” – a cosmic library containing all knowledge of human experience. While in this state, he would speak in response to questions, providing information on:

• Health and Healing: Medical diagnoses and holistic treatments
• Past Lives: Individual karma and soul development
• Spiritual Growth: Guidance for personal development
• Ancient Civilizations: Detailed accounts of Atlantis, Egypt, and other lost cultures
• Biblical Interpretation: Mystical explanations of scripture
• Future Predictions: Prophecies about world events and earth changes

Types of Readings

Life Readings: Explored individuals’ past lives and their connection to current life circumstances, focusing on soul development and karmic patterns.

Health Readings: Provided medical diagnoses and recommended treatments, often combining conventional medicine with natural remedies, diet changes, and lifestyle modifications.

Business Readings: Offered guidance on career decisions, investments, and professional endeavors.

Dream Interpretations: Explained the symbolic meaning of dreams and their significance for personal growth.

Key Books and Publications

Primary Sources

• “The Edgar Cayce Readings”: The complete collection of transcribed readings, organized by topic
• “There Is a River” by Thomas Sugrue: The definitive biography of Cayce, published in 1942
• “The Sleeping Prophet” by Jess Stearn: A popular introduction to Cayce’s work

Thematic Collections

• “Edgar Cayce on Atlantis”: Compilation of readings about the lost civilization
• “Edgar Cayce on Dreams”: Guidance on dream interpretation and meaning
• “Edgar Cayce on Diet and Health”: Natural healing approaches and dietary recommendations
• “Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records”: Exploration of the cosmic consciousness concept

Core Teachings and Philosophy

The Soul’s Journey

Cayce taught that souls are eternal beings on a journey of spiritual evolution through multiple incarnations. Each lifetime presents opportunities to learn lessons, balance karma, and grow closer to divine consciousness.

Holistic Health

His health readings emphasized the interconnection of body, mind, and spirit. Cayce advocated for:

• Natural healing methods
• Proper diet and nutrition
• Physical exercise and bodywork
• Mental and emotional balance
• Spiritual practices for overall wellness

Unity of All Religions

Cayce believed that all world religions contain truth and that their differences are more about cultural expression than fundamental spiritual principles. He taught that love, service, and spiritual growth are universal paths to God.

The Law of Attraction and Karma

Long before it became popular, Cayce taught that thoughts and actions create our reality. He emphasized that we attract experiences based on our mental attitudes and past actions, both in this life and previous ones.

Cayce’s Interpretation of the Christ Story

Jesus as Soul Example

In Cayce’s teachings, Jesus represented the perfect example of human spiritual potential. He saw Jesus not as a distant deity, but as a soul who had achieved complete attunement with divine consciousness through many lifetimes of spiritual development.

The Christ Consciousness

Cayce distinguished between Jesus the man and the Christ consciousness. The Christ consciousness represents the divine spark within every soul – the potential for perfect love, wisdom, and spiritual awareness that exists in all humanity.

Past Lives of Jesus

According to Cayce’s readings, the soul that became Jesus had incarnated many times before, including as:

• Adam: The first human soul to enter physical form
• Enoch: The biblical figure who “walked with God”
• Melchizedek: The mysterious priest-king mentioned in Genesis
• Joshua: The leader who succeeded Moses
• Asaph: A musician and prophet in David’s time

The Mission of Jesus

Cayce taught that Jesus came to demonstrate humanity’s spiritual potential and to provide a pattern for soul development. His life, death, and resurrection were seen as a cosmic event that opened new spiritual possibilities for all souls.

The Second Coming

Rather than a literal return of Jesus, Cayce interpreted the Second Coming as the awakening of Christ consciousness within humanity – a gradual spiritual evolution where more souls achieve divine awareness.

Practical Applications

Daily Spiritual Practice

Cayce recommended regular meditation, prayer, and study as essential for spiritual growth. He emphasized the importance of:

• Morning meditation and prayer
• Evening reflection and gratitude
• Regular study of spiritual texts
• Service to others as a form of worship

Health and Healing

His holistic approach to health included:

• Eating whole, natural foods
• Regular exercise and stretching
• Massage and bodywork
• Maintaining positive mental attitudes
• Addressing emotional and spiritual issues

Dream Work

Cayce taught that dreams are communications from the subconscious mind and divine guidance. He recommended:

• Keeping a dream journal
• Asking for guidance through dreams
• Interpreting dreams symbolically rather than literally
• Using dreams for problem-solving and spiritual insight

Legacy and Modern Influence

The Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.)

Founded in 1931, the A.R.E. continues to preserve and study Cayce’s work. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, it maintains the complete collection of readings and offers educational programs based on Cayce’s teachings.

Influence on Modern Spirituality

Cayce’s work has influenced many aspects of contemporary spiritual thought:

• Holistic health and alternative medicine
• Past-life regression therapy
• New Age spirituality
• Meditation and consciousness studies
• Intuitive development practices

Scientific and Medical Interest

While controversial, some of Cayce’s health remedies and predictions have been validated by modern research, leading to continued scientific interest in his work.

Conclusion

Edgar Cayce’s legacy lies not in blind acceptance of his unusual abilities, but in the practical wisdom and spiritual insights found in his readings. His emphasis on personal responsibility, holistic healing, and the development of spiritual consciousness continues to resonate with seekers worldwide. Whether viewed as divinely inspired guidance or as the product of an extraordinary intuitive mind, Cayce’s teachings offer a comprehensive approach to spiritual growth that honors both ancient wisdom and modern understanding.

His interpretation of the Christ story as a universal pattern for human spiritual development provides a bridge between traditional Christianity and broader spiritual seeking, emphasizing the divine potential within every soul and the importance of expressing that divinity through love, service, and spiritual growth.