Edgar Cayce: The Life of a Modern Mystic

Introduction and Overview

Edgar Cayce is renowned as one of the most respected mystics of the modern era. The term "mystic" is used here in the broad sense of supersensory and supernatural abilities and perception of reality. A common definition of a mystic is a person who is "initiated into esoteric mysteries." As will be discussed, the life and works of Edgar Cayce certainly fit this definition.

Cayce was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in 1877 and came from a staunch Methodist family. There were also signs of psychic abilities in his family, with his father and grandfather displaying certain psychic tendencies. His grandfather had the ability to find water with a divining rod, and his father seemed to have the ability to attract snakes. Therefore, we can assume that Edgar's psychic and mystical abilities would not have been considered totally out of place in his social and cultural environment. His mystical and psychic abilities also grew in a developmental fashion, with documented evidence that the first signs appeared in early childhood.

The signs of his psychic abilities were evident from a very early age. As a child, he would see "the little people" who would dance about him freely but disappear when others came around. He met an angelic female creature in the woods one day who asked him what he would most like to do. After telling her that he would like to help children and others, she promised that he would, one day. This meeting with an angelic entity was to have a profound impact on his life and would become the precursor to his healing abilities.

The first true indication of his abilities manifested when he developed a form of laryngitis as a young man. When he was hypnotized in an attempt to find the source of his condition, he correctly identified the cause as a paralysis of the muscles and suggested his own cure while under hypnosis. After this event, Edgar Cayce began to use his psychic powers to help those who were ill. In a state of trance-like sleep, he successfully diagnosed and helped cure the illnesses of others. During these trances, it appeared that he had access to a source of knowledge outside of himself and often outside of conventional wisdom.

He frequently perceived "unorthodox remedies, and unheard of combinations of medicines and herbs with generally good results for those who were ill." Even more remarkably, "At times Cayce would not only tell the inquirers what medicine to take, but would tell them where they could find such a medicine, even describing the store, the particular shelf, and the specific spot on the shelf."

The method used to undertake these healings was, on the surface, extremely simple. After a meal, Cayce would rest and go to sleep. The individual responsible for the readings would provide Cayce with information about the sick or ailing person. Cayce would then describe the individual's condition and provide a cure for the complaint. Another significant factor that defies scientific and rational logic is that Cayce could undertake this healing process even if the sick individual was at a distance. "Even at long distances, Cayce would somehow locate them, evaluate their condition, and prescribe a cure while they went about their business."

Furthermore, the depth of his medical knowledge, although he had no formal training, astounded medical experts. He would often refer to drugs and medications that were not generally known or even on the market. Another astounding documented fact was that "Although he had conscious knowledge only of the English language, Cayce is also estimated to have spoken in some two dozen foreign tongues while in a trance."

An example of his abilities involved a five-year-old child named Aime Dietrich. She had been extremely ill for a number of years following an attack of influenza that led to extreme mental stagnation and lack of development. In a trance, Cayce diagnosed her problem as an influenza germ that had become lodged in her spine. He recommended osteopathic treatment, which led to the girl's eventual recovery.