Behind Closed Doors

As Edgar Cayce prepared to give a reading in July 1934, he said with a smile, “This may be a lot of ‘hooey,’ but it surely does get results.” After Cayce began another 1934 reading, the conductor (Mildred Davis, in this case) started writing a revision to a question she was to ask. Cayce stopped talking until she stopped writing. This happened a second time after which “he resumed in a rather weak voice, it seeming very difficult to give anything.” When she rubbed her hands together slowly, “the speech became more normal, stronger, and of an even flow.” When he awoke after the reading, he asked what had happened, said it was “hard to get back, receiving an awful bump upon entering the body.”

These incidents were recorded as “Notes and Observations on Edgar Cayce During Readings” during most of the period from April 1932 to January 1935. The first two months were prepared by Gladys Davis, perhaps extracted from her stenographic notes of those readings. From late June through late August 1932, “notes and observations” were recorded separately by Gladys and by her cousin Mildred Davis, who was present at these readings. Then, from late August 1932 to the end of the record, the notes are by Mildred, mostly handwritten.

Gladys first summarized her observations for a reading on “the Work” (254-63), noting that Cayce seemed “indifferent, apparently no interest in subject of reading … Before reading, talked of … people’s attitude toward him… On awakening, first remark on fixing new bed mattress…” The reading was “very brief, snappy.” Asked how the language of the readings can be made more clear, concise, and direct, Cayce’s source replied, “Be able to understand it better!”

A different picture is presented days later for three readings on Atlantis (364-9, -10, -11). Edgar Cayce was “interested in finishing up questions on hand on this subject”; his father, L. B. Cayce, was “sitting by, anxiously waiting, as usual”; Hugh Lynn Cayce and Gladys herself had “active interest for information”; and Mildred made “quite a stir closing doors.” Afterwards, “all thrilled over information. Discussion followed as to whether Jesus was really incarnated as an entity in the earth, or whether His Spirit manifested through other entities only. . .Wished that E.C. could have heard it – more than any other reading he had ever given.” Her “remarks” at the end of her notes include: “All dumbfounded, without words to express our feelings. [Gertrude] said we just didn’t know anything about anything. L. B. shook his head – doesn’t believe explanation of Adam appearing as five in one… Mildred drew picture of E.C. while taking reading.”

A reading was not always successfully completed. In February 1934, a reading on “the Work” (254 series) was scheduled late in the afternoon. Mildred’s notes indicate that “Edgar Cayce [was] impatient and upset. Argued with secretary some minutes before taking reading.” Gladys herself was “upset and on the verge of tears.” Others were “passive, dutiful… prayerful, calm… interested.”

Cayce “remained in unconscious state for 65 minutes with no response to any suggestion whatsoever.” The suggestion for the reading as well as the suggestion for waking were each given three times with no effect, except Cayce responded with “deep sighs and twitchings.” An hour after Cayce went into trance, Hugh Lynn arrived. He joined them in meditating, concentrating “on bringing the entity back into his body.” He said, “a light seemed to shoot out of the corner of the room opposite where Edgar Cayce was facing and enter the body – a light about the size of his body…just as soon as it touched the body, it went into convulsions and jerked violently, almost falling off the couch several times.”

Cayce awoke with a “big jump” and “began rubbing between shoulders on back.” He said, “he reckoned he felt all right.” Gertrude almost collapsed, saying, “Thank God.” Cayce had “a headache for a day or so afterward.”

At the first A.R.E. Congress in June 1932, Cayce gave a reading on “the life and activities of Jesus the Christ” (5749-2) while members crowded into the room. Edgar’s sister Annie later told Gladys, “Her [deceased] mother came by the side of her chair, and said, ‘Listen, Sister,’ and stayed by her all during the reading.” Edgar reported: “a white figure the size of a man came from the ocean, went right through cars and all objects, came on down the street between the trolley line and house – disappeared just as I stopped the reading.”