Edgar Cayce

Edgar Cayce was an American man known for a very unusual ability.

He reported that he could diagnose illnesses while in a deep sleep. During these sessions, he would recommend ways to help people feel better. He gave thousands of these readings throughout his life. Some records say he gave over 8,056 readings by 1922. Later, it is estimated he recorded between 13,000 and 14,000 readings in total. Many people consider him a founder of the New Age movement. He shared ideas about many different topics like dreams and nutrition.

His gift seemed to work through a very specific way. Cayce would lie down and enter a state of hypnosis. In this state, his conscious mind would become inactive. He would then enter a sleep that looked like a natural rest. While asleep, he would speak clearly and distinctly about serious topics. He could describe the human body in great detail. He even talked about things like the lost land of Atlantis. He also spoke about reincarnation and the afterlife. This process allowed him to answer many complex questions.

Cayce's life began in Christian County, Kentucky, on March 18, 1877. He was raised by his parents, Carrie Elizabeth and Leslie Burr Cayce. His family belonged to the Disciples of Christ church. Cayce went to school until the ninth grade. He could not finish his education because his family lacked the money. He eventually became a skilled photographer through an apprenticeship. He also married a woman named Gertrude Evans in 1903. They had three children together during their marriage.

His famous ability reportedly started after he lost his voice. In 1900, he could only speak in a whisper. He found he could speak normally only when under hypnosis. He later worked with an osteopath named A.C. Layne. Cayce also collaborated with a homeopath named Wesley Ketchum. In 1910, The New York Times wrote a famous story about him. The article called him an illiterate man who became a doctor while hypnotized. This story brought a lot of attention to his work. He later moved to Virginia Beach to run his own institute.

Many different ideas and traditions influenced Cayce's life and work. He was a devout Christian and denied being a spiritualist. However, his ideas linked to many other belief systems. He was influenced by the New Thought Movement and its medical ideas. He also lived during a time when homeopathy was common. Some people linked his work to the writings of Helena Blavatsky. Her writings also covered topics like the Akashic Records. Cayce's life shows how people seek answers to life's biggest mysteries. His work continues to be studied by many today.