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Spiritualism began to fade as technology and reason gained ground in the early 20th century. Meanwhile, curiosity about Spiritualism was growing in the scientific community. Several researchers in both the United States and Europe began to study psychic phenomena with experiments based on scientific principles. We'll talk more about that in Chapter 4. |
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Even while Spiritualism and the belief in unseen powers was fading in popularity, one man kept the faith in healing alive. Called ''the Man of Miracles," Edgar Cayce (pronounced Casey) diagnosed tens of thousands of cases, over 30,000 of which he documented. Much of his healing ability seemed to focus on spinal disorders. |
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Cayce, raised in Kentucky, was not a trained doctor. In fact, he never completed his formal education. Yet he discovered his ability to offer a diagnosis and treatment while still quite young. At age 16 when he injured his back playing baseball, he went into a trance and told his mother what treatment to administerwhich worked within 24 hours. His amazing abilities became more accessible to others after he underwent hypnotism with an expert named Al Layne, who continued to work with Cayce in future years. Throughout his life, he received information on healing while in a trance, yet could not recall it afterwards. |
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Eventually, a skeptical doctor named Wesley Ketchum underwent successful treatment by Cayce. His support brought Cayce to the attention of the American Society of Clinical Research in Boston. Their approval was followed by a New York Times article proclaiming Cayce's achievements as a healer. Despite his popularity with the public, the medical establishment continued its skepticism. Perhaps this was due to his often unorthodox treatment recommendations, including homeopathy, herbal medicines, electromagnetic therapy, and color therapymany of which worked for his patients then and continue to gain credibility today. |
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