Variously referred to as a psychic, mystic, clairvoyant or religious seer, Edgar Cayce was more popularly known as "The Sleeping Prophet." He obtained this appellation as his prognostications and medical diagnoses came to him while in a self induced hypnotic sleep. His utterances were written down by his wife or his secretary, he himself being completely unaware of what he was saying.
 
Born in 1877, Cayce was a devout Protestant given to bibliolatry, and therefore, many of his apocalyptic prophecies can be seen to be inextricably interwoven with his religious beliefs. However, his fame was derived more from his ability to diagnose and treat illnesses and disease not only when the patient was present, but also when they were many miles remote from his place of residence. These "readings" as they were called, some 14,000 of them given for more than six thousand people over a period of forty-three years, constitute the largest known record of psychic perception. They are preserved by the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. at Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA, a foundation set up by Cayce's family, and are available to all who wish to examine them.

Typical of Cayce's miraculous healings was that of a one year old girl who was badly scalded. With fifty per cent of her skin surface involved doctors gave her little chance of recovery, so the child's father rang Cayce for help from the hospital eight hundred miles away. The sleeping prophet relaxed on his couch and breathing slowly just seemed to lapse into an afternoon nap. To begin the reading his wife  Gladys  told
him only the name and location of the patient, and then said, "You will give the physical condition of the body at the present time, with suggestions for further corrective measures, answering the questions as I ask them."
 
Repeating the name and location of the child to himself several times, Cayce proceeded to outline, step by step, the treatment to be used by the doctors to heal the skin. Twelve days later phenomenal improvements in the child's condition were reported and later, complete recovery.
 
Comment:

Cayce was a devoutly religious man, believed in reincarnation and in the existence of Atlantis. Many of his prophecies predicted the re-appearance of the lost mythical continent, and nearly all were of an apocalyptic nature — none of which have materialised. An examination and analysis of the material in the files held by the Association for Research and Enlightenment, fail to show that Cayce was able to cure anything other than complaints which would normally respond to contemporary home remedies. The "evidence" is predominantly anecdotal and obvious failures can be seen where readings on patients had been given who had died between the time the letter to Cayce had been written and when he made the reading. His so called psychic powers have been grossly exaggerated and based on results can be afforded no credence


Further reading:
 
Kurtz, Paul. 1985. A Skeptic’s Handbook of Parapsychology. Prometheus Books. Buffalo. NY.
 
Randi, James. 1979. "The Slipping Prophet." Skeptical Inquirer. 4(1): 50-57.
 
Sheaffer, Robert. 1984. "Psychic Vibrations." Skeptical Inquirer. 9(1): 18-19


From: H. Edwards 1994 Magic Minds Miraculous Moments, Harry Edwards Publications