Human cultures have always envisioned a time and place when human civilization was at its best and highest level of achievement. Such imaginings have come in visions of the Garden of Eden, Shangri-La, Camelot, and many others. Could it be that at some point, in some distant and indeterminate place, human civilization has reached a zenith of paradisiacal proportions? Yes, replies Edgar Cayce, “America’s Greatest Psychic,” as reported by his son, Edgar Evans Cayce, in the latter’s fascinating and insightful book, “Edgar Cayce On Atlantis” (edited by Hugh Lynn Cayce, N.Y.: Warner Books 1968).
Edgar Evans collects information from dozens of “lectures” given by his father over a period of some twenty years between 1924 and 1944. For those unfamiliar with Edgar Cayce, the book’s Preface offers a vivid snapshot. A more detailed portrait is painted in the insightful work, “The Edgar Cayce Story: ‘There Is a River,'” by Thomas Sugrue, 1997, 1942, ARE Press. Additional and updated information can be found on the Cayce Foundation website.
The myth of Atlantis was first etched into human consciousness by Plato in the 5th century BC. According to Evans’s report, Plato said that Atlantis was “a large island in the Atlantic that sank in a volcanic catastrophe some nine thousand years before.” Edgar Cayce’s readings indicate that what Plato related was the last phase of the destruction of Atlantis. Expanding on Plato’s account, psychic readings indicate that people existed in Atlantis as early as 10 million years BC. C. And soon it was inhabited by the Children of the Law of One: spiritual beings; and the Children of Belial who gave up their spiritual existence for materiality, eventually creating “things or slaves”. Evans speculates that these things may have been part human and part animal.
It was due to the conflict between the Children of the Law of One and the Children of Belial that the first destruction of the world and parts of Atlantis occurred some time before 50,000 BC. C. The second destruction occurred around 28,000 BC. C. when Atlantis split into several islands The final devastation came as described by Plato when Atlantis sank to the bottom of the Atlantic and disappeared.
Atlantis was a very advanced civilization. Evans reports that according to many of Edgar Cayce’s readings, Atlantis:
1. It had instruments similar to the laser or maser;
2. It had electricity and probably atomic power;
3. His people could travel by air; and
4. His people could travel underwater.
Ultimately, it was the misuse of this technology that led to the demise of Atlantis and which offers the strongest argument why modern inhabitants of planet Earth should be concerned with the rise and fall of Atlantis. Evans argues that “In the last fifty years there have been more scientific advances than in all of recorded history.” However, despite these advances, the “things” of Atlantis “have returned to haunt the world on the underprivileged, uneducated, and underserved masses of humanity.” Like the people of Atlantis, we have amassed vast degrees of power that we have thus far chosen to use for the destruction rather than the good of all humanity.
Atlantis offers a pattern of what is happening in the world today. Whether or not one believes in reincarnation, one thing is quite clear according to Evans: “The Atlantean drives, talents, and abilities manifest in individuals today.” consequently, “the future of our nation [and the world] it will likely be determined by the ideals of its citizens and their attitudes towards others.” This statement is more prescient, if not an indictment, given that most of the world’s conflicts are caused and fueled by differences of people and beliefs. Like our ancestors, the Atlanteans, we fought our way down the path of destruction.
What Evans hopes will be accomplished in part by writing his book is that all the people of the world will awaken to the truth that if humanity, “nationally and individually, can become aware of [humanity’s] true nature [as a spiritual being and child of God] and… relationship with God [humanity] may be able to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.
Evans writes with a touch of optimism despite the fact that his book was written in the same year as the deaths of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy, as well as the raging conflict in Vietnam. He leaves no doubt that while Atlantis offers a prophecy of destruction for us if we continue on our current course, Atlantis also offers us opportunity and hope. The choice is up to us which future we will choose.
In addition to the question of why we should care about Atlantis, the other question that arises from the book is why should we believe Edgar Cayce’s readings? Evans does not shy away from this question. Rather, he accepts the question and offers a series of persuasive evidence to demonstrate the reliability of other Cayce readings, arguing by analogy that if Cayce was right on so many other geological, archaeological, and other matters, then it is most likely that Cayce is right. aboutAtlantis.
Maybe. Given the number of readings given by Edgar Cayce, over 2,500, the law of large numbers holds that some of the readings will surely prove true. Also, as is the case with most prophetic statements, the truth often lies in the interpretation. However, “Edgar Cayce on Atlantis” is well worth the cost and time required to read the book. In the midst of wars and rumors of wars and a shaky world economy, we need all the help we can get.
