Many Mansions: The Edgar Cayce Story on Reincarnation

by Gina Cerminara

An affirmation of the age-old belief in reincarnation, a profile of the legendary psychic reveals Cayce's remarkable healing abilities and prophecies and examines the legacy of his work in terms of such issues as past life regression, hypnosis, parapsychology, karma, and more. Reissue.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Biography, Metaphysics, Philosophy, New Age, Paranormal

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

Reviews

[Leo . · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do some trees die off in the Winter? Do they shed their leaves and does the leaf litter Decompose and become the Earth? Does the Acorn fall from the Oak Tree and new life begins? The green shoots of new beginnings. The Composition of new cells. Does a fruit plant do the same? Are we the same? Do we come from dust and return to dust? Buried and returned to the Earth? (Heart). Whence life begins.

Or cremated and the Ashes blowing in the wind to settle and return to the Earth? Mother Earth giving Birth. Creation? To die and to be reborn. To be, or not to be? Is reincarnation real? Is it a natural universal concept? Like natures pattern? Or is it more sinister? Is it a repetitive concept? Is it, by design? Is it a nefarious structure like Humans do with animals? Rearing, controlling life for food. Do we come back because we have not fulfilled our lifetime? Are we punished and come back as a pig? A spider? A flea? To start the cycle over and and over. Was all life created? If so why? Are we here by accident? Questions, many questions and only theoretical answers.🐯👍

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - definitely changed my attitude towards reincarnation as a philosophy. I may have to consider myself a true believer at this point! While not always the most logically sound presentation of the concepts involved, it certainly contained enough gems for me to find it a fascinating and very insightful read. Best moment - uncovering the solution to the paradox of the importance of meaning and purpose in this life vs. the ultimate meaninglessness of existence. Really good stuff :)

[Mtejeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it was first published in the late 1960's and still remember being absolutely stunned. I can actually see myself reading as I walked down the street in San Francisco where I was working as a legal secretary, completely absorbed in the book and paying no attention to the visceral world around me. I had a profound influence on my thinking and understanding of spirituality. I think it may be time to read it again...

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the consummate skeptic, I still have a hard time with reincarnation. No question, it answers so many questions and fills in the blanks of so many inequities and theodicies so visible in life. If your cosmology is in a state of flux, try this on for size. It certainly isn't the whole story, but it helps.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is something exciting about starting a new book. And, if you know nothing about the book, there is an air of mystery attached, too. Which is probably why I never refuse to read a book that has been recommended to me by a friend. Something deep down inside says to me, "If this person you know liked it, you should totally give it a shot. You'll probably like it!" (I feel like my friends will now exploit knowing this about me and I'll be reading some ridiculous recommendations)

Many Mansions falls into this category... a book handed to me by a friend with the instructions, "Give it a shot... I'll be curious to hear what you think."

Let me be entirely forthcoming. I didn't finish the book. Something I rarely let happen.

Before I explain why I set down the book, let me explain the general premise. The author of this book has combed over countless records of Edgar Cayce's experiences in helping people understand their previous lives. Yep, reincarnation. Through case studies, each chapter expounds on how certain traits from previous lives will impact the life you're living.

Now, my reason for abandoning this book: It was simply asking too much of me. The book is built on a foundation of beliefs and assumptions that I simply do not (and probably can not) believe, and therefore as I read page after page I could assign very little validity to the arguments the author was making. A short list of offenses: reincarnation, the lost city of Atlantis, karma, mentalism. Would I like to believe in these things? Eh, maybe. Sometimes I feel like karma is playing out in the lives around me, but I do not feel like karma - or any of these beliefs - are as scientifically quantifiable as the author professes them to be. Does this make me closed minded and unwilling to open myself up to new beliefs? I hope not, but the argument could be made. I'm sure this opens me up to criticism of my own religion and beliefs... but that'll have to wait for another time.

The book still gets a couple of stars from me in the rating. Primarily because it is a well-written book. The author is no dummy... there are a tremendous number of case studies here, and cataloging them to find patterns and conclusions is a daunting task. So, she gets credit for the work put forth to reach her conclusions.

[Saiisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-researched, well-written book about Edgar Cayce's beliefs about karma and reincarnation, cases of healings through past life prognoses, and fantastic prophesies as a clairvoyant. Gina Cerminara does him great credit by taking the reader on a journey starting with Edgar's original beliefs as a Christian, but having to slowly change and acknowledge his new beliefs as he discovers his gifts as a medical clairvoyant. There are probably several hundred cases and examples discussed in several chapters about karma, reincarnation, mentalism, etc. which are all fascinating backstories to the topics themselves.

These are topics that I'm very familiar with in my own background as well as my work as a soulistic life coach (www.NestInTheForest.com), however I only give the book 4 stars because of a couple of nags:

1. The author's personal conjecture that Indians use the karma theory as an excuse for being "passive, lethargic and fatalistic." This might seem like a minor comment, but it shows me that despite the topics of karma and reincarnation that she covers in this book, she doesn't understand Indian spirituality if she deems it as passive, lethargic and fatalistic.

2. As thoroughly researched, cataloged and described as the cases are, I felt that the language was dry and detached.

I recommend the book to anyone who's interested in learning more about Edgar Cayce, and a deeper dive into past lives, karma and reincarnation.

If you've enjoyed this review, consider joining my Old Souls Book Club (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...) for more recommendations and lively conversations about such topics!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really amazing book. I am one to be subject to the more hocus pocusy sorts of things, but this book takes a very open mindedly scientific approach. Many of the more unexplainable, or seemingly inconsistent, things in my life have finally been set to order for me and has now put me on my way to seeking out testing this new theory on spirituality presented in the book. I get sort of annoyed with myself while explaining this because continually referring back to "that book" feels cultish to me, hence the hope to get beyond using that as reference.

Either way, if you're looking for something that will make sense to get at spiritual questions that have been nagging you, I would highly recommend giving this book a shot.

[Asha Mohun · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book with Edgar Cayce's (an American fortune teller lived during 19th century) case studies on reincarnation, lost city of Atlantis and many more.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anything about Edgar Cayce is good for the soul. I liked this book in particular because it is about reincarnation and how it fits into Christianity.

Re-read for book club in 2024: Now that I've read a lot more Edgar Cayce books, this one is more dry than others. Still interesting and great stories - but I prefer some of the other authors more.

[loeilecoute · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my favorite "North Star" book that I always return to every decade to reread and contemplate. This book was life changing for me, at a time when I had lost all hope that any of my greatest aspirations could be achieved. It was the coolest of cooling soul-water than quenched an unquenchable thirst. It led to a lifetime pursuit of the meaning of life--my life and Life with a capital L.

The writing is a bit awkward, but a marked improvement from trying to read any other books on Edgar Cayce that directly quote his works. The quotations chosen are the most readable and understandable of all of them. Regardless of the difficulty in the actually reading of this material, the wisdom that is held within is well worth the effort to push on into the depths presented. It can be a book for the beginning initiate into Christian mysticism, or, in the other extreme, to the contemplative, whose life journey is to spend in the loving energy of that which is known as God.

Addendum: I have just completed my (perhaps) 8th reading: it still holds the great wisdom that I seek but rarely find in our daily life, even in a contemplative one. I sill find the readings awkward, but the knowledge comforts my soul. (11/27/24).

[Daniel Rickenbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too metaphysical for my liking...interesting stories are presented. Since I never met Edgar Cayce personally I cannot judge his character. It seems that he had a heart for and a genuine interest in doing much good in life and was able to help many people. I think that we cannot expect all people in all times to be helped in the same way.

Maybe this was a work for a specific time in human evolution.

Mystery is intriguing. I did find myself wondering how the seekers really ended up feeling about their over all experiences. It's one thing to be given hope, but another thing to actually experience real, postitive change in one's life. It concerns me that previous lives, which I tried and still try to have an open mind to are used in more than strictly metaphoric purposes.

It is hard for me to accept that today I'm struggling through an issue because of some previous, pre-existing issue that needs solving from a lifetime that I'm burdened with today. I choose to be born into this current life seems to be a very subjective idea. Maybe some find this analogy helpful, but to me it makes me feel stranded....wondering almost if there is something to the idea of "fated".

I think all humans have a unique opportunity, at least in their individual existing lives to create the kind of person they'd like to be or they'd like to become...I also wonder if life is about learning to explore, discover, and embrace our unique human freedom to be who we are. I'd like to know that life has purpose, but wonder at the safety of such certainty of "I have a purpose." Sartre's philosophical maxim seems to apply: "damned to be free" There is responsibility embedded in this kind of freedom. I'm not sure I see freedom of personal self-actualization emerging in Cayce's Reincarnation views.

I have at least a working knowledge, at least through the eyes of Gina Cerminara of Cayce's work and the good that he did. I find that his concepts of the hypnotic state are intriguing, though I don't know if any of these subjective experiences might be useful from a scientific research point. At a minimum his work and views do resonate with some segments of the population, and if they find themselves helped then I cannot criticize too harshly.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read about Edgar Cayce over the years, but this book delves into areas i didn't know much about; Cayce's 'life readings' which dealt with past-life experiences, karma, and healing.

Although I did not agree with all of the thoughts set forth in this book (e.g. the karmic cause of epilepsy, Hinduism as it relates to Cayce's idea of Karma), i did read some interesting things about Cayce and how he conducted his life readings.

Albeit - this book does have some deep christian belief's embedded in it, but all in all a good read and a thought provoking study of a fascinating man.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew that Edgar Cayce was considered one of the best psychics of his time, but what I learned by reading this book is that he also gave people readings about past lives. Cayce, himself, was raised a Christian, so it took him quite a while before he believed in reincarnation. It read more like a text book at times, but it was very interesting. It seemed as though every time I came up with a question about the subject, within the next chapter or so, my question would be addressed and answered. Very interesting read.

[Niva · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book discusses reincarnation, based on the many case readinds of Edgar Cayce, and its impplications to philosophy and religious beliefs. Why are we here? Why do we have the circumstances of life that we have or why do we have the kind of illness or personality that we have? It talks about karma as being redistributive justice or continuing process towards perfection.

[Mercy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book broadened my perspective on past lives. I have always believed in reincarnation but this book gets in deeper and really puts it into perspective. I definetly recommend this book. I also recommend the book Soul Mates book by Kevin J Todeschi. Its written off Edgar Cayce's work whom I consider brilliant.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Edgar Cayce and his readings on reincarnation. I first read this book more than 35 years ago. Here is a simple man who had extraordinary abilities. The topics addressed in this book are relevant today and provide alternate viewpoints on issues affecting society. Very, very interesting.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting at the beginning, after some 20% of its contents the book becomes monotonous an, quite frankly, boring with hundreds of cases that you eventually lose track of... Pity as I had quite high hopes for that one... Will have to find a new one...

[jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting theory....really enjoy this book and often return to it

[Daniel Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure for believers of reincarnation.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is documentation on channelled readings on reincarnation and karma. A very interesting read with lots of food for thought.

[Teressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely fascinating. This is a fact based "research" type of book, so it's a little dry and detailed. Not a fast paced ready by an means, but there's no denying Edgar Cayce was a phenomenon.

[Islin Munisteri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read it in middle and it still has many recurrent themes, particularly the chapter on isolation and past emotional states and previous lives.

[Maria P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book unlike the other book of edgar cayce I read are not so much irrelevant.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated...very, very dated...but fascinating.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

AWESOME

[Linda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! All I have to say is...I need a life reading...I wonder if Edgar Cayce has reincarnated yet..,

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I urge the interested reader to buy this book. Right now I consider it the most important single work I have ever read.

Nevertheless the book does have its faults. Most notably, it lacks numbered footnotes and a bibliography, an unforgiveable omission by a titled academic. Plus an index. We are left to guess what Dr. Cerminara read in addition to the Cayce files in order to arrive at her conclusions. Equally glaringly, none of the Cayce files she refers to are individually identified, so were are unable to examine her source material for ourselves! Thus we are left to take what she says on faith, though I see nothing she had to gain by falsifying the evidence, and she herself points out on a number of occasions that her claims can only really be inferences in many cases. She does much extrapolation from the Cayce records and fills in a certain amount of blanks. Some of her inferences are made on the basis of as few as 3 presented Cayce files. While she generally succeeds in convincing me, more sceptical readers would require further evidence.

In her defence, the writer throughout the book attempts to answer some of the most common queries made about reincarnation, such as can someone create bad karma just by following the norms of their time, what keeps the physical body alive until the soul enters, when does the soul enter the body, the role of free-will in spiritual development, the soul's power to choose the circumstances of its incarnation, how to think, speak and act to strive towards the Divine, are all physical handicaps karmic, are all accidents or misfortunes karmic, how it is ethical to punish a soul for wrongdoings done in a previous life which cannot now be remembered, how phobias come from past lives, why we should still help those who are being punished in this life for past-life deeds, the meaning of many of Jesus' pronouncements, where our interests and talents come from, reincarnation and gender, reincarnation and personality types, the role of grace in overcoming karma, why sudden infant death syndrome occurs, why there are delays in karmic cause-and-effect, why there is poverty and inequality in the world, the existence of Atlantis, and so on.

The fact that many (most?) of the cases selected for evidence seem to come from people who had previous lives in a small number of historical epochs, Atlantis, Ancient Egypt, Rome, Crusades, colonial North America, France during the 16-18th centuries, the American Civil War, the Maya and Aztec civilizations is worrisome. To be fair, the author does attempt to offer a reasonable explanation for this remarkable circumstance.

In the second half of the book a discernable pro-feminist slant comes to the fore.

While the book holds up the Christ, and to a lesser extent, the Buddha, as ideals of correct action and thought, and the author adopts Cayce's own view of the origins and destiny of mankind and his place in the cosmos, it's hard to really call this is a pro-Christian book. Pro-Christ, yes, but that's different. There is no attempt made to explain and justify the Trinity, for example. Nor are we told that regular reading of the Bible is useful. In fact, one gains the impression that large parts of our scriptural heritage are peripheral. What only matters are the words and deeds of the Christ. "God" is scarcely portrayed in a Biblical way at all in the book.

There is MUCH good wisdom in this book, not only from Cayce himself but from the author as well, and many questions are answered.

This book is more than worth its weight in gold for the open-minded reader, regardless of his or her religious affiliation. Its message is universal and it will repay careful rereading and putting its advice into action ten-zillion-fold.

[Rachel Jessen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the content here. As other reviewers have mentioned, it is very dated but there is so much still relevant. My only pause was that Cayce’s readings reflected past lives in several of the same geographical areas like Palestine, Egypt, or Atlantis. The author did explain a reason behind why so many in a generation might have come from similar places but I still was skeptical. To have that many people who supposedly lived during the time of Christ? My understanding is that he was just reporting what he “saw”. I did have to push through until the end because the writing was a little dense but I still found it insightful and a helpful framework for how to view life. I have shed the conservative Christian faith of my upbringing but I can see a way to still keep a belief in a source/God with a reincarnation framework and it matches the Gnostic writings of the early Christian church.

[Danya Matulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool to read about one of the pioneers of reincarnation beliefs and to hear his story and how his experience changed his beliefs. It is clearly an old book but neat to somewhat travel back in time. Interesting to see how the beliefs/principles of reincarnation haven’t changed much in the last almost 100 years. Shows how true they are! Also just really enjoyed hearing about people’s past lives (especially the Atlanteans!).

[Priyanka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raised a Hindu, I have very early on accepted and deeply believe in reincarnation. To be provided validation for the same, was cherry on the cake. I often wondered about nature of Karma; why is it unfair and how it really works. This book gave me the answers. It helped erase lot of ambiguity and fear fed to me by religion. I'm grateful to have found this book at this point in my life.