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The Edgar Cayce material examined in many ways not only the subject of color but also the idea of auras. A major area of exploration in the Cayce readings is that of personal symbolism. This topic is discussed in readings dealing with dreams and dream interpretation as well as the interpretation of personal signs and symbols (such as those contained in artistic renderings of what the readings referred to as life seals and aura charts). There was also a thorough exploration of symbolism undertaken by a group of individuals who called themselves the Glad Helpers Prayer Group. Although the primary interest of this prayer group was working with prayer, meditation, and spiritual healing, the group also obtained readings on a number of subjects that explored personal symbolism including the interpretation of the Book of Revelation and an exploration of the connection between the spiritual chakras and the endocrine glands of the physical body.

In terms of how personal symbolism was connected to the subjects of color, consciousness, and the body’s physiology, the readings stated that as energy rose through the endocrine centers of the body there were symbols and colors associated with each of these centers, which could come to consciousness. For example, in the Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel while in prayer has a vision in which he sees four beasts caught up in a whirlwind: a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle (Ezekiel 1:10). Similar imagery is witnessed five hundred years later by the Apostle John during his Revelation experience when he sees a lion, a man, a calf, and an eagle (Revelation 4:7). According to Cayce the images of these four beasts are actually associated with the four lower spiritual centers and can come to consciousness during meditation or prayer as the energy of the kundalini rises through the body. The symbolism association witnessed by both Ezekiel and John is as follows: the root chakra stands for a calf or an ox, the second chakra for a man or a human, the third chakra for a lion, and the fourth chakra for an eagle.

There are colors associated with each of the seven major chakras, which Cayce correlated to the body’s seven major glandular (endocrine) centers. Each of these colors has its own vibration and is also associated with the raising of personal consciousness. Cayce told the group: “. . . For as has been given, color is but vibration . . .” (281-29) The higher the center, the higher the level of vibration and consciousness, so that the first chakra and its corresponding color are lower than the seventh chakra and its corresponding color. The colors of these chakras or glands are easy to remember since they occur in the same order as the colors of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet:

Although each of the colors corresponds to a level of consciousness and an understanding of what that color symbolized, Cayce also told the prayer group that personal associations and experiences with colors could supersede their generally accepted meaning. For example, while many individuals associate blue with spirituality and one’s spiritual path, to some that color might be associated with depression and the experience of “feeling blue.”

To be sure, an interest in color and an exploration of what colors may mean are not simply relegated to the Edgar Cayce information. Quite the contrary, for in the world of our perception color is all around us. Whether it is the vibrant greens of spring, the brilliant colors of summer, the orange and reds of autumn, or the intense white of our surroundings after a snowfall, color has always been a part of our environment. Throughout our lives, our relationship with color has an ongoing impact upon the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the furniture we choose, and even the food that we choose to eat. Color is everywhere. But in a very real sense color is a collectively perceived illusion. What we think we see is actually a by-product of the way in which the vibration of visible light is perceived by the eyes and the brain.

In terms of the science of color, it has been proven that the yellow banana we ate for lunch does not actually exude the color yellow. Instead the banana absorbs all frequencies of visible light that are shining on it with the exception of those frequencies that are reflected and perceived as yellow. We perceive things as being specific colors because all objects absorb certain wavelengths and reflect others. The reflected wavelengths are those that reach the eye. We perceive color because of our ability to distinguish among these different wavelengths. The shortest wavelength (and highest frequency) that is generally visible to humans is violet, and the longest wavelength (and shortest frequency) that is generally visible is red. A wavelength is measured in an infinitely small measurement equating to a thousand millionth of a meter called a nanometer (nm), and the visible range is approximately 380 nm to 740 nm.

Although some might believe that white is the absence of color whereas black contains all colors, the reverse is actually true. It was Isaac Newton who discovered that white light divides into its color components when passed through a prism. He labeled those colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Often the science of color does not distinguish a difference between indigo and violet, therefore “visible light” is often associated with just six bands of color. [It is important to note that “visible light” in the animal kingdom is much different than that perceived by human eyes. For example, many birds see a wider range of colors than humans, including colors in the ultraviolet spectrum (light with a shorter nm wavelength than violet); conversely, dogs and cats are generally labeled as “color blind” because they see very pale colors or various shades of gray.] However, since both Newton and Cayce discussed the importance of these seven colors, they will certainly be worth examining later.

Two of the tools dealing with personal symbolism and colors that are distinct to the Edgar Cayce readings are life seals and aura charts.³ Essentially, both of these tools are visual drawings and artistic depictions of symbols, images, and colors that Cayce suggested could assist each individual in better understanding him or herself. Life seals are drawings that individuals create, usually within a circle, that can help them better understand themselves. Similar to the use of mandalas by Carl Jung, these drawings contain colors, pictures, and images that have a symbolic importance to the individual. Ultimately, these seals serve as reminders of a person’s talents as well as those things that the individual may need to work on in the present. Cayce once told a twenty-year-old woman that she had the ability to create life seals for others, and he described the purpose of these drawings:

. . . that which will arouse in the inner self of individuals, individual minds, individual souls, that which will aid those individuals in knowing themselves, their weaknesses, their faults, their uprisings, their downsittings. That which enables the individual soul to see itself better. And that which aids each individual or hinders it, or is helpful to it in giving expression of itself in the present experience.

275-36

Building upon this use of personal symbolism as a means of understanding the self while also incorporating the concepts of reincarnation and soul memory, Edgar Cayce recommended the creation of what he called an aura chart. The aura chart is essentially a visual illustration of the soul’s journey with pictures, images, colors, and symbols that portray what the soul has learned as well as where it has succeeded or failed in its passage through time and history. The aura chart depicts those lifetimes or incarnations that most influence the individual in the present—in other words those periods in history to which the individual feels most drawn and has the greatest emotional response (good or bad). Essentially, the aura chart is a visual representation of what Cayce referred to as the soul’s Akashic record—the universal record or database of each individual’s personal soul journey.

The first individual to request an aura chart reading was Cayce’s secretary, Gladys Davis, who was told that a reading requesting “. . . the symbols, colors, and the meaning of each . . .” could be made into a drawing that would be helpful to her. (288-50) Later, a thirty-one-year-old auto salesman requested an aura chart for himself and was told of its purpose:

In giving an aura chart—this we would indicate as to the high points in the experiences of the entity in the earth, having to do with the manner in which the entity has conducted or is conducting itself in the present for the greater unfoldment,—spiritually, mentally and materially . . .

The beauty of such a drawing depends much upon the concept of the artist. Yet these may visualize for the entity that as may bring helpful influences into the experience.

533-20

The idea of using symbolism to facilitate personal growth and an expanding consciousness as well as a means of understanding one’s inner self is connected to what transpires during the Jungian concept of individuation. Essentially, the process of individuation is one in which the conscious mind comes to terms with its inner Self, integrates the substance of the unconscious, and gradually moves toward personal wholeness. The disconnected nature of the human creature on its journey toward wholeness is often depicted in archetypal imagery, symbolism, dreams, visions, fairy tales, and myths. For example, although children’s classics such as The Wizard of Oz and The Adventures of Pinocchio might be read as nothing more than entertaining stories, both are actually symbolic of the soul’s journey toward personal wholeness and enlightenment.

As previously stated, Edgar Cayce’s primary source of information while he was giving readings was the Akashic records. Cayce also discussed the connection between the Akashic records and the human aura, suggesting that the aura was in some ways a holographic image of the record itself, containing the very same type of information for the individual. For example, while giving a reading to a thirty-year-old oil prospector, Cayce discussed what he was seeing in terms of the individual’s record:

Yes, we have the body, the conditions here, and the record as has been made, and as will be made, both in the present and past and future, as we see from conditions existing in the present sphere or aura of the individual. All is not good, yet in many phases of earth’s sphere, known as success, this individual will rise high, yet ever those of the wandering forces . . .

221-2

And while beginning a physical reading regarding the health of a thirty-four-year-old woman, Cayce stated that her aura contained a warning regarding the possibility of an accident, causing him to recommend caution: “Before giving the Physical we would give a warning here as indicated in the aura of the body, [{Ms.} 1300]. Beware or be careful of an accident in something moving—as in elevator or cab.” (1300-2)

Over the years Edgar Cayce provided many readings and suggestions for individuals to enhance their own intuition. While examining the ways in which psychic ability might manifest, the readings state that intuition can be heightened by subjugating material thoughts and influences to the soul self, such as through the use of prayer, meditation, the imagination, and personal reverie. In this type of state, which on one extreme might be similar to a literal trance and on the other extreme might simply involve an increase in the imaginative and intuitive forces, the mind could experience heightened psychic ability. This heightened intuition could be demonstrated, for example, in the ability of individuals to look into the past as well as to see the human aura. (507-1)

On frequent occasions Cayce suggested that each individual’s aura has an affinity to specific colors—an affinity that causes the person to feel more comfortable or in sync with people, situations, and even the environment. Throughout the years he gave readings, one of the questions generally included with “color affinity” in mind was something along the lines of: “To what color do I best vibrate?” For example, when a thirty-six-year-old restaurant owner asked, “To what color or colors do I vibrate?” Cayce replied, “Blue. And when wearing blue you won’t get mad! And make much of these in the underthings, too, close to the body.” (594-1) In other words, the reading suggested that the color blue would provide her with a vibration (even when worn as underwear) that would help her in controlling her own temper. On another occasion a teenage girl who was both deaf and mute went to Cayce for physical assistance. In addition to recommending some more conventional health protocols, he encouraged the parents to let her work with stringed musical instruments so that she could “feel the vibration,” as well as to keep two specific colors on her body and in her surroundings—deep violet and red. (4223-3) The colors were recommended because of the specific vibrations associated with each. Throughout the readings the vibration of red is often associated with energy and deep violet corresponds to higher states of consciousness, spiritual attunement, and healing.

Color and music were also recommended for a five-year-old boy to his parents who were looking for guidance on raising their child. During the course of their reading, Cayce outlined what kinds of music and colors the child would be drawn to and how the parents could use these in the boy’s life as he grew older:

One that, it will be found, music, musical tendencies, will be an influence in the entity’s activities. The music will be quieting, especially that of stringed instruments—yet those of the horn, or pipe, or reed, will later be a more active influence in the entity’s experience.

Colors will also find an influence in the entity’s activities, especially those of not too severe, but the violet, ultra-violet, shades of green, of mode [light/drab bluish-gray?], and pink; though the others may make for a rigor oft in the entity, the delicate shades—or those as may be termed the spiritual—will influence the entity. When illness or the like were to come about, soft music and the lighter shades or tones will quiet where medicine would fail.

773-1

In addition to present-life information on colors and the aura, the Cayce material also examines both subjects in the context of reincarnation and past lives. For example, the readings state that previous experiences in the earth could be seen in “. . . feelings towards places, conditions, individuals . . . ,” all containing an energy that was visible in the aura. (2067-1) Cayce also discussed how the influence of color and the desire to use color frequently resided in consciousness as a carryover from previous lifetimes.

As one case in point, a twenty-seven-year-old speaker and designer was told that during a previous lifetime in Egypt she had been in service to one of the temples. Her role there was to assist individuals in understanding their life’s expression and purpose by working with colors and the aura. The reading encouraged her to read everything she could find on the subjects. It also advised her that the best information and knowledge she would have at her disposal would be obtained through working with auras and colors in her present experiences and practice, just as she had once done in the ancient past. In the language of the readings: “For there the entity gained the abilities to make for the harmonizing colors to those extents wherein each individual was and is as yet clothed with its individual color—as ye call aura.” (1436-2)

She was encouraged to expand her work with color in lecturing on the subject, such as she might be able to accomplish on radio, as well as to become involved with the motion picture industry and the use of color in film. She was heartened with the statement that she could bring an understanding of the importance of color to others from both a metaphysical and a practical standpoint. When she asked specifically, “Am I fitted to do some special work in the new science of color?” the answer came:

As we find and as has been indicated, that so far as the commercial field is concerned, associated with the new color for the cinema—these are the fields of activity in which the entity may make the application of the abilities for the means of the world.

As for colors pertaining to life itself—as the self or the entity set in motion, study auras and aid others in knowing what they mean! There are those that interpret same in the form of spiritism. There are those that interpret same in the form of vibration. They are all of these and more, as the entity knows and may experience!

Hence the studies that the entity may make will give, again, again, that leaven that leaveneth the whole, for the use of the masses in their daily experience!

1436-2

During a follow-up reading the woman mentioned that she had become interested in talking about the use of color to enhance beauty and charm and thought that might lead to working with both radio and the motion picture industry. Cayce reassured her that she was going in the right direction. When she asked what specific studies she should undertake regarding color, the reply indicated that studying color was ultimately the study of the self:

First study self! in relationship to the Creative Forces, as has been the direction. Or the study of auras as related to the individual life, the individual expression in others. For this, as has been pointed out, was the greater portion of the physical activity in the material plane for giving out by the entity during the Egyptian period.

Hence this as applied to material things, or as to commercial value within self, becomes the means, the manners, the way through which this may be given out the most.

1436-3

The reading went on to indicate that she needed to continue learning about the human aura, including comprehending how the daily activities of each individual affected the aura. Cayce suggested that realizing the connection among the body, an individual’s activities, and the aura was central to truly understanding the subject: “. . . First learn the basic forces or basic principles of same as related to the bodily forces . . . learn the activity of the etheronic and the vibrations of the body, for these are they that produce color, that produce aura, that produce the activities seen as color.” (1436-3) Once she truly understood auras at this level, she would be led to the next steps in fulfilling her own life’s work.

Although it was never explored in greater detail and no one among Cayce’s contemporaries asked for additional information on the subject, the readings also suggested that—in addition to the impact of colors upon individuals—each city actually possessed a unique vibration and hence a color with which it would be most in harmony. The concept occurred while Edgar Cayce was having a dream in which, while floating above the United States, he perceived himself peering down on various kinds of energies that seemed to be radiating from different areas of the country. He became aware of the fact that each of these energies was associated with different types of vibrations. In his dream, one area or city seemed to be radiating a vibration that was associated with health or healing, for example, while another seemed to be more closely aligned with commerce.⁴ (294-131) Cayce briefly referred to the fact that each city possessed a corresponding color in a reading given to a twenty-nine-year-old woman. While tuning into the time and location of her birth (New York City), the reading stated simply: “. . . And each city has its own color!” (1456-1) He further broadened this concept in a different reading when he stated that even the planets have a corresponding color: “. . . For it is not strange that music, color, vibration are all a part of the planets, just as the planets are a part—and a pattern—of the whole universe . . .” (5755-1)

This interconnectedness between color, music and vibration was mentioned again in a reading given to a twenty-three-year-old musician, who was told in part:

As there is the music of the spheres, there is indeed the music of the growing things in nature. There is then the music of nature itself! There is the music of the growth of the rose, of every plant that bears color, of every one that opens its blossom for the edification, for the sanctification even of the environs thereabout!

949-12

A further exploration of music, vibration, sound, and color (and their healing properties) was discussed in the reading for a forty-one-year-old osteopath, who was apparently drawn to music:

Yet music is a higher realm to the entity. And it may be found in the experience of the entity, as from those activities in the experience before this, that sounds, music and colors may have much to do with creating the proper vibrations about individuals that are mentally unbalanced, physically deficient or ill in body and mind; and may be used as helpful experiences . . .

1334-1

Perhaps one of the topics related to the human aura that is most unique to the Edgar Cayce information is his discussion of the “aurascope.” Although it was mentioned in only four readings given to the same individual (440-3, 440-6, 440-7, and 440-12), the possibilities for this device are quite fascinating. Essentially, the readings described the aurascope as a hand-held machine, a little larger than binoculars, that would make it possible to see the aura around other people. The readings on the aurascope were given to a twenty-three-year-old student and electrical engineer interested in vibrations and energy fields. Since from Cayce’s perspective, the aura is a vibrational energy field that emanates from all living things, the aurascope was basically a tool for measuring and seeing that energy.

According to the Cayce information, this machine would enable individuals with any degree of psychic ability to see another person’s aura and diagnose that individual’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The following is how the readings discussed the theory behind the aurascope device and its ability to perceive vibrations and various colors (suggesting the health, well-being, state of mind, and more):

As suggested, the theory of the mechanical device is to determine not only the aura of individuals but to use same in the diagnoses of disorders in various portions of the body.

As is known, the body in action—or a live body—emanates from same the vibrations to which it as a body is vibrating, both physical and spiritual. Just as there is an aura when a string of a musical instrument is vibrated—the tone is produced by the vibration. In the body the tone is given off rather in the higher vibration, or the color. Hence this is a condition that exists with each physical body . . .

440-6

According to notations on file in the Cayce archives, over the years several individuals followed the instructions that were provided by the readings for creating an aurascope. Several prototypes have been created; however, no fully working model of this particular appliance has ever been produced.

Certainly Edgar Cayce himself was able to describe the aura while in his conscious state. In addition to his own experiences seeing the aura (see Appendix I—Auras), there are numerous examples of what he told individuals about their own auras. One of the best records of his conscious aura perception occurred during one of his Tuesday night Bible classes when he went around the room and described the auras that he saw for each of those present. His secretary, Gladys Davis, made note of all of his commentary. What follows is a selection of some of his descriptions:

To a thirty-six-year-old woman: “You have a great deal of violet, pink and white. The white means purity, always. Yours runs up and down, so you are rather temperamental. Everything to you must be very definite, must be very sure, with a basis that is sound.”

To a twenty-eight-year-old man: “You have a great deal of blue, a great deal of gray—because you easily become discouraged at times. You go very much up and down; you will fly off the handle or fly on the handle just about as easy.”

To a twenty-two-year-old woman: “You have a great deal of rose, and it becomes a very pretty aura. You judge most things by the material results that you get. I don’t mean that you haven’t any spirituality, but there is more of rose in your aura than the other colors. It changes, as rose would—or in coral—the changes sort of dash in and out. You smear it over, and then you streak it white and smear it over; then there’s a streak of blue and you smear it over. That’s the way you work.”

And, to a thirty-six-year-old man: “You have more violet in your aura than anyone in the room. Violet always indicates the seeker, the searcher for something. You have more of [violet] than gray, blue, opal, white or pink. A great deal of pink or coral in an individual’s aura indicates material-mindedness.”

(See Appendix II: Examples of Edgar Cayce’s Waking Aura Descriptions.)

Overall, the readings discussed color and auras as additional tools that could be used for better understanding the self. From Cayce’s perspective, both provide a pictorial representation of an individual’s energy, health, state of mind, thoughts, possibilities, and potentials. The aura contains information related to a person’s talents, weaknesses, karmic lessons, and past lives. In a very real sense it is a barometer of the whole person—a gauge of one’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual state of being. The Edgar Cayce readings declare that we are much more than a physical body and that we are connected to light, energy, color, and vibration. Perhaps the aura is an indicator of the nature of who we really are in ways that we have not yet dared to imagine.

²For a detailed discussion of the endocrine glands and the physiology of meditation, see Meditation and the Mind of Man by Herbert B. Puryear, PhD and Mark A. Thurston, PhD (Virginia Beach, VA: A.R.E. Press, 1983).

³For a detailed exploration of life seals and aura charts, see Soul Signs by Kevin J. Todeschi (Virginia Beach, VA: A.R.E. Press, 2003).

⁴For a discussion of Cayce and vibrations, see Edgar Cayce on Vibrations by Kevin J. Todeschi (Virginia Beach, VA: A.R.E. Press, 2007).