Lyden Gland

Please note: This information is sourced from Edgar Cayce's written readings and provided here for further research on the Lyden Gland, also known as the Leydig Gland. The Lyden Gland is confirmed to be an important part of the organic glandular functioning in the human body, and as the glands are being activated from dormancy during Kundalini or spiritual activations, the Lyden Gland has correlations to the higher functions of igniting the Christ Mind within the Pineal Gland.

The Lyden Gland, located above the sexual gland, is the starting point of the Soul's activity through the glandular system. It is the door through which the soul may go on to higher planes of consciousness. The corresponding spiritual plane for this spiritual center is the plane of Neptune, the plane of Mysticism.

Lyden Gland or Leydig Gland

• (Q) The leydig gland is the same as that we have called the lyden, and is located in the gonads.
• (A) It is in and above, or the activity passes through the gonads. Lyden is the meaning – or the seal, while Leydig is the name of the individual who indicated this was the activity. You can call it either of these that you want to. (reference: p. 281-53)

This is a very interesting and important excerpt in our understanding of the Leydig gland and is also fascinating from the standpoint of Edgar Cayce’s psychic process. There are two important aspects to the question cited above: (1) The synonymous meaning of Leydig and Lyden; and (2) The location of this gland.

The first question is easy: Yes, both terms (Leydig and Lyden) refer to the same gland. And in fact they are used interchangeably in the readings. When the biological or strictly physiological aspect of the gland is emphasized, it is often called the Leydig, in reference to the man who discovered it and its biological function. When the metaphysical or symbolic aspect of the gland is emphasized, the term “lyden” is typically used to signify the closed or sealed nature of the gland in its normal state. Apparently, in historical times the word lyden meant sealed or shut.

With regard to the location of this gland, it is a bit more complex. The question itself may have contributed to the confusion. Edgar Cayce’s psychic process was affected by many factors, including the consciousness, intent and understanding of the person asking the question. So the wording and assumptions of the question could bias or influence the answer by Cayce. This effect was described in the readings themselves with the insistence that people pay particular attention to how and why they asked questions.

In the above excerpt the questioner has not only assumed that the terms Leydig and Lyden refer to the same gland (a correct assumption), but also that this gland is located in the gonads of the reproductive system (testes in males, ovaries in females). The reply by Cayce appears to try to correct this assumption while also being influenced by it. It seems that the anatomical location of the Leydig gland is above the gonads but its physiological activity is through the gonads. This will require some careful thought and study of other related readings. Let’s begin with the man whose name is associated with the gland.

Franz Von Leydig was a famous and well-respected biologist who discovered the cells of Leydig in 1850 and the Leydig gland in 1892. Let’s be clear: These are two different discoveries of different anatomical and physiological entities. They are not the same, even though some Cayce scholars have interpreted them in that way, as was noted in a previous section.

The cells of Leydig discovered in 1850 by Dr. Leydig are interstitial cells located primarily in the reproductive glands of males and are best known for the production of testosterone, a sex hormone associated with masculinity. Interstitial means that the cells of Leydig are scattered throughout the tissue rather than being grouped together as a unit. So although the cells of Leydig secrete an important hormone (testosterone), properly speaking the cells of Leydig cannot be considered a gland, at least not as we normally define gland.

On the other hand the Leydig gland, discovered in 1892, is a distinct unit of glandular tissue. According to Franz Leydig, the Leydig gland is located in the mesonephros tissue in vertebrates. This places it between the reproductive tract and Kidneys. Its function is unknown. Dr. Leydig thought its role was to stimulate movement of spermatozoa. So while the Leydig Gland is anatomically distinct and separate from the reproductive system, there may be a physiological connection between the Leydig Gland and the reproductive system (at least in males). This is exactly how the Cayce readings described the anatomy and physiology of the Leydig (lyden) gland. It is separate from the reproductive system anatomically (situated above in location) while its physiological activity (presumably via the chemicals it secretes) affects reproductive functioning.

Leydig's discoveries lay dormant for decades, as it was almost 100 years before medical science began serious research on the cells of Leydig in the 1950s. Now there are hundreds of articles on Medline documenting the functions of these cells. It is certainly understandable why Cayce scholars would have noted this large and growing body of research and drew an association with the readings’ use of the Leydig.

In contrast, the Leydig gland has yet to be rediscovered. When Edgar Cayce spoke of the Leydig or lyden gland, he always called it that – a gland. He never called it the “cells of Leydig.” In one particularly explicit instance, he observed that this gland (which is normally about the size of a small pea) had become engorged to the size of a wren's egg. The person was suffering from schizophrenia.

What is the Lyden Gland [Leydig] and where located?

• (A) Lyden [Leydig] meaning sealed; that gland from which gestation takes place when a body is created through coition, or inception, through conception of two bodies meeting in creating a body. Located in and above the gland called genital glands, see? In the male, above the glands corresponding to testes. In the female, that above gland responding to testes in the male. Here in THIS particular case, near the size of a wren's egg. Nominally should be about the size of a small pea. (3997-1)

Here are several key points to consider based on this excerpt:

The Lyden/Leydig is a discreet glandular entity, a ball of glandular tissue that is normally about the size of a small pea but had become swollen to the size of a wren’s egg. This description only makes sense in relation to the Leydig gland and not the scattered, interstitial cells of Leydig.

In the male, the Lyden/Leydig gland is located “above the gland called the genital glands.” In the female, the Lyden/Leydig is “above gland responding to testes in the male.” So in both cases, the Leydig gland is anatomically above the reproductive system. This is consistent with the anatomical location of the Leydig gland as noted by Franz Leydig.

Although anatomically above the reproductive system, the physiological activity of the Leydig affects (or is directed to) the reproductive organs in both males and females. This is also consistent with the physiology of the Leydig Gland as noted by Franz Leydig. So the gland is above, but its activity passes through the reproductive organs.

From Cayce's perspective, pathology of the Leydig gland was sometimes associated with psychiatric and neurological conditions such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive disorder, and epilepsy. Cayce also linked the Leydig gland to psychological and spiritual development and functioning. Hence, opening the sealed or closed door associated with Leydig gland is a powerful and sacred process, that can sometimes result in unpleasant or even pathological (psychiatric/neurological) conditions if the Awakening process is becomes distorted.

Glands and Planetary Correlations

The Kingdom of heaven is within you, said Jesus. Your body is a temple for the Spirit of God. On this earth plane, a person is influenced by their flesh and, in many ways, the influence of the flesh determines a person's level of spiritual development. According to Cayce and the Eastern religions, within your body are seven spiritual centers. Through these spiritual centers, our spiritual force finds a means of expression. Our bodies are like a miniature solar system with our hearts performing the function of the sun, the center of the system. The seven spiritual centers are the seven endocrine glands which are the Pituitary gland (the "third eye"), the Pineal gland, the Thyroid, the Thymus, the Adrenal glands, the Lyden gland, and finally the sexual gland (the testes or ovaries). These glands are known by science to be the emotional and motivational centers of the body. They act especially in responses to the imaginative forces of the mind. For example, when you get angry, the Adrenals secrete. The activity of the sexual glands is directly related to sexual motivation. Science knows that the Pituitary is the master gland of the body. It's secretions have a direct and coordinating effect on all the other glands. According to Cayce and the Eastern religions, each spiritual center is connected to a different plane of spiritual consciousness. The lowest spiritual center, the sexual glands, is influenced by the lowest plane of consciousness. The Pituitary gland is influenced by the highest plane of consciousness. The plane of consciousness one travels to upon death is generally determined by the spiritual center that has the greater influence in a person's life. The following is a chart showing how these spiritual centers and the planes of consciousness go together. It begins with the highest level of consciousnes and ends with the lowest level.

• JUPITER ---- the plane of Strength --- Pituitary gland
• MERCURY - the plane of Mind ------- Pineal gland
• URANUS ---- the plane of Psyche ----- Thyroid gland
• VENUS ------- the plane of Love ------- Thymus gland
• MARS -------- the plane of Anger ------ Adrenal glands
• NEPTUNE --- the plane of Mysticism - Lyden gland
• SATURN ----- the plane of Woes ------- Sex glands

The energy of the sexual glands, used wholly on the sexual level and without control, may bring sexual perversions and unbridled sensuality. If this spiritual center is the most influential in a person's life, at death the spirit may travel to the corresponding spiritual plane of Saturn, the plane of Woes, according to Cayce.

• The Lyden gland, located above the sexual gland, is the starting point of the soul's activity. It is the door through which the soul may go on to higher planes of consciousness. The corresponding spiritual plane for this spiritual center is the plane of Neptune, the plane of Mysticism.
• The Adrenal glands are located above the kidneys. We are actively aware of this center in times of stress, when it pours adrenalin into the blood stream to aid us in fighting or fleeing. The Adrenals are also the storehouse of our emotional karma according to Cayce. From this center comes the negative energy of anger and hatred. If this spiritual center is the most influential spiritual center before death, the spirit may travel to the corresponding plane of Mars, the plane of Anger.
• The Thymus gland is found behind the heart in the solar plexus area of the chest. Since the Thymus is related to the heart it is associated with love. Love opens all doors. At this center, love is awakened, bringing with it consideration, unselfishness, sincerity and honesty. It's corresponding plane is Venus, the plane of Love.
• The Thyroid, located in the throat, is related to will-power. From the misuse of the will for selfish and domineering ends, may come the condition known as hyper-thyroidism. When little effort is made to the will at all, the opposite may occur, an imbalance known as hypo-thyroidism. It is worthy of note that in some cases where there has been a growth on the Thyroid, a degree of clairvoyance or telepathy has developed. The energy released upon the Thyroid opens the door into the psychic realms of consciousness, the plane of Uranus, the plane of the Psyche.
• The Pineal gland is situated a little above the Pituitary and is the "Mind of Christ" center. When this center has been truly awakened, one may experience spiritual holy communion. It is at this center that the mind of the soul meets the Holy Spirit. This center, when stimulated daily through meditation, can bring seership or prophecy. It's corresponding plane of consciousnes is the plane of Mercury, the plane of Mind.
• The Pituitary is the master gland of the body. It is situated between and behind the eyes in the brain, acting as the "third eye" of ancient mysticism. It is through the Pituitary, the highest spiritual center, that ultimate awakening comes. It is through the energy of the Pituitary that one may enter the very presence of God through meditation and prayer. It's corresponding spiritual plane is Jupiter, the plane of Strength.

The Kingdom of heaven is truly within us and our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit. We seek God and His Kingdom by looking within ourselves. Through meditation and prayer, one can unlock the doors to the many dimensions, the many mansions, of God's Kingdom. But the door must first be unlocked here on this earth plane, the plane of the flesh.

See Also:

Endocrine System

Chakra

Confounding Planetary Species Language

Tower of Babel