This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 20th day of May, 1941, in accordance with request made by the Manager of the Association, Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Hugh Lynn Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. HLC: You will have before you the work of the Association in preparing and presenting a pamphlet on information given through this channel, in life readings and general readings, pertaining to the Essenes' preparation for the coming of Jesus. The writing of this pamphlet is in the hands of Enid S. Smith of 503 West 121st Street, New York, City. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the work, the policies and the purposes of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Incorporated, together with information which has been supplied through this channel - Edgar Cayce; also the work as done on same by Enid S. Smith. [9/17/40 and 3/21/41 See 254-107, Par. 24-A--27-A, and 254-108, Par. 22-A re. advisability of Essene booklet by Enid Smith.]
3. As we find, in the main this has been very well done. There may be made one suggestion as to attempting to make that presented through these sources conform to that which is already a part of the public record.
4. Draw a parallel, rather than attempting to so word or phrase such paragraphs as to conform. One would be rather the introduction to the other.
5. Ready for questions.
6. (Q) Comment fully on just what the purpose, objectives and general tone of this pamphlet should be.
   (A) This should be the tone:
   It is generally conceded by those who are students - in the Christian faith as well as in many other phases of spiritual evolution - that there is the expectancy of a new order, or a fulfilling of or a return to those activities that may bring about the time for that redemption of the world; in a return or in an acknowledgement of that as the basis of the individual instruction or direction. Then, this pamphlet or paper should give to others an insight as to what and how there was the physical, mental and spiritual attitude of that group; as to how those individuals so well acted their part, and yet not becoming known in that presented.
   So, this may enable individuals and groups to so prepare themselves as to be channels through which the more perfect way may be seen.
7. (Q) What is the correct meaning of the term "Essene"?
   (A) Expectancy.
8. (Q) Was the main purpose of the Essenes to raise up people who would be fit channels for the birth of the Messiah who later would be sent out into the world to represent their Brotherhood?
   (A) The individual preparation was the first purpose. The being sent out into the world was secondary. Only a very few held to the idea of the realization in organization, other than that which would come with the Messiah's pronouncements.
9. (Q) Were the Essenes called at various times and places Nazarites, School of the Prophets, Hasidees, Therapeutae, Nazarenes, and were they a branch of the Great White Brotherhood, starting in Egypt and taking as members Gentiles and Jews alike?
   (A) In general, yes. Specifically, not altogether. They were known at times as some of these; or the Nazarites were a branch or a THOUGHT of same, see? Just as in the present one would say that any denomination by name is a branch of the Christian-Protestant faith, see? So were those of the various groups, though their purpose was of the first foundations of the prophets as established, or as understood from the school of prophets, by Elijah; and propagated and studied through the things begun by Samuel. The movement was NOT an Egyptian one, though ADOPTED by those in another period - or an earlier period - and made a part of the whole movement.
   They took Jews and Gentiles alike as members, - yes.
10. (Q) Please describe the associate membership of the women in the Essene brotherhood, telling what privileges and restrictions they had, how they joined the Order, and what their life and work was.
    (A) This was the beginning of the period where women were considered as equals with the men in their activities, in their abilities to formulate, to live, to be, channels.
    They joined by dedication - usually by their parents.
    It was a free will thing all the way thorough, but they were restricted only in the matter of certain foods and certain associations in various periods - which referred to the sex, as well as to the food or drink.
11. (Q) How did Mary and Joseph first come in contact with the Essenes and what was their preparation for the coming of Jesus?
    (A) As indicated, by being dedicated by their parents.
12. (Q) Please describe the process of selection and training of those set aside as holy women such as Mary, Editha [587], and others as a possible mother for the Christ. How were they chosen, were they mated, and what was their life and work while they waited in the Temple?
    (A) They were first dedicated and then there was the choice of the individual through the growths, as to whether they would be merely channels for general services. For, these were chosen for special services at various times; as were the twelve chosen at the time, which may be used as an illustration. Remember, these came down from the periods when the school had begun, you see.
    When there were the activities in which there were to be the cleansings through which bodies were to become channels for the new race, or the new preparation, these then were restricted - of course - as to certain associations, developments in associations, activities and the like. We are speaking here of the twelve women, you see - and all of the women from the very beginning who were dedicated as channels for the new race, see?
    Hence the group we refer to here as the Essenes, which was the outgrowth of the periods of preparations from the teachings by Melchizedek, as propagated by Elijah and Ilisha and Samuel. These were set aside for preserving themselves in direct line of choice for the offering of themselves as channels through which there might come the new or the divine origin, see?
    Their life and work during such periods of preparation were given to alms, good deeds, missionary activities - as would be termed today.
13. (Q) Please tell of the contacts of Thesea [2067], Herod's third wife, with the Essenes, her meeting with one of the Essene Wise Men, and what were the names of the two wives preceding her?
    (A) There was the knowledge of same through the giving of information by one of those in the household who had been so set aside for active service. Through the manner and conduct of life of that individual, and the associations and activities, the entity gained knowledge of that group's activities.
14. (Q) Please describe the Essene wedding, in temple, of Mary and Joseph, giving the form of ceremony and customs at that time.
    (A) This followed very closely the form outlined in Ruth. It was not in any way a supplanting but a cherishing of the sincerity of purpose in the activities of individuals.
    When there was to be the association, or the wedding of Joseph and Mary, - Mary having been chosen as the channel by the activities indicated upon the stair, by the hovering of the angel, the enunciation to Anna and to Judy [1472] and to the rest of those in charge of the preparations at that time, - then there was to be sought out the nearer of kin, though NOT kin in the blood relationships. Thus the lot fell upon Joseph, though he was a much older man compared to the age ordinarily attributed to Mary in the period. Thus there followed the regular ritual in the temple. For, remember, the Jews were not refrained from following their rituals. Those of the other groups, as the Egyptians or the Parthians, were not refrained from following the customs to which they had been trained; which were not carried on in the Jewish temple but rather in the general meeting place of the Essenes as a body-organization.
15. (Q) What parts of the historical material prepared by Enid Smith should be emphasized in the pamphlet on Essenism, and how best can this material be handled in connection with the Essene material from the life readings?
    (A) As indicated. By paralleling.
16. (Q) Are there any other suggestions at this time regarding this pamphlet?
    (A) Make the ceremonies a very beautiful thing, - as may be drawn from how there is the meeting of individuals, and thus the announcing of the privileges of both parents concerning the wedding of those in the Essene group, whether Jew or those of other faiths or other understandings. Make of this a beautiful thing, not as of being "sold."
17. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Hugh Lynn Cayce for Dr. Enid Smith
    Copy to Ass'n File

REPORTS

1. HLC's May 1941 BULLETIN carried excerpts on WORLD AFFAIRS - [3976] series.
2. 6/18/41 Prayer Group had reading 281-56 re. preparation for the June 1941 A.R.E. Congress.
3. GD's memo: The Essenes, A Historical Interpretation by Enid Severy Smith, Ph.D., was printed in a booklet by A.R.E. in 1943 - now out of print. [See copy under Source File Key #254, thirty pages (front and back) including cover title page re 254-109.]
4. 10/58 Searchlight carried L. W. Robinson's ESSENES AND THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS.
5. 11/59 Searchlight article by Rev. Robert S. Slater, Unitarian Minister entitled THE ESSENES AND THE CHRIST CHILD.
6. Booklet JOURNEY TO MT. CARMEL by Wm. A. McGarey & Robert Adriance.

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