This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds' home on Pennsylvania Ave., Norfolk, Va., this 6th day of January, 1935, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne, Florence & Edith Edmonds, Frances Y. Morrow, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey, Helen Ellington and Ruth LeNoir.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present here, and their desire as individuals to continue work on the lessons in fulfilling the purpose of the group as a unit. To each individual heart has been left the decision to make a new and earnest effort to apply the lessons already given to others. As we stumble at times, blinded by selfishness, ignorance, doubt and fear, we can only turn to the promises of our Christ that He will guide and direct if we will seek His face. In the name of Jesus, the Christ, we seek the light that will guide us along the path He would have us go.
2. EC: We have the members of the group as gathered here, and their work, and the various decisions that have been made by the individuals respecting the information that may be given as a basis for the preparation of lessons.
3. In the approach, then, may they each hear in their own language and apply that which has been given others in their own lives to such measures that it, THEIR work, may bring that as the loving Father has destined that such labors, such efforts, may bring to the experience of each soul.
4. Then, in the approach to the lesson that has been assigned or given, let's first approach in the manner which has been indicated; that a cycle has been reached, a turn has come - in informative information, or that which will be found by many to be at variance to much that has been presented by men, or man, here and there.
5. First, then, to define Destiny - that is in accord with truth: Destiny is of the next three lessons that would be given through here. Then, Destiny is of what? MIND, BODY, SOUL. The next three lessons. Mind, body, soul.
6. Destiny is, then, a law - an immutable law, that is as lasting as that which brought all into being that is manifested in all the varied spheres of materialization, or manifestation; and that of which man has seen the signs here, there, written in those experiences of the travelers along the varied spheres of experience. Man in the interpretation of those signs has often mistaken the sign for the law.
7. Hence to those that hold to this or that theory, then, this group would present - in reference to the destiny of mind, of body, of soul - that which may become as a light to many who have stumbled upon those signs in their activities, in their efforts here and there. [See 262-77, Par. 23-A.]
8. Then, in giving that from which and upon which ye as individuals have applied and may apply as a group in giving an aid to others, in making their paths straight, look ye to the LAW that is destiny - destined - in the Word of Him. For He gave that though the heavens and the earth pass away, His Word shall NOT pass away. What is the gospel? What IS the truth? What is the judgment? What is the law?
9. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he"? ye ask. "As ye do it unto the least of these, my little ones, ye do it unto me"? another asks. "As ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them" says another.
10. What gave He as the last command? "A new commandment I give unto you, Love one another." What is thy lesson on Love? How many live same in their daily experience?
11. But ye ask again, What of Destiny? He hath not willed that any soul should perish but that EVERY soul shall know the will of God to DO it!
12. Then, ye wonder - can such be possible in threescore and ten years in the earth? Also ye wonder - doth the time of birth, the place of the environment, make or have a part in destiny? Do the days or the years, or the numbers, all have their part? Yea, more than that! Yet, as has been given, all these are but signs along the way; they are but omens; they are but the marks that have indicated - for, as given, He has set His mark, and these are SIGNS, not the destinies! For the destiny of the mind, of the body, of the soul, is with Him. For naught that man may do maketh for the righteousness, but the mercy of the Father as exemplified in the Son makes for the destinies of that trinity of the mind, the body, the soul, in its effort, in its endeavor, in any environ, in any experience, to mark the way; yea, even so clearly that there may not be longer the stumbling, the wandering - for the day of the Lord draweth nigh for many. While ye wander, search thine own heart and KNOW as of old that faith is counted as righteousness to those that love the Lord. Those of ye study that ye show yourselves approved unto Him that giveth life; that would direct the mind, that manifests in the body, that would have thy soul as a COMPANION with Him - thy elder brother! Who hath OPENED the gates of heaven, who hath closed - to you that manifest love - the gates of hell! For He hath given. And he that confesseth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, hath LIFE eternal - and the gates of hell shall NOT prevail against him!
13. What, then, is thy Destiny? It is made in that thou pervertest not that thou KNOWEST to do in thine heart respecting thy fellow man! For ye look to Him who is the author and the finisher of faith. He IS Faith, AND Truth, AND Light - AND in no other is there comeliness at all. For He is the rock of salvation; the bright, the morning star; the rose of Sharon; the WONDERFUL counsellor. In Him IS thy Destiny. Turn ye not away from Him. [GD's note: Again warning not to accept Halaliel or any other.]
14. As to those things that are marks, signs, omens along the way - UNDERSTAND them for what they ARE! Put NOT thy trust in THEM! For He has given (and remember He gave, "Heavens and the earth may pass, but my Word shall not!"); he that seeks shall find; he that knocketh, to HIM shall be opened. For He hath spoken, and His word is; that "Though ye wander far afield, though ye become beset by the doubts and the fears, though ye even turn thy back upon ME, if ye will remember the promises and TURN, I WILL HEAR - SPEEDILY - and will forgive thy trespasses, even as YOU forgive those that trespass against you."
15. Let love be without dissimulation. Look not upon that which may bring only joy to thee, yet even peace to thee; for He is thy light and thy guide. Put rather thy life, thy EXPERIENCES, thy associations, even thine own self, into His keeping; knowing He is able to keep that thou hast committed unto Him - and may save thee, for He alone hath the words of life. And no matter what ye make or mark, or mar, He is STILL with thee, ready to harken when ye call.
16. Let thine heart be raised, then, in praise that thou hast NAMED the Name above every other name; for He alone can save - and He alone can FORGIVE - He alone can answer prayer; to the same measure that THOU, IN thine own experience, ANSWERETH the prayer of thy fellow man.
17. Ready for questions.
18. (Q) [303]: Please give me a message that will help me?
    (A) It HAS been given, but - in thine heart - let not your heart be troubled, and be not afraid. Fear rather him who may destroy thy soul, thine mind. Keep the faith. Look only upon that which brings peace, harmony, joy, in the lives of those that thou may serve from day to day. Think not upon those fearful things about thine self, for HE (in faith) will care for these. "As ye do it unto these, ye do it unto me." Art thou, then, mindful of what the Master would say, as He would walk with thee? Listen to the voice within; for He is nearer even than thine own body!
19. (Q) [307]: Please give me a message of help at this time.
    (A) Thou hast had it, but - Know, let the love of God and not of man constrain thee at ALL times. LOVE the Lord, eschew evil. Think not of the glories other than that thou may create in the hearts and minds and bodies of thy fellow man. For thus may thine own soul learn the lessons that thou hast given.
20. (Q) [560]: May the dream I had this morning -
    (A) No dreams. Rather, this: Glory and peace and honor is thine, in that thou - as He has given - looketh on those things that bestir the soul to activity towards thy fellow man. Let not the things of the earth disturb thee. Let not that which would make thee afraid come NIGH UNTO thee! For HE IS thy guide, thy guard, and will defend thee against all that would make thee fearful.
21. (Q) [295]: Please give me a message on "Destiny" and tell me if I have made the correct decisions? [See notation on 262-75, Par. R3.]
    (A) Let HIM be thy decisions. For thy destiny is in HIM. Let HIS hand, his love, his strength, GUIDE thee day by day. Thine own heart, thine own mind, will direct thee as to thy choice, as it is made in accord with - AND DIRECTED BY - Him.
22. (Q) In accepting the teacher [Halaliel] or help promised, is there any reason to believe we shall not receive the highest and be guided by the Spirit of Truth as manifested through the Christ?
    (A) It has been given.
23. (Q) Is this an opportunity for expanding spiritually, the acceptance of the help promised?
    (A) An opportunity for experiencing the presence of the Christ in thine own life is EVER before thee. An opportunity rather that ye guide thyself first, then counsel others; but he that would IMPEL shall indeed be impelled!
24. (Q) [993]: Please give me a personal message.
    (A) Given. Ye that love the Lord know He is nigh unto thee, even in the pulsation of thine own heart that is the life flow of thine own body. Let each heartbeat, then, be as a greater love for thy fellow man. Let the glory of the Father be thine watchword, that He may use thee as He seeth fit; NOT as thou wouldst go but rather: "Let Thou me know, though the day may grow dark and the night stormy yet in Thee, O Lord, I put my trust. Thou ART the haven of rest. Thou art the good shepherd. Thou hast the words of life. Thou art the living water. Let me drink deep, then, that my life, my body, my soul, may SHINE as a light for those along the pathway."
25. (Q) [585]: Is there a message for me?
    (A) Keep the faith that there may be more and more awareness in thine daily life; not disregards to those things that are not understood. Take TIME to be patient with those that are in wonderment, yet harken to the voice that calls from within that ye make thine own paths straight that He may come and abide with thee. Know ONLY true light may shine down the STRAIGHT path.
26. (Q) [341]: Is there a message for me?
    (A) Given. But: Know the truth and the truth shall make you free IN the Lord; for he that is the law is no longer subject to the law; for being the law he hath put away fear, doubt, and those things that would hinder or make afraid. The Lord is in His holy temple; yea, in the temple where He has promised to meet thee - if ye will enter in and sup with Him.
27. (Q) [413]: Is there a message for me?
    (A) Given; but know, he that endureth unto the end shall wear the crown of life; he that letteth little hindrances become stumblingblocks is not worthy of those things that are glories in His name - yet He heareth, ever. ABIDE ye in Him. Let the GLORY of thy love guide thee; for righteous is he that believeth and doeth as he believes.
28. (Q) [379]: Is there a message for me?
    (A) As the Father hath loved Him, as His love hast guided thee, let THAT be the love ye show to thy fellow man. Let grace, mercy and peace be with those that ye bless; for many are blessed by thy very presence when ye call on the Lord.
29. (Q) [294]:
    (A) Given; but know the promises that He has given in Him are ever nigh unto thee, and in and through thee; if ye will keep thy paths straight, many may be blessed.
30. (Q) [288]:
    (A) Given. Glory in the SON and His promises, as He gave "Ask in my name, believing, and ye SHALL receive." Let the love of GOD, not of self, constrain thee ever.
31. (Q) [538]: May I have a message that will help me?
    (A) As thou hast chosen in thine heart so be it unto thee. For the power, the glory of the Son that He sheds upon the sons and daughters of men is as He gave: "I, not of myself but the Father that worketh IN me, so I in you and you in me and I in the Father, may bring that peace, harmony, joy, that maketh for those activities in EVERY experience that become the light to others."
    TO ALL:
    Let thy love for one another, thy love for truth for Truth's sake, in Him, GUIDE you - ever. His peace, His mercy, His glory, overshadow you day by day!
    Study that ye may give as He gives unto you; not of yourselves but as thy Master, thy brother, giveth thee, through the measure that ye mete unto thy fellow man.
32. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. Subject of 262-75 - "Study Group #1."
2. 1/03/35 Meeting was held to discuss decision as to procedure; differences of attitude yet friendliness expressed. Some still felt we would follow Christ and Halaliel, too. Some background of 262-71 through 262-74.

REPORTS

1. 1/06/35: GD's memo: EC had a repast as usual prepared by hostess; business meeting followed to plan open meeting 1/15th. More harmony and oneness of purpose than in many months.
2. See 254-81, Par. 20-A, 21-A, 1/12/35, re how a group organizer should work.
3. 2/35 [295] withdrew from the group when she moved away. 262-75, Par. 21-A, 22-A, 23-A seemed to be a definite point of decision for her. She was present for 262-76 and 262-77 but her questions in the group readings ended with the above answers.
4. See also 12/06/75 HLC's memo as 262-56, Par. R3 in re Halaliel.

Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation