Edgar Cayce Readings, 274-7

(Body and enquiring mind, in regard to information given in his Life Reading through these sources, upon which he seeks expansion, clarification, and further information, advice and guidance as to how he may make practical application of same in his present life. Questions.)

TEXT

EC: Yes. So many things we find surround this body and its associations. Odors! (In undertone: Can't find the name of this - there's a kind of an ivy; it isn't like the strawberry, yet it is; it isn't just a ground ivy that runs, but an ivy that blooms. The leaf of this the body should study in its associations, for it would make an odor that would be so unusual and effective and worth while, as well as being that which he should use as his omen or have about him often. [274].)
In making an application of information that may be given through these channels, respecting the appearances in the earth under varied environs and the associations in same, it would be well for this body - as for all others where such information has been given, and in such periods where the associations or activities in the present lend themselves in a material or commercial or social or any experience that influences the desires, whether from the material, the mental or the spiritual aspects of same - to study as to how the varied individuals in the varied experiences have been associated, and in the present have something of the kindred ideas and ideals. For, then their association must cross or be united in an effort. And such individuals, where their mental and soul activities have been in accord one with another, may become enwrapped in their ideas, their ideals, for expression. Some, to be sure, are complementary one to another, through certain portions of their activity, and repellent in others - or through other stages or experiences of activity; for there is no change ever in the laws that govern same. Hence human NATURE is ever the same. What has been used by the mental or the physical being of an individual in any experience in the earth becomes in the present activity as the NATURE of that individual. What is an individual's nature? What has been builded in the soul - or that which is everlasting? The body and bodily desire may be changed, as a transition may be seen by plant life, animal life in a material world, under a different environ; it may grow. So may the soul. What is that activating the soul's activity of an individual? That upon which it has fed, that environment in which it has created for or by itself through its application of experiences in the material associations that make for such changes as to its growth from one experience to another.
Hence, in making application, first let the entity take the experiences in the earth and parallel them with the activities of various individuals. And those that awaken within self something of a kindred spirit of thought, spirit of development, then much may be expected in their associations - if they are brought in contact one with another.
It has been given respecting that which is innate and manifested in the experience of this entity, as to what brought the entity into this environ from its land of nativity; and how in this land the development may be in particular environs or directions. Why was the influence of chemical engineering chosen in the experience of the entity? These things may be seen from the periods of development in the various activities in the earth; as well as interest in genealogy and archaeology, a development that comes in the line of the present development of the inner self from the mental experiences in the chemical analyses of various activities - and especially as to the activities in which the entity is engaged that influence the activity of individuals. In this manner:
Does the odor of an orris compound affect every individual alike? Or does the attar of roses or the essence of clover or of honeysuckle or crabapple or the like affect the same way and manner? No. To some it would bring repellent influences; to others it would bring experiences that have been builded in the inner self. Hence it is given to some that they ADORN themselves in body with those things which appeal to them, to make themselves appealing to others, and yet the very things that to THEM are an appealing expression would be abhorrent to others.
Ready for questions.
These all would be of interest to the body, and especially in the study of many of those things that have been outlined.
(Q) Has the time come when you may seek many things that may be given as to associations and places, as suggested in my reading?
(A) As indicated in that just outlined. First parallel these things and those individuals with whom the entity has been associated in varied activities, and then there may be given much; and much will be experienced by self even in the very seeking and paralleling of such experiences.
Oh, how the odors come pressing about! [M. D. said later she saw at this point oblique light from EC's face.]
(Q) Should I undertake right now to prepare for work in the field of archaeology?
(A) This will be of particular interest to the entity; and, as it will be seen by making associations with the varied institutions that make for such an activity, the abilities of the entity in that particular field of activity - that is, in archaeology; the ability of being a real chemical engineer in not only the field of cosmetics but in others - will be found particularly necessary. And, as we find, the associations that we would make would be with the University of Pennsylvania, the institutes in Washington; for they are combined - and, as we find, are to make next February a particular survey in a field of activity that will be of peculiar interest to the body. Of course, if it's accepted as a hobby it may be a hobby later in the experience. But if it is looked upon - and expressed - that the abilities of the entity in such associations and connections may be used in the activities that may be opened or uncovered, you see, then it may be made a life's work. What is the approach? The associations, of course, will make variations as to whether the desire is to do that or not, see?
(Q) What men should I contact?
(A) These channels as we have indicated, you see, have at the present time the greater amount of interest and activity in fields that would be of particular interest to this entity. The Institute in Washington - the National. The Pennsylvania University.
(Q) Into what country will these expeditions be made?
(A) As indicated, those that are of the most interest to the body, and that will have to do - in their excavations - with things in which the body has been trained in the present experience. (Get the idea, and then you will follow it.) The openings, you see; not that you will just uncover an old temple or find a new slab that's got a different joint of some animal upon it, but that in the excavations will be found those things of particular interest as related to influences in the lives of individuals throughout the ages. For, there is no greater influence in a physical body (and this means animal or man; and man, presumptuously at times, is the higher order of same) than the effect of odors upon the olfactory nerves of the body. They have made much of the developments for the body. Look at the difference in your New Englander that smells of earth and certain characters, the ringing of the nose, and those in the other climes where they have smelt hot peppers and swamps. Watch the difference in the characterizations of the individuals, or the temperament of same. Nothing has had much more influence than such in the MATERIAL life.
(Q) When would be a good time to contact such people and to start such work.
(A) First the decision should be made as to whether this is to be a life's work, or just an expedition. Is it to be that upon which the reliability is to be put as to the general outlook, as to the body's duties and obligations that are a portion of the activities in the present? This is to be determined first. But, to be sure, at least six to eight to nine months ahead are those made up that are to be the personnel of such activities. Then it's NOW - whenever the decision is made! Then act!
(Q) Would there be any financial advantage in it; that is, would it be some steady position which would allow me to take care of my family, or would it be more or less as a hobby later in life?
(A) That depends upon whether it is to be approached from that angle or not! Don't make these questions overlap, because many of these here have been answered, you see. It should first be decided within self as to whether or not this is to be made a life's work. How? First, parallel as to what the activities have been in varied individual experiences. That the body looks upon such as being a proof POSITIVE of certain things that have been ideas or tenets in self, and that those who may be in charge may pooh-pooh at such things, doesn't mean a thing save as to how MUCH the body [274] may make of this as an interest in being able to EXPRESS self; that is, to be sure, express self in writing, in notation, in activities, as to what the findings may be. This is a pretty large field of interest! The abilities of the body in certain directions, for certain forms and kinds of classifications, are excellent! How many of those that usually open an egg that's been buried for five to ten million years can, by its analysis, tell you what it's composition is, or what the fowl or animal fed upon that laid it? This body can! Get the idea?
If there were opened a sarcophagus in the form of an activity where the feet of such an animal or man or body were chemically analyzed, as related to the odors and their active influences upon the body itself, would it not be possible to indicate as to what had been the means or activities of such a body during that experience in the earth? and as to what were the principal food values? Such abilities would lend much to many of these. In opening a tomb wherein there had been the form of classifications or activities in a temple service, it would be able to tell whether there had been such sacrifices required as the destruction of animal life or of man, or whether there was used the odors of flowers, trees, buds, or a combination. How valuable would such an one as this body be to many engaged in such work? Not a great many who go into such things see except as a general thing, or rather the superficial portion; while the body - if turning its abilities in this direction - would be more of the analytical, see?
(Q) Any special books you would recommend?
(A) It has been indicated and outlined here as to the type or style of activity; so the reading in the general would be as related to this. The desire of the body or entity would govern as to whether it is to be a superficial interest or the deeper delving into such. If the desire is set in this direction, then the natural arrangements will come about, within the activity of the entity, as to what type of book is to be studied or thought of or considered - and you can MAKE books rather than study books!
(Q) In regard to "mystic-occult influences" mentioned, how can I get them and develop them?
(A) Taken from this angle, much of these will be developed from the research in this direction, you see. If it is to be only as "Well, it's something at some time to be looked forward to," then the mystic and the occult would be reached rather from what had been the associations in such periods with such things, and individuals who during such periods were interested in such things. Combining the activities in the interest in these, the development will be the natural outcome.
(Q) Would you say that my scientific education, particularly developed along physical and chemical lines, is the best for this life experience?
(A) The best, whether it's joined in any one of the fields as indicated would be well in the activities of the body.
(Q) Would you say that my present occupation as chemical engineer in charge of research and production in a perfume and cosmetic concern is a sound one, viewed from the same angle?
(A) A sound one, viewed from the same angle; would be particularly interested in those activities and things as indicated.
(Q) Would you say that my coming to the United States was a good move?
(A) Good move; which has been indicated - as to whys and wherefores.
(Q) Is there any other advice that would be of benefit to me along these lines at present?
(A) There's SO MUCH that may be given! And we would try to find this - we will go back to this - that we may.
There is - from certain characterizations of soil and climatic conditions, as well as other influences - not an ivy, and it is an ivy; its bloom is purple, its leaf is shaped round instead of oblong - as the strawberry, but it's not poisonous - and it should be sought by the body.
While the fleur-de-lis may have been as a pathological [?] symbol, the scientific would be more from the blossom and leaf of this particular flower - as an interest for this body.
Well, we are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

2/16/33 He obtained Life Rdg. 274-1, and on 6/08/33 he obtained Mental-Spiritual Rdg. 274-3.
5/18/33 He submitted further questions on his life and work.

REPORTS

6/13/34 He wrote: "Thank you very much for the interesting readings [Ck. Physical 274-6 and Ck. Life 274-7]." [See subsequent notations under Life Reading 274-1 Reports.]
10/18/76 Copy of this reading sent to [274] upon his request.