This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th Street & Ocean, Virginia Beach, Va., this 14th day of July, 1931, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [279].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Messrs. [279], [943], [257] and L. B. Cayce. Born January 17, 1900, in Philadelphia, Penna.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the entity, [279], as now known, and those relations with the universe and universal forces, as are latent and manifested in the personality of the present entity.
2. In entering in the present experience, we find the entity under those influences astrologically of Aries, Uranus, Neptune, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury. In the aspects as the astrological influences have had, and do have, here we find such that without the application of the will in the present the entity may be ruled by an astrological influence and become, as it were, the slave to circumstances or to environs, and WITH the application of will's influence USE same as stepping-stones for a greater development in the present experience than has been enjoyed in any previous experience.
3. In this influence, then, would be well to understand that as to the astrological influences and how WILL acts in the domination of circumstance or influences in the mental and in the physical life.
4. In Aries and Uranus makes for those of tendencies of being easily influenced by suggestion, yet often termed by associates as very hardheaded and set in ways.
5. In the application of will, as we shall see from influences in the past and that make for urges in the present, those conditions may be met by the knowledge or the use OF circumstances to build mentally, morally, physically, spiritually, socially, financially or in ANY direction as may be chosen by the entity.
6. As in Neptune, with Uranus and Aries influence, will make for those influences that waters, and those of mystic forces, or occult influences, will ever have (as in suggestion) an INFLUENCE in the experience of the body. Allowing self to become subject to, rather than dominating the influences or suggestion, would make the entity a subject of, rather than being able to subject that as is not useful and using that which may be dominated, or to DOMINATE that which is harmful in the experience of the entity.
7. In Jupiter, as in other influences, brings those of vast and varied experiences in the entity's sojourns, or those fields of large endeavors in WHATEVER field, WHATEVER association, WHATEVER connection the entity may have with material, spiritual, physical or social; but beware of political.
8. In these experiences the entity DOMINATING, or using self as a channel, and rejecting, and accepting that which will build for the entity; knowing the weaknesses, not shunning them, OVERCOME them, meet them fairly, squarely, and surmount difficulties that present themselves mostly as bugaboos (may be termed); or the greater troubles that will ever be experienced by the entity in this sojourn, if the will may be dominant, will be imaginary ones; for as in Jupiter, so in Venus will the love influence as a leaven throughout the experiences of the entity be that as a saving grace TO the entity; for whether there be those elements of a mental, of a physical, of a spiritual nature, with the love that the entity sheds, HAS shed, MAY shed abroad to others, there may be the RETURN even as bread cast upon waters returns after many days, and with same may it be said of the entity as of old, the faithful, the loving kindnesses, will be such, HAVE been such, that though thy days may be full of troublesome times, troublesome periods, never have, never will, the hands be empty, nor thy seed beg bread.
9. In that as has been BUILDED in the present experience of the entity in this relationship, as to those influences, those urges, there have come periods when discouragements and those things of secular nature have made doubts and fears arise in the experiences of the entity. The doubt has mostly been of self, rather than of thine neighbor, of thine brother, of thine stranger. These come from that urge as is seen in those influences, that when doubts arise, if the entity will look UPON those troublesome times of a NEIGHBOR, rather than upon self, STRENGTH comes from such vision. Never pity self, nor censure self. Rather be STRONG in the weakness of those that give strength. Rather give courage to the disheartened, and STRENGTH comes from that as has been builded by the entity. Be not OVERCOME of evil, but OVERCOME evil with GOOD, with deeds of kindness, a cheery word, a smile, a slap on the shoulder. An encouraging word to the faltering gives strength not only to him who falters but aids SELF the more.
10. In those of the personality, rather the individuality shines through in that of the personality of THIS entity, ESPECIALLY; for the foundation being set in those things that have made for the continuity of truth, of light, of purpose high, these give that which makes for a DOMINATING personality that MAY become a curse if abused, but BLESSINGS to many and to self when used aright.
11. As to the appearances and the effect as these have upon the present experience of the entity:
12. In the one, then, before this we find in that period, in that land that these people came to as an escape from punishments of religious beliefs. In the land, in the country, in the state of this entrance, did the entity come, with those that FOUNDED the city, and in those treaties as were made with the natives of the land the entity then acting in the capacity of the first town clerk, as would be termed in the present, or the registrar of those that were aided, or as divisions of lands were made. In this period the entity gained and lost, for the entity being one of those STRONG of mind, determined and set in ways, often acted on the impulse as vengeance, rather than as serving an ideal; yet in the land that the entity came to, in the service as rendered to the weak, in the service as given to the many in the period, did the entity gain. Hence in the present is seeing the details in any direction as pertains to the upkeep of, or as to that necessary for the developing of any proposition at a glance. Rather as the director IN, in the present, than DOING, or BEING the detail keeper himself. This the entity may turn in the present as to being worth while. Being as the innate influence IS to be conscientious, and one desiring that the proper consideration and judgement be in the proper place, do not ABUSE the abilities but USE same in this direction. This also brings, (as in that period) much money passing through the entity's hands that is of service to others. Others' money, as well as self's, passes through the entity's keeping, the entity's direction. These also may be used well, or may be abused in the present experience. In the name Eldred, and an ASSOCIATE - to be sure - of Penn [William Penn, Philadelphia], and the records may yet be seen in some places of the entity in THAT experience.
13. In the one before this we find in those days when those peoples in the promised land gathered about to hear the new teacher, the new minister. The entity then was a keeper of custom under the Roman rule, and a brother of Levi, or Matthew [GD: Now [417], [279]'s friend. SEE MARK 2:14; LUKE 5:27, 29, SAYING LEVI FOR MATTHEW.] in this experience; rejecting much that was accepted by the older brother, yet coming under the influence that brought TO the entity a development in that of being gentle in nature, as well as masculine in body and mind, KIND, affectionate, kind-hearted, tender-hearted, true, pure in mind - THIS brought development, even under stress, to this entity, Judah.
14. In the present there is that innate awe of any religious service, of any cult. Any purport of a service brings awe and a respect of the one so serving, unless there is seen that same is a sham - THEN abhorrence comes to the entity. Then, as an innate experience in the present, the entity may be trusted as to word given, often to its own UNDOING, if governed or judged by the material-MINDED body, but remain true to that though the heavens fall! for being true to self brings that satisfaction that does not breed contempt, nor does it bring dishonor or shame.
15. In the one then before this, we find in that land now known as the Arabian land, and during that period when there was being builded [a city] in the land about the caves that are now known as the town of Shushtar. The entity then came as an emissary from what is now known as the Grecian land, coming as one that would bring to these peoples that of the care of the PHYSICAL body, being sought by those [helpers] of the leader [Uhjltd] as a teacher for those that WOULD know the control of the physical body. In this experience the entity gained and lost. Gained through the lessons as were taught by the leader Uhjltd, losing in the aggrandizing of selfish interests when the passing of the leader left confusion for the time. From this experience, as Philas, the entity gains those of the influences in the athletic forces, or tendencies of physical prowess, of physical abilities in the various sports, games, of either those for defense or offense, or for sports - these have the appeal to the entity, yet are easily set aside for the more PRESSING matters of the hour.
16. In the one then before this, we find in that land known as the Egyptian land, during those periods when there were those divisions in the land, and there were those expulsions of the priest [Ra-Ta] and of those that gave those understandings to the peoples. The entity then was the SON of the priest who was in exile, returning to become a power in the developing of those influences that gave to the world, as well as to the land, the highest point of the civilization IN that period, or for ANY period as yet. The entity then, at the height or the power of that experience, stood in the place as of the Council, and as the ruler of that land; not as the king, but as the counsellor TO the king, and as the priest that took those influences of that BUILDED and added the dispersing OF that as had been gained. Gaining throughout the experience, for under the guidance of the sire the entity in that land became as the one upon whom that priest leaned, and upon whom the WORLD at large depended upon for the dispersing of that through those associations, those connections, that the entity - in the name Amarat, gave TO the peoples at that period.
17. In the present, that of the stability of purpose, of the ideals innate in the entity. Hark to THAT experience; for whether the entity chooses in a field of that of the mental, of the spiritual, of the social, of the financial, when the entity looks from within, sets before self an ideal, forgets SELF as only the one that may do the biddings of the higher forces, the ENTITY excels.
18. As to the abilities of the entity, these being many - may be hedged only by self, for in whatever field the entity may choose (other than political) may the entity rise to that as may be DESIRED BY the entity, leaning upon those truths gained, those lessons put into execution by self, by and through others in the experience as Amarat, may the entity call on the powers that be in earth, that be in the inter-between and in heaven itself, for the fulfillment of that desire, if kept in accord with the Creative Forces that are within the Fire, the Water, the Air, the Earth. For, as high as the heavens, as low as the depths may that force be. As one WIELDING [yielding] to those influences AS the entity had upon the shaping of the earth's influence IN that of Galilee, that about the mound city, so may same be in the present. Keep those things inviolate. Know that first there comes, as was given of old, that admonition to - present thine body a holy, acceptable sacrifice; for thine own body being the temple of the living God, this is only a reasonable service. Ready for questions.
19. (Q) Do our life readings change from time to time, necessitating bringing them up to date yearly?
    (A) As application is made of those influences as exist, with that knowledge as is gained, as is builded or NEGLECTED, these may aid. Only in this direction do they change.
20. (Q) Will the body remain in the employ of the Hotel [..., N.Y.] for a period longer than one year?
    (A) Five.
21. (Q) In directing the activities of the ... Hotel, what duties should the body delegate to Harry Kurzrok?
    (A) Those as have been outlined in the understandings between the two. Do not let same go beyond self's supervision, even then.
22. (Q) Can Harry Kurzrok be a good influence with this body in running this hotel?
    (A) Rather may this body be a good influence to Harry Kurzrok!
23. (Q) Will the Forces make any specific suggestions regarding this body's activities upon taking charge of the ... Hotel?
    (A) As the body has directed in many channels through the ages, as are termed in man's parlance, to those periods when they have been for that which has builded for a continuity of thought, life experiences made worth while, so apply these as a managerial position in such associations with peoples, in all walks of life, in all positions, from those of the scrubwoman to those that rule in high places; then let that as is shown from within self be such that, as it is seen by those contacted, it is of a CONSTRUCTIVE - constructive - nature - THEN may the entity expect, then may the entity ask, then may the entity demand, that the powers, the forces that be, give that strength, power, vision, understanding, to make a life, a body, a position, a place, worth while.
24. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to File
    Copy to [257]

BACKGROUND

1. See previous health readings for neurasthenia, which also answered questions regarding his mental and material affairs.
2. 7/20/31 His letter submitting questions for 279-3: "Do you think it advisable for me to have a Life Rdg.? I'd like to get one, but feel sort of 'afraid' of it, if you know what I mean. However, if you think it's alright for me - set a date and let me know."

REPORTS

1. 7/16/31 He obtained Ck. Physical 279-5, answering also his business questions.
2. 7/18/31 Friend [417]'s letter to EC: "I have just been informed of the finding of my brother Judah in Palestine and your son Amarat in Egypt [now [279]].
   "The feeling from the start between you both seems more than just a meeting, and the reading has cleared that up now."
3. See subsequent readings answering questions on his mental and material affairs.
4. 12/08/31 He wrote that he had resigned from his position as hotel manager and was thinking of selling chemical products. [See 279-12.]
   "If your Life Rdg. on me is to be held true, you will recall that you said, 'Though the times may be troublesome, and obstacles beset you, never will thy hands be empty or thy seed beg bread!' Truly, I have never been in such dire straits in my life, and I really don't know what to do. My last rdg. [279-11] said I was to get some flattering offers in the spring. I must do something between now and then."
5. 11/30/32 He wrote about catastrophe financially to his father and brothers in the hotel business in [..., N.J.]. See details under 279-5 Reports. Then:
   "I do not mean to allow this thing to beat me, Edgar. I really believe it will only make me work just so much harder and fiercely to be able to help the others, and I am just beginning to fight. I refuse to be licked, and am ashamed of myself when I think of how I used to humor myself in the past, with what were petty circumstances compared to these. I KNOW I have the ability, and will not let the extent of this great calamity put me down. With the Lord willing, we'll all pull through, I'm certain.
   "I really am amazed, Edgar, that no feeling of demoralization has struck me with the whole affair. The family in [..., N.J.] HAS been demoralized, unquestionably. And I just think that my getting out of there when I did, and having my experience at the [... Hotel in N.Y.], and then getting into this business, was all the good Lord's doing. I, at least, am earning my living expenses. I am well on the way to better things, I hope, and if worst comes to worst, I can always feed an extra few mouths at my table. So, I find myself for the first time in my life thanking the Lord for my blessings under these conditions, rather than helplessly sitting back and bemoaning my ill luck. Now, you know, Edgar, there's a reason for all this. I merely pray for good health to continue my work, and I am certain that your prediction through the Forces 'never will thy hands be empty, nor thy seed beg bread' is true, that - though times may be troublous and misfortunes beset me - we will work out our salvation, I am positive.
   "I find myself wondering, Edgar, about it all. The calm with which I am now facing this thing. Oh, I'll admit, when I first heard about it Monday, it threw me for a loss. But, I feel that I have already snapped out of it and am planning for better things. I feel somehow that you are greatly responsible for my being able to look this thing squarely in the face and fight it, rather than shrinking from it in horror."
6. 12/08/32 See EC's reply under 279-16 Reports.
7. 2/13/32 He requested Ck. Physical 279-17, saying:
   "This last year or two has been quite a new experience to me. I presume to countless others, too. But, it's quite difficult to accustom oneself to new standards of living and existence when the horn of plenty has been the only standard known."
8. 7/15/33 He obtained Ck. Physical 279-18 and Business Rdg. 279-19.
9. 10/31/33 See 254-70, Par. 15-A personal message.
10. See subsequent notations under 279-19 and 279-20 Reports.
11. 6/19/36 "I don't know of anything I could enjoy more, Edgar, than a couple of trips over to Ocean View and trying our luck at fishing. It seems that I'm not destined to take 'vacations' of that type just yet. I sometimes wonder if I'll live through it all - and enjoy some of the 'luxuries' I was brought up on."
12. 2/24/41 Letter [see under 279-19 Reports] indicated he had become an executive in a washing machine company.
13. 1/24/47 His sec'ty wrote HLC: "Mr. [279] is in Miami Beach, and will not return to N.Y. until sometime in March. Therefore, he will be unable to attend the Edgar Cayce Foundation meeting on Feb. 1st, and expressed his regret when I informed him of it over the telephone this afternoon. Mr. [279] sends his regards, and will get in touch with you upon his return."
14. 6/23/50 GD's note: Mr. [257], attending A.R.E. Congress, told me that Mr. [279] died early this summer - he thinks last month.

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