This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 24th day of February, 1933, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [282], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Boyd Davis and L. B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [282], those conditions mental, material and spiritual that confront the body at this time.
2. Ready for questions.
3. (Q) How may the body-mind gain the most spiritually in the next twelve months?
   (A) As the body-mind understands, and as it (the body-mind) has been trained in that to which it applies its mental abilities, there comes the growth or reward of the efforts expended in that direction.
   Hence, as we would find, the study to show self approved unto all good works, rightly dividing the words of truth, will make for a well-balanced, a well-coordinated activity of the body in the mental, in the material, and being directed in such through the spirituality - that should be the impelling force in each one's experience - there comes the natural growth.
4. (Q) What will be the astrological forces affecting the body-mind in the next twelve months?
   (A) These may be judged better by the entity when there is considered what is the influence of those planetary or astrological aspects that influence the activities of an entity, this entity, during the period.
   For, as we have given, while there is an impulse and an impelling influence from astrological sojourns, it is as to what a body does about such that makes the influence become good, detrimental, or what not. For, making the application from the mental or intellectual viewpoint, one may know that two and two make four, and that this is a natural law. But, if one insists - and continues to figure or count - that it is three or five, what is the result in one's experience? One may know that by the continued activity in certain directions there may be the gradual growth of coldness, or this, that or the other relation with individuals; yet persistence in that direction will change, turn, alter, or bring about the results that are the fruits of the seed sown.
   The influences that exist from the astrological viewpoint are the seeds sown. Are they to be cultivated, or are they to be pruned and used as stepping-stones for the better conditions that may come in the experience of the entity?
   Then, study that which has been given as to what such and such planetary influences are in the experience of the entity. What are their activities during the next twelve months?
   As given, these have been outlined, but if the body will apply self mentally in making an application, they mean much more than to be mere rote or laid out by someone.
5. (Q) How can the body-mind best cooperate with these forces?
   (A) That is the same as asking how may anyone apply self intellectually, or apply the will to any truth that is existent in self's experience. Use them!
   Certain influences make for certain impulses. The study along certain lines, certain directions, certain influences, certain good and bad conditions are brought about in the experience. What has the entity set, what does the entity set, as the criterion? What will he do about them? That is the whole activity of life as related to an individual and its experience through any particular sojourn.
6. (Q) How may the body-mind make the greatest material advancement in the next twelve months?
   (A) Just as outlined. This has been given in the beginning here. Study to show self approved unto that, whatever has been set, or whatever may be set, as the ideal. Set the ideal above those things that are man-made, or of carnal influence. Let the fruits of the spirit (which is Life itself) be the ruling influence.
7. (Q) What constructive idea can the body-mind apply in his present work?
   (A) This has also been intimated in that given. Whatever comes under the activities of the body-mind's endeavors, let it be done not in a manner that it will pass, but rather that the very best that is known is done. Then, as new ideas or arrangements are sought in varied experiences, or applications of self in the directions of caring for those departments in which the entity serves, there will be given that which will aid in making that place fill a better way and manner of doing so. By the using, then, of that known, in the constructive manner, the greater forces are given. The same law applies throughout.
8. (Q) What books would be best to study, giving author, title, publisher and year published?
   (A) This depends upon what phase of the experiences the entity would take up. If it is to be the field of material advancements in those things in which the entity or body is developing self, self's abilities, expanding in various fields of activity, then those that pertain to that particular line of endeavor. If it is to be more along spiritual lines, then those that would make for the awakening, or for the abilities of drawing the comparisons with the experiences of self.
   For, for a truth to be valuable, or an asset to an individual, it must be a practical application in the experience of the mental forces or abilities of the body. For it to be merely an abstract truth, or an abstract line of thought, means little. It must be such as may be constructive, concrete, practical, applicable, in the experience of the body.
   Hence, it would be well that the studies be so DIVIDED that the abilities may make comparisons, and experiences may be drawn upon by the various activities of the body itself.
   If there would be the decision as to what particular field or line of thought the body desires to study, then these may be given - to be sure. There must be a choice. The choice must be in self. Self is that which is to be developed. Not as selfishness, but what was the first injunction? Study to show self approved unto God, or unto that the body worships, or unto that the body would put its trust in. For, there must be that answering, "I KNOW in whom I have believed, and know He is able to keep that committed unto Him against any experience that may be mine, now."
   Remember, "If ye will be my people, I will be your God." "Seek God while He may be found, then all these things may be added unto you." They are the fruits of the spirit.
9. (Q) Who can give body the best leadership or counsel for his spiritual development?
   (A) That which may be found in St. John.
10. (Q) Should the body-mind study the teachings of any one or more of the following organizations or groups: Unity, Rosicrucians, Spiritualists, or Indian Yogi's?
    (A) These had best be studied in the light of that which is desired to be attained by the body. For each, to be sure, in their sphere of activity, have some truth; but no finite mind has ALL the truth! For TRUTH is a GROWING thing!
    It would be well that some of ALL be read, that the COMPARISONS may be drawn as to what answers for EVERY need in the experience of self.
    But as may be found in that given, none reaches that - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God."
11. (Q) Would it be best to attempt to sell the house and lot at ... Road this coming year?
    (A) As we find in the present (though, to be sure, changes may come, dependent upon the activities in many a commercial way and manner), there will be an OPPORTUNITY to dispose of same advantageously. Unless this may be done advantageously, to the best interests of self, self's associates, self's dependents, as we find, it would not be well.
12. (Q) What is the aura and its meaning?
    (A) As we have indicated, aura is the emanation, or the influence that is ever present with an animate body, that may change or alter as to that which is the impelling influence of or about same - or from within.
    For the self, as we find, this is in that as may be called the third or fifth stage; that is, the BLUE - or the changes of same, and is that of a SEEKER; indicating the geniality, pleasantness, the abilities to often pour oil upon troubled waters and quietness ensues with the advent of the body- consciousness into associations of most every nature or kind, and these - consequently - are well, and well to be cultivated.
    Aura changes, to be sure, to the TEMPERAMENT. Just as we may see, iron may be heated to hot; it also may be heated to white heat. The vibrations, see?
13. (Q) Give detailed directions for developing the intuitive sense.
    (A) Trust more and more upon that which may be from within. Or, this is a very common - but a very definite - manner to develop:
    On any question that arises, ask the mental self - get the answer, yes or no. Rest on that. Do not act immediately (if you would develop the intuitive influences). Then, in meditation or prayer, when looking within self, ask - is this yes or no? The answer is intuitive development. On the same question, to be sure, see?
14. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to File

BACKGROUND

1. See Life Rdgs. 282-2 and 282-3.
2. 2/12/33 He submitted questions "for information to guide me in my mental, spiritual and material affairs especially during the next twelve months, which is the 28th year of my life."

REPORTS

1. 3/02/33 EC gave 282-5, continuing to answer questions submitted.

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