This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 25th day of February, 1933, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [284], new Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [284].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis, H. L. and L. B. Cayce. Born July 1, 1894, in Montgomery, Ala.

TEXT

1. EC: We have the entity and those relations with the universe and universal forces, that are latent and manifested in the personalities of the present entity known as [284].
2. In entering in the astrological aspects, we find those influences making for the activities in the latent experiences of the entity (and urges at times) first from the Sun, then Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Uranus.
3. Then, these influences we find in the personality of the entity:
4. One with a retiring demeanor, or manner, when among a group or in masses; yet one showing, exhibiting, manifesting, that personality of a student well versed in many subjects, especially those that deal with the mental proclivities of individuals.
5. Yet the entity, because of the retiring demeanor, does not become one of underhand movements or activities; rather preferring or desiring the light of day on any subject, meeting, manner, or association, whether with groups, individuals, or whatever classification that requires the activity of the mental individual.
6. One that, with the influences in such activities, is pleasing in appearance and in associations; making few friends, yet choosing rather those that self would make as intimate friends or associates.
7. Yet, one that would impress or influence groups and masses, as well as those of the individual class.
8. One who innately makes long speeches to self, that self would like to see self delivering or giving to groups, classes or masses. As would be termed from the purely psychological effect in the activities of the entity, this is as an act that has been trained within self rather than as an innate development.
9. But, as we shall see, the entity is one wherein many variations that come between pure active forces in psychology and psychological effects may be drawn into conclusive evidences from the activities of such an entity.
10. One, then, that has high mental abilities, and higher aspirations.
11. One that makes an agreeable companion, with the innate desire to be a group, class or mass leader, and with the innate desire there is builded or gradually attracted to the entity, by the very thought and mental forces (as the mind is ever the builder), the possibilities and innate abilities to become such an influence.
12. From the Jupiter influence there is the tendency for rather the humanitarian aspect, and the entity is often called tender-hearted, chicken-hearted, or too easy with those the entity holds as close associates.
13. And there is the desire often to be DONE or abused by someone else, rather than abusing friendships, associations, or taking advantage of individuals or conditions.
14. Yet not lacking, as indicated, in business abilities or in commercial associations. However, when it comes to commercial fields, we find that contacting individuals rather than groups would make a better outlet for the body's activities in the present.
15. The influences in Uranus have become more of the benevolent nature, and since October of the past year there has been in the mental fancy, the mental imagination, a gradual growing of interest in conditions, circumstances, influences that arise from the psychic, or from the psychological effects upon human experience. Or that that impels or produces an influence in the activities or affairs of individuals, groups, masses, or even nations.
16. And the study of such conditions or influences has grown to take more of an active force in the affairs of the individual thought. For, as given, where the heart is does the mind (the builder) dwell the more often.
17. Then, in the storehouse of such knowledge may the entity gain that which will not only enable it in the present to find interesting study and worth while activity, but to lend self to that force or opportunity of self-development that will enable the soul forces to be advanced and expanded in influences and abilities of the entity in the present experience.
18. As we find through or from astrological influences, unless the efforts or will forces are exerted in some definite manner to prevent, this would take the greater form or shape early in May of the present year; for then do we have not only the astrological influences in conjunction one with another as to that influence in the birth periods, but the developing periods also as related to Mercury, the Sun, Uranus and Jupiter.
19. As we find, those in Venus are rather of the adverse or cross influences coming in the experience of the entity, causing conditions to arise that make for something of hindrances that are effective in barring the activities, in the studies in some directions.
20. These also, especially during those periods from the 4th to the 28th of May, would be periods when all such conditions would be in a more favorable aspect for the definite changes or decisions as to the entity's activities in such directions.
21. As to the appearances and their influences (as perceptible in the personality or individuality, and the innate influences in the activities of the entity) in the present:
22. The one before this we find the entity was during that period when the first settlers came into the native land of the entity in the present, during those sojourns in the first English settlements that were in the heart of the land.
23. Then the entity was among those who pushed forward into the wilderness and made agreements with those natives as to the activities, such as to make for an indwelling with harmony among the natives of the land.
24. This brought developments for the entity in the activities, for the thought of self was left far behind. The buildings or developments for groups, individuals, masses, and for a nation, were held first and foremost.
25. But with the belittling of the efforts by individuals, there was brought consternation for the entity, and much chagrin, that made for vengeance held in the innate self for such a period as to bring consternation, a slowing up of the activities and a general decline in the soul or spiritual development during that experience, as John N. Fentroy.
26. In the present there is seen those influences as for the distrust of self, when it comes to the abilities of leading or counseling for large groups; yet ever the innate feeling of the desire to be a spokesman, or to speak out, provided self is backed with the facts, the figures, concerning what may be spoken of.
27. Before this we find that the entity was in that land now known as the French, during those periods when there was the establishing of those places along the coasts that made for not only the outlets to other lands but for the places where there was the handling of exchanges, as to the commodities of various lands.
28. The entity then, in the name Parcelli, gained through the experience. And may be said to have been the first, in this particular land or port, to set up the definite ideas of the exchange between peoples of one land and another, that made for an equity in the activities of all parties concerned.
29. Hence we find in the present experience those things that deal with national or international exchanges are of particular interest to the entity; rather, though, as of the passing fancy, or as of knowledge that may be had for the service in exchange of ideas, conversation, or to make for the influences of the activities of self as related to others.
30. Yet developments in this field of activity, either in the capacity of one that would be in diplomatic or consulate service, would bring forward those developments in this particular field of activity of the entity that would be well; provided these fields of association are chosen by the entity. And such would give to the entity one expanse, or one activity, that would be broadening in the abilities to meet groups, masses, as well as individuals; giving that which is ever innate in the entity's fields of vision, a period when there may be the travels for the entity in the present.
31. Before this we find that the entity was in that land now known as the Arabian, during those periods when there were those that were gathering in the hills for the lessons that might be gained from the teacher who had established the city there.
32. The entity then was among those of the Persian land, the northern Persian land, and in the name Esdraus.
33. Throughout the experience the entity gained, for he not only accomplished the feat of living without self but being able to extend to others much of that aid that may be had through the field of activity in bringing about the change of thought in individuals, so as to affect them bodily. Not only as for their influencing to the extent as to heal physical conditions, but bringing about activities that were easily turned at times by others into detrimental influences in individuals' lives.
34. The entity did not take advantage of others, but saw the advantage taken often. Hence in the latter portion of the experience the entity began to doubt self. Hence the entity may be said to have been among the first in that particular experience to use the abilities for raising the vibrations in self for helpfulness, and also to raise them to the extent as to override the will-influence in the activity of other individuals.
35. In the present, then, the study of hypnosis, mesmeric and rote influence, is held askant; yet there are the abilities within self, provided these are basically in that principle gained in self even in that experience - that, when such influences are used for good, it is well - but when they are used for personal gain, bad!
36. Before this we find the entity was in that land now known as the Indian, or East Indian, among those peoples who established much of the associations with those of the various fields of endeavor, in the centers where various characters of learning had gained such a hold as to be noised even by the lesser individuals or peoples, who made little journeys here and there.
37. The entity then, in the name Burmdno, gained and lost, gained and lost. The experience from the material viewpoint was rather a hectic one, yet much of the thought that is held by many peoples in that particular land in the present is easily understood by the entity; especially that as related to the interpreting of names, as to their soundings, and the influence such has upon certain portions of a physical body at the sounding of same. Much as does the sounding of o, a, and i, in accord one with another in the present, influence certain glands in the system, as incantations.
38. Yet these in the present to the entity mean little, save when studied as to the idea of their being constructive rather than controlling self's influence.
39. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain, and how:
40. In two fields there may be advancements. The one, in the study pertaining to faith healing - or the raising of vibrations in individuals through the activity of those forces by the laying on of hands. The other, through the mental and commercial field - that would have to do with either associations in the field of politics, yet in the diplomatic, or in the consulate association (being the better).
41. Then, as to the choice in the present - those influences making for the greater spiritual development lie in those endeavors from the mental and spiritual basis of activity. While these do not offer as high material valuations, the worth to the fellow man and to the associations of self-development will be the better.
42. Ready for questions.
43. (Q) Was the entity ever connected with Dr. Julian Pennington of Birmingham, Ala., and if so in what lives and what capacity?
    (A) We don't find connections.
44. (Q) Is there any connection, either in past lives, or in the present between this entity and Mesmer or Coue?
    (A) In those influences in the Persian or Arabian, with both Mesmer and Coue.
45. (Q) Has this entity been a Doctor or Psychologist in the past?
    (A) Read what's been given! He has been both! or it would be classed both, were it in the present.
46. (Q) What particular lesson has the entity to learn in this life?
    (A) Read what has been given, as to that which is to be overcome. The abilities are there. The functionings, as to the variations in the activities, are those lessons, those conditions to be met or overcome.
47. (Q) Can a definite program be laid out for the development of dormant powers, especially mental healing power?
    (A) The abilities are there; and a definite program may be laid out - but not in association with this type of reading; it should be different or separate, where these may be correlated together.
48. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Mr. [311]
    Copy to File

BACKGROUND

1. 2/24/33 He submitted questions, via his friend, Mr. [311], including these: "Do I have healing power in the degree that I think it should be developed? Have I ever done mental healing in the past? What powers have been developed in the past as well as in this life? Am I ready for a lifetime of service and through what channels can this be best accomplished? Are there any guides or helpers using me as a medium for helping humanity in the present? What are their names? Who is giving this information? Any other advice at this time that will be of help in developing present talents and capacity to serve humanity? What line of business should I follow? [EC did not know, prior to the reading, what his vocation was.] Does my mother [...] attempt to affect or guide me from the spirit world?"

REPORTS

1. 3/13/33 He wrote [on letterhead indicating he was an insurance agent]:
   "To say that I was interested in your work would be putting it mildly. Yes I was tremendously interested however I could not check everything as accurately as I would have liked to. Maybe at some later date this will be possible.
   "You at least hit with uncanny accuracy MY DESIRES as to my vocation. From my earliest recollections it has always been in my mind that I would like to 'fix things'. In fact for six years of my life I handled adjustments, Collections and Claims with a corporation. These years were perhaps the happiest of my life so far as enjoying my work was concerned.
   "Then too I have wanted to serve folks in some capacity and I feel that I have a gift in mental healing. The methods that you describe the third (going back) incarnation are the same methods that I use unconsciously now with this work. You have accurately described my present technique in preforming this work as well as my attitude.
   "It is truly very interesting and I hope that I will receive much benefit from the rdg. that you gave me.
   "With all good wishes for your continued success."
2. 4/02/34 He referred Mrs. [410] for a Life Rdg.
3. 4/10/34 EC's letter to Mr. [440]: "I met a man in ..., Ala. in the ins. business [284], who had a Life Rdg. about a yr. ago. He tells me that the information in that rdg. has been the most valuable he has ever had in his life."
4. 5/10/34 Letter from [311] to EC on A.R.E. Groups: "[284] has possibilities and if his present attitude and influences are changed somewhat he could be a very good worker for the Association. In fact, when I gave him his reading that was the thought I had in mind; if he could be sufficiently interested he could be a group leader in ... and vincity. He has a following now and with the tremendous energy he has it would be a good contact."
5. 5/14/34 Letter from EC to [311]: "I also enjoyed meeting Mr. [284] and having two or three talks with him. Apparently, at the time, he was very enthusiastic. He was the prime motor in getting together the meeting that we had while I was there, but I haven't heard a word from him since I was there. I guess I didn't make as good an impression as I thought I was making. I am going to write him again, for I know there were several there who expressed themselves as being very anxious to have a group, and some of them were rather looking to him as the leader, I know, but I have 'nary' a word."
6. 5/15/34 Miss [630]'s letter to EC: "Talked to Mr. [284] today for about an hour and though he says he is immensely interested in your work, and particularly in you, he doesn't feel that he has time to devote to the Association. He would like to keep in touch with things but not actively. As you know, Mr. [284] is so wrapped up in his Character-Analysis hobby that he can't see anything else. He is a likeable fellow and does good here in ... in his way, but any (don't know what I started to say. Perhaps, it wasn't charitable so I was interrupted by someone coming in and lost my trend of thought.)
   "Mr. [284] is always forming groups of congenial people for discussions of this and that, and is as happy as he can be as their leader. If we could see some way to make him better acquainted with the Association I believe we could win him over completely. He is a high-pressure talker and I enjoy arguing with him for a while, but let me give you an example of how conversations go when with him:
   "Xmas two years ago, brother [311] was at home and I was very much interested in having Mrs. [410], Miss [319], Mr. [476], Mr. [284] and others meet him and let him tell them about you and your work. Everyone was so quiet, and in such very receptive moods, that it was absolutely pitiful to see them talk for five minutes and have Mr. [284] uproariously change the subject to something that interested him more. Now perhaps that wouldn't happen in a Group meeting, however, in my estimation that was a group meeting, that I had gathered together. So what? Is he the man to keep trying to interest in forming a Study Group, or am I barking up the wrong tree?"
7. 5/28/34 EC's letter to Mr. [311]: "There's been considerable talk about a group in ... I've never been able to get much of a rise out of Mr. [284], however. While I'm sure he would be an excellent person to lead such a group, he is so tied up in his own ideas that I doubt very much as to whether he would be able to stick to the lessons if he were trying to teach them. He might be an excellent one to assist in special meetings from time to time, but I have come to the conclusion he is not the one to head the group."
8. 11/30/47 Mr. [779]'s letter to HLC: "Mr. [284] is well known in ... and is a very good speaker. He took a leading part in arranging for the lecture room at The ... the night of Edgar Cayce's lecture while at my home."

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