This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 29th day of October, 1936, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [303], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [303], Mrs. [413], Miss [307], and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you [303], present here, born Sept. 28, 1886 in Union, N.C. You will continue the information given for this entity in her life reading considering such incarnations as not previously given but which affect her now, also such urges, influences and associations which are being met in the present. You will advise her regarding her mental and spiritual development and answer the questions she will submit regarding past incarnations and associations.
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here, [303], born Sept. 28th.
3. From the records here there is only an experience that has not been given that affects the body in the present; only the one in the present as we find that has not been outlined.
4. That was in a period of the Persian experience when there were those activities of the return of the children of promise to the Promised Land. And those influences or activities that as we find in the present affect the sojourn of the entity are indicated from the applications of the tenets set by the scribe as to the moral, economic and spiritual life.
5. Hence we find the entity then, as Abjahael, was a close associate with Ezra, the scribe, and with those activities there.
6. In the present there may be seen that which is ever the experience of each soul in its sojourn; not what is said or even thought as tenets but what application is there made of that which becomes a part of an entity's experience in the present sojourn.
7. Then in summing, as it were, the experiences of the entity, now called [303], in the light and experience of what has been gained in the inner self, there is much that may be commended; there is little for which to condemn self. And this the entity in its application should become: Less and less self-condemning.
8. Not then as an egotist, not as one that would lord over another, not as one that should CLAIM for self this or that. For as has been given of the Example, He thought it not robbery to be equal with God, yet made Himself of no estate that He might know His brethren. And even in self may the entity find in the trials, in the turmoils in and about self, that even as He - "though He were the Son" - though thou hast set thine house in order, though thou may be upon the way - ye may, as He, learn the greater obedience through the things which ye suffer, mentally, physically; that the SPIRITUAL growth may be to know even as He, "Not my will but Thine, O God, be done in and through me in my daily conversation, in my daily activity with those even that despitefully use me."
9. For the earth and the things thereof are but dross - UNLESS the individual HOLDS to same as being first place in his or her activity. Thus does dross become as poison in the physical, as hindrances in the mental, as hangers-on in the experience.
10. Hence as it hath been given the entity, KNOW that the light is ahead. Look not back upon those influences or forces that have caused this or that in thy mental thought or material experiences. For with thy face set toward the light (and He, thy Brother, thy Lord, thy Savior, IS the light), the shadows fall far behind. Look NOT back. Look NOT upon the shadows but the brightness of the promises that are His. If or when thy friend, thy brother, smites thee, turn thou the other cheek. Know that in so doing thou art not only heaping upon such their OWN condemnation but that thou art fulfilling the promises in Him for "PEACE - !" Not as the world gives peace but as He, thy Lord, thy Brother gives peace. And thou may hear oft, "Be thou faithful over the few things and thou shalt be lord over the many."
11. Keep the ways thou hast chosen, for thou hast overcome much in Him. Be not weary in well-doing, for the strength is in Him and not in thine own self nor even the acts thou may attempt or do. For it is a gift to those that are faithful and it will bind up the bruises that come from slights or slurs. It will make strong thy ability to overcome temptations with love. For love casteth out fear, and in Him is love that passeth understandings. Keep the faith.
12. Ready for questions.
13. (Q) Give such specific information regarding my incarnation in Jamestown which will aid me in understanding my present relation and responsibility in association with my son [361] and my grandson [415].
    (A) In the experience there is much that has been written regarding the manner in which the activities were carried on in that particular experience; and those associations that were made with the natives of the land, and the associations and connections that the individual associates in thine own home had with those groups that were in the capacity as leaders, directors or as active influences in the experience.
    The entity, as has been indicated, made for much of the stirring up of what ye would term animosities between some natives, owing to the social - as ye would call - relationships in the experience.
    Hence in the present we will find that the physical, the moral, the mental, even the religious associations as to the various groups of a different belief, individuals of different groups or those relationships as to class or activities of the nature become as a portion of those experiences through which the entity in the relationships must pass or must meet.
    But as has been given oft in thine experience, as has been given to those of old, train the child in the manner it shall go, in the SPIRITUAL sense, in the moral sense, and when it is old it will not depart from those teachings.
    Hence these activities in the present shall be kept close to same; not by rote and rule but in how that those disturbances, the unruly influences caused or produced, may be met by gentleness, by kindness. For the soft word turneth away wrath, even as grievous words stirreth up anger. But let thy yeas be yea in thine OWN self and thy nays be nay in thine own associations and activities; with PURPOSEFULNESS in all things.
14. (Q) What are the definite urges that come from this period and just how may I turn them toward my spiritual development?
    (A) As has been indicated, and how they may be turned into the way and manner in which there may be builded in the experiences of each those influences and forces that may assist them, may assist self, may give the blessings to others through those activities of each in their respective spheres of action.
15. (Q) What was my name in that period?
    (A) As has been indicated.
16. (Q) What specific urges come from my appearance in England [time of Alfred the Great] and just how may these be directed towards my spiritual development?
    (A) As these in this experience passed through those periods of neglect for a cause, as was outwardly shown, as there were the attempts to lean upon tenets without practical application - as there was the reversal of self in many of its outward activities, to that as was prompted by the religious tenets or tenets of moral and spiritual thought - so in the present make for an application in thine experience of that thou hast gained; little by little, step by step, precept by precept in this experience make of them as living, practical, applied experiences day by day. For as may be given as a tenet, the love of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, as the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But if the application is only as a tenet and not seeing the love, even in that as is unlovely - when others do those things that cause self to feel or to react in a resentment to that which has been taught, manifested, know that resentment rather only heightens thy OWN misunderstanding and only prevents the other from seeing the good way.
    Rather know it is the attempt of individuals to give an expression of what is their individual problem, individual application of that which is directing. To make resentment or to express same is not a practical application of love. And to live it, even through such experiences then, makes self as not only a tenet but a LIVING truth. For that thou wouldst worship is a LIVING God, that may be known, that may be experienced by all.
    Then as in that experience there were those resentments ye are meeting in the present, those experiences as to cult, those experiences as to class, those experiences as to neglect - but ye have overcome many - hold fast to that thou hast gained!
17. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 8/22/29 She obtained Life Rdg. 303-1 and subsequently she sought readings for Physical, Mental and Spiritual advice.

REPORTS

1. See subsequent notations under 303-1 Life Reading Reports.
2. See subsequent Mental-Spiritual Rdgs. in her life and work.

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