This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 5th day of October, 1933, in accordance with request made by his grandmother, Mrs. [303], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [303], Miss [307], Mrs. [413], Mildred Davis, L. B. and Hugh Lynn Cayce; also a visitor (Mrs. Edwards). Born November 2, 1929, at Mt. Sinai Hospital, now known as Memorial Hospital, Norfolk, Va.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, 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 [415].
2. In entering the present experience, from the astrological viewpoint little other than impulses are yet manifested in the personality; yet it will be seen that much will be developed from the sojourn of the entity or soul through the spheres of activity in this particular environ.
3. As to the astrological, then, irrespective of the activities other than impulse, we find Mercury and Saturn as a ruling influence, with Jupiter and Venus as benevolent influences, with Mercury and Mars ruling later in the experience in the present sojourn.
4. Hence we will find, with the development of the mental attributes of the body in the present experience, one of unusual personality, unusual individuality at times, with a high mental capacity; and the starting of many activities that will necessarily need directing, especially through the formative and changing years of the personality in the material sense of the entity.
5. Hence, through the 12th, 13th and 15th [See 415-11] years of experience the activities of the body mentally will need to be directed and kept in those influences wherein the later experience may be ruled through the influences of Mercury rather than Mars, in the application of the mental abilities of the entity in the present experience. For, with those influences in Mars - and in the Mercurian with those from Saturn having made the changes in the experience and application of the entity as related to the mental abilities, as related to Venus and Jupiter, will make for a hard experience for those that are in the care and keeping, unless directed properly. For, madness or temper, or hardheadness, unless guided in the correct manner through the formative years, and through those experiences that make for the setting of the entity in its activity in the present experience, will make for a detriment to the better development.
6. The Venus influence also, we find, makes for a temperament that may be easily influenced by love's experience, whether from the spiritual aspect or from the purely material or carnal influences. Hence the more reason why there should be those precautions in the direction of the entity's abilities from the mental aspects of the body in the present experience.
7. As to the directions indicated for the profession, we find that the training of the body should be either toward law, religious thought or ministering, in lecturing, or the like.
8. As to those influences that make for the activities in the entity's experience through the present sojourn, from the activities in the earth, we find these:
9. Before this the entity was in that period, in and about the present land of nativity, when there were the first settlings in the land.
10. The entity then was that one who came to the land, termed or called (though, as may be seen from history, it was not his name) John Smith.
11. In the activities the entity through the experience gained and lost, though often counted among those that acted in a very peculiar capacity. Yet the entity was among those that aided, yet in favor with those in power; and the entity had the abilities of being able to direct through those experiences so as to bring for the entity itself an advancement in soul's activity. For, in the greater portion of the experience, even though it may be termed by many as to have been rather the activity to bring the plaudit of the greater numbers, the entity's activities were such as to give self for those things that others might be aided and gain in their experience through the sojourn.
12. As to the present activity from that period, there will be a tendency for the entity to explore into unchartered [uncharted?] fields. Not necessarily so much in the material things as into the mental experiences and the activities of same.
13. Hence the precautions that will be necessary in the experiences of the entity in its development, for the guiding and directing in those channels that may be constructive and bring for the activities those things that will add to the abilities or the entity in its application in the present experience.
14. Before this we find the entity was in that land now known as the English land, or Engle land, during that period when there were the beginnings of the activities that may be termed the political life of a people, yet the trial by jury, that was formed by the king in that particular period. [Alfred the Great]
15. The entity then was among the first who acted in the capacity of one to argue cases before those of the periods of that day, in the name then Chatchamm.
16. In the experience the entity, from the material standpoint, gained much; and in the mental development gained; developing not so much in the spiritual activities of the entity.
17. And in the present there may be seen, even in the younger years and formative years, the ability to argue anything that may be presented to the body; and will continue to do so throughout the experience of self, even convincing self at times such that whatever is desired may be made the activities, either in the material, the mental or the spiritual forces.
18. These abilities may make for a great mental capacity, if they are guided or directed so as to become constructive in every activity, making for periods that the entity may develop in the material, the spiritual and the mental forces in the present experience.
19. Before this we find the entity was in that land now known as the Arabian, during the period when those from the isles of the sea came in the greater numbers to those lands where there had been the establishing of the healing, the teaching and the ministry by the leaders in that experience.
20. The entity then, beautiful in body, mind and activity, led those people that came not to destroy but rather to learn of those influences that had builded such an activity that influenced so great a portion of the world at that period; then in the name Xertelpes.
21. The entity gained in the experience, for the entity was among those that set themselves - with the aid of the leaders in that land - to organize into the activities under the rule of law, as well as under that which had been set by the leader Uhjltd at that period.
22. And the entity was among those that became the first of the corps of judges in the city, as it took shape in the walled city. And the entity remained to do physical battle against the entity's own people who came as destructive influences later in that period.
23. The entity gained and lost throughout the experience; gained, as given, through those influences from joining in; losing when there were the attempts of those to re-establish those activities in the city with the destructive forces by might rather than upon that upon which the city had been builded.
24. There still may be found those remains of the entity near where Uhjltd was entombed, in the cave outside of the city that has recently been builded and termed Shushtar; this to the south and west of that city, in the cave there.
25. Before this we find the entity was in that land now known as the Egyptian, during the period when there were the rebellions in the land from the king's having sent the priest into exile.
26. The entity was among those of the king's command, and aided in bringing about order among those that rebelled during the period; being rather closely associated with the king's brother that rebelled also and set up the kingdom or the palace in Ibex.
27. The entity then brought to the attention of the king the necessities for the return of the priest, or the peoples, to the mental and religious activities, that there might be established a united kingdom again.
28. And from that experience that made for developments will come those abilities as an orator, a speaker, a minister or a lawyer; as from those experiences enumerated, that make for the tendencies in these directions.
29. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain - and how:
30. As given, there should be the warnings on account of those tendencies towards the development of self in its mental abilities, during those formative periods when love, rather than mental influence as towards anger, stubbornness, or hardheadedness, may overcome; through reason AND love these adverse influences may be overcome, and there may be the tending in the direction of religious liberty or love that rules through the political field or the influences in law, as to make for the activities in the present.
31. Through these influences there may come not only the soul but the mental and material developments for the entity.
32. Ready for questions.
33. (Q) For what experience did this entity come into his present home?
    (A) Those environs, from those associations in the varied experiences, to meet that necessary for the soul development.
34. (Q) Please suggest some special training that would help this entity to develop into a useful man.
    (A) Kindness, gentleness, and the application of same in the experience of the entity itself through its daily activities, will make for the necessary developments for mental and soul development to overcome anger, stubbornness, hardheadedness, and those tendencies to be ruled by carnal love influence.
35. (Q) Is his name in keeping with his vibrations?
    (A) Unusually so! He should never be called Al, but the full name! [See 415-1 Reports.]
36. (Q) How is best to meet and direct his strong will power in order to be of the greatest help to him?
    (A) Insistence in the practice of those courtesies that come with the influence of kindness, love, gentleness, and obedience.
37. (Q) Is there any reason why the nickname [...] seems to cling to him?
    (A) Well that it did not!
38. (Q) What is the symbol of this body?
    (A) The activities called the lawyers or the minister's guardian angel, which should be: The unicorn, with the BOOK above same. Not on the hind legs but the four legs (Not f-o-r-e, but f-o-u-r legs!).
39. (Q) For which of the vocations is he best fitted, lawyer or minister?
    (A) In either that he goes into he will act in both capacities! But the greater would be the spiritual ministry, to be sure.
40. (Q) Was he ever with his grandmother, [303] in another period?
    (A) In the Persian experience.
41. (Q) What was his relationship to the healer, if any, during that period?
    (A) What may be called an aide, or aide-de-camp, to the leader - or healer. For he was, to be sure, as indicated, of Grecian birth; then of particular beauty in body and in activity. And in the present will be seen his turn towards athletics, which must necessarily be curbed to some extent, from those experiences; which may be active later in the mental field. Not curbed wholly, but for the better mental development.
42. (Q) Was his English incarnation during Henry the II, or earlier?
    (A) Alfred, was when they began the trial by jury; and the entity was among those who first argued a case (as may be termed); and he's still a good arguer!
43. We are through for the present.

    Two copies to Mrs. [303]
    Copy to File

REPORTS

1. 6/13/35 See grandmother's rdg. 303-10, Par. 10-A, in re [415]'s training, with parents separated.
2. See subsequent Physical Readings.
3. 5/28/37 See grandmother's rdg. 303-15, Par. 9-A, in re training of [415], advising that all agree, not one saying one thing and another saying another thing, but all working together in positive love.
4. 9/24/40 Report: "What interested me most is that I am Capt. John Smith. I know it is true because I like to draw maps and to discover new things.
   "I want to carry out my life reading and be the best lawyer or whatever I should be."
5. 1/12/42 Reply to EC's ltr. of 1/08/42 - see under 2678-1, Reports: "Dear Mr. Cayce, Thank you for a letter I will say a prayer every night. Your boy, John Henry." [EC's nickname for [415].]
6. 10/07/42 His mother, Mrs. [263], obtained Aura Chart Rdg. 415-9 for him.
7. 5/25/43 See Ck. Physical 415-11, Par. 9--12, in re his ideals, mental-spiritual development, etc.
8. 4/47 A.R.E. Bulletin article by 17 yr. old [415], entitled GROWING UP UNDER A CAYCE READING, reported on Physical Rdgs. 415-2, 415-5 and 415-11, and continued:
   But this is not just a story of my physical readings. It is the story also of another kind of reading which Mr. Cayce gave me called a life reading. I don't remember when this reading was given for I was four years old. It was given before my first physical reading. Ever since I can remember it has been discussed at our house. First, It was read to me and later I read and studied it myself.
   It is not easy to grow up with a Cayce reading being held over your head. I'd like to take time out and give parents some advice on how to use them. But let me get on with my own story.
   You see, I am 18 years old now. I work in a drug store. There are girls. The family complains of some of my electrical gadgets but likes my photographs. The gang is in and out of the house at all hours. It's a normal life. But there has been time for me to study this life reading and see just how it has worked out so far.
   The part of the life reading which interested me most, as early as I can remember, was a description of a past life in which I was a man about whom there is some historical record. Some of this record is good and some of it not so good. I have figured out several ways in which I am very much like that man, but my first excitement over being able to learn a great deal about one of my previous lives has given way to the realization that knowing about my past faults and weaknesses may help me overcome some of my present problems.
   The readings put it this way: "...as to the present activity from that period, there will be a tendency for the entity to explore into unchartered fields. Not necessarily so much in the material things as into the mental experiences and the activities of same."
   This seems true to me, but I guess anyone my age begins to question authority and think about new ways of doing things.
   You may be interested in knowing how accurately the reading described me. Remember that I was only four years old. Here is the list of character traits mentioned in various places in the reading: "temper, hardheadedness, tendency to argue about everything, leadership, easily influenced by love (spiritual or purely carnal)". This fits me alright, especially "the tendency to argue" and "hardheadedness." And I guess you could say that my election to several offices in school and young people's activities shows some leadership. Mr. Cayce didn't see me at the time of the reading, but even if he had I was just four.
   Probably one of the most unusual parts of my life reading was a prediction that came true:
   "Hence...13th through the 15th year...activities of the body mentally will need to be directed wherein the later experiences may be ruled through the influences of Mercury rather than Mars...in the application of the mental abilities of the entity...for with the influence in Mars and in Mercury with Saturn having made the changes in the experience and applications of the entity as related to mental abilities... will make for hard experiences for those who have the care and experiences for those who have the care and keeping."
   It was that time in my life when I began to have trouble with teachers in school and it ended up with my leaving school for a time in my 15th year. Naturally this caused my family considerable worry. Anger played a big part in all this trouble.
   The reading indicated that I could be a good speaker and that this ability should be used as a lawyer or minister.
   Naturally, the family is anxious for me to follow the suggestions. I told Mr. Cayce once that I would try.
   There are parts of the reading that fit me better than anyone else knows. I have just begun to realize how strong some of the urges can be. Being warned about them helps a great deal. It has enabled my family to understand and help me, and in the future it will help me meet myself.
   If my language and point of view in this report sounds strange for eighteen, remember that I have grown up under a Cayce reading. It is a responsibility, a challenge, a great deal to live up to - because I am just an average boy who knows more than the boy next door about himself and what he should accomplish.
9. 4/05/53 Letter [from college] to his mother, Mrs. [263], which she gave us for the files to indicate his attitude in re the family complaints of having had jewelry stolen, also some of [415]'s tools, by a boy they had befriended by allowing him to live in the house a short time:
   "Dear Mother [263]: Another week gone and as usual I don't have any news to tell. Just wanted to write a little note to let you know how I feel about all this mess you people are having. To start with I don't give a hang about the stuff he took of mine. He wanted it that bad, he can have it with my regards. As far as the rest of the stuff goes, I'm kind of ashamed of you people. Detective indeed! What kind of of an attitude is that? An 'Eye for an eye', is that the way you people feel? Honestly, I thought you knew better. Now forget the stuff you lost, and pray for that boy instead of condemning him. Who are we to judge? Now read this to [307] and [303], and especially [1467].
   "Be good, Honey, and see if you can help [303] and [307] in their 'hour of need.' (That's a joke, all they need is a little understanding.) Write soon. Love, Your son, [415]."
10. GD's note: The following is [415]'s philosophy class paper, also given to us for the files by his mother, Mrs. [263]:
    St. Augustine's Conception of Evil
    Antitheses - the direct opposite: hate is the antithesis of love; evil is the antithesis of good; good and non-good - two separate entities, this is the conception of St. Augustine. Good as a manifestation of God. Evil as a manifestation of Satan. God being all good as well as all knowing and all powerful. Satan being His antithesis, all knowing, all powerful and all evil. In the light of generally accepted Christian dogma this is a contradiction. Even if Satan is conceived as a symbol and not an entity, an entity as St. Augustine did, it is still a contradiction. Augustine would have termed this apparent contradiction an antinomies. We can comprehend but not fully understand the mind of God, the reason being that man's soul has been obscured by "sin", our reasoning opaqued by evil. Evil is not natural but willful. It is not a thing of the body but of the soul.
    Let us try to reconcile these concepts of good and evil, God and Satan. An all-good God could not tolerate evil. An all knowing God could not ignore its existence. An all powerful God could not be powerless at its hands. Two omnipotent entities, antithesis of each other, could not exist. From this standpoint it is impossible to accept God and remain logical unless one accepts God blindly - "on faith". Of course, using faith as a premises, one could say or believe practically anything. Without faith, St. Augustine's views become meaningless unless we qualify his conception of evil and forget doctrine.
    Let us look at good and evil, not as opposites but as unity, two aspects of the same power, one negative and the other positive. The old idea of evil being good misused. According to St. Augustine man is evil because the original parents sinned. The sins of the parents etc. Assuming that good and evil are the same and that God is all good, there must be good in sin. Adding to this, that evil begets evil and that good reaps good how can one reconcile God and original sin. How is it possible to blame the hardships of the innocent on the offenses of the parents. Is it possible that an all good God would allow such misnomers as deformed children, the suffering of war, the strife of rampant nature? Could a soul be made to suffer, one of the definitions of evil, because of the indiscretions of someone else? If there is a cause for man, if he has reason, if evil is good misused, this is impossible. If there is a God, it is an absurdity. How then can we reconcile sin and suffering - evil - with God. One answer, and certainly not the only answer, is that a soul has sinned before it is born, either in spirit, a life other than an earthly one, or here on earth - reincarnation.
    Reincarnation explains how God, in his infinite wisdom, has shown his mercy to us by allowing us to learn, through experience, the meaning of good and evil. To repent but not in a fury hell. To become as one with him. Reincarnation discounts evil as an entity. It discounts its necessity for existence. In such a system of experience, life after life, evil stands for the means of attaining good. It is simply a pathway to God, not something bad to be avoided but something to be used to learn a lesson. It is like an endless book, we may read it and understand it and lay it aside, we may read it and not understand it and have to read it again, or we may ignore it until it is forced upon us. From this point of view evil is not evil as such but simply incomplete good.
    [Re statement above, "...until it is forced upon us." [415]'s Professor made the following comment: I find this a very thoughtful treatment of the subject, Al* - and unusually literate as well - ([415] received an "A" on his paper.)]
11. 6/21/57 Mr. [415] became a member of A.R.E. on his own, independent of his family's membership.
12. 8/09/58 Letter to his mother, Mrs. [263], from Conn. where he had gone to take a course in electronics:
    "Right now I'm second in the class which isn't too bad considering that I started three weeks late."
13. 1/10/59 He got married. He was then a service man for a big typewriter company.
14. 1/27/65 Stepfather, [1467]'s report: "[415] is now field engineer working in a supervisory capacity, in a big electronics firm. He is a good Christian boy and has a fine marriage. They have three children, a boy and two girls."
    * [GD's note in re 415-1, Par. 35-A: Although his family obeyed the warning and never called him Al, apparently his professor did.]

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