This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 105th St. & Ocean, Va. Beach, Va., this 16th day of January, 1932, in accordance with request made by his mother, Mrs. [255] - through Active Membership of her husband, Mr. [378], in the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., who is also a Trustee and Chairman of the Board.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [255], Mr. [378], Ruth and A. C. Preston, and L. B. Cayce. Born June 20, 1904, at Stapleton, Staten Island, New York.

TEXT

1. EC: (Going back over the years - 24 - 23 - 21 - "Quite a busy life!" - 20 - 19 - etc., on back to birth.)
2. We have the entity and those relations WITH the universe and universal forces, as are latent and manifested in the personality and individuality of the entity, now called [452].
3. In entering astrologically, we find there are many influence in the experiences of the entity that bespeak of an astrological influence, more from the sojourn of the entity under the influence than that ordinarily termed the position of the influencing planetary condition, or the group influence under which the entity born.
4. In the astrological influences, then - Mercury, with Jupiter, with Saturn, with Venus, come for the greater influences in the present experience of the entity.
5. In Mercury we find as one with a high MENTAL ability. One that may be termed a seeker, ever, for the VARYING influences in the experience of individuals and classes, and masses. Hard has been the influence for the entity to discern between individual and class, and mass, influence. Even with the influence of the training in this experience, there is ever that condition presenting itself - as to whether an influence is individual or mass, or class, influence. This from the natural analytical mind of the entity. FROM the astrological as well as from the DEEPER experience of the ENTITY in its development through the earth's experiences.
6. In Jupiter we find rather those influences that make for the broader vision, yet from the analytical mind oft is the vision hindered in its expanse of the influences brought; yet many peoples, many individuals, many as groups, will be influenced by the activities OF the entity in its application of those influences that impel the physical and mental activities of the entity.
7. In Jupiter also will come that of unusual experiences to the entity, wherein there will be great amount of influence brought to bear for the entity to accept even moneys, or positions, in exchange for that influence as may be had or expended by the entity in given directions. From the influences, and from the innate feelings of the entity, these offers will often bring first that of fear, then of doubt, and then resentment. These must be met with that measurement of the entity's ideal, in that as is expected, anticipated, to be gained by the efforts of the entity.
8. In Saturn, as indicated, will be much of those influences that seem or appear to come from UNDERHANDED sources, where there will be those activities on the part of individuals that will influence much the FEELINGS, rather than the activities of the entity. These will, or must, be met by the individuality, rather than the personality of the entity, in MAKING entity's decisions in the experiences through which this will make for those periods of depression, of the self's activities being questioned in self, and when DECISIONS are arrived at, there will be the greater expanse of the abilities and talents of the entity.
9. In the influences these, AS astrological, bring:
10. In the Mercurian, the earlier period of the present experience, a very BUSY, studious, and self-driving one. In the period that Jupiter RULES the influences of the entity, will come those periods of change in the position of the entity's activities in the present experience, as will also the ability or possibility of greater EXPANSION of the entity's labors in whatever field CHOSEN as the fields of activity of the entity. In these periods, then - these are arising in the entity's experience in the present. Dissensions arose in the latter part of the last year. They will find their change in those periods when Saturn and Jupiter, WITH Uranus, are in the ascendency, or influencing most through those periods of the coming spring and summer months, and the ACTIVITIES will AGAIN be most manifest during those conjunctions of those planetary influences - which, as we find, would be in thirty-four, and in the middle portion of that year.
11. In those influences from the appearances in the earth's plane, these - may be seen - are unusual in many ways, and make for those oddities (as considered by some), SINCERITIES as are felt by all, the dependability as will be FOUND by all - even though they may be doubted, as they oft were even in the experiences through the earth's sphere, and earth's experience, by others.
12. In the one then before this, we find in that period when there were the changing of many peoples through those periods of oppression on account of the change in political and religious thought, and in the land NOW known as BETWEEN the German and French land, or in Alsace-Lorraine. The entity then among those who journeyed to the new lands for the expansion of, and development of, their own ideas and ideals in religious thought. The entity then came into that portion that is known as the SOUTHERN portion of the present land, aiding in the establishing of the worship in and about those first settlements in now the southwestern portion of the land; coming later as a missionary to those peoples in the central and northern portion of that same land. In the name, then, Reneau. In this experience the entity gained and lost. Gained through the service rendered to the peoples whom the entity served, giving much of self in the building up of the exchange of ideas, of commodities, and the COMMERCE of portions of the waterways OPENED by the entity with those natives, or peoples of that period. Losing only in drawing self away from service when criticism came from those SUPPOSEDLY in authority. In the present from this experience, the ideas and ideals of the entity, AS an entity, find the deeper seated FEELINGS in the entity as a necessary channel for others to know the truths held by self as pertaining to relationships of individuals with the spiritual life.
13. In the one then before this, we find during that period when there were many turmoils among the peoples of which the entity then a part. While young in years in that experience, the entity saw much of the oppressions of peoples for the thought as held, and the first account as was written by anyone (that REMAINS as an account) was written by the entity under the DIRECTION of him to whom was given the keys of the kingdom. In the name John Mark. Be well were he to call himself John in the present! In this experience the entity suffered much in many ways, being afflicted in body and being questioned oft by superiors as one not well grounded in faith; yet the entity gained throughout the experience in the activities, in the service rendered to many. Then as a missionary. Then in the present, and ever, must come the experience of seeking to give that as is INNATE principles in the activities of the entity in material, physical, and the SPIRITUAL life. Being one that makes for, in the present, that of the SEEKING life, of the giving of self, of the expending of self, in many directions - that to many will appear as being out of REASON with the physical abilities, with the OUTWARD appearance of fulfilling or developing the best within self; yet ever onward will the ENTITY go in giving those truths, those lessons, those understandings, as received through the PHYSICAL EXPERIENCES of the entity in THAT period.
14. In the one then before this we find in that land now known as the Persian land, in those periods when there were the establishing of the commercial influence of those places BUILDED in now Arabian land. The entity then among those who were with those gathered about that leader, and carried much of the exchanging of ideas with the peoples of other lands, making those contacts in that portion of the land now known as Tibet or China; for the entity established that COMMERCIAL association with the peoples about that city, or that place builded - El Bel (?). In this experience the entity gained and lost. Gained through the service as was given to others; losing through the continued doubtings and falterings that came with those varied periods of oppression to the entity's activities, and through the CONDEMNING of the activities of those THROUGH whom the entity labored or established the exchanges. In the present, while this influences the entity mostly INNATELY - through doubts, fears that arise from within, rather than the OUTWARD activities of the entity. In the name Jed-Ril, and there may still be found those of the entity's writings in the hill land of those peoples in the Himalayas.
15. In the one then before this we find in that land now known as the Egyptian, and during those periods when many changes were taking place in that land. The entity then among those who came with those peoples from the North land, that took over the activities of those peoples, being associated with those peoples who became the rulers in that land, and LATER - with the re-establishing, after the turmoils - the entity among those who waited in the temple service with the priest in his declining years, taking up those activities of that priest that give much to the world, and BEGAN the first of the disseminating of those truths TO the peoples of other lands. In the name Hi-La-Pti. In this experience the entity gained in the greater portion of that experience, for service for many, service for the all, WAS the keynote of the activities of the entity during that experience, and these will influence the entity much in the latter portion of its present experience - through those tenets that were propounded or given in that experience, as they become the activities of a peoples more and more.
16. In the abilities of the entity and that to which it may attain, and how:
17. As the entity has innately and ACTIVELY ever been the messenger to many, so may it in the present accomplish most, be the greater service to others, through such activities; either AS an ACTIVE one in such direction, or as a DIRECTING one of others in those directions; for, as has been BUILDED by experience, though the entity considered the dreamer rather than that of the active one, the entity is naturally one of ability in ORGANIZING or directing work or service of many. In these fields, then, may the entity gain the most; for, as the entity innately holds those tenets as in Egypt, as manifested in a more commercial manner in the Persian, China and Tibet, as seen most in those travels with Barnabas, Paul, companion of Peter and inmate of the household of Mary and Josie, with these there comes - in those lessons - that which may never be taken from the HEART of THIS entity. In these fields, then, may the ENTITY make, gain, understand, develop the most.
18. Ready for questions.
19. (Q) In what country can entity best serve his God?
    (A) As is seen, rather as one who would supervise or visit WITH, or oft counsel with those that are acting AS missionaries, emissaries, or the like. As one that would oversee, would be the better in MANY lands, rather than the one. Acting, then, in the capacity - this, of the nature itself, with the natural development in the present - will require specific work by the entity in SEVERAL fields, RATHER THAN the one.
20. (Q) Of what benefit to entity was his recent experience in China?
    (A) Will those experiences recently had be measured by many of the experiences in the former appearances, the basis of same will be seen to be similar. In USING same as a stepping stone for better UNDERSTANDINGS will be the lessons for the entity to profit by same.
21. (Q) Would the study of medicine help entity in his life work?
    (A) Would aid, to be sure, MATERIALLY in ministering with others in various fields of labors. Hence, as is seen, the entity going through a period of preparation for a greater work in the fields of activity.
22. (Q) Should entity teach, and if so, what?
    (A) Teach rather by the visiting of, the counseling with, the various fields of activity in the various lands.
23. (Q) Has entity any administrative ability?
    (A) Be very poor to counsel, to act in that capacity, without it being innately in the entity's activities!
24. (Q) How can mother best approach or explain this information to the entity?
    (A) With the counsel as to the activities of same in the hearts, minds of others, let THAT be as the seed sown. Then discuss little by little the various fields of activity to which the entity should give self as counsel. Then show how THIS will become a part of the entity's experience. See?
25. (Q) What relation to Mary and Joseph?
    (A) Mary and JOSIE. Rather a son of JOSIE, that was the sister OF Mary.
26. We are through.

    Two copies to Mrs. [255]
    Copy to File
    Two Ass'n

BACKGROUND

1. 12/21/31 Mother [255]'s ltr.: "Our son [452] is coming home from China in Feb. In writing [378] and me he asked us to decide most important questions as to his future. So I feel now that I have full permission to ask for a Life Rdg. incorporating these questions. I again appreciate so much to be able to receive this divine guidance. You know that this has been my wish since a year and a half and now it has been granted, just at Xmas! My heart is so very full of thankfulness for all the blessings this work has brought to me and mine.
   "Enclosed please find questions for both [452] and [488]."
2. 1/11/32 "If [452]'s rdg. has not taken place, will you ask how his mother should best explain it or approach him with it? I have just now rec'd a ltr. in which he does not wish a rdg. In the other one he had left it to us to decide what he should do. So I thought I had the permission to do it, and I still feel so, in spite of his last ltr. I have prayed about it and know that the rdg. would guide me right. He seems to be feeling that China is not where he should be."

REPORTS

1. 2/06/32 Mother [255]'s ltr.: "I think it would be fine if you took the rdg. on Reincarnation and Karma among the first. [See 5753-1 on 6/16/33.] It is very important as part of the work - and I am in need of help with [452]. So I would be very happy and thankful for guidance. He arrived home last Wed. and we are convinced it was to be so, since the conditions of warfare do not leave much chance for effective work."
2. 3/10/32 "[452] has not yet made up his mind what his next step should be. I'm hoping he will allow me to have a rdg. one of these days. As yet he has not changed his mind. I am praying for guidance."
3. 5/04/32 "[452] and I have found no common ground as yet. He is hoping for work either in the ministry or business. I have not been able to tell him about his Life Rdg. It would only antagonize him still more."
4. 7/17/32 "Will you please give our son [452] a Physical Rdg.? He will be here until July 27th, then he goes to Nova Scotia to preach for a few wks. I hope he will realize how wonderful the rdgs. are when he reads his own. I have not told him about his Life Rdg., the time is not ripe for it. I wish a question could be asked, how to prove to him the divine source of the information, and that it is in harmony with his work."
5. 7/22/32 See 452-2, Par. 15-A, indicating the proof could be found through following his Physical Rdg., by the results obtained.
6. 8/09/32 Mother requested his Mental-Spiritual, 452-3, saying she was getting it with his permission, since he had rec'd results from following 452-2.
7. See subsequent Mental-Spiritual Rdgs. in re his life and work. See also 452-5, Ck. Life Rdg. on his incarnation as John Mark.
8. 7/23/33 See Life Seal and interpretation rec'd by his sister, [275], in meditation, as explained in 275-11 Reports. [See Source File Key #452 for Life Seal with the interpretation of it re 452-1.]
9. 1/16/34 See sister's Ck. Life Rdg. 275-38 in re their relationship in Egypt, and also to rest of the family.

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