This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 21st day of May, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [457], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the entity, [457], ..., N.Y.C., who seeks a Mental and Spiritual Reading, keeping in mind preparation of the entity's mind and spiritual forces for the creation and best development of a child; answering the questions she has submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the entity's mind and body, the desires and purposes and aims.
3. In giving information, or in answering questions respecting mental and spiritual attitudes, all of these should be approached from THIS basis of reasoning, - especially as preparations are made in body, mind and spirit for a soul's entrance into the material plane.
4. While as an individual entity, [457], presents the fact of a body, a mind, a soul, - it has been given as a promise, as an opportunity to man through coition, to furnish, to create a channel through which the Creator, God, may give to individuals the opportunity of seeing, experiencing His handiwork.
5. Thus the greater preparation that may be made, in earnest, in truth, in offering self as a channel, is first physical, then the mental attitude; knowing that God, the Creator, will supply that character, that nature may have its course in being and in bringing into material manifestation a soul. For, in being absent from a physical body a soul is in the presence of its Maker.
6. Then, know the attitude of mind of self, of the companion, in creating the opportunity; for it depends upon the state of attitude as to the nature, the character that may be brought into material experience.
7. Leave THEN the spiritual aspects to God. Prepare the mental and the physical body, according to the nature, the character of that soul being sought.
8. The fact that there has been in the experience of this entity and its companion the mind of doubt, because of material needs and because of mental aspects as may have been or might be a heritage physically, has delayed or prevented such activities. Remember, there is an example of such in the Scripture that the entity would do well to study, to analyze; not merely as a historical fact but the attitude not only of Hannah but of those about the entity who doubted the purpose.
9. Then, in that same attitude as that entity may this entity in that way bring those activities as may best endow self, as well as the offspring, to be a messenger, a channel to the glory of God and to the honor of self. [See 457-10, Par. R4.]
10. Ready for questions.
11. (Q) Is it right to bring a child into being in a world such as we have today, even though it may never know a normal life but only one of war and killing and anger and hate?
    (A) The doubt as created in the self, from the very asking of such a question, may be answered best in considering the attitude, the conditions which existed in those people's minds and activities at the period given as an example. If that does not answer, then to this entity it cannot be answered.
12. (Q) Should any thought be given to the possibility of draft of the [planned baby's] father [Mr. [412]]?
    (A) Whether this has the correct attitude, in whether this is to be a duty, an obligation or an opportunity of the father, - this, too, must be settled in self's own mind.
13. (Q) Has there been much lost in spiritual development in these past years of absorption in material existence, or was this experience a necessary foundation for that yet to come?
    (A) It can be MADE such, as an experience needed. If it is used as an excuse, if it is used as something to shield self and companion, then it is lost. If it is used as the opportunity, now, for fulfilling the purpose, it is gain. For, what is the first command by the Creator to man? "Be thou fruitful and multiply." Yet this sets a natural law, a mental law, a spiritual law in motion, according to whether such activity is for the gratification of the flesh, of the mental self, or the fulfilling of a COMPLETE relationship to the Creative Forces.
14. (Q) Should I read any books for my spiritual development besides "A Search for God"?
    (A) Read the Book of all books, - especially Deuteronomy 30, and Samuel - considering especially the attitude of Hannah, the conditions, the circumstances which existed not only as to its relationship to its husband and to other companions, but as to the needs for spiritual awakening in that experience - which exist in the world and the earth today.
    If the entity can and will so place self, and then studying John 14, 15, 16 and 17, - can ye make yourself as one with Him? These, as combined with the study of the preparation physically, may give the understanding; not as duty but an OPPORTUNITY to be a handmaid of the Lord.
15. (Q) Do thoughts of future mother have any direct effect or influence on soul attracted to be her child?
    (A) This should be, as ever, left in the hands of the Creator. Prepare the self mentally and physically, and leave that to the Lord; not merely passively but actively, knowing that in the same measure ye mete to others ye mete to thy Maker. Then, what manner of soul are ye attracting?
16. (Q) Does soul enter child at conception or birth or in between?
    (A) It may at the first moment of breath; it may some hours before birth; it may many hours after birth. This depends upon that condition, that environ surrounding the circumstance.
17. (Q) Are there souls waiting on the other side to come to this world as my children?
    (A) If the opportunity is offered, they will come.
18. (Q) Is it possible to influence this selection by the mental or spiritual thoughts of the prospective mother?
    (A) These should be, as indicated, left to the will, the purpose of the Father-God. What do ye seek? That such shall be a channel of blessings to others, or to satisfy or gratify thine own desires, or that ye in thy desire may fulfil the whole purpose HE, thy Maker, may have with thee? Art thou willing to pay the price for such?
19. (Q) While carrying the child do thoughts and impressions have any effect on the child?
    (A) To be sure. Thus, if surrounded with beauty, the more beauty there may be. Hast thou not read how that when Mary spoke to Elizabeth, the child leaped within the womb?
20. (Q) Do emotions such as fright, excitement, etc., have any effect on the child?
    (A) Depends upon how much of this goes beyond the real purpose of the individual entity caring for, or carrying, the child.
21. (Q) Is not the mother when carrying a child very close to God?
    (A) If she puts herself so! If not, it is merely a physical condition. It's a law - universal law, mental AND material. It may be either, or any, or all. Remember, the Lord thy God is One.
22. (Q) What is the meaning of names? I have been told that Martha should be my real name. Is there a reason why?
    (A) This comes rather as to the minds and purposes of those who give names to their offspring. Names, to be sure, have their meaning, but as given by the poet, a rose by any other name would be just as beautiful or just as sweet. So may such be said of these. Yet, as given by Him, names have their meaning, and these depend upon the purposes when such are bestowed upon an individual entity entering the earth's plane.
    Have ye not understood how that in various experiences individuals, as their purposes or attitudes or desires were indicated, had their names henceforth called a complete or full name meaning or indicating the purpose to which the individual entity or soul had been called? So, all of these have their part. They are not ALL, as indicated. For, ALL is one. One is all, but each individual is impressed by the various phases of man's consciousness in materiality. These, as we find, have varying degrees of effect upon the consciousness or the awareness of individuals.
    For, "My Spirit beareth witness with thy spirit" is complete in itself.
23. (Q) Do names have a spiritual influence on people?
    (A) As has just been given.
24. (Q) Would it make any difference to me whether called [457] or Martha?
    (A) Depends upon how the individual associates names with same.
25. (Q) When would it be best to choose a name for the child?
    (A) When ye have determined as to the purpose to which ye hope, and which ye will, which ye are willing to dedicate same.
26. (Q) Does this have anything to do with the time when soul enters new body?
    (A) Nothing.
27. (Q) Is the little boy Mr. Cayce saw, as a vision, with me, still waiting to come as my child? [See 457-3, Par. 18-A, and Reports listing EC's vision.]
    (A) This may depend upon the attitude of the individual.
28. (Q) Is there anything besides prayer and meditation which I can do for my spiritual development and for this new soul?
    (A) As has been outlined, the study of various phases of experiences of individuals through their relationship to Creative Forces, and their relationship to their fellow man.
    For, remember, the soul that is brought into the earth is only lent to thee by the Lord. And the impressions, and that purpose that ye build into that, is that ye send back to thy Maker in the end.
29. We are through for the present.
    [GD's note: Am sending under separate cover extra copies of Rdgs. on Glands, [[281] series] also another copy of the paper on Child Training.]

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 457-9 in A.M. of 5/21/42.

REPORTS

1. Ques. submitted that were answered without being asked: In what other way can I prepare for this creative force? What am I afraid of? Is it the physical or mental or spiritual capacity for this responsibility? Could any further advice be given in a joint mental and spiritual reading with my husband?
2. 8/13/42 "No news as yet. Expect to write for another rdg. soon."
3. 9/03/42 See 457-11.
4. See 457-11, Par. 31-A--33-A on 9/03/42.
5. 8/20/43 "I'm looking forward to the baby's Life Rdg. [See 3172-1.] I wonder how she is to take an important part like Hannah's son, since she is a girl."

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