This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 3rd day of January, 1934, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [476], new Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mrs. [2843] and her son [311].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis, Edna Mae Hewett, L. B. and Hugh Lynn Cayce. Born August 29, 1907, in Birmingham, Alabama.

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, called [476].
2. In entering from the astrological aspects, or from the numerological aspects, we find these somewhat confusing - were a parallel drawn, or an application made of that which might be drawn from such purely astrological or numerological charts. Yet these forces and influences have much, or will have much to do in the experience of the entity during the present sojourn. The more the entity would comprehend the same, the more they may be used as steppingstones in the application of self in its own entity and soul development.
3. In an experience in the earth's plane each soul should gain the knowledge of those forces, conditions or experiences that may influence an entity, a soul, the more. And not only have the knowledge or understanding of such influence but know that the influences are as guides, signposts, conditions. And the use of them may enable a soul to develop the more. For, what a body-mind, a soul-mind does about or with the knowledge or understanding that it has makes development for that soul. For, some beautiful comparisons may be drawn from the entity's own experiences in the earth. For, while the entity was an associate or a brother of Solomon in an experience, what one did with his knowledge and understanding and what the other did with his understanding made for quite a difference in each one's position in that experience and the sojourns of each soul in other experiences.
4. From the astrological aspects we find these as urges rather than impelling, but the inclinations and influences are constantly arising in the experience of the entity; and as to what the entity may do with such urges remains within the ken or realm of the entity to make or to mar its own soul development:
5. In Jupiter there comes a vast experience, an idealistic influence in the entity's mental vision, and a seeking for knowledge in many fields of activity; until it may turn to be (dependent upon the entity's activity) a ne'er-do-well, but with much ability physically. In this same outline may be seen the abilities for varied connections socially, politically, and in the commercial way and manner. But as to what may be done with same depends upon whether the entity, the soul, embraces or uses the opportunities that are presented to it through the experience. The last experiences during which these influences have been more active should be convincing; for, since October 1932 the influences of Jupiter have rather prevented the entity or body from obtaining the associations and connections that have been often desired or felt by self as being worthy of acceptation - and ALMOST, but to fail has been the experience through making the connections in just the field or association that the body has desired. As we find, these will begin to change - in urges and experiences - by the 15th of latter portion of April of the coming year. And with Mercury AND Jupiter being more in a position of beneficence to one another, with those that have been indwelling in their environ (if the entity will but use the mental abilities), there may be brought about much that is to be desired, even in the material things in the entity's experience.
6. Then, Mercury makes for the mental capacities, visions and abilities, yet the entity itself - or soul - QUESTIONS the mental self. Hence turmoils have arisen. The entity should know, not only from experience but from precept and example, that there must be met in each soul's experience that which has been held as an idea or as an ideal. For, as the man thinketh in his heart so IS the MATERIAL experience. This oft confuses many an individual, for material things are of the earth - spiritual things are of the unseen, or heaven. And the earthly things matter so little!
7. In Venus also we find the influences that make for a pleasing personality, with abilities to associate self with groups or individuals, or to hold self aloof from the same. For, remember, Jupiter is the greater influence in the innate experiences or mental forces of the body. Hence oft the individual has been called strange by many, and many have been the misunderstandings with those of the opposite sex with this entity on account of what may be called peculiarities in the feelings of relationships, both mentally and physically.
8. As to the appearances and those that influence the entity as to its abilities in the commercial or material forces of life, as well as the activities that have made for the visions or indwellings of the soul or entity in the various spheres of activity other than in the earth, we find:
9. Before this the entity was in the eastern portion of the present land of nativity during the periods of oppression for the thought and activities of individuals as related to their social or religious life.
10. The entity was among those that persecuted those that had visions or dreams, or those that were considered among those that had familiar spirits or who experienced the associations of such influences. Yet these brought to the entity some satisfaction in the persecutions that were wrought by the entity, in the name of Whitte, when those of the own household were counted among those that had seen visions, heard voices, experienced those activities that were censured during that cycle of activity by the very thought and actions of the peoples themselves - in a manner - the entity found confusion even in self. Hence in the present there may be seen the interest in things of a psychic, occult or scientific nature. However, these but confuse often. Beware of mysteries that may not be practical in material experiences, but beware as much of those that would make their soul or psychic experiences so practical as to become null to the spiritual attitude or development of a soul itself. For, the spirit IS the association - or the life itself of the soul, whether in man, in a nation, in a city, in a group, or what. For, the activities that count to every soul are the unseen forces that may NOT be measured in the crucible nor may they be taped by any meter. As the hart panteth after the water, so may the soul pant for the garden of the spiritual and SPIRIT influence of its betters.
11. Before this we find the entity was in that land now known as the French, during the periods when there was the launching into activities both with the people in the eastern portion and those in the isles across the channel. That experience found the entity as a leader, in the name Scheller, being then of the peoples who had overrun the land in the period preceding the entity's advent into that experience. Coming with a grudge in self, from the mental sojourn of the entity, made for the natural leader in the experience - yet rather for destructive influences than constructive forces.
12. Hence the entity is one to beware of in anger; one that often too easily holds malice; one that holds grudges easily. Yet these very influences SPIRITUALIZED may make for soul development, even though it passes through hardships, that will bring peace, happiness, joy, harmony. Are not these the opposite of hate, malice and contention?
13. Before this we find the entity was in that period when David was ruler in the promise land, and among David's sons we find the entity's activities - Ajalon. These we find in a contention again, though reasonable to many; yet to self the activities brought not the use of the knowledge obtained through the counsel of the father (earthly) as to become wholly acceptable - either in the spiritual or the material things in the experience. There were contentions with Absalom, who won the hearts of the people, and associations with the sister of Absalom in an unethical manner. The associations with that son who became the ruler, and known as the "wise one", brought rather both mental and physical development to the entity, yet in the spiritual or soul forces rather a standstill - or non-development, as seen in the next experience just given. In the application of self in the present experience, however, that sojourn may be said to be that one which may influence the entity in the present to a greater degree. For, the activities may be turned into fields - not of a political nature, neither wholly commercial, yet that deal with both - where gatherings of sales or taxes may be in the experience of the entity, from the purely material sense, the activities in which the greater strides or successes may be made. As to what the entity may do respecting its soul or spiritual development depends upon the application of the knowledge and understanding, and as to whether or not the trust and the ideal is put in those influences that may guide, guard and keep the soul in the way of the Lamb.
14. Hence as an assessor, a tax gatherer, a datastician, in such fields of activity, the entity may find the greater successes in the present. The same field of sort of relationship applies whether relating to individuals or to corporations, for the entity's MATERIAL development.
15. Before this we find the entity was in the Egyptian land during the periods when there was the return, or the rebuilding of the activities with the sojourns of those people from the land that had been destroyed, and when the activities of the priest and associates brought the establishing of activities that became more and more material - and later brought into activity some influences that brought rather destructive forces.
16. The entity then was among the missionaries (in associations), yet more in the office of the keeper of that contributed in the foreign relationships - or the influences that brought such relationships into the fields of activity during the period.
17. The in the name Plt-heil, the entity gained and lost. While in the experiences there came the knowledge of much that might be for soul development, rather were the material developments brought forward in the latter portion of the experience.
18. As to the abilities of the entity, and that to which it may attain, and how:
19. First study to show self approved unto the Maker, THY Creator, through the knowledge of self and self's relationship to that which should be set for each soul as its ideal - and the ideal shall be set in spiritual things rather than in material things. For, the spiritual life should direct and the social, the moral, the material things should be rather the outgrowth for every soul. Be willing to be used rather AS the footstool than the throne. Be willing to be used as the channel of the blessing, A blessing, MANY blessings, to others; whether it be through trials, temptations. Know that as self is given into the keeping of those forces as the ideal that is able to sustain through the trials, through the temptations, there will not be given that which is not able to be borne. MUCH is to be met, as has been seen from the earth's experience. MUCH MORE may be borne by Him who has given, who has prepared the Way. Give the glory ever TO the Father, through Him that would call thee brother in every experience in manifesting Life - which is God - in the material plane.
20. Ready for questions.
21. (Q) In what line of endeavor should I apply myself for best mental, material and spiritual development?
    (A) In the material things, those that have been intimated; not wholly political, but rather the associations in such fields of activity.
    In the mental, study to show self approved unto thine Maker, through not only the religious thought of the surroundings but in the practical application of such thought in the daily life.
    In the spiritual forces, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Do not commit in the material life that which the mental self WOULD condemn.
22. (Q) Where should I go to attain this development?
    (A) Begin where you are. Let it lead as HE would guide.
23. (Q) In what particular line of endeavors should I engage to further this development?
    (A) In social service, in connection with the activities that accrue in relationship to that pointed out; or in that which is mental and soul development.
24. (Q) What specific things can I do to further my spiritual development and mental development?
    (A) In the knowledge that is in thine own understanding, there are those things that self require of self - specifically - that there be the MATERIAL demonstrations of the spiritual thoughts in relationships to others.
    Then, in studying these, these will bring mental and spiritual development.
    The Mind is the Builder. If it is founded in spirit and in truth, there may come the knowledge of practical application.
25. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 12/25/33 Questions submitted.

REPORTS

1. 4/20/34 EC's letter: "It was indeed a pleasure to meet you in person..."
2. 6/14/34 Miss [630]'s letter [daughter of Mrs. [2843] and sister of Mr. [311]]: "[476] will probably become an active member later on, now that he has a good position that will enable him to take care of any obligations he might assume. I think I will ask him if he ever wrote you, and to do so if hasn't. We all think he benefitted from the reading."
3. 9/17/40 Miss [630]'s letter: "[476] will make a report this week. As that time he will give you his new address." [We did not hear from Mr. [476].]

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