This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 8th day of December, 1930, in accordance with request made by self and his parents Mr. [378] and Mrs. [255].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. L. B. Cayce. Born February 11, 1911, Staten Island, New York.

TEXT

1. [EC, before beginning with reading on [488]]: "Rather unusual as to how dates and numbers have their influence in individualities when they are to the greater minds only indications of having reasoned from given points in the affairs of the history of the world. Unusual as to how that usually - and we see a differentiation in those born in '11 and '10 - we date from '12 to '9 in reiterating the spaces or ages through which individuals have experienced; for we find those in those periods occupying a unique position in many of the forces in the world's histories."
2. EC: Yes, we have the entity known as [488] in the present, and those relations with the universe and universal forces as are latent and exhibited in the present entity.
3. In entering from the astrological viewpoint, we have one of unusual potentialities; for not only were the aspects of the planetary influences in an unusual position as beneficent influences, they were also unusual for those of hindrances - when changes are considered purely from an astrological viewpoint, but being in the earth's plane and influence, also in the environs those of hereditary influences as make the environs in the present experience, we will find - while UNUSUAL, yet studied from purely the psychological or from the psychiatrist point of view would be a criterion for many of their claims, but will the entity [if the entity will] apply those influences GAINED BY this environment these may be shown to be of an improper point of reasoning, when considered purely reasoning, for will's influence in each entity as entered the earth's sphere, the earth's influence, through those periods of '10 and '9 and '11 - especially '10 AND '11 - will be found to be those who may make for those conditions in the earth's plane as bring distress, disorder, turmoil, or those of an opposite condition. For instance, or reference, WATCH how many of those who are of the gangland were born in '10 and '11.
4. In this entity, then, [488], astrologically we find these influences:
5. One whose influence from the position as occupied by the entity from Jupiter makes for those of a most benevolent nature, yet many activities of those that are about the entity are NOT PURPOSELY misunderstood, but are misinterpreted as are the acts of the ENTITY, especially, misinterpreted by those that are closest to the body itself, PHYSICALLY. Hence precepts and environment must be hand in hand to this entity, for the first move or first word from a body to the entity that bespeaks of that not wholly in line with that presented, either IN precept or in activity, is as naught. See? Hence an unusual study, yet much good MUST come, will the entity [if the entity will] choose first for itself an ideal that is ABOVE reproach in any MANNER of approach by the mind, by the mental body, the soul body, the physical body; for the ideals to the entity MUST CONSTITUTE that which fills every portion of an individual life; not weak in ANYTHING, and not intemperate in any manner, neither overbearing, neither must it be too docile; yet this must be that as a GUIDING factor in the entity's experience through THIS earth's plane.
6. Under the influences we find also in Mercury and Venus, these make for the love influence - but it must always at least be REASONABLE to the entity.
7. The afflictions as are seen in Saturn AND Jupiter make for an influence of impotency in feet, limbs, and extremities of body. Hence there must be that constant guarding against that which would produce for the physical body any accentuation of those tendencies astrologically, and injuries or accidents, or those of a nature of illness, will AFFECT the EXTREMITIES of the body first, and especially the lower limbs - for they were descending towards that influence in the forces as come from the ASTROLOGICAL relativity to the entity. Confusing in some manners, yet studied in a proper manner, and in proper associations and relations, may be made to mean that which will make for a GLORIOUS life in this experience. MISAPPLIED, or MISUNDERSTOOD, making for an ignominious failure.
8. In the conditions as make for the entity's abilities, these - as seen from Jupiter, from Venus, from Mercury - are many, and unless applied in a specific channel or manner will make for rather that characterization of "good for MANY things and not QUITE good for anything," or the ability to become an "almost," or a ne'er-do-well, in a MATERIAL manner; yet centralized, specialized, with a BROAD VISION as is experienced by those Jupiterian influences in the entity's make up, will make for one of affluence, one that may build to high positions, not only of trust, not only of abilities to do things, but to do things WELL.
9. In those experiences as come as those of the influences towards contrariwise conditions, these make for a tendency to be ALMOST pessimistic from every angle except from love's influence, yet a tendency to drift even when PESSIMISM abounds. Hence the stability as must be builded by the entity in its crystallization of thought towards mental conditions, material aspects, economic influences, home ties. DUTY is the BINDING word, as it were, to the entity, until it may be lost in love, honor, kindness, peace, tranquility, joy in service, joy for others, DISREGARDING of self's interests in any manner, lost in glorification, lost in the glory as may be shed through that of the influence of reaching upward to that of the entity's ideal.
10. Mystic forces, occult influences, as are seen in the distance for the entity, may be made to become steppingstones for higher influences, or may smut and smudge the entity's abilities to such an extent as to become contemptible - even to the entity's experience. Delve not too much into same, save by a personal application of each lesson as may be gained in the study of same, in the contemplation of the experiences of the entity, either as personal or as viewed from close or afar; but DO NOT attempt to gain too BROAD a view that is not to self workable step by step. This is in accordance with laws of the influences in ASTROLOGICAL plans, as well as mental and spiritual laws.
11. In those forces as are seen from experiences in the earth's plane:
12. In the one before this we find in that period known as of Grecian thought, in those times when changes in the mental attitudes of peoples were being made by the lessons taught by those that were sat upon by many in the higher places, and of the laymen thought little of. The entity was among those who may be considered in the present as of the middle class, but being an associate of those close in touch with a noble historian of the day - Herodotus. The entity then in the name Pteomaeus, gained much thought that gave to the entity that which may be made in the present as a plan or a channel through which the entity may apply self in making for the developments, even in the present, in that first of knowing self as applied to the tenets of the peoples about self, then as applied to those in a MECHANICAL manner, of making for those not wholly in a position of salesman of things or conditions, but rather as a DEMONSTRATOR OF WHATEVER may be chosen as a field of the entity's endeavors - whether as pertaining to mechanical, chemical, air-minded, or of earth's storehouse. DEMONSTRATING the usages of, the application of, things, conditions, materials, and such, may make for that of STABILIZING self; for in such an attitude one must first be SOLD itself, even to DEMONSTRATE or make for that attitude in individuals, groups, or mass minds, the usefulness, the appreciatableness, of that BEING presented. From the experiences of the entity in that period, the entity finds in the present those of symmetrical influences have a peculiar influence upon the entity, as does the BODY, as does statuary or symmetrical lines in any direction. The entity feels an influence of ROTE, yet often dispels things through the pessimistic view, or lack of understanding.
13. In the one before this we find in that period known as the changes in the Egyptian period, when there were divisions in the land. The entity was among those who, from the land to which the priest [Ra-Ta] was banished, returned to the land when there was the recalling of the priest and the building up of those of the educational, the understanding influences of the various conditions as are called in the present as the choice of professional peoples in varied directions. The entity then among those as were given by those in charge, from the king's authority, from the ruler of the places established or the teacher's authority, to go to the foreign lands and disseminate much of that in the varied places. The entity gained in the first portion of that experience; lost when, in that land lying now in the sea, [Atlantis?] the entity attached to self the greater importance of those things so disseminated; making for an influence of distrust in self and self's abilities in the present; making more for that necessity of having an IDEAL and a criterion to go BY. In the name El-Tpan.
14. In the one before this we find in that land now known as Peruvian, the entity being among the Ohums [?] [Ohms ?] [Aymaras ?] of that period when there were changes being wrought in the land through the inflow of the peoples from Poseida and Latinia [?], that southernmost portion of that land [Atlantis] sunk, and became a disperser of those forces as made for the applying of self in the building up of workers in precious stones and precious metals. These have more intrinsic value to the entity than many another condition in the entity's experience. In the name Ummmu.
15. In the abilities of the entity, these, as we find in the present, may be gained most through the application of those tenets, those experiences, those environs, IN a manner, IN a way, as has been set out in that necessary in the entity's experience; for combative influences are ABROAD for the entity, yet those of that environment, and of those influences as may be builded, may make for one who may be known not ONLY locally, or nationally, but internationally! For hasn't the entity been an emissary to the foreign lands? Hasn't the entity come from foreign lands to a purpose? Has not the entity gone and succeeded in those places where others failed?
16. Make those steps as will build for purpose in each step in the life's experience. Prepare self in a manner as befits the period, through education that is rather of the APPLICATION than tenet. Ready for questions.
17. (Q) Then, would college education be beneficial?
    (A) Were it of the nature that makes for the field chosen for material labors, well. Just as ACADEMIC, not so well.
18. (Q) What profession or business is he best fitted for?
    (A) That of demonstrating in whatever field the entity CHOOSES to cast its efforts or service, but THIS may be chosen most by those of circumstance, or rather of environment, than by building a SPECIFIC line. First know what IS a criterion, what IS an ideal. Choose not that which is made with hands, nor that which changeth as does the weather or the seasons, or even the ages. That sure foundation, rather, as is laid in Him.
19. (Q) What are the faults and how can they be counteracted?
    (A) These have been outlined. Study that as given.
20. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Mother
    Two copies to Ass'n office

BACKGROUND

1. He previously obtained four Physical readings.
2. 10/19/30 Mother, [255], submitted questions for his Life reading, including: "Outline how parents [[255] and [378]] can best influence him for good. Give talents. When will marriage be best?"

REPORTS

1. 12/15/30 Mother [255]'s letter: "...[488]'s reading has come into his life just at the opportune moment. I am praying that it may bring the very 'stability' it speaks of, into his character. It is such a joy and treat to study the readings because one feels the truth of them so distinctly. Some day, when a few more of us (in the family) have had our Life readings, I would much like to study them with you... In [488]'s reading, you mentioned numbers from nine to twelve. This is something I have not studied yet, but will do so as soon as I am able..."
2. 12/21/31 Mother submitted questions for a Check Life reading for him.
3. 1/20/32 See 488-6 Reports on which indicated he did go to college, majored in chemistry, math, etc.
4. 12/19/32 Mother [255]'s letter: "...[488] is not going on with college until we can see our way more clearly. We had planned to let him work under a chemist in a factory and study evenings, but now he speaks of trying to get into an aeronautical school. It said that in his reading, so no doubt we will be guided..."
5. 2/07/33 Letter: "...[488] takes one evening course in Brooklyn and goes to factory (father's paper company) in the daytime. He still hopes to go back to Cornell in the fall, but so far as I can see now, it will not be possible. Business is not picking up and things look more serious every day..."
6. 8/13/33 See Source File Key #488 for Life Seal received in meditation by sister, [275] re 488-5.
7. 1/34 He obtained two Special (genealogy) readings, [See also 275-38] at which time he was reported to be working in his father's printing business.
8. 6/20/35 Mother wrote that [488] was in Florida and doing fine.
9. 5/12/37 [488] wrote in re a Physical reading for his father in-law.
10. 12/28/51 Mother [255]'s letter: "...[488], wife and little boy [born 9/49] are now in Texas and seem to like it..."
11. 10/08/62 Letter: "...[488] works as a chemist now..."
12. 12/21/64 Letter: "...[488] and his wife lost their fine boy, fifteen years old. They had just moved to Chicago. He got up at night and in his sleep went to a swimming pool three houses away, climbed a five foot wire fence (door was locked), fell, broke his neck and drowned. He was a fine boy: intelligent, loving, obedient and had a deep faith for one so young. It is not always easy to know that all is always for the best..."
13. 3/06/65 Letter: "...[488] and wife are going through a difficult test as a result of losing their only boy..."
14. 12/18/68 Sister [275]'s letter: "...[488] passed on from a heart attack on November 11, 1968..."

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