Edgar Cayce Readings, 540-4

(Ck. Life Reading - earthly existence in Palestine, as Naomi, sister of James and John.)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have the entity, those records of the entity now known as [540].
In giving the interpretation of that as we find here, do not let same become confusing because of customs of the surroundings, of the changes that are wrought in using the language of the present to describe that used or in use during the period of the entity's experience in the Palestine land.
As we find here, in giving these descriptions, these are as those that made impressions - as it were - upon the skein of time and space. Hence they may be often viewed by others who may turn to such from a different angle. Yet that which may become the more worth while to the entity, [540], in making application of the experience and the effect made upon the soul of the entity by that which the entity may EXPERIENCE itself as it reviews same, is that being given. And it may become a part of the mental forces that ARE the builders in practical application of an experience upon an individual entity.
Then, we find the entity was the daughter of Zebedee and the other Mary [i.e., other than Mary, mother of Jesus]. These individuals were not of the rabble, not of the political, not of great SPIRITUAL influence or force among the associates of the group. While both were of the Jewish faith, as would be termed today, or the Hebraic faith, they were in that position socially which was above that of the ordinary individuals.
For, as we find, these (Mary and Zebedee) were one of the house of Judah, the other of the house or lineage of Levi. Hence the close associations with those of the priesthood. Yet, by and through the associations of Zebedee, there were the contacts with the Essenes and those groups that held rather to a more universality of application of the tenets and teachings of the peoples during the period.
Hence in such an environment we find that the entity entered, during that period just AFTER the birth of the Master to Joseph and Mary - of the household of Judah.
The entity was between James and John. Hence during that period when the Master, Jesus, was in Egypt; the place being outside of Jerusalem nigh unto Bethany. Hence we see how that the environs for Naomi in the early portion of its experience in that land were under a VARIED effect.
Here we find SOMETHING of the conditions that surrounded the activities of those about the entity:
Owing to the circumstances of the group to which Zebedee, the father, belonged, this necessitated the choosing of a following or vocation somewhat in keeping with the forefathers - as the CUSTOM ran. Yet the very location of the home or the dwelling belied or was at variance to the general customs, owing to the political situations not only as to the Roman rule but because of the edicts that had become rather contrarywise or at variance with - or at cross-purposes with Herod's ruling then of the portions of Judea that later became known as the Galilean or the Samaritan or a questioned peoples.
The activities of Zebedee required that the purposes and aims be rather carried on through or by agents. Or, to put in the parlance of the present, the entity was rather in the fishing business as a wholesaler, than being in active service himself. As indicated or given, that as He passed by He saw James and John with their father Zebedee MENDING their nets, rather were the brothers of Naomi and the father SUPERVISING and reasoning with the employees as to their activities. For, remember the situations:
Mary, the mother [Called Mrs. Zebedee in 2946-3. She, [2946], also was called "the other Mary", being the daughter of a younger sister of Elizabeth.], was of the priesthood that was renounced by the cousin, John the Baptist, as known; yet the activities with the Essenes demanded (as would be termed in the present) the keeping secret the meetings of the peoples or the adherents during those cross-purposed edicts of the Roman ruler and Herod. But after the death of Herod the Great, when Herod the Less became in power in the political forces, more consideration was brought or given to those who called their meetings in those various manners. These activities came about, then, when Naomi was nigh unto thirty years of age.
When did the entity first consider its harkening to an echo of itself? Nigh unto its thirtieth year of age.
As to the surroundings, we find that the entity's home life was out of the ordinary - even in that period of experience. For it was pulled, as it were, BETWEEN the teachings or the training of the mother and the activities of the father and the brother; yet it had associations in the Roman activities, as WELL as a position in the Jewish faith or Jewish activity.
Hence we find this as a description of the body:
One educated in the schools of those that were the teachers from Carmel, yet associated with those activities of the people about the temple - and those who dedicated themselves to the service that was to bring those activities which to the world today find themselves exemplified in many ways; in one the sisters of the orders known as the Catholic - or the Church - in the present; in the other the orthodox activities of the sisters of mercy among certain Jewish sects.
THESE, then, may give the CONDITIONS - of the activity in which the entity, Naomi, in its teen years, found itself; pulled between whether the holy activities of the Essenes or the dedicating of self to the faith of the fathers.
When there first began those activities among John's teachings, we find the entity then joined rather with those of the Essene group. For John first taught that the women who CHOSE might dedicate their lives to a specific service.
Hence not only the brothers but those employed by the brothers (Peter, Andrew and Judas - not Iscariot) joined in the activities. These were of the fisherfolk who aided in establishing the teachings in and among the people, that held to BOTH the old and the new environs.
The body then was fair, with gray eyes - and dark hair, but brown in its tinge. In mien the body was gentle, and a good cook - a good housekeeper; a WONDERFUL singer, and given to meditations.
Not until AFTER those teachings of the Master, that made for the establishing more of what would be in the present called the home altars, did the entity wed; being then thirty and four years of age. And it was among the groups in Cana when the wedding feast was held that the associations were made which culminated in the home ties for the entity; making for the reconciliation between Mary and Martha and Lazarus also, and the closer association with Elizabeth, the mother of John.
In the entity's home, then, did Elizabeth - of its own kinspeople - dwell; during those portions of its activity among the HOLY women who had dedicated their lives, their bodies, their purposes, their aims, to those changed teachings between John the forerunner and the Master, Jesus.
The entity in those environs, then, made for its development during those experiences in the earth during that period.
As to the various activities to which the entity was joined during the period, that make for or give experiences in the present activity as to the entity's purpose, we find:
There is exhibited much of that which was experienced in those days; of oft being seen and not heard, yet keeping that which was given as an ensample of the women of the period; "pondering oft in the heart" that they had seen and heard.
In making application of the experience in the present:
Hold fast to that thou hast purposed, even then, in thy heart of hearts, in thy soul; that as He gave to thee as direct - through the associations with those about the entity in the visits, in the passage of activity: "Abide in me and I in thee, and ye in me - ask and it SHALL be given thee."
As to the activities also as we have given and intimated through these channels, that John (the beloved; Naomi's brother) would again join in those activities in the earth, we find:
The entity, then, [540] - by body, by mind, by position, by soul's development - will be joined nigh unto those experiences with those bodies through which and to which the ENTITY John (the brother) may come and be known among men.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Were [263] and I associated during that period? If so, how?
(A) We haven't [263] here.
(Q) In what incarnation was I the sister of my present daughter, [665]?
(A) We haven't it here. Only the experiences as Naomi, the sister of James and John - the sons, the daughter of Zebedee.
Much that might make for confusions in some directions is visible.
Yet hold thy purpose to that presence of Him who blessed thee for thy gentleness, for thy kindness in that experience to those that were questioned as to their moral life, as to their relationships in the material affairs. As thou THEN saw deep into the heart of those that sought, yet were weak in body - STRONG in purpose yet oft tempted by the ways of those about them, so in thy self, in thy purpose and in those experiences that come oft, doubt not that His presence may be just as near now.
For has He not given that He is the same yesterday, today and forever, to those who hold to Him?
Thus may there be given more and more an insight into the ways, the manners, the means of awakening in the minds and the hearts of others who would know of thy Jesus, thy Savior, also.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

2/27/36 Letter from Mrs. [540] to EC in Detroit: "...My prayers and heartfelt sympathy go out to you in your time of trouble. I wish I could tell you just how much your work has meant to my family and me. Through your readings we have come to understand more about ourselves, our fellow man and our God and their relationships one to the other. We have come to understand more about our physical bodies and the rules to healthful living, thus making for much happiness in our lives day by day and we hope for those about us. May God bless and keep you..."
6/11/36 See 281-27, Par. 35-A interpretation of psychic experience 5/29/36 of seeing colors and hearing a voice speak.