This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 23rd day of May, 1934, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [557], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [557] and Mrs. [489], and Mildred Davis. Born June 8, 1881, in Philadelphia, Penna.

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, known as [557].
2. A proper interpretation of that the entity has builded in the present experience, as well as that throughout the experiences in the earth and in the sojourns in the earth's environ, might be very helpful.
3. The body-mind and the soul are as real as any concrete object that we may discern. That activity of the soul as constructive through the mental attributes, or the superconscious mind's activity, is recorded, as are the activities of the forces in nature visible to man in his study or dealings with same.
4. So, with the proper construction of that which has been builded used as the stepping-stones for the interpreting of the past and present, then that which is to be in any given experience may be in the hands of the one knowing the intents, the purposes. And the will being the factor that makes for changes in an entity's experience either brings soul development or those influences that mar, or that bring the varied activities that may be seen in any individual experience.
5. Upon the records of time and space are the records made, and thus the interpretations of same are through the record made there by the soul of the entity itself, read by those that may lay aside the consciousness and be one with such a record.
6. The influences from astrological sojourns, then, are rather as innate, and bring to pass in the mind of the individual by such sojourns concrete experiences; as may be had from the study or training in any subject in material or material-mental affairs.
7. As to the entity's activity here, [557], we find:
8. Mercury - the high mental aptitude towards conditions, experiences, and the high intellectual discernments of the body. Hence innately there is the seeking for conditions that must explain to self, to those with whom the entity may be associated, the how and why of conditions in self's or others' experience. In material application there are the aptitudes in the studies that pertain to the higher application of mental forces or influences.
9. Jupiter - the sojourn there brings the particular interest in affairs of importance in varied individuals, lands, nations or peoples. Hence to the entity things and people bear almost an equal importance, for they are to the entity - and the appreciation of same - making for the influences in individuals' affairs and lives such as to make for changes that may be in the individual, group or nation experience. Hence the entity could or would make for itself an economic study in the affairs of nations, or in the relations between nations and their varied activities, that would be not only of interest but an advancement in the line of that INNATELY developed within the entity's experience. These are not the material but the mental applications of the entity.
10. Venus - sojourns there make for the relationships in the home, in the marital relations; as of a condition where many breaking of activities makes for friendships, relations, social activities of such a nature as one dependent upon the activities of the other. Then, these make for these as impulses in the mental tendencies of this entity:
11. Those things pertaining to literature, art and nature are of particular interest.
12. One that makes friendships that are abiding in the inner self, but dependent upon each as to their relationships one to another, as to whether maintained or not.
13. In the activities of the mental forces, then, people and things bearing an equal importance brings that interest in the relationships as to travel, the activities of individuals in varied lands and how they are dependent one upon another. These are of interest to the entity.
14. As to the sojourns in the earth and their influence upon the physical and mental activity of the entity, we find:
15. Before this the entity was in this present nativity of the entity, or in the land wherein the entity found sojourn during a period of unrest; not as to the people but as to the relationships with others to whom and of whom the people of the land had been bound, during those periods when the Revolution was then in the process of forming. Not in Philadelphia, but in the environs near thereto, in the name then Sonsberg.
16. The entity was among the English people that brought with them their own environs, surroundings and activities to a new land.
17. During that period or sojourn the entity gained and lost, through those associations of both the nation's activity and the people with whom the entity then was surrounded.
18. Hence the applications of self in the aid to the peoples, in the teaching, in the training, in the activities of that land, brought development.
19. In those periods when there were sides taken, and when there were gradually built up contentions, the entity then of strong mind (as in the present) and strong divisions of temperament brought to self and to many contentions in the activities at the period; and inaction brought discontent and loss in soul's development.
20. In the present from that sojourn we find those interests that pertain to the training of individuals for particular lines of endeavor, to those things that pertain not so much to the political but the economic influences of individuals, groups or nations; as also pertaining to the relations between groups of individuals and nations as related to their economic position or conditions.
21. Before that we find the entity was in that land now known as the Holy Land, during those periods when there were the teachings in that land of Him who walked by the sea, and He who taught in Galilee.
22. The entity then was among those to whom the teachings often came, not direct but by the words of those who had gathered with the Master and His followers as they oft dwelt in Bethany; for the entity then was in that land not by choice but rather by the influences of those to whom the entity belonged - being of the Roman people and those that were in possession or in the active service of keeping the land in order.
23. In the name Sheliah, the entity then was the wife of a ruler under the Pilate regime - and next to Pilate in command, but an officer of the guard.
24. During those periods when there were many of the turmoils and strifes that arose from the activities then, the entity came under the influence of those teachings and accepted same.
25. Yet in the present from that sojourn we find order in the self, in the relationships about same, and those tendencies for the listening, the harkening to those in places of experience or in power that influence the affairs of individuals and their particular associations in the inner self. From that experience also we find a very DEFINITE condition in the present; that when there is reference made to the character of execution, there is a tendency of a shudder in the body that responds to that heard in that experience.
26. In that experience the entity gained through the soul development, through the physical activities, through the social experiences; for the entity, though under stress and strain mentally often, kept self in an attitude of taking advantage of all experiences through the sojourn for its mental, physical and material development.
27. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as Persia, during those sojourns when there was being replenished in a hill country those activities that brought much to many peoples and many lands.
28. The entity then was of those people in the Grecian land that came for the activities not of destruction (which came later) but as emissaries and teachers to that particular people; in the name then Spipio.
29. Then the entity was among those of a school that would be called in the present a school of art, that LATER in the Grecian land developed to an activity that STILL has its influence upon the world of art as in architectural as well as the sculpture; and this is of special interest to the entity even in the present, though the activities were rather in the mental and spiritual lines during that particular sojourn.
30. The entity brought to self, to those whom the entity aided during the sojourns in the hill land, much that was helpful to those peoples for the building up of the city there, and the greater aid upon the return to the home land.
31. There has ever been an inner urge and interest for things that pertain to the art and teaching and literature of the Grecian of that period, to the entity in the present.
32. Before that we find the entity was in the land now called or known as the Atlantean, during those periods when the entity in its development was among the peoples of the law of One - and those contentions with the sons of Belial.
33. The entity then gained much, for the activities brought the interest in the manifestations that were in the experience of those that consecrated their lives and activities during the period for the service and for the temple's activities in the land.
34. Hence the sojourns there have brought innately and manifestedly into the present experience of the entity the interest in the science especially of that pertaining to the manifestations of unseen forces or powers into materiality; and those things that have been called of the nature that builds into such experiences, as television, radio, submarines, telephone, and the various forms of activity in these directions have had an interest to the entity - THROUGH ITS ASSOCIATIONS with others in these fields of endeavor.
35. The entity then, as Asimamee, brought physical suffering in the latter portion, and mental, physical, spiritual or soul development in the whole period. For, during those periods when there were destructive influences in the land - and when there were those leaving for the various lands - the entity was among the last to leave for what was then Mu (?), or Egypt, and the entity carried with same much of help, but did not survive the period to put a great deal into practice in that land; yet developed much for those peoples that went on with the activity in that land.
36. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain, and how:
37. From the mental activities and sojourns, as well as the material - that come as the urges both from within and from without, it may be seen that those things that will make for the interests of others that the self may aid - in bringing not luxury but JOY, peace, happiness, understanding to others - will bring (as it has) contentment in the experience of the entity; and through same allow or make for the personal application of those things that are as the fruits of the spirit in a material world.
38. For, the mental is the builder; and if this is directed by will and desire into those things or channels that build for spiritual development, we will find the soul expended and expanding in those directions.
39. Hence the interests in material things pertaining to the activities of the nature that have brought for people their relationships one to another will in the present bring to the experience of the entity those things the most helpful, the most hopeful, and contentment - with soul development.
40. Ready for questions.
41. (Q) How can the entity do the most good in this life to bring happiness to others and self?
    (A) As indicated, in making manifest in the experience of those whom the entity or body contacts those fruits of love, justice, hope, brotherly kindness, patience, mercy, and the like; these bring into the experiences - and in those fields that have been indicated will these be found to be the most effective.
42. (Q) What's the best mode of life for me to live to keep myself in the best physical and to lead a constructive life?
    (A) First bring to self the more perfect physical body in which to manifest the mental and soul abilities of self. Then analyze self as in relationship to that it has - and through what channel it has - accomplished activities in the material plane. These channels will offer then the direction through which the material activities may be the more easily carried on in relationships to others, and the indication of what fields of individuals and relations with whom the mental mind may be directed; that is, individuals who have an interest in fields of activity that tend to make for their being in those lines that have been indicated - as in law, from Rome; as in seeking for helpfulness to a people interested in art, nature and sculpture from those experiences of individuals when contentions arose in a new land; and as in those special fields of activity from the Atlantean sojourn. These will bring to the entity the character of individuals whom the self may aid the most.
43. (Q) In expressing my highest faculties, in just what field of psychic endeavor should I interest myself?
    (A) As from the inner self the psychic forces manifest in varied forms, even to self, and its contemplation of manifestations that may bring into the experience of others those experiences that satisfy or aid others. Being directed not by other FORCES, but self going out for its own relationships through the medium or channel of writing - automatic.
44. (Q) What latent talents or abilities should I develop or seek to express?
    (A) Those activities as have been indicated may be made manifest in the influence and lives of those whom the entity may, as it were, impress or approach the more easily; in giving expression of the fruits of the spirit in material places.
    Keep that ability in self ever that thou hast ruled over many, through the counsel, the instruction, the advice to others in their varied relationships with peoples under many environs, and thou wilt add not only to thyself, to thine brethren everywhere, the love that is found in Him thou didst proclaim in Bethany.
45. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 557-1 in A.M. of 5/23/34, a physical reading.

REPORTS

1. 5/24/34 A.M. She obtained a Mental-Spiritual Reading - 557-3, "with special emphasis upon expressing the soul faculties in the present in the highest possible degree."
2. See subsequent Ck. Physical Readings.
3. 8/19/37 Letter - see under 557-7 Reports - expressed interest in EC's work and desire to get Life Rdgs. for her sons.
4. 7/26/39 "I am enclosing this check to help in the preserving of records, or if that is attended to, any other thing that may be constructive or of interest to you or the Association at this time.
   "I have had a very busy life for the past two years, as my sister and family were wiped out financially, and had other complications, and I have been trying to help them. I want you to know I am still interested in your wonderful work and glad to receive any instructive pamphlets."

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