This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 29th day of August, 1927, in accordance with request made by his sister, Miss [288].

Present: Edgar Cayce; L. B. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Miss Beth Graves. Born August 26, 1913, 9:00 P.M., on line between Perry & Hale Counties, 8 miles N. of Greensboro, Alabama.

TEXT

1. LBC: You will give the relation of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces, giving the conditions that are as personalities, latent and exhibited, in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth's plane, giving time, the place, and the name, and that in that life which built or retarded the development for the entity; giving the abilities of the present entity and that to which it may attain, and how.
2. EC: We have the entity and those relations with the universe and universal forces, as are latent and exhibited in the present earth's plane.
3. In the present experience we find more of those conditions as latent urges than those as have been manifested or expressed through the application of will, as yet, in the body. Yet the urges are definite, defined, and these are those as we find in this entity and as the urges that are seen through the sojourns in those planes wherein the various phases of development are experienced by the entity.
4. In entering the earth's plane, we find the entity coming under the influence of Jupiter, Mercury, Venus, and the benevolent influences in Sun and in Orion.
5. In the urge, then, we find one strong of body - yet with those inclinations and tendencies toward those physical defects or physical disabilities that afflict the body as tending toward that of the digestion, or of the internal system.¹ Hence the body should be warned against indulging in any of those conditions that might tend to bring about troubles that would be as afflictions in the physical, under that strain and stress of the digestive system. [12/03/40 See 641-6, Par. 32-A indicating this digestive weakness is karmic from indulging in rich foods in his French and Persian incarnations.]
6. Now, regarding influences as seen in Jupiter, we find one extraordinary in mien. [GD's note: He WAS unusual in appearance. Some commented that he reminded them of the actor Rex Harrison.]
7. One of the disposition or turn that naturally makes friends, and is slow to anger - yet when wrath takes possession, MAD - as it were - all the way through, and is not lacking in means of expressing same. [GD's note: "Very true."]
8. One that, then, without respect of will, finds these conditions as urges in the present experience:
9. One that will find the greater success, the greater development in the present experience, coming through that of association with peoples - in the condition of the BUSINESS man, especially that as pertains to materials, clothing, or of such natures. These will be the natural trend and bent of the entity in its relations with individuals and things, for with that of the ability to make friends, and of the turn that is seen in the NOBLENESS of purpose, this will offer the channel through which the greater development in the moral, the physical, the financial, the spiritual way, may come in this present experience. Hence the training that the entity should have under such conditions and relations should begin as soon as this may. Either by that of the gradual development into the association of, or to get - as it were - the correct groundwork for such a development. [See 641-1, Par. R1.]
10. One that loves to know things for their ability to be applied in the betterment of conditions for self and for others.
11. One that will find that keeping self in attunement with the divine - through the religious experiences of the entity - will bring the greater association for good in the life than can be found through any or all other spheres or phases of life's experience. Keep this, then, well in the activities of the entity through its creative period, or the period when the experiences mould for the manner of thinking in the maturer man. [He followed this advice and was always active in his church life as well as in his A.R.E. interests.]
12. In those experiences in the earth's plane, and the urges as are seen from same:
13. In the one before this we find in that period when the peoples in the land now known as France were near to the rebellion, in the period of Louis the 13th. The entity then among those who were as the escorts and protectors of that monarch, and was ESPECIALLY the one that chose for that ruler the dress or the change of apparel - though NOT in the capacity of the valet. RATHER as one who set the styles for the peoples. In the name then Neil [?] and the entity gained through this experience, giving of self in service in the way and manner as was in keeping with the period, and not acting in any manner other than that of the correct in mien and in position. The urge as is seen - particular with self as to dress, and the ability to well describe the dress of a whole room full of peoples, will the body [if the body will] set self or THINK, as it were, concerning same.
14. In the one before this we find in the period when there were changes in the land now known as Salonica. The entity then among the tradespeople of the land, and the entity in the name of Cohal, and the entity gained and lost through this period - GAINING in the service to country and to the peoples whom the entity served - losing in the application of self when the entity was put in power or position. In the urge as is seen - the ability to fit self into any place or position, or among any peoples the entity may find self associated with. Especially is the love of family and of those close associated with same seen from this experience.²
15. In the one before this we find in that land when the peoples were divided in the service of the peoples that brought divisions in the Persian land, now known. The entity then the physician in court [of Croesus?], and the entity gained and lost - or lost and gained. Lost through the misapplication of self to that that the entity stood for. GAINED through the service rendered, even when persecution came through the invading forces. [Bedouin tribes, Uhjltd period?] Then in the name Abiel, and the urge as is seen - that of the innate desire to know or study chemical compounds [one summer - in 1930 - he worked in a drug store.], or the urge toward the desire to be physician. Rather had this be taken place by that urge as is seen in that given regarding the tradespeople, than that of the service in the limited field as is seen in the urge as is felt from this experience.
16. In the one before this we find in that period known as the division in the kingdom in the land now known as Egyptian. The entity then among those peoples that were of the native folk, yet the one that brought much comfort to many peoples in providing for the application of the truth as was given by those in rule so that the native understood the intent and purpose. Acting then in the capacity of the teacher, the minister, or the go-between between the priests of the day and the common people [Ra-Ta period - See 641-1 Par. R3.]. Hence among those who first in the land took on especial class of raiment or garments to designate self from other peoples, being appointed or given this permission through those in power, both religious and political. In the name Isois, and there is seen yet among the Egyptian ruins or relics reference made to the entity's application of self to the peoples. Becoming in later years - after the entity had entered again the spirit plane - among those that were worshiped by the peoples. The entity gained through this experience, and the urge again is seen - the ability to apply self to the MASSES, as well as to the individuals.
17. In the experience before this we find in that land known as the Atlantean, when the floods came, and destruction ruled in that land. The entity among those so destroyed from that experience, being among the peoples in power, and the successor to the throne, had that land remained. Gaining, and losing in that experience through the misapplication of self to the lessons or tenets as were in the way of being applied by the entity. In the name Amiaieoulieb, and in the urge as is seen - the abilities to know MATERIALS, especially that as applies to wearing apparel.
18. In the abilities, then, of the entity, there are seen that many conditions arise that are to be met by the entity in the application of self as pertaining to will's force, in meeting the conditions through which the experiences have placed the entity as environs in the present experience. First, beware of those conditions that might bring detrimental forces to the physical well-being through the digestive system - following, then, in this channel, those of specific diets, and of the correct application of foods and food values for the physical well-being.
19. In the mental and the body building, the entity needs apply self first as to that that will give the more perfect knowledge of self's relation to Creative Energy, or the spiritual lessons as may be gained from the study of the Master's experience in the earth's plane as the Son of Man, and in material apply self towards salesmanship and to the abilities of meeting the needs of man as pertains to BUSINESS relations. Keeping self, physically, mentally, and spiritually, fit - for in service is the greater blessings given, and in the application of self to meet the needs of every condition there is given the way of escape, will one [if one will] rely upon those promises given in Him who gave, "I have set before thee good and evil. Choose thou WHOM thou will serve, for no man can serve two masters," and in the day when the sun goeth down bring thy gifts to Him who said, "Come unto me, for I have prepared the place, that where I am there YE may be also."
20. Keep the law as is befitting to man's relations to God. Keep self unspotted from the world. Not as eye service, but as SERVICE of the heart to the Maker.
21. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. 5/11/26 See mother's letter under 1187-4 indicating her hopes and prayers for the future of her children.
2. 8/27 His sister, Miss [288], requested the Life Rdg. for his birthday, saying he was a good student; he had been buying his own books and clothes for several years by working after school as a newsboy. She knew he had a particular interest in collecting stamps, but other than that she had no special insight into his character, and felt the rdg. would help him decide on a life's work. She said that the boy himself had expressed an interest in having the Life Reading.

REPORTS

1. 3/10/29 Mrs. [1187]'s letter in re her two sons, [391] and [641], as different as night and day. Although [391] was the oldest, [641] assumed the responsibilities as head of the household for his widowed mother: "[391] is talking of going off to try baseball next month - don't know whether he will go or not - he does get so tired of sitting around at that shop - he likes Mr. [...] but doesn't like the job at all, and never has liked it...
   "[641] still pegs along at his job and does well at it - you never can tell whether he likes it or not - he never complains - he certainly is sturdy [steady?], smart boy."
2. 6/02/30 He graduated from high school. He had planned on working his way through college, but due to having to support his mother and younger sister, he was unable to go to college.
3. 2/15/32 [641]'s letter to EC: "[288] says that I was an interpreter of your work in Egypt. Well, just to show you that I am in accord and willing to do anything I can to help the organization, I am filling out one of these blanks. As I am sort of 'hard up' financially myself, as usual, I'm afraid I can't be of any help in that way at present, but if there is anything I can do in...at any time, I would be glad if you would give me a chance to do it. I would certainly consider it an honor to have you recognize me as an official representative of your organization."
4. 1/17/38 See letter under 779-19 Reports in re [779] and [641] starting a study group in ..., Ala.
5. See subsequent health readings, with occasional question in re his life and work. See 641-3, Par. 8-A--14-A, etc.
6. 8/22/34 At the age of twenty-one, Case [641] - was still working with the small-town newspaper, although he had risen to the position of assistant circulation manager. He was making only a moderate salary and was then the chief support of his mother and a younger sister; he reported that he had no opportunity to get into the line of work suggested by the reading and, besides, he could feel no special inclination or urge in that direction. It was hard for him to understand why the reading advised a life's work which had no appeal for him. However, he felt that he was at a standstill in his present position and saw no chance for advancement; consequently he was seeking a change of some kind. [11/20/38 he wrote that he was practising up on his typing and bookeeping.]
7. Spring of 1939 Case [641] -, while visiting in a large city, called on some friends of his sister who had first obtained the reading for him. These friends were in the clothing business; for three generations their family had manufactured uniforms. They knew of Mr. Cayce's readings from personal experience; their confidence in them was such that they took Case [641] on faith and offered him a job as traveling salesman in a territory of several southern states. His success in a year's time was phenomenal. Both partners of the firm admitted that Case [641] had a special knack of handling customers which their dozen or more other salesmen did not have, although [641] was the youngest and newest addition to the staff. [See 412-6 Reports, etc.]
8. 12/03/40 He obtained a Ck. Life Reading - See 641-6.
9. 2/28/41 See sister's rdg. 288-48, Par. 30-A in re their Persian association.
10. 1/02/42 See 641-8.
11. 9/02/42 See 641-9.
12. In February 1943 Case [641] was classified 4-F for the Army due to a food allergy (notice warning in his reading concerning digestive weaknesses).
    Because of gas rationing and traveling conditions it was necessary for him to give up his job on the road for the duration of the war. July 27, 1943 he wrote: "I have been made Manager of the O.C.S. Clothing Shop at Camp...just what the reading said I should get. It is a big job, though, and I shall be busier than ever." (The Camp to which he referred was one of the big induction centers where fifteen hundred or more officers were outfitted each week.)
13. 2/12/44 He got married.
14. September 1946 Case [641] - took charge of the retail business of the same uniform company with which he had been associated before the war, in and around the large city where the business is located, while the two original partners went into the wholesale business - with a separate corporation - to manufacture uniforms.
15. 1/60 GD's memo: Compare [the Life Rdg.] for [641]'s mother, [1187], who was always very interested in health foods; was associated with [641] in Atlantis as a dietician for the priests. If he had not had the good karma of such a mother he might never have lived to grow up, because such care was necessary in his diet during his early years. For instance, this is a description of [641]'s physical condition in early years as given to Gina Cerminara on 11/18/49 by [641]'s sister:
    "Gina, contrary to HL's paragraph on Nov. 15th, [641] DID have the stomach trouble all his life - even as a child - but EC didn't know it, and I hadn't been conscious of it. The fact that the reading mentioned the digestive system being "afflicted" from the past karma made us aware of the fact that he had been more "delicate" in regard to his digestive apparatus as a child. For instance, he never could eat much cornbread - the roughness upset his stomach. If he ate as much sweets as the other children in the family he would become nauseated and vomit; he could never indulge in rich foods and get away with it as the rest of us did. Many times during his early childhood, I remember, he fell down - stumping his toe on a root or something - and lost consciousness; seeming to indicate, with my later knowledge of the lacteal ducts, etc., that the digestive system was the cause of the fainting or loss of consciousness when he had a physical shock such as falling down. I remember one time it seemed hours before he regained consciousness; our parents were afraid he was dying - his breath would stop and we'd have to manipulate and jostle him to get it started again.
    "I just wanted to correct that impression that the stomach trouble only started AFTER the reading was given; we don't want to be told that the reading mentioning the trouble was what made him have the stomach allergy later. It was already existent. My mother, knowing nothing of the life reading, has always explained that this particular child couldn't eat "just anything" the way the rest could. However, EC knew nothing of this when the reading was given, and I was not conscious of it and had therefore not mentioned it. Besides, it was a life reading he was getting and there was no need to mention the physical ailment - it had not brought him any special trouble thus far - at least it was a condition which was normal to him."
16. GD's note: We heard that Mr. [641] and his wife were very active in the Protestant church to which they belonged, both being active in teaching Sunday School and also in various other ways. Mr. [641] became one of the leading church officers, etc.
17. Quote from Gina Cerminara's book, MANY MANSIONS, published in 1950 by William Sloane Associates, N.Y.: (pages 52-53)
    SOME TYPES OF PHYSICAL KARMA
    A second type of karma in the physical realm might be called Organismic Karma. It involves the misuse of the organism in one life, and results in an appropriate retribution arising from the organism in a succeeding life. A good example of this type of karma is to be seen in the case of a man of thirty-five who since infancy has suffered from digestive weakness. He needs constantly to limit himself to certain foods in certain combinations; yet even after taking these precautions, he requires several hours to digest a meal. Because of this sensitivity, he frequently experiences inconveniences and social embarrassment.
    The origin of his disability was attributed by the Cayce reading to an incarnation in the court of Louis XIII of France, when he had been a kind of escort and protector of the king, and an advisor on the king's wardrobe. His duties he had performed faithfully and well; however, he had one serious weakness - the weakness of gluttony. Even in a preceding life as a court physician in Persia he had been given to the pleasures of the table. Thus for two lifetimes he had committed the psychological sin of excess; the imbalance needed somehow to be equalized, and thus we find him forced, through predisposed bodily weakness, to become temperate in the present.
18. 9/30/50 A.R.E. Member, Miss Ivamay Dennewill's letter to GD, reporting a psychic impression she had while reading a copy of 641-1: "When reading this Life Reading, Case 641-1, the following note was made, from intuitive knowledge: Cat - an idol or image made from dead pet. Did he worship such in early times? (Perhaps in Persian life.) Keeps near him, or in past has done so. Be interested to know if he particularly likes cats, or has any strong feeling for or against them?"
    Report by [641]'s sister, 11/16/50:
    "My brother, [641], when a little boy LOVED cats. He always had a string of kittens he was nursing along, while his older brother preferred puppies. He'd sleep with his cats and take wonderful care of them. One night I remember he kept the whole family awake nearly all night due to his crying because one of the cats didn't come home. He's now married and has a young son. I'm writing to ask if he has a cat or an image of one around the house at the present time." [He did have two cats that lived to a ripe old age. They were cared for like members of the family.]
19. 1/64 Hugh Lynn Cayce's book, VENTURE INWARD, published by Harper & Row, NY, pp. 50-56, quotes the entire 641-1 with his comments.
20. See subsequent notations in re Mr. [641]'s life and work under 641-9 Reports.
21. 7/71 GD's note: Mr. [641] has just retired early because of his health. For the last few years he had the job of training salesmen for the national organization. You might say he achieved the apex of the sales end of the business, which is exactly the job for which he was told in his Life Reading at age 14 that he was best fitted.
22. 1/21/72 GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE sent: 1/25/72 GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE ret'd:
    PART ONE
    1. What jobs have you held since your reading? (In chronological order)
    1. Circulation department of small newspaper. [for 12 yrs.] 2. Sales representative for a uniform manufacture. [for 32 yrs.] 3. Real estate salesman. [part time - since retirement]
    2. Have you ever spoken with Edgar Cayce? (Yes) (No) How well, if so, did you know him?
    Yes, I knew Mr. Cayce quite well over a number of years.
    3. Do you feel that Edgar Cayce's source of information depicted you accurately?
    Yes, I think so.
    4. At the time of the reading, did you have confidence in his counseling? (Yes) (No)
    Yes.
    5. Do you feel that the reading helped you? How?
    Yes. They were extremely helpful, both as to health problems in understanding them and correcting them as well as leading me to a better understanding of the purpose of my life as being an opportunity for development and fulfillment.
    6. As you look back, do you see patterns that were shown in the readings that you didn't see before? Please explain.
    I suppose this may be so. The readings were a long time ago and I accepted what they said at the time as being right. However, time has seemed to confirm that they were right.
    7. Do you think your life could have been made better by following the advice more closely?
    Certainly, without a doubt.
    8. If Edgar Cayce were alive would you refer people to him for help? (Yes) (No) (Undecided)
    Yes.
    9. Did any of his predictions manifest themselves? (Granted that you followed his advice.)
    Yes, both in relations to my physical health and problems and also in my work which was along the lines indicated in the readings.
    Note: Remember that you remain anonymous. If there is any additional information which you would like to add to help me, it would be appreciated.
    Number [641] - Part Two
    1. Did you ever have problems with your digestion?
    Yes. Yes, still have as a matter of fact.
    2. When you were a child, did others consider you to be extraordinary in "mien."? (Yes, no, uncertain)
    Not that I am aware of. [GD's note: They certainly do now!]
    3. "One of the disposition or turn that naturally makes friends and is slow to anger." Does this accurately describe you?
    I think it is a rather accurate description.
    4. Salesmanship, business relations and jobs pertaining to people were advised for you. Did any of these "bear fruit" for you? (Yes, no)
    Yes, my entire business experience I believe bears out the accuracy of the readings.
    5. Describe, please, how the readings helped you to look at the business world in a better light.
    Yes, they brought me to the realization that in being of service to others in business relations was a positive opportunity to be helpful to all.

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