This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 14th day of September, 1936, in accordance with request made by the self - through Active Membership of his father, Mr. [779], in the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. L. B. Cayce. Born November 21, 1917, between 6:00 and 6:30 P. M., at 4 Union Street, Selma, Alabama.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the entity now known as or called [781], and those relationships with the universe and universal forces that are a part of the records of the entity in its relationships to the experiences or sojourns in the earth and the manifestations in those environs about same.
2. These, or the union of these, naturally make for inclinations and tendencies; yet no urge may surpass the will of the entity, especially if there is the desire upon the part of the entity to conduct self in its attributes of life's experience in the light of an ideal spiritual in its nature. Yet the latent urges are manifest, and these with this particular entity would come rather as warnings in the coalition of material and other environs' experience.
3. A tendency to find fault with others, the inclinations to speak rather quickly, the inclination to find the disturbing factors and the inclination to be a tattle tale, as would be called, or to see the darker side rather than the higher or ennobling. These though, warned against and turned into constructive activity, may become as stepping-stones rather than hindrances in the experience of the entity.
4. In the astrological aspects that make for latent urges from the mental or intuitive forces, we find:
5. The Mercurian influence makes for one of a very high mental ability. And while those studies of certain natures - as those of figures or facts - become as a hardship, these once attained are held as a portion of the entity's experience. Thus the entity may become or may be a very good conversationalist, and especially given to that ability of imitating or mimicking others, aping others; the ability to speak, to act, those things that make the activities of others sound, or look, ridiculous. Or, as may be said, the ability to be a very good cheer leader, a very good activity in any of those experiences where there is the patterning of others, or the desire to arouse a great interest in the weakness of others.
6. Hence there will be the greater necessity upon the part of the entity to hold to that which is ideal and not idealistic only but practical idealism, that there may be no influence that would become such as for the entity to become an exaggerator or one to make conditions or experiences appear or seem that they are not.
7. The experiences in the influences of Jupiter we find would have to do or deal with other individuals, or groups of individuals. And as we find, then, these channels become as openings for either the developing or studies in those directions that would make for a leader. The choice is by the entity in that as the barrister or lawyer, or in those things pertaining to public speech or the political associations and affiliations, or those things dealing with the stage or the screen in that of the funny man, or the buffoon, or the mimic, or the announcer or correlater of the activities of others.
8. In these fields may the entity find an expression of self, if there is the tendency or the inclination in the entity through the application of will to prepare self for such an activity.
9. The experiences in Saturn make for a tendency to be rather changeable, or always starting something new, or inclinations for "Today I would like to do this," and tomorrow, "Well, I would like something else." These are inclinations. Hence must be met in the mental and the spiritual forces of self.
10. As to the appearances in the earth and those that have to do with influencing the activities of the entity in the present, we find:
11. Before this the entity was in the land of its nativity in the present, during those early portions of the settling of the land, during those periods when there were the first establishings of the governments of the land.
12. The entity then was among those that were the chief spokesmen that rallied about an individual or a group of those that made for the separation of the group or colony to a state, as to an activity. Not in those capacities as may be said to be a lawyer, or as a real estate executive, or an activity in those that would insure those influences. Yet in a combination of all of these did the entity become active, as one Samuel Hustonson.
13. And there might be found in the capital or old capital of this land, or this state, the records of the entity's PHYSICAL-abiding in those environs.
14. In the developments through the experience the entity may be said to have gained and lost, gained through the services as to others and through the applications of self in the thought and the expressions of others; losing in self-indulgence and in self-aggrandizement and those tendencies to create disturbances with others - or to produce unfavorable conditions or factional conditions that caused the termination of the activity of the entity during that sojourn.
15. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Promised Land, or in those periods about the Palestine land when there were the Romans that were of the soldiery, of the guards, of the various activities that made that land as a protectorate for the Roman experience.
16. The entity was of the natives of the land that were among the tax gatherers of the land for the Roman peoples.
17. Hence the entity stood at times in a position of authority over those who disliked the authority exercised by the individual; also in those positions at times of authority for those lands and groups whom the entity represented, yet because of the nativity of the entity NOT in good standing with those that were of a sect or group among those peoples.
18. Then in the name of Juahn, and of a Grecian and a Roman- Grecian descent, but active in the lands or the surrounding lands of Jerusalem and Bethany and Nazareth and Capernaum - all of these were portions of the entity's sojourn.
19. Hence the study of those even of those periods when the Master walked in the earth become of a peculiar interest, and oft has the entity visioned some of those experiences where there are given as the journeys from the upper to the lower portions of the land, to the mountains or about the sea; for these were related to the entity during those experiences, though the entity came not in actual or physical contact with the Master AS an individual then, but the teachers, the disciples, the apostles, many of these the entity knew. Not wholly did the entity embrace the tenets during those experiences, nor was there the giving of the whole self towards the Jewish faith nor those activities among the own peoples, the Grecians; yet these in themselves made for turmoils. And as will be experienced in the entity in the
20. Hence the necessity of the entity finding its own ideal, its present, there will come those periods when as to ideals in relationship to spiritual forces and influences will become as entanglements in the experience of the entity. own application of itself to that as is its own moral standard, in relationship to that chosen as its spiritual guide and activity. Hence the study especially of those portions, of the gospel of John and Luke, especially in those portions where there are the descriptions of the purposes, as also in Jude and in Revelations, in such may the entity find those ideals. Set them down in black and white, but bind them upon thine heart-purposes. For the religion of Christ is a practical, everyday living, and not a tenet or a thing to be taken lightly but is to bring life, purpose, peace and harmony by its application in its relationships to the fellow man.
21. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Egyptian, during those periods when there were the preparations for the activities as related to the buildings and the preparations for the temples, and those activities as related to individuals of the various groups - as those that returned with the Priest, the natives, and those that sojourned from other lands.
22. The entity was among those that may be said to have been the builders, yet it was later that individual or entity that led in the attempts to induce individuals by the speech, the activity, the various influences to unite in a single purpose. Hence while those influences brought to the individual in the experience disturbing forces, owing to the uprisings as arose, if these will be held to in the present through the influences of will as applied to an ideal in self, the greater help may come to the entity in the present experience.
23. The name then was Su-se-den.
24. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:
25. First know self, know its relationships to the Creative Forces as may manifest through the activities of self in a material world. Know thy ideal as to thy relationships to thy fellow man. Then keep the faith, applying self either in those expressions that would make for a lawyer or those professions as pertain to same, or in the abilities to give a message through the activity upon the stage or screen, or those activities in the funny man, or the buffoon, or those that may give in very ludicrous terms at times lessons that reach only those that look for mirth and joy in their seeking for satisfying of a material desire.
26. Ready for questions.
27. (Q) What important lessons have I learned from past incarnations?
    (A) As has been indicated, in the sojourn of the present land - not to wrangle; yet there is the tendency and inclination to find fault and to speak lightly often of others. Forget it, or study to show thyself approved unto thy Maker, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth and keeping self unspotted from the world.
    In the Palestine, that there cannot be carried water on the both shoulders - or the attempt to be something and to live another life. Neither can there be oppression to make for understanding. For it's not by might nor by power but by the Spirit of Truth, which is of God. These the entity has learned, the entity now MUST apply.
28. (Q) Under the present circumstances, what type of work and study should be taken up at this time?
    (A) As has been indicated, either the law or the stage or screen. The choice should be made by self.
29. (Q) Explain the manner in which to prepare, begin, and carry on my life work?
    (A) These may be sought and as it is understood or applied day by day, then the next step is given. Do not look for the end in the beginning. Find the way and then the end is as the ideal as is set.
30. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. He previously obtained 4 Physical Readings.
2. 8/25/36 He submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 10/03/36 Ltr. to EC from [781]:
   ... Street, ..., Alabama
   Dear Mr. Cayce:
   Received the reading and was so happy to get it for it has made me feel so much surer of myself. Have been reading and studying it and know that the reading will help me. Want to thank you and Hugh Lynn also for offering to answer any questions that I may have.
   So that you might know which part of the reading is referred to I started at the beginning and numbered each paragraph in its order. Following are the questions:
   (781-5, Par. 2 - Last sentence) How would these come as warnings? (Par. 6 - Last sentence) The meanings of - not idealistic only but practical idealism. (Par. 19) Just what does this mean by the ideals will become as entanglements? (Par. 20) Could you tell me just where these descriptions of the purposes are? (Par. 21) By this description would you think that this was very long after civilization had been brought to Egypt. (Par. 22) If these will be held to in the present, etc. What do the word THESE refer to?
   Again I wish to thank you for the invaluable help and your willingness to help me. Am sorry to hear that you have been ill and I hope that this will find you well.
   Cordially yours, [781]
2. 11/16/35 Hugh Lynn Cayce's letter to [781]:
   Mr. [781], ..., Alabama
   Dear [781]:
   This is a rather tardy answer to your letter of October 3, which contained some questions regarding your Life Reading. The Life Readings are growing increasingly interesting as more individual take them seriously and make use of the suggestions they contain. For several years it has been my privilege to study several hundred Life Readings with the assistance of the individuals for whom they have been given. I hope that you will not let the matter rest with a casual reading, check and recheck the statements made in it with your own experiences. After answering your questions I would like to ask you a few. When you have time write me the answers. This will be most helpful in studying your reading and will in a measure take the place of conversation.
   Before taking up your questions let me make a few general observations about the "philosophy" of the Life Readings as a whole.
   1. All souls were created at the same time. In essence we are spiritual beings. God is Spirit and we were created in in the image of God.
   2. Physical life as we know it today is the result of a long evolutionary process during which our souls have lived in the earth in many different bodies. All of these bodies have been man-like though naturally not as developed as in the present. We put on and take off bodies much like we put on and take off different kinds of clothes.
   3. God never intended us to live here in physical bodies. That was our own idea. He created us as spirit beings. We decided (having free wills) to take on physical bodies like the animals. This happened untold centuries ago, and since then we have been alternately suffering and snatching a few moments of pleasure through the physical body in life after life.
   4. Between the times we are here on earth (incarnations) we live in other planes or states of consciousness. This earth is a three dimensional plane, there are fourth, fifth, sixth, etc., as well as first and second. The life reading discusses some of the urges from these other planes under the headings of influences from the planets, Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn, etc. These planes or planets are like grades in school in which we learn through experience various laws. We have to apply what we have learned in each life here on earth.
   Our ultimate purposes are to realize our relationship with God and return to him, having overcome and purified the physical bodies which we use here on earth. Jesus accomplished this and so purified his body that he was able to change the physical matter. For most of us this process of spiritualization is a gradual procedure, and should not be undertaken too fast.
   Now for your questions:
   1. (781-5, Par. 2 - How would these come as warnings?)
   Ans: This is a reference to the urges you have developed on other planes of consciousness between your incarnations here on the earth. The information is pointing out that these urges do not surpass the power of your will, hence by warning you that you have tendencies to: (a) find fault with others and speak too quickly about it; (b) talk too much about other people; (c) look at the dark side of things concerning others or activities, etc. As is mentioned in the 3rd paragraph [781-5] being warned of these you should use your will to overcome them and turn the energy you would spend on them into constructive channels.
   2. (Par. 6 - meaning of - not idealistic only but practical idealism.)
   Ans: In the paragraph just above [781-5, Par. 5] the information has pointed out that you have certain talents, especially as related to "imitating or mimicking others, aping others; the ability to speak, to act, those things that make the activities of others sound, or look, ridiculous." In other words here is a talent that may easily be turned to a destructive force, a force that will hurt and not help those you come in contact with. Too many people hold ideals that have little or no relation to their everyday work. You must hold a practical idealism. Your ideal must be something that you can apply in your everyday life, it must be a part of your work, your daily living. For example suppose you set as an ideal that you will help, never hurt people. This was a standard set by the Master and is involved in the word - service. You must then be careful to use your talents not destructively but constructively. Following the idea suggested in the reading, people should be made to see themselves in order that they may change for the better, or simply be amused and refreshed through your work.
   3. (Par. 19 - Just what does this mean by the ideals will become as entanglements?)
   Ans: In an incarnation in Palestine you evidently attempted to profess one thing and live another. Reference is made again to this in your first question at the end of the reading [781-5, Par. 27-A]. Being of Greek descent and an official in Palestine you probably lived a pretty easy life, possibly an immoral life. Gradually you came under the influence of Christianity through contact with Jesus' disciples. You never wholly accepted but you apparently tried to believe mentally the new teachings of Christianity but hold on to your old life of ease. The result was turmoil in your mind and soul. This carries over to the present. As you set your ideals you will find many things in your life that do not conform and will have difficulty in adjusting yourself to the resulting situation. It would be most interesting to dig into your makeup and see just how this has worked out so far.
   4. (Par. 20 - Could you tell me just where these descriptions of the purposes are?) Ans: In the books of John, Luke and Jude you will find many references to Christian standards of conduct, thought and ideals. Dig those out and study the purposes of each. Why does Jesus say: "Love your enemies." It is easy to love those who love you, but why love your enemies? There are reasons for these standards besides just accepting them as right because the Bible says so. Such rules are tied up up with our mental and spiritual development. Why did Jesus condemn not just gratification of lust, but mental lust? What are the purposes of these Christian laws of conduct and thought? Set them down, write your own explanations and gradually you will find a basis and a reason for your own standards that do not have to just be accepted because the Bible says so, etc. You are at an age when the setting of standards for living become most important. Give this suggestion careful consideration. Take a few questions that are important and find the standards set regarding them in John and Luke. Then study the purposes, the reasons for these standards. Jude and Revelations offer help here besides many explanations given in the parables of Jesus. I will be glad to help you do some thinking along this line, if you will drop me a note indicating how far you are along in your thinking on various subjects. I may be able to help some on Revelations as we have had several Readings lately on it.
   5. (Par. 21 - By this description would you think that this was very long after civilization had been brought to Egypt?)
   Ans: The period mentioned here is the same as mentioned in your father's Life Reading. The time is about 10,500 B.C. Records (written) of Egyptian history go back only some 5 to 6 thousand B.C. So this period is long before any known records. IF you care to know more about this period I will send you some data on it.
   6. (Par. 22 - If these will be held to in the present, etc. What does the word these refer to?)
   Ans: "These" refers to the urges and influences from the Egyptian period. The information points out that you took part in trying to bring unity out of chaos. There were conflicts because of uprisings (rebellions of the natives). The rest of the sentence says that the urges from the period must be tempered with an ideal set in self. In other words you have had, and do have and will have in the future opportunities to carry on the same type of work as carried on in Egypt, that of bringing people together to stand for one principle. This may arise in little ways like bringing harmony into a group you work with, a gang you run with, or later (for we are tested in little things before being given charge over the big ones) you may have the opportunity to lead larger groups to think and work for a purpose a cause. If your ideal is set high enough within self then your leadership will be for good and not selfish or destructive purposes.
   It is very possible that my explanations have been worse than the first reading in spots. Ask any other questions you like about the reading or about anything that I have written here. I will be glad to follow this up with you in order to make it really worth while. I will not be as long answering next time.
   Now for a question or two. When you have a chance jot down an answer or two to these, especially practical examples.
   1. Do you find that you have a tendency to see faults in others quickly?
   2. As a kid were you ever accused of being a "Tattle tale"?
   3. Have you had trouble with math in school?
   4. Do you find you have any ability to act, mimic others, speak publicly?
   5. What activities in high school?
   6. HOW you decided whether anything is wrong for you to do or say or think?
   Regards, Hugh Lynn Cayce
3. 11/25/37 Father [779]'s letter: "[781] is still working at the drug store."
4. 9/18/38 Letter from [779] to EC: "...[781] took up a sudden notion that he did not want to continue working at the fount in drug store and wanted to try to get something with a future. So he left yesterday for Miami, Fla. to see if he could find something. Guess he is at the age where he has to roam about to find all the country is about alike. He thought one time of going to Calif. to see if he could kinda develop along the lines as given in his Life Reading. He has been studying and thinking quite a bit of late on the line of thought in screen work. He also was quite interested in the study group and has very helpful thoughts..."
5. 11/09/38 Letter from [779] to EC: "...Yes, [781] has about caught up with his little trips and is back in working at a lunch and drink stand about half of the night - until he can locate something else..."
6. 10/03/39 "[781] is still at the drug store."
7. 9/01/41 Letter from [779] to EC: "...Well, [781] is out there in the country on the farm with Mrs. [780]'s 1/2 brother. He has been there several months doing general farm work of every kind even milking cows and he seems to love it, and I believe he has about made up his mind to be a farmer. You know he worked several years at the ... drug store. He was in the draft age so in November last he thought he would enlist in the National Guards here so he would be with a bunch of boys he knew. One week before going away he took physical examination but did not pass due to little underweight and light case of hemorrhoids so was rejected. He sure was hurt and disappointed so he went back to work again and about 60 or 90 days was drafted, the Board passed him. He went to camp and on final check they again turned him down because of the 1st condition and he came home good hurt and disappointed and refused to take his work back after it was offered to him. He said that he was going to work out doors and still make a man of himself. He is looking mighty good and black as a negro almost and can eat as much in one meal as he could in a week before..."
8. 9/07/42 Letter from [779] to EC: "...[781] fell into class A-1 from B-1 the first of Sept. No, has not been on the farm since early spring. He had a job offered to him here at the Army post paying a very nice salary. He is at the Officers Club. Don't think he liked the farm as much as he thought he would. He is rather light for farm work I think..."
9. 5/02/43 Letter from [779] to EC: "...About 10 days ago [781] got a broken shoulder. It seems that they have some kind of tackling games and he says he must have gotten hold of too big a fellow. Says otherwise he never felt better. I tell him he must be a jinx in the Army - first mumps then in hospital with broken shoulder..."
10. 6/27/43 Letter from [779] to EC: "...We were expecting [781] home. Well he did come last week and still with us, but will be going back to Kearns, Utah in a few days. We enjoyed having him with us so much. He is looking real good and his broken shoulder healed very nicely..."
11. 4/22/44 Father [779]'s ltr: "[781] is still at Fort ... and in hospital work; says he has been pretty busy studying and going to lectures and picture shows in his line of work."
12. 7/08/60 Ltr. to [781] from GD:
    E D G A R C A Y C E F O U N D A T I O N, Inc. P.O. Box 595 Virginia Beach, Virginia
    Dear [781]:
    A small group of A.R.E. members have started work on the task of researching all of the Edgar Cayce readings which mentioned incarnations during the early America period. Your reading is one of these, and this letter is a request for your help on this project.
    The main object of our research now is to find any documentary or substantiating evidence of what the Edgar Cayce readings said. For instance, if a reading said that a person had been John Brown living in Mainville, New York, at the time of the Revolutionary War, this project will try to find some black-and-white evidence (court records, town records, genealogy books, etc.) that there was a man named John Brown who DID live in Mainville, New York, and it WAS during the Revolutionary period, or whatever else might prove to be evidential.
    Obviously, the task of tracking down the hundreds of references involved is a mammoth one and we very much need any help you can give us. Specifically, have you ever done any research on your own former incarnation as Hustonson? [[781]'s reply: Sorry, no research. If you can't find HUSTONSON - it may be possible that you want the records of Huntington.] Or do you know of anyone else who has? Any information you can send us along this line may save us hours and hours of unnecessary work. Even "negative research" (i.e., trying to find something apparently unsuccessfully) may help us in that we won't bother looking in that place. Just write us WHERE you searched - name of town, cemetery, library, court office, book or whatever - and WHAT you found out.
    You may be reassured to know that the Foundation Staff is going to great lengths to protect your present identity at all times. Any references to your Edgar Cayce reading will be handled by the Case Number which has been assigned to you - [781]. All correspondence with you will be held strictly confidential, and any information you give this research project via this office will in no way reveal your present name or address.
    Please write to us soon, giving us any information or any suggestions you may have for carrying on this work.
    Thank you, sincerely,
    [signed] Gladys Davis Turner Secretary, E.C.F.
13. 5/18/65 GD's note see under his mother's Life Rdg. 780-6, Par. 9.
14. 7/29/70 He wrote: "We read with interest about the Ass'n and its work. I so often think of you first pioneers."
15. 1/21/72 General questionnaire sent to [781]: 1/21/72 GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE sent: 1/24/72 GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE ret'd:
    PART ONE
    1. What jobs have you held since your reading? (In chronological order)
    Drug store, Bartender, Army Medical Corps, Monumental stone cutter & now, Monumental salesman.
    2. Have you ever spoken with Edgar Cayce? (Yes) (No) How well, if so, did you know him?
    Yes. Mainly through his and my father's friendship, and Mr. Cayce visiting in our home.
    3. Do you feel that Edgar Cayce's source of information depicted you accurately?
    Yes.
    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. In understanding the inclinations, tendencies and urges that came from experiences of past incarnations.
    6. As you look back, do you see patterns that were shown in the readings that you didn't see before? Please explain.
    Not necessarily so - from the very first reading you could clearly "feel" the patterns, and you might say that this feeling was recorded by the stenographer in black and white - Easy to read.
    7. Do you think that your life could have been made better by following the advice more closely?
    Definitely.
    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.) No definite predictions were made - this was left up to the will.
    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.
    1/21/72 GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE sent: 1/24/72 GENERAL QUESTIONNAIRE ret'd:
    PART TWO
    1. The reading says that you are "one of very high mental ability." Agree Strongly Agree Uncertain Disagree Strongly Disagree
    Disagree
    2. Do you think that you are a good conversationalist? Yes No Uncertain
    No.
    3. Do you find that you have (had) the ability to act, mimic others or speak publicly? Yes No
    No.
    4. As a child, were you ever accused of being a tattle tale? Yes No
    No.
    5. Did you have trouble with math in school? Yes No
    Yes.
16. 1/25/72 He wrote: "The answers to Part Two Questionnaire are mostly negative in appearance only. An explanation of the Yes and No would make the answers more favorable."

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