This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 19th day of October, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [843], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., through his sister, Mrs. [678].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born August 20, 1883, in Northampton County, near Jackson, N.C.

TEXT

1. GC: 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 plane, giving time, 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. You will answer the questions he has submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [843].
3. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them, that which is a helpful experience is chosen.
4. Hence the desire, as manifested here, is to give the helpful forces and influences; the warnings, the virtues, the vices; in such a measure or manner as to make the information of a helpfulness - if it will be applied in the experience.
5. In considering the entity's record as a whole, but irrespective of what the entity has done in the present - or the innate influences as are manifested, - these appear as an influence or latent desire within the experience:
6. The entity would have made, and would make, a good politician. Though it may never join itself into such an activity, ANY activity in which the characteristics of a good politician may be used is well.
7. The entity SHOULD - if there are not the drawbacks or influences that tend to disregard the economic conditions - make a great deal of money in this experience.
8. These, as will be seen, are derived from urges that come with the sojourns in the earth as well as the innate forces arising from the astrological sojourns of the entity.
9. For while the astrological urges are merely indications or inclinations, these are not (as is sometimes termed) a part of the experience regardless of the application of self! Rather does this law apply in the experience of each soul:
10. "There is today set before thee good and evil, life and death - choose thou."
11. The will then is the factor in the experience in material sojourns that makes for weal or woe, according to the influences chosen.
12. Hence the ideal in every phase of human experience and endeavor, as well as in the spiritual and mental, is used or abused by an entity in that choice.
13. To this entity, then, as well as to many others it may be given: Be true to thy convictions and to that thou believest, if ye will have harmony and peace in thy material, thy mental and thy spiritual life throughout this sojourn!
14. In the astrological aspects, as manifested in the latent influences and forces, we find Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus becoming as the greater influences; with Venus both adverse as well as in a benevolent influence.
15. Hence latently we find the entity's influences directing groups and crowds, yet individual in its application. For in whatever will be the choice of the entity in its activity, in dealing with others, the influence is to be upon groups or large numbers of peoples rather than so much to the individual, - though individual in its approach by the entity.
16. As a politician, then, - as a salesman in any line of endeavor, - it will be in things or conditions that deal with or have to do with families, with associates, with a state or with a community.
17. Hence these all become latently manifested, and dependent upon the choice of expression of the entity finds its material expression.
18. In Mercury we find a high mental ability. Hence the associations with the opposite sex, as come under the influence of Venus, are of a high mental and material and spiritual aspect, - yet may become detrimental by being misunderstood or misconstrued in its activities or its work.
19. Also in Uranus we find the EXTREMES, as with Mars coming in both adverse and benevolent influences where anger, disputes or things that have to do with such natures become a part of the entity's experience. And if such are allowed to be influenced by the Venus OR the Uranian influence, they may come to be stumbling-stones rather than stepping-stones in the material experience of the entity.
20. Hence as we find from the astrological aspects, - an individual entity with a pleasing personality; capable of being a leader or director, or of choosing activities among those influences or forces where the service and the activity may be for county, state or nation; as well as being an influence in the directing for the salesmanship for any commodity, anything, or any influence that has a bearing upon the lives of the groups, the family, the nations, or large groups or masses.
21. As to the appearances in the earth that find expression most in the emotions of the body, we find that - being highly intuitive, as well as with the high mental forces of the entity - these oft arise as impressions, as hunches, as urges.
22. Too easily in the present activity has the entity experienced the lack of holding to the ideal under such associations, and allowed self to be influenced by others in such a way and manner that did not comprehend the feelings or the emotions of the body in certain directions, - as to make for those forces that were not always for the best materially, mentally OR spiritually!
23. Before this, then, we find the entity was in the earth during those days when sides were being taken or chosen by individuals; during those periods just previous to what is called the American Revolution.
24. There we find the entity was as a town crier, calling out as it were not only the news but the hour for the conditions that were taking place; as well as being what is now called, or in the office now known as town secretary or clerk; keeping the records of those activities.
25. And in the new Providence town may there be found yet those records as to the activities in those experiences, of Dennis Caunought.
26. There we find the entity was one of influence, well acquainted with the affairs not only of the individuals but of the vicinity and the activities through same.
27. The entity gained through the experience, for the service was that not only for the good of all but the manner in which the decisions were made throughout the experience was tempered with mercy, as well as justice under the law as was being set during those experiences.
28. In the present from that sojourn we find the interests in political parties, groups, - and especially in those that have to do with the local or state governments, as would be called in the present; as well as the ability to judge for others under the direct conditions as may be a part of the entity's experience in meeting with its fellow men.
29. Before that we find the entity was in the land when the Master walked in the earth; being among the Roman peoples that were garrisoned in the Palestine land during and previous to and after the activities of the Master and the disciples and the Apostles.
30. The entity knew much of those activities, and yet kept self in such a manner as to never be in the position of applying direct punishments, - as came under the direction of those that were in authority during that experience.
31. Then the name was Apoloir; and the entity gained and lost, gained and lost. For convictions arose, but owing to circumstance (by which the entity justified self) there was not the true activity in that as the entity believed.
32. Hence we find those influences arising in the present experience. For ever is a soul, an entity, meeting itself; in its shortcomings, in that wherein it has missed or chosen in the improper direction.
33. For remember, the good lives on - and ON - and is magnified. The errors become then as stumbling-stones, as to be kept or to be turned into stepping-stones - into those directions and ways as to be the more perfect way, - or as expressed, "a more excellent way."
34. As to the application of self in the present from such influences, - we find the needs for knowing then thy ideal, mentally, spiritually, materially, and not as to what you would desire others to be, but be THAT ye would desire if conditions were reversed for the other one to be to thee! For this becomes then "the more excellent way."
35. Before that we find the entity was in the Grecian land, when there were those in authority who chose to come into the "city in the hills and the plains" of the Persian-Arabian land, as now known.
36. There we find the entity acting in the capacity of a leader, an officer of the guard.
37. Coming under the influence of the activities in that "city" changed the entity much in its choices, in its outlook upon those things pertaining to the relationships of individuals to Creative Forces or God, and as to how such are and may be only applied in the relationships to the fellow man.
38. There the entity withdrew from its own peoples, and from the causes or purposes for which it entered the service in that particular sojourn.
39. Joining with those in the Persian-Arabian land, the entity became as one who gave counsel oft to the traders and to the peoples of the many varied lands who - for one purpose or another, either for the spiritual healing or the material gains - foregathered there during the entity's sojourn.
40. Hence we find the entity gaining throughout the experience.
41. And again that injunction or pronouncement, that the entity must hold to - not the idealistic but a practical ideal in the material, the mental and the spiritual experiences of each individual.
42. The name then was Xerneil.
43. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as or called the Egyptian; through those periods in which there were the uprisings and the turmoils, during the periods when there were the exiles.
44. The entity remained close to the Priest throughout, being what today would be called the valet, or the guard - as then - of that individual.
45. Hence we find the entity coming close to the teachings. And with the establishings after the return to the activities in the various fields of service, the entity was a teacher to those who were being chosen for what would be called today the ministerial service to the peoples, - or in making practical the religious thought in the lives and experiences of the masses or the laymen.
46. Thus we find the entity's abilities in the present in salesmanship, in directing in any of the influences or forces in which persuasion is needed in the relationships that may be established, are innately and manifestedly a part of the entity.
47. The name then was Is-Ben.
48. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:
49. In any of those fields of activity as indicated may the entity in the material, in the mental, in the spiritual way gain, and bring help, hope and service; and, most of all, those things of material gains that supply the need of the OUTER man with the growth WITHIN that brings peace, harmony, contentment in whatever field of service or activity, in whatever condition the entity may find self.
50. But there needs be those things as indicated - to KNOW in WHOM as well as in what ye believe. For these become a part of thine own development.
51. Ready for questions.
52. (Q) Is there any specific field that would be suggested as being best?
    (A) Either that as a political office of a local nature, or as a salesman in any field of activity in which groups or masses or families are the beneficiaries of same.
53. (Q) For what purpose did I make my present appearance and how can I more successfully carry out that purpose?
    (A) To make thy paths straight!
    Remember as has just been indicated, the good lives on. And how oft was that injunction by he that was the forerunner, as well as the early teachings of the Master, "Make thy paths straight!" -, that is; to undo those things ye have BOUND in thyself and in the experiences of others, that one may be free indeed in the love and the service of the Master.
54. (Q) Why have I always had a desire to aid crippled children and should I undertake this kind of work now?
    (A) For ye have seen - as has been indicated - those experiences in which the lame walked, the blind saw. All of those periods ye knew! This is latent. And as ye failed, - the urge to make that path straight is deep. Let it find expression in doing with thy might what thy hands find to do! And remember, she that cast in THREEPENCE gave more than them ALL!
55. (Q) Should I undertake this kind of work now?
    (A) This should be a part of the experience, in whatever way or manner it offers itself.
56. (Q) Why have I been limited by a weak physical body in this appearance and what lesson will I gain by overcoming same?
    (A) As ye saw from whence health and strength and a perfect body came, and heeded little, - it is that ye may know ye live and move and have your being in Him that IS strength, that IS health, that IS life!
57. We are through for the present.

    Two copies to Mrs. [678]
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [Questions submitted which did not get asked: In what other appearance have I known my present wife and what bearing does it have on my present association with her; also tell me how I may use this for greater harmony for both of us?
    Considering my physical condition am I at the present time using my abilities to make a maintenance for my family to the best advantage or what other type of work would be best?
    Give meditation or thought that would aid me most at the present time.]

BACKGROUND

1. See previous Physical Readings.
2. 9/22/38 He submitted questions, via his sister, Mrs. [678].

REPORTS

1. 10/27/38 He reported on his Physical Rdg. 843-8, and grandson's 1712-1, saying: "My Life Reading was also very good. I have read it a half a dozen times and it seems to mean more to me each time I read it. A couple of days ago I received a twenty page interpretation of the reading from Mrs. [264], and she called my attention to many important things which I had failed to understand. She is very good on interpretation of this sort, as she seems to have the right kind of back ground. In other words, she has a keen insight and understanding of a Life Reading. I am sure that the reading will mean a great deal to me. Within a few weeks I will write you again about my reading and then ask you several questions. I may get you to give me one or two more such readings in order to secure a complete picture of some things that I have in mind."
2. 5/20/43 He obtained another Physical Reading - see 843-10.

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