This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 24th day of May, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [877], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.

TEXT

1. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [877], and that which has been given regarding the activities of the entity in the experience known as Cercel, the collector - or moderator for collector - of customs in the Roman land.
2. In giving the interpretation of the records, we would give something of the background - to be combined with that which has been written respecting the activities of individuals during that period of earthly experience.
3. There were the periods of rule by individuals called Caesars - Caesar being a name, a cognomen given or chosen by a family, those that were of lineal descent or those who had been adopted or who had acquired the position in the Roman rule.
4. It was during that period when Rome governed much of that adjacent to the Mediterranean; Rome, Sicily, Mesopotamia or Turkey or Greece, Palestine, and all of northern Africa and southern Europe - as called in the present.
5. During those periods of Claudius and Tiberius Caesar do we find the activities of the entity known as Cercel. The entity was not of the household of the Caesars, but of those who were in the relative relationships - as would be termed - by those who had been given authority by those in office or in power at the period.
6. The entity was chosen because of his executive and physical abilities, as well as because of favors bestowed by the parents.
7. In his activities the entity visited many of the lands from which there were customs to be gathered; and counseled not only with those who were in authority as the judges or the political representatives of the land but also with those who actually gathered or collected the tribute or tax and whose activities, in coordination or cooperation with the entity Cercel, were to CARRY that collected TO those in authority at Rome.
8. Hence, as has been indicated, from those journeyings, from those abilities to coordinate with those of the varied lands, much of the abilities innately and manifestedly become a part of the entity's experience in the present sojourn; in activities a would have to do with foreign lands or those of different tongues or different environs, or in things pertaining to activities under different climes and different conditions.
9. Thus the two great factors that become a part of the present experience of the entity from that sojourn:
10. One - the physical or mental abilities that naturally come along the lines just indicated.
11. The other - the concepts and the relationships innately and manifestedly that become a part of the entity's SOUL-mind development, and the mental or physical-mind development as may be applied in the present; from the information obtained or contacts made, especially in the studies made by the entity in the great library that was a part of the entity's experience during the sojourn in what is now known as Alexandria - where there had been the gatherings of data from or by the sages of old. For all of those influences and forces of not only the Egyptians and the Persians and the lands beyond the seas, but the activities in the many other lands, were included in the records there.
12. Those became a part of the entity's study.
13. Then there were the experiences that arose when the entity journeyed into the Palestine land, just after the Crucifixion of the Master; because of the cries from some of the individuals who were associated with the entity Cercel in the collecting of taxes, and the demands by some that there be a questioning of Pilate by Caesar as related to those things which had come about.
14. All of these brought, and bring into the experiences of the entity, a desire to delve into things that make for the greater understanding in the religious or the MENTAL phenomena, as well as the mystic and rite [right?] - or those who would bring the greater light to the individual application.
15. As we find, then, all of these become a part of the entity's experience.
16. Then, in the present - as ever: That which is existent, or that has lived on, is more the result of what the entity or the individual did ABOUT that which WAS the experience, than the mere fact of having had the experience!
17. The greater lesson that is to be taught, or to be gained from the experiences of the entity in the various lands, then, is to know that these were for the clarification of the purposes; and gave the opportunity - and must be a part of the entity's experience again, in the present, until it has either carried those purposes to their fruition or completion or has failed in same.
18. Then, in drawing a comparison for the entity, from ALL the experiences; not only the Roman-Palestine land but in the Atlantean-Poseidian land among that group known as the children of the Law of One, as well as in that great experience when the activities of the entity were under the Son of the Sun (Son?) in the City of Gold - when the greater material activities of the entity were manifested:
19. Consider all of those things given of old in comparison to that the Master, which is that to be gained by each and every entity in the present; that it is not from without where there may be visions, voices or what not, but it is the light that comes from within.
20. This He taught, this He manifested; that it is NOT a dependence upon powers without! Remember the great lesson taught in that record given or indicated to those who were with Him; that "there be those standing here who shall not taste death until they have seen the Son of man coming in His glory."
21. Then, what were the purposes of the lesson to YOU - and YOU - and YOU - as an individual, from the transfiguration?
22. Did Moses and Elias give strength to Him, or gain strength from Him?
23. This is an important lesson in thy experience!
24. It is WITHIN that there is the kingdom of heaven! The kingdom of GOD is without, but is manifested in how it is reacting upon THEE - by the manner in which ye mete to thy associates day by day that concept of theat light which rises within!
25. Not that the light, then, is other than to bring encouragement. And ye may INDEED say, then, even as they, "Let us make here a tabernacle." What indeed is thy tabernacle? It is thy body, thy mind, thy soul! Present them, therefore, as things holy, acceptable unto Him who IS the Giver of all good and perfect gifts!
26. He IS giving Himself in power to those who, as many as use that they have in hand to the GLORY of Him who thought it not robbery to be equal with God yet made Himself of NO estate that He might enter into the holy of holies with thee in thy OWN tabernacle!
27. Study then to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed; keeping self from condemnation by not condemning thy neighbor yet showing a more excellent way by the very glory of the Lord in thy dealings with thy fellow man day by day!
28. We are through for the present.
    (GD's memo: If you have not already done so, I would suggest that you and Mr. [1151] compare Life Readings. It should be very helpful and enlightening to you both. Especially the Roman and Mongolian periods.)

BACKGROUND

1. See 877-1 on 4/03/35 and succeeding Life Readings.

REPORTS

1. 5/31/38 [877]'s letter to EC:
   My dear Cayce:
   Many thanks for your letter of May 26th.
   As usual, the readings were wonderful, and I know that further study of them will bring forth more and more.
   Please thank Miss Davis for her note about comparing Life Readings with Mr. [1151]. We have planned to do this for some time, but it seems difficult to get together.
   Hoping to see you soon, and with all best to all of you, I am
   Yours ever, [877]
   Mr. Edgar Cayce, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va.

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