This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 5th day of June, 1940, in accordance with request made by themselves - Mr. [391] and Mrs. [934], Members of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [934], [1208] and Mrs. [1523].

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the entities, [934], present in this room, born January 2, 1910, in Portsmouth, Ohio, and [391], now of Montgomery, Ala., born February 27, 1911 in Oklahoma City, Okla; also the information which has been given them through this channel. In the light of what has been given, what have they to work out individually or together, in the immediate future or in this experience? Please give them specific directions for mutual development in regard to environment, under what material conditions, and in light of spiritual understanding. You will answer the questions they have submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the entities and their relationships; the possibilities, the opportunities; together with the information which has been indicated through these channels respecting their associations and their relations.
3. In giving an interpretation, and advice and counsel regarding the activities of these entities, in companionship in the present, - all of that which has been indicated as to their activities and their experiences, and their relationships, must be taken into consideration.
4. To be sure, those activities and relationships which have brought the influences which one has upon the other in this experience, arise from those associations as indicated, - in which there were those opportunities, those desires that were ungratified.
5. Thus these become as possibilities, as opportunities, and oft as problems in the present experience.
6. For, those activities, associations and relations, are those things that produce the influences becoming as problems in the present.
7. Yet, as we have given, those possibilities, those opportunities which have arisen through the associations in the present - especially the opportunity for those activities and relationships as to the offspring - become the GREAT opportunity, and yet the great problem in the experiences of the entities in the present sojourn.
8. So, all of their personal activities, desires, hopes, fears, should be bound up in that opportunity which presents itself for them in this experience, through that which is part and parcel not only of themselves but of their opportunity, their privilege, their duty in relationship to that entity that is to mean, and to be, such an influence in the experiences and affairs not only of those with whom the entity may be associated, but of the world itself!
9. So, their individual opportunities, individual problems, should be lost in their desire, their purpose, to give, to be, in their relationships one with another, that which will give that entity who is a part of themselves the opportunity, the privilege, the possibility of fulfilling that destiny to which they have, in their associated capacity, committed themselves.
10. Thus that which is in keeping with those influences of a spiritual, a mental and material nature, should be directed - as should their activities - in giving that influence, that environment, that force and power, to that problem which is theirs in the present experience.
11. It is true that there may be delegated others, or relegated to others the opportunities to share in a portion of the activities to create the proper environment, in bringing into the experience of the entity the possibilities. However, the RESPONSIBILITY of same is THEIRS - the parents'.
12. And this should be that which should direct, should keep, should make for the thought of their activity, their relationships.
13. Then, in association one with another, - let thy conduct - daily - be such that it creates that environment for the developing mind of thy offspring which will bring the greater opportunity for that entity.
14. As to thy individual responsibilities in such, - these are the outcome of those influences. And thus being entrusted with that opportunity, this should bring into the experience of each the DESIRE to so live, so conduct their lives as individuals, as well as associates and companions, that the Lord, the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, may be magnified in the conversation, in the activity, in their relationships with others, - as well as with themselves.
15. Then, let their purpose be NEVER to do that in which there is any condemning of others, of self, in such a manner as to make self ashamed of being the channels through which such a glorious undertaking is given to a material world at this particular period when SO MUCH is dependent upon the individuality, the personality of those who seek to do God's biddings in and with the material things and conditions which exist in the present time.
16. These are the opportunities, the possibilities, the duties of these entities in the present.
17. Ready for questions.
18. (Q) In what incarnations were we associated, and how, that have had to do with our present difficulties?
    (A) As just indicated, - these parallels may be drawn from the information which has been given. Also the knowledge may be obtained in such a way and manner that it may either become as stumbling-stones or stepping-stones for helpful forces.
    However, the idea and ideal should be rather the problems that exist by that association in the present.
    The greater influence, to be sure, arises from that as we have indicated, - when there were those periods of the worshipfulness to the body-activity, the body-associations, the body-influence. [Grecian incarnation]
    Thus it has been and is the problem of each in the present to prevent the satisfying, the gratifying of BODILY influence or emotions which arise for the moment, - or appetites, or influences.
    And these, - because of the periods, the worshipfulness towards material things as related to body-desire, - are the problems of each in the present.
    Then, so live, so act, in relationships one to another, and to those about you, that there may never be a question, either as to conduct or as to appetites, or as to those influences.
    For, it will be found that the greater temptation to the offspring will be imbibing too freely of the cup!
19. (Q) Considering present financial situation, should [934] remain here at Virginia Beach through the summer? If so, through what channels should employment be sought?
    (A) Never flee from, or hinder self from, meeting self; provided purposes, desires and hopes are safe in Him.
    It would be very well for [934] to remain in the environ of Virginia Beach in the present season, PROVIDED there IS the determination - and not only the determining but the actual LIVING of that verbally expressed in the present as to the hopes, the desires, respecting that to be accomplished in this material plane.
    But FIND self not in the gratifying for the moment, nor in appetites. Not that anyone is to become goody-goody, but good FOR something! that all may see, may know, that there IS the purpose, there IS that in which God has not chosen unwisely in giving this entity and its companion such a soul for development in this experience.
    Let it be rather said that indeed they have realized their privilege, their opportunity, to conduct their own lives that they may be an example for this entity, this soul.
    As to the channels for employment, - in WHATEVER channel that seemeth good. Not merely for the easier way, but rather that in which the entity determines to - and IS able - to meet all temptations; and this means not that it won't be exposed to them, but that in self there is the character that ye desire that thy son manifest!
    For, UNLESS ye may in thy ACTIVITY with others so impress this, - not only by word but by activity in that same form, that same materialization of spiritual purposes, mental activities, - how CAN ye expect to fill that place with which He, thy God, hath entrusted thee?
20. (Q) Please comment on the following: (a) Advisability of employment at Beach Tavern, Atlantic Ave., as waitress?
    (A) Let's have the comparison!
21. (Q) (b) LaReine Restaurant, 17th St. (c) Advisability of rooming with [1523] and [1650] at ...?
    (A) As we find, the LaReine will offer the greater opportunity for material gain. It will also offer the LESS opportunity for those influences that would be the harder to meet.
    As to living with, or being associated with [1523] and [1650], - this is well; provided they each live up to that they purpose in the present, and conditions are such that it does not leave the way open for great temptations.
22. (Q) What vibrations do the names [934] and Tillie carry? Please explain the different response to each name. Should [934] continue to cultivate her nickname of "Tillie," or eliminate one or the other?
    (A) Names have their vibration. To be sure, names have their element of influence or force, by the very activity of the name.
    [934] indicates STRENGTH, virility; and Tillie almost the opposite! [12/04/66 She reported: "I can see the point. Calling me Tillie always made me feel sort of cocky, and I'm not the cocky type."]
23. (Q) Should she discontinue the nickname, then?
    (A) Discontinue it herself; others will not!
24. (Q) Should [391] seek employment in the Tidewater section? If so, through what channels, and when?
    (A) DO NOT interrupt those purposes which induced the entity to become associated in its present environs; but do LIVE, do act in accord WITH that which purposed the entity to seek that association! The entity hasn't at all times lived up to, and doesn't at all times live up to its best in itself. It CAN, it MAY succeed best in that association; but even there, if there is the leaving off here, the forgetting of this and that, as has sometimes happened, - the giving away to appetites, the giving away for associations, - it will become rather a drawback to the POSSIBILITIES and to the abilities of this entity.
    We would not change. We would work the HARDER in the present engagement and surroundings. For there are GREATER opportunities just waiting, if the entity will show himself capable and able to carry on!
25. (Q) You will give [934] and [391], as I call each name, what definite steps each can take to encourage the other to cooperate in getting a better understanding of their problems mentally and spiritually. [934]:
    (A) This has been indicated in the suggestions just given. It may be summed in this:
    Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, and the privileges, the love He hath shown thee! Keep self unspotted from questioning associations, questioning activities; and let thy yeas be YEA, and thy nays be NAY in that ye have purposed and have privileged to do!
26. (Q) [391].
    (A) Here - as has also been indicated - be STRONG! Keep not thyself away from that thou KNOWEST to be good. Attend the Lord's house more often. Keep thy body-temperament more in accord with thy purpose. A double life, a double purpose is not a singleness of heart in the Lord.
27. (Q) Any other advice at this time?
    (A) Analyze thy opportunities as one with another. Analyze thy purposes, thy hopes. Ye have been entrusted with a great opportunity. Do not fail thyselves, thy son, and - most of all - thy God.
28. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Mrs. [934]
    Copy to Mr. [391]
    Copy to Mrs. [1187], [391]'s mother

BACKGROUND

1. See 934-6 on 4/10/39. Also see husband's readings in [391] series, and son's readings, [1208] series.

REPORTS

1. 10/24/40 EC wrote Mr. [779] that [391] had returned and had gone to work at the Ford Plant. "...Understand from him that things were slow in Ala. - failure of crops kept him from making the sales as he had at first been able to make. He finally gave up and came back..."
2. 12/27/40 Mrs. [934] wrote that she and baby [1208] had left [391] and gone to her home in Ohio for Christmas - she didn't know whether she was coming back to [391] or not. They just couldn't live on what he made.
3. 2/11/41 We heard that [391] had enlisted in the Army; he felt that at least his allotment check for his wife and son would be welcome, and he would have his living expenses and be doing something worthwhile.
4. 2/13/41 Mrs. [934]'s letter: "...I'm in an awful state of mind. I feel what I have done is right and yet I feel that [391] and I have failed each other. There's no doubt in my mind that we could have done better in regard to our advantages. It's too late now, so we must make the best of it. There are times when I love him and miss him, and then again I feel resentful..."
5. 3/03/41 EC's letter to [934]: "...Several times before [391] joined the Army he came and talked with me, said a bit about you and [1208], but never in all my life have I heard him say one unkind thing about you - only he didn't understand you, yet knew he loved you as he would never love another soul - here, this time, anyway. Have wondered at myself, and is possibly why I feel something of a guilty conscience, for after he iterated all the things about not hearing from you, not knowing what you were going to do and the like - I advised him that possibly a year in the Army would be the best thing for each of you. So possibly you have me to blame for his being in the Army..."
6. 3/41 [934]'s letters spoke of a nice correspondence with [391], receiving money from him, a nice office job which she hoped to get with the School Board, etc.
7. See [934]'s subsequent Check-Physical readings.
8. 4/12/41 - 4/22/41 - [934] wrote EC about being offered a job as hostess in a nightclub.
9. 4/24/41 EC replied: "...Think you'd better try the restaurant - afraid of the nightclub. Be more money BUT would cost you more than three times as much to live in that atmosphere, and you would never see your child - think of that, and as you said before he needs you, else he would not have come to you. Hope [1208] gets along alright - always been a bad eater. Just be sure he gets his vitamins..."
10. 7/21/41 [934] told us that she had accepted the job as hostess in a nightclub, also that [391] had written her a nasty letter accusing her of being a drunkard, etc.
11. 8/21/41 Her minister was in correspondence with American Red Cross in re possibility of paid position (but possible acceptance of living expenses in lieu of salary), also possibility of [934] entering foreign service. They replied that employment opportunities for women were limited to trained workers.
12. 7/41 - 8/41 - Mr. [391] wrote that he was arranging with his U.S. Army Finance Office to send the monthly allotment to his sister, Miss [288], to be used for his son, [1208]: "...I made three phone calls on [1208]'s birthday but never did get in touch with [934]. I left word for her to call me back collect but never did hear from her. I'm glad she has a job but I can't say that I think much of her choice. The place she works is nothing but a gambling den and her job is to get all the suckers to lose their money... It would be pretty embarrassing for her if the law happened to raid the place some night. I don't think there's much chance of that but it can happen, even to R... He's the fellow who runs most all the gambling around there..."
13. 9/11/41 Mrs. [934] wrote EC: "...Tell [391] to think of me once in a while, and I shall try to make things better if there's ever a 'next time.' There are so many things I regret..."
14. 10/41 We heard that R... had set [934] up in the restaurant business.
15. 1/28/42 [934] obtained decree for divorce from [391]. Subsequently [391]'s lawyer advised [934] could not be granted the divorce without [391]'s consent, and that [391] could claim custody of the son [1208].
16. 3/18/42 See 391-19 in re proper decision to secure best possible environment and training for son [1208]. Mr. [391] subsequently decided against contesting the divorce.
17. See [934]'s subsequent Check-Physical readings, 934-11, 934-12 and 934-13.
18. 7/13/42 See 1208-18, Check-Life reading for son in re sending him to private school which EC had arranged. Also see subsequent reports on the son under 1208-1 Reports.
19. Mr. R... was married to a Catholic who would not divorce him, [934] reported. Mr. R... died suddenly with a heart attack in the spring of 1945. Mrs. [934] was left floundering. She subsequently sold her restaurant and remarried [391] who had returned from the Army. It was a very brief marriage - they both were wallowing in self-pity and self-indulgence; drink had gotten the best of them.
20. 11/12/47 [934] was still floundering - trying to find work, and her money she had received from the sale of the restaurant was running out.
21. 4/21/48 She wrote that if anything happened to her she wanted her sister-in-law, Miss [288], to have sole guardianship of her son until he came of age.
22. 5/15/48 [934] married again, to a much younger man. The marriage lasted only a few months.
23. 7/02/48 Son [1208] was taken by Miss [288] to spend the summer with them.
24. 8/07/48 Miss [288] wrote [934] asking if she would like for Miss [288] to write Mrs. [2174] about entering [1208] in her private school in the fall, Miss [288] paying the board, etc.
25. 9/08/48 Mrs. [934] wrote that [1208] was staying with her sister and going to school with his cousins, while [934] was staying with her aunt in another city in Ohio and working.
26. 7/51 She returned [1208] to live with his Aunt [288].
27. 11/19/52 [934]'s letter in re her mother, Mrs. [998], having a stroke and being paralyzed: "...I felt wonderful there... I was right in my element, taking care of the sick - maybe that's why I felt so good. However, I sure have had the blues here in ... I loathe this place but I'll stay the winter..." [She was working in a supermarket as a butcher. She was quite good at it and could always get a job but it was hard on her, working in a deep freeze and not being well herself.]
28. 3/08/53 [934]'s letter: "...I dreamed I saw [288] crying and wringing her hands and she told me [1208] was injured terribly. I awoke and sat straight up in bed and couldn't go back to sleep..."
29. 3/08/53 Her son [1208] was doped up with aspirin - his teeth had been knocked out earlier that evening and his mouth was hurting. See 934-1 mentioning that [934] was psychic.
30. 12/53 Her son [1208] returned to live with her.
31. 6/54 He returned to live with Miss [288].
32. 2/55 He joined the Marines for four years. See 1208-1 Reports.
33. 7/56 We heard that Mrs. [934] had married a small restaurant owner. She worked with him in the restaurant for about two years and then left him.
34. 5/57 GD's note: Gina Cerminara's book THE WORLD WITHIN came out (William Sloane Associates) and she had this to say under SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS, on page 119, about Mrs. [934] and Mr. [391], both of whom she had known quite well personally: "In many cases, a previous male incarnation of the wife militates against successful marriage. This is very distinctly observable in the case of a woman who was united with her present husband in the same relationship several lifetimes ago. In the life just previous to the present one, however, she took incarnation as a man. From this male incarnation she carries over a very pronounced desire for domination and independence, together with a man-life strength of purpose that will brook no opposition. Their present marriage has been one of continuous strife almost from its inception. The partners have divorced and remarried twice. The excessive drinking, which has become the weakness of both, is a symptom as well as a contributing factor to their friction. Basically, one major difficulty is the pronounced self-assertive tendencies of both. If one or the other, or both, could achieve sufficient grace of spirit for a sufficiently long period of time to curb his own self-assertive attitude and be patient of the eruptions of self-assertion in the other, the marriage could perhaps be salvaged."
35. 5/09/58 [934] reported: "...I don't know whether or not it would be wise to tell [1208] about [...] and me breaking up. I'm truly sorry it happened but the sooner it's forgotten the better, I think. I suppose it was another Dearborn influence..." [Fort Dearborn incarnation]
36. 9/59 [934] wrote that she and [391] were considering going back together.
37. 1/60 They met and talked but did NOT go back together. Their son, [1208], got married in 2/60.
38. 10/62 [934] wrote that she was now keeping house and taking care of an elderly uncle. (Previously she had nursed her mother and an aunt through lingering illnesses until their deaths.)
39. 9/63 [934] and her sister visited A.R.E. and expressed appreciation for all the A.R.E. had done and was doing for spiritual uplift of mankind.
40. 11/64 [934] indicated that she was helping her son [1208] and his little family financially each week, since she had her living expenses with her uncle and a small salary or "household" money besides. Her uncle had put her in his will for quite a sum of money, and her other aunt had left her a nice home in her will. "...If I can just outlive them I'll be okay financially and can help more..."
41. 11/03/66 [934] wrote about her son's recent second marriage: "...You know, I'm really thrilled and happy for [1208]. I know just what he means when he says, 'Take me as I am, or let me go.' She will help him, and he her. [1208] has all the potentials. [288] and I have always known that - and we loved him as was and is... My heart goes out to V... [[1208]'s first wife]. You see, I thoroughly understand her. Even when she gave me such a rough time [when I was keeping house for them and taking care of the baby], I knew how her mind worked. There's a lot of good there, and she tried. It was a rough go for both of them. I saw what was happening and, as is the way with in-laws, I was powerless to do anything.
    "If I had been as wise when [391] and I were married, I might have saved ours. That's hindsight, though - so now to make the best of what lies ahead..."

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