This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 3rd day of August, 1941, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [984], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., through his mother, Mrs. [404].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [984] and Mrs. [404].

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the body and enquiring mind of [984], present in this room. In the light of the world situation, his present position as draftee in the U.S. Army, the entity seeks information, advice and guidance as to his best channel of expression; whether he should remain in the Army or seek to be transferred to the Navy. You will advise him the possibilities in both of these channels, and answer the questions he submits, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [984], - and those problems which confront the body as respecting service in relationship to the defense program of the country.
3. In considering all phases of this, much is to be taken into consideration. There are problems that would confront the body in respect to the transfer, and choices must be made by the entity itself.
4. When the world problems are considered, those activities by the Navy are to be the first called into active service. This then will give the entity the opportunity of the experience through the actual conflict in relationships to conditions that are gradually coming about.
5. In the Army there may or may not be the actual service, though there will be those already in service in the actual defense in key positions throughout the various centers of the country.
6. These should be taken into consideration, then, by the entity.
7. To be sure, so far as the actual activities are concerned, the Navy - with all of its ramifications - offers the channel for immediate service, or immediate activity in the defense program.
8. A little later there will be sufficient activity in the service in which the entity is already engaged.
9. Then the choices are to be as to whether the activity is desired in service by water or by actual defense upon land.
10. Ready for questions.
11. (Q) What are the advantages in the Army?
    (A) In the Naval forces there is the advantages that there will be more activity, and a greater expanse of experience in various SPHERES of same.
    The advantage in the Army is the lack of actual warfare, but the activity rather in defense.
12. (Q) Would my experience qualify me for a rating in the Naval Reserve?
    (A) It will qualify for a rating. And, as just indicated, from all considerations this will, of course, materially give much faster advancements, but more dangers also - and these are to be choices by the entity itself.
13. (Q) Should I try to establish myself in the Radio Dept. or in some mechanical line such as Diesel?
    (A) The Diesel offers the greater material advancement, and still with the greater possibilities of accidents or dangerous positions.
    The Radio, of course, offers more of a technical service and one in which there is more dangerous activity yet without the FULL consideration even as the technical Diesel technician. [See subsequent notations under 984-1 Reports.]
14. (Q) Should the Army or the Navy be my life's work?
    (A) If it is chosen as a life's work, choose the Navy by all means.
15. (Q) What should be my advancements and my future if I follow the leads given here?
    (A) These, of course, depend upon the practical application made.
    To be sure, each individual works out his OWN problems by the application of self, and through what is ordinarily termed as "breaks." But these come by the manner in which the individual applies self in those channels that GIVE same. For, these are given according to the manner of application.
    The abilities of the entity here would be such as to merit quick or fast advancement, and within two years would find self in the first class position, - whether as the Diesel technician or in the Radio.
16. (Q) How many years are these conditions likely to last?
    (A) Until at least forty-five ('45).
17. (Q) Are there any personal dangers of which I should be warned?
    (A) Each individual, of course, enters into active service in any of those channels with the problems of personal danger. But those that are in authority, or in the positions of trust, to be sure are in the position of being better cared for than those who neglect or fail to make application of the knowledge as respecting the outcomes and the general conditions.
    No special warnings other then to do that thou knowest to be right, that which is in keeping with judgement and yet in the activity as befits one acting in the capacity of a defense for principles.
18. (Q) What should be my recreation or hobby?
    (A) This, of course, depends upon the choice made as to the service. Collecting ANY form of association with ideas or principles; that is, as of books, characters of ANY form of momentos or tokens or the like.
19. (Q) Are the conditions in this country to grow steadily worse?
    (A) For at least another year.
20. (Q) Should definite efforts be made by individuals or corporations to conserve the food supply of this country?
    (A) There should be.
21. (Q) Please advise me as to the right attitude to take towards these conditions?
    (A) Towards the general conditions or the conservation of foods?
    That as complying with the general conditions, or keeping in order with same. Of course, these should be coordinant one with the other.
    As to the general attitude:
    Each individual realizes that the position he occupies as an individual is an opportunity for service for an ideal. Know thy ideal and the author of same, and keep that ever before thee.
    This, of course, does not indicate that there will not be orders or commands that may appear at times to be a flagrant violation of all those things held as idealistic. Yet there may be applied the law as respecting first the preservation of self, of ideals and purposes, and these kept in accord.
22. (Q) What branch of the Navy, - land, sea or air, - should I seek?
    (A) Sea.
23. (Q) If I remain in the Army, which branch should I seek?
    (A) The Coast Artillery.
24. (Q) What are the advantages there?
    (A) Just as indicated. In the Navy is the greater or broader opportunity for personal activity and service in the near future.
    In the Coast Artillery there is the actual defense AGAINST the aggressive natures that may come about; and these, to be sure, as indicated, offer the greater PERSONAL safety - though LACK the purposes as may be the promptings. Hence there must be the choice of the entity itself.
25. (Q) Any spiritual advice?
    (A) As has been indicated, and as given here, - know in self that thy purpose is in keeping with thy highest ideals. Trust in the divine justice to keep thee in that way as will bring the opportunities as presented, the opportunity or outlet for glorifying those principles; not of self, not of country, but of ideals.
26. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See his Life Reading, 984-1, on 8/29/35.

REPORTS

1. 2/05/43 He obtained a Ck. Physical - 984-5, at Infantry School, Ft. Benning, Ga.
2. See subsequent notations under 984-1, Life Reading Reports.

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