Edgar Cayce Readings, 1096-1

(Life Reading Suggestion)

TEXT

EC: (In going back over years from present - " - '29, '28 - Quite a change! - '27, '26," etc. - " - '21, '20 - Affluence! - '19, '18," etc., on back to birth date.)
Yes, we have the records here of the entity now known as or called [1096].
In giving that which may be helpful in the present experience, we find that two of the earthly sojourns stand foremost in the activities of the entity - and in that accomplished or that purposed. Yet these are not alone. For what the entity in those experiences did about the opportunities makes for much that becomes a portion of the entity's experience in the present.
But these are well to consider in undoing, in meeting, in atoning - through those channels that may be or are in the expression of the activities in the present.
While the influences of astrological and of material sojourn become a portion of the entity's experience, and must be met, there is prepared for each soul a way of escape. For not of self alone may one meet self; but in not only the forgiveness in self but in the abilities of expressing self that others may forgive also.
As to the astrological aspects, then, we find:
Jupiter is a great influence, with Mercury. Not because of the position of these at the time or moment of birth, but rather because of the entity's experience in the environs of those. And as Jupiter and Mercury yield their cosmic forces of influence upon the earth (as of others about the earth), such influence becomes as an urge in the experience. Thus the condition is met by the application of will respecting such urges; using or making as the judgment in same that criterion which is the saving experience in EVERY human soul. For the body perisheth, but the deeds, the thoughts, the acts of individuals live ON in that influence which such individuals have upon those about them.
Jupiter, then, makes for a broad experience; the activities in relation to things that will induce, promote, expression or thought in the minds of others. Its conjunction with the Mercurian influence would induce towards that of writing, expression, and ESPECIALLY in fields where we find that one experience (yea, more - but one great experience) may come in writing, through the psychic influence that may be experienced by the entity, of that experience in the earth which is to be met and coped with by so many lands, so many peoples!
From Venus we find rather a staid influence, or that attenuating influence that makes for questionings that arise - and may arise - in the experience of the entity.
Hence the necessity of cultivating in the experience of the entity in the present not only earthly friendships, earthly love, but rather that which is the basis OF or the influence PROMOTING same in those relationships as one to another. In other words, that the experience of love is not for the expressions that SELF may be exalted, or that the ones upon whom such is bestowed may be exalted, but rather that the GLORY of the Creative Forces - that prompt same - may be exalted in the earth. Or that, as friendship, as love, as the experience of same becomes a portion of an entity, it is INDEED as the bright and morning star, the lily of the valley, the rose of Sharon; that which brings peace and harmony and JOY in the experience of others!
For it thinketh no evil, it HEARETH no evil, it doeth no evil.
And without it in the experience of each soul, the expressions in materiality become as not worth while; as a drug that saps the abilities for the awakening of hope, of patience, of brotherly love, of kindness.
For it is the basis of the spirit of truth in materiality!
Then, as to the appearances of the entity in the earth and those that make for an influence in the innate urges, we find that the innate urges are not only from the astrological sojourns but from the earthly sojourns - that become as not only expressions of the subconscious or superconscious self but of aroused consciousnesses.
For the variation of man from the kingdoms about him is his awareness of his ability to hurt or to aid others.
Before this we find the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during those periods of the establishing of those settlements in and about that now known as Fort Dearborn, or Chicago.
In the name then of Esther Clermont the entity's activities made for a service to those peoples that brought order, as it were, from confusion. For through the counsel, the advice, the lessons taught by the entity to those of its associates, those of the young, it brought the realization of how that law, order, is of man's own import, and is lacking in self-indulgence or self-aggrandizement but is the consideration rather of the group or the mass as a whole, and brings that which becomes as the moral support in the material things of experience.
And in the present from that sojourn we find that the entity's interest in law of every nature in many lands becomes as a part of self, a part of the entity's experience. And the entity's abilities to depict to others as to how and in what manner these laws are as the choice of peoples for their morality, and as to how the universal laws are innate and find expression through the moral law that is just a shadow, may become manners and means in which the entity may give much to others.
Before that we find the entity was in what is now known as the Dutch land, or the Netherland; when there were the gatherings of the peoples from those portions of the land for the Crusades - as they were known then, or the defense of a peoples for a purposefulness that was the prompting of the moral lands and moral understandings, as well as the spiritual imports.
The entity then, in the name of Deuchererts, gave self in service for those activities, in making proclamations that brought those periods when there were the understandings being given as to the purposefulness of same.
During those periods the entity suffered in body; yet the knowledge in the present as pertaining to natural laws that are co-incident with spiritual understandings and spiritual laws, arises from the periods of meditation, the periods of turmoil experienced by the entity during that sojourn.
This applied in the present may make for greater understandings to the self, and the abilities to give expression of those ideals that are a portion of the entity's experience - to others.
Before that we find the entity was in the period when it was the QUEEN of those peoples that held the peoples of the Promised Land in bondage; being then in the name Vashti, the queen of Ahasuerus.
When another was chosen and the entity was to become demoted, there came the choice for those activities that held to the purposefulness of self - in keeping self in accord with those that were the moral laws of the entity, rather than enjoining with those things that might bring for the entity a position or pleasure for a season.
From that experience, and those things that prompt the activity in which there are the contending influences with which the entity labored during that experience, there may be written by the entity the story that may become an UNDERSTANDING to many who are to meet - as the entity - the influences of that which is noble, beautiful, that is of the Creative Forces; yet degraded for a purpose that may make for exaltation of or the aggrandizement of a people, or of individuals, for a season.
The influences from that sojourn make for much that arises in the life experience, and life expressions of the entity; the queenly state, its purposes as pertain to the moral life; those things pertaining to dress, those things pertaining to the abilities of certain groups or individuals that by their very purpose should hold an exalted place - yet becomes so degraded at times (the purpose, the place) in the activities of groups or individuals.
Then, those that are the outstanding expressions of the entity, may bring the greater understanding, the greater meeting of self in the experience in THIS plane.
Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Egyptian, during those periods when there was the selecting and the choosing of the daughters of the land for a service, through the activities in the dedicating of the body, the dedicating of the mind, for those services through the Temple Beautiful.
The entity then was among those daughters of the natives that became (that is, the entity became) exalted; as one exalted in its own land, and rose to one of power THERE. Even as many others were sent in the varied capacities for their activities in other lands, the entity remained among its own.
Hence, as may be experienced by the entity in the present, that bond still holds; there is that BOND that holds to those of its own, whether it be in group, in a cism, a family, a purpose, or what not - because of its having been dedicated in self and cleansed from the body to such an extent as to make for the shaping, as it were, of the soul itself.
Then the entity was in the name Ish-Tuboth.
As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain, and how:
In the writing, in the applying of self - and especially in the analyzing of that which has been handed down as a beautiful story. But let the writer give rather that of Vashti's version!
First, in the applying of self, study to show self approved unto the Maker; rightly dividing the words of truth, and keeping self in accord with that set by self as the ideal in its dealings with, in its associations with, its fellow man; as found in Him who IS the AUTHOR and the GIVER of LIFE!
Ready for questions.
(Q) Should I go on with my writing - with same magazine as last winter?
(A) Through the winter; but make the preparations for a BOOK!
(Q) What is preventing my finishing the book I began last winter?
(A) Write rather to the purpose that calls, than to that which may answer to the whim or fancy of any given group. That which is from WITHIN may be given the better.
(Q) Is the "Gondolier" the magazine for me to be writing for?
(A) It's rather to be used as a stepping-stone; but attain rather to those that will become as part and parcel more of the greater HOUSEHOLD activities; as the Bazaar, or McCall's, or those of that type.
(Q) What vocation will I be most successful at?
(A) Writing.
(Q) Would you advise me to sell my home in Miami Beach this winter?
(A) This will depend upon MANY things. Not until the middle or latter portion of the season, if then. Then only in that understanding that the entity knows what and where the returns of same would be used as a satisfying for the things that become as NECESSITIES to the material body for the COMPLETING of, and carrying on of, its greater work in its dealings with large numbers of peoples through its writing.
(Q) Would you advise me to dispose of my property in East Williston?
(A) This as soon as may be done.
(Q) What shall I do with my adopted son?
(A) Keep it in that same manner in which we have given as the basis of the self's understanding.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

2/06/36 She referred Mrs. [1114] for Physical Rdg.
3/23/36 Wire from Mrs. [920]'s husband, Mr. [877] (they had been visiting Mrs. [1096]): "When can you give Mrs. [1096] reading on Vashti incarnation? Answer by Western Union."
3/24/36 EC's wire: "Vashti Check Life Friday morning 27th. Any special questions?"
3/25/36 Letter - did not arrive until 3/27/36 P.M., after 1096-2 had been given in the A.M.:
Mr. Edgar Cayce, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va.
My dear Mr. Cayce;-
We have received the answer to Mr. [877]'s wire that you would be able to give me a reading on Friday morning on the life of Vashti. First I want to thank you for this consideration and tell you that I appreciate your quick response to my appeal. According to the suggestions which were given in my Life Reading of January sixth, I have begun my book on the life of Vashti. I now want all the help I can have from the higher power through you to go ahead and make this as great a book as possible. I am extremely earnest and desirous of faithfully portraying the character which has so far unfolded itself in an astonishing way to me. There are several questions which I would like to ask and after they have been set down I wish to tell you of a remarkable demonstration which has taken place in connection with the writing of this story.
Question 1 - Are there any reference books written upon the life of Vashti - If so where will I be able to find them and what are they called?
Question 2 - I would like to know as much as possible of Vashti's childhood and her life as a growing girl especially from her tenth birthday.
Question 3 - What were the implements of war in her time? What were the methods of warfare?
Question 4 - Please give description of clothing worn by the soldiers and the civilians and of the members of the King's court - and of the King and Queen and Princess.
Question 5 - Colors worn in clothing and used in the decoration of the rooms of the castles.
Question 6 - What were the means of transportation? Also communication? Were carriages used by Royalty? Did the women of the court ride with the men? If the mode of transportation was by camel I would like a description or be told where I can get it - of the palladium on the camel's back.
Question 7 - I would like any and all information I can get on Vashti's wedding with Ahasuerus.
Question 8 - Personal description of Vashti - also of Ahasuerus.
Question 9 - What sort of sports and games were indulged in at the time by the younger men and sportsmen of the time?
Question 10 - Was numerology used to determine important days and names?
Question 11 - Why was Vashti dethroned?
Question 12 - Will it be possible to have a reading on Deuchererts and of Esther Clermont later? My plan is to bring my book down to myself in the present day using the four main characters in the book of Vashti as those which were in my Life Reading.
And now I wish to tell you of the astoundingly revealing demonstration that has happened to me.
About twenty years ago there came to my house a Jew - a travelling jewelry salesman. I was kind to him and perhaps made some trivial purchase. As the years went on I saw this man from time to time and was able to assist him in many ways toward getting him customers and helping him make sales to friends of mine. His name is Moescha Rosenberg.
On Monday of this week he again came to my house and as I always have enjoyed a conversation with him as he is an extremely intelligent and well read student and philosopher - I sat down and became engaged in a conversation. The subject drifted into reincarnation - he talked interestingly and then I asked him - "Have you ever in your readings come across anything of the Land of Ahasuerus?" "Why certainly", he replied and held me spellbound as he sat and told me the entire story of Vashti - mentioning her name and the story of her dethronement and finally told me of a portrait of her which now hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has given me a small booklet that is translated from the Hebrew telling much of the story. But there is more of the story of Esther, who took Vashti's place than really of Vashti, hence all of my questions as according to the suggestions in my Reading I want to write Vashti's version. I have been so amazed at this helpful channel that has been opened up to me that I had to relate it to you. I am so new in all of this wonderful phenomena that I am still dumbfounded at things that seem absolutely natural and matter of course. Please forgive the lengthy letter I have written - but I am so enthusiastic and so grateful to have been chosen as the instrument by the higher power to write this book that I had to tell you with the hope that I will be given the power in my small way to write as you have been given the great power to heal and help in your way. May God bless you and keep you in health and increase your wonderful power daily. I must also say that I had pooh-poohed the Life Reading and am now so thoroughly convinced that I must admit my mistake and I humbly apologize.
Most sincerely, [1096]
3/27/36 See 1096-2.