Edgar Cayce Readings, 1246-2

(Life Reading Suggestion)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1246].
In giving the interpretations of that record as we find here, so much may be given that it becomes rather a matter of what shall be the choice of that for the entity's own personal application in the present to make for that which is the intent and purpose for this present experience in the earth with all its assortment of experiences, with all its changed environments, with all those influences that have been not only in the material but the mental and the spiritual outlook as well.
So many of the experiences, so many things that are as incidents, are so all-important in that to which the entity has attained.
First may it not be given symbolically in that as would be the life emblem of the entity in the present:
A circle, a tree - as the tree of life, whose very leaves are not as of the poplar, not as the willow, not as the lichen, but rather the fruit; not only the fruit which sustains life as the words and acts of the entity, but that which gives within same the very life or fruit thereof itself - with the Cross. Not the cross upon the tree nor the tree as a cross. Rather the Cross as the bridge between understanding and ignorance, as may be upon either side of same, with those words upon the ribbon - CUM ET LAUDUS - or LAUDI - UNDERSTANDING IS THE GREATNESS IN WISDOM IN THY FELLOW MAN.
As with those emblems then may there be chosen that which may be helpful in the experience of the entity, and may there be given that which will bring that peace, that harmony in the experiences through this sojourn, that will make as the cup upon the Cross OVERRUNNING with what will be as pearls of wisdom in the minds and hearts of those whom the entity may contact.
In giving the astrological aspects, these appear in the experiences of the entity as so little; yet comprehend these, my friend:
The sojourns between the appearances in the earth are as those innate forces that become as a body of the soul-force in its expression and manifestation. For these are not only as trite sayings but as the law that is as universal as the soul, as universal as the Creative Energies or God in manifestations either through things celestial, terrestrial or only of the mind.
In the first, then, as ye sow, so shall ye reap; if ye would have life, give life; if ye would know joy, give joy; if ye would have peace, make peace in the experiences of those whom ye contact day by day. Find not fault with any man, with any attempt of a soul in giving its expression - though it may be tortured by those constant meetings of itself in its varied activities. Pour thou rather the oil of patience, the wine of knowledge upon such; that these may make for that protection in self and that it may indeed find as through thine emblem - that growth upon the soul. For as ye sow, so doth the harvest be. Sowing discord only reaps the whirlwind of contention. Sowing contentions makes only for misinterpretations and misunderstandings that become as the hills of discontent and as the sloughs of despair.
Hence as ye find those urges coming from those associations, know that no urge surpasses the will of an entity, whether from an astrological aspect or from the sojourn of the entity or soul in the environs that have been named - that gives but metes and bounds for an expression of the environs about the earth. These appear as innate or as positive influence in the mental forces of self, while those sojourns in the earth - that come through the sensory forces or the senses of the entity, or the emotions - become as the negative forces. Yet the choice of that form which any of these shall take is ever dependent upon the WILL, that heritage from the Father that makes for every soul's development - whether as a companion for those environs of the celestial form or whether the terrestrial or the earth that must find its way. For the will of self is as of the Father; He hath not willed that any soul should perish but hath with each temptation, with each trial prepared a way of escape; making as the bridge the Cross, over which each soul may find the glory of its Lord and of that to which it has sought to attain.
For as ye do it unto the least of thy brethren ye do it unto thy Lord.
The Jupiterian influence makes for the associations and contacts with large groups, yet individual in its approach, THROUGH the application of self in such relationships. Gain the import of that in thy deeper meditations. KNOW as ye enter into the holy of holies within thine inner self, where He hath promised to meet thee, even as the pattern was given of old in the mount. In the mount of the Lord then within thine inner self may ye commune with Him. Not without the camp, for THERE ye find the rabble, the confusion; the seeking, yes - but 'in the still small voice' that comes from within do the greater developments, the greater understandings - yea, the greater knowledge - come.
And what is knowledge? To know the Lord, to do good, to cast out fear; for partaking of knowledge symbolizes the bringing of fear - unless there has been that desire purposed in "Thy will, not mine, be done in and through me."
In Venus we find that influence making for close friendships that become as strangers even closer than the blood relations. We find it making for the home influence, the home environ. And that constant seeking from within self to create in the environs of those that would prepare such, such a surrounding, such an environ that indeed the place of abode becomes greater than just a place to live but rather where there may be the entering into those very forces that are represented by the tree, the bridge, the love and hope, mercy and peace; where the turmoils and strifes of the outer door, or of those without the camp, may be closed out.
These become a portion, a part of the entity's seeking through those applications of self in this environ.
In those influences from the Uranian we find the interest in the mystical, the occult, yea of the soul itself; yet creates - as its very nature within same - EXTREMES; whence the entity may at times fear and others find peace in that very fear, when the entity may at times feel elated when the very acts of seeing of hope spring anew in the mind and heart and life of some friend have brought such - and yet fear crept in with the very hope. Yet guarding thine self ever with that hope that is within, the bridge of the Cross, there comes that peace which is the promise of that "not as the world knoweth peace, but peace I give" saith He; as the peace of the Father that knoweth the way, knoweth the heart, knoweth the understanding and the weaknesses of man and the desires of flesh. But the soul will remain as upon the heights, or as the bough of the tree itself; for its fruits are of life, as the leaves are for the healing of thine worries, thine turmoils, thine distresses. For in Him IS Life, for without Him there is naught.
As to the appearances in the earth and they that make for the emotional expressions of self in the present, while not great in number we find their significance may be seen in the very emotions that have been with the entity through those activities in the present sojourn that have been fraught so much with those innate and those intuitive forces from the astrological experiences about the environs of matter - the earth.
Before this we find the entity was in that land nigh unto the land of its present nativity, in Salem, in Providence Town or a portion of Salem, when through those experiences of the peoples - though they had fled a land for the seeking of the worship of Jehovah-God according to the dictates of their own conscience there had come those periods when the daughters and the sons of man saw for themselves visions and the experiences of the influences coming in that might become rather as thoughts, deeds or crimes, dependent upon the application of same. For those that are unto the laudation of the Risen One, of the Holy One, of the Mount itself, are for praise. Those that are for self-indulgence, self-aggrandizement of their own petty selves or their own earthly satisfaction become as stumbling stones. Those the entity then saw, those the entity experienced.
Thus as these experiences became in the present a part of its inner self, fear - as was through the material persecutions - crept in.
HOLD fast to those forces, but know as has been given of old, "If ye will be my child, I will be THY GOD," is a personal, individual experience for every soul. For he that is not on speaking terms with the Father, the Brother, hath lost hold of the way, of the bridge, of the tree, of the fruit thereof.
The name then was Beatrice Allgood, and there may be found among the archives of old, yet some records of the entity there. In the churchyard there may yet be seen that resting place.
Before that we find the entity was in that land now known as the promised Land, during those periods when the Master walked in the earth; when the entity then distressed - as the wife of Jairus, as the mother of Jairus' daughter [See 1968-1, Jarius' wife] - had that awakening within of the powers that may bring life again to that which has fallen away. And THERE was established the seal, the bridge of the Cross that led from sorrow to gladness, that led not only in the material experiences but in that quickening that came with the presence of Life within the presence of the entity.
And how oft has the entity in the present experienced upon the meditations not the experiences and activities of the man called a lowly one but rather the man of might and power through Galilee. And these experiences have brought to the entity, as then - in the name Fillipe (?) - the feelings of the raising of self from within to the realms of that "Awake, my daughter, to the abilities of thyself through the might of the God-force within thee," or "Arise, and minister."
Before that we find the entity was in the land now called the Promised Land, when those peoples of promise returned for the rebuilding of the temple, for the replenishing of the city and of the walls thereof.
Hence in the experience of the entity we find those things that are of a sacred activity become as sacred to the entity. Yet these held as has been the experience of the entity in deference to those things as were given in Galilee may become as Nehushtan to the peoples or a stumblingblock to those that would know the way.
For as He hath given, "not in this mountain, not in that temple, but the day will come when in the hearts and minds of men and women will the praise of the Lord and His might be proclaimed, rather than from any given city, time or place."
Hence from that experience the entity may find in the present activities much that joins nigh unto same, in the redecorating of the temple, in the replacing of the porch, in the replacing of the vessels for service; that may become as a part of the activity as related to those innate forces of Venus in the present sojourn.
Before that, then, we find the entity was in the land now known as the Egyptian, during those periods when there were the preparations for the Temples of Sacrifice and the Temple Beautiful.
There again the entity, as a daughter of the Priest Ra-Ta, made for the preparations for the Temple Service, or the temple furnishings. For these became as a part of the entity in that experience.
In the name then She-Aar-El, or the 'daughter of the son.'
As to the abilities of the entity in the present and that to which it may attain, and how:
So many ways become open, so many interpretations, so many conceptions crowd upon the entity, as to which way to turn.
Let it be rather as He hath given of old, "Be STILL if ye would see the glory of the Father." Let thy concept be manifested by thy word and thy act to thy fellow man, and not by some great deed, some great act; but rather as thou saw Him in the lowliness of those environs of the soldiery, as thou saw him take Talitha by the hand and lifting the eyes say, "Peace - be still; that Life may manifest in the hearts and souls of those that believe on God."
Ready for questions.
(Q) Have I learned the lessons that I came here to learn?
(A) Life and truth and understanding are a growth. As we apply the lessons we learn, in our dealings with our fellow man, do we indeed as entities and souls comprehend their full meaning.
Hence this experience is as a growth, as an unfoldment even as the lotus that ye adopted as a portion of the service of those in the Temple Beautiful. Unfold, the seeds come after. Seek and ye shall know, knock and it will be opened.
(Q) Must I go on living?
(A) Life is eternal. It is in Him, and merely to change through God's other door has only changed the outlook. But as we prepare the self for the vistas of the various consciousness upon the stages of development, we become a part of that - if our pathway is being led aright.
(Q) What should my next step be in order to be of service to one and meet my financial obligations?
(A) These become rather conflicting in their import, but know - O child of light - the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, "The silver and the gold are mine, saith the Lord." HE knoweth what thou hast need of. Be willing to put thy service to thy fellow man, thy service in a commercial world, into His hand. For God ALONE giveth the true increase. FEAR NOT, if ye are in the Lord's hands! Fear rather if ye have slipped from same.
(Q) Am I in the right work?
(A) Right work.
(Q) Have I work to do in the great housing movement (etc.)?
(A) You have much to do!
(Q) How can my organization - ?
(A) As has been indicated, first it's the individual that is in the position that reaches to the masses. Through these. For the laws as given do not string along; they are part one of another - the spiritual, the mental, the material. For that as conceived in spirit, in mental finds expression and growth, and in the material comes into activity.
(Q) Should we work with the U.S. - ?
(A) Rather as has been given, those influences as for an individual or group - in Michigan.
(Q) Have I seen a vision (as to the future in housing, etc.) - ?
(A) It's true. The vision - the development is on its way. Be a part of same.
We are through for the present.
[Please fill in the last three questions; I failed to keep your copy so did not have the complete questions in my notes - just enough to know which was which. GD.]

BACKGROUND

8/08/36 See Physical Rdg., 1246-1 with Business questions at end of it.

REPORTS

8/09/36 Letter to GD: "...Please tell Mrs. Cayce I didn't stop to say 'Thank you' because I was so shaken and I felt that with guests she rated some privacy. But I am deeply appreciative of the part she contributes. Back of every great man I always find a truly fine woman and in this case I found two grand women, silently serving."
8/13/36 See 1246-3, a Business Reading.
8/17/36 Monday [1246]'s ltr. to EC:
My dear Mr. Cayce:
I want to thank you for your letter of the 13th and to assure you and your delightful father [L. B. Cayce] that I found my visit not only "satisfactory" to use his word but stimulating and inspiring in that it gave me the answer of how INFINITE INTELLIGENCE may be contacted directly and used for practical modern day living.
I have always been impatient with myself because as I grew up I began to live in the mirror of life and forgot how to contact the reality of life.
For years I have studied, searching for the answer to the eternal riddle of existence. Continuity I have never questioned. Responsibility based on soul experience I have never doubted. Voluntary selection of present environment I have never doubted. Mental development through the subconscious I have used consistently for many years, and yet I have not gone very far.
I did not go to you with doubt, criticism or curiosity, I went to you with faith, compassion and humility.
Your physical reading [1246-1] was amazing in that it touched exactly the truth, much more accurately than you can appreciate. My heart has been in a strange condition for years. You revealed the cause of the condition. You did not say that I might be made well, you said that I might reach a "more normal condition." It is perhaps needless to say that I shall follow the instructions.
Your life reading contained much that could not be understood by anybody except myself...it is an amazing document. I'd like very much to talk it over with Hugh Lynn, who, so they tell me, has a fine ability as an interpreter.
It explains many things, the decorative work I have done, without any training here, the peace and sense of being "home" the old world gives me. I prefer the Eastern Hemisphere to the Western. Your business reading [1246-3] is much more ambiguous. It is not clear to me at the moment. Certainly all responsibility for decision is left with me. No doubt this is the way it should be. No doubt I was weak in thinking I might find help. My entire life has been laid out in lines destined to give me decision, to force me to acquire a certain strength. I should have known better than expect to have my responsibility lifted.
You were generous in the time you gave me. I felt that on Sunday, when you had guests I had no right to take more of your time. I shall look forward to seeing you and having you help some of my friends when you are here in October. An important executive, a friend of mine, suffered horribly with a sinus condition. I may send him to Virginia Beach, so that he may touch you and your loyal companions.
My deep gratitude is yours...
Faithfully, [1246]
8/19/36 EC's ltr. to Mrs. [1246]:
Dear Mrs. [1246]-
Thanks for yours of 17th, not only for the kindly things you said about your information, but the very beautiful way you said them. I am sure when I have reached the place where I will not even try and give information on business problems I will at least think more of my self. Possibly that is a peculiar way to put it, but have never cared to undertake such. But have been impelled I might say. I truly believe if the work is any thing at all, it is of a spiritual nature, and when one attempts to understand business of today from spiritual, well it becomes a problem, or seems so to me. I realize of myself can do nothing, but that of the infinite that may work through me. And is that force continually subjected to the wiles of the business mind will it not warp the whole structure?
It appears to me, the information never gives any one any thing, but a working basis, something fine that if in sincerity is followed will bring much that is good in every way. I love to think of the lady who wrote, "Not only have my Husband and I found health, but we have found GOD also in your readings" and to me that is as it should be, yet I realize that so many are worried about their daily problems meeting the daily needs. Still, is the heart and purpose right will these things not come in their order. Do we seek the Lord while he may be found in us, will there not be supplied the need of the day?
Am looking forward to seeing you again and having a good long talk with you. Appears to me you have demonstrated, a divine law, and yet, is that law not universal?
Will be glad to try and be of a help to your friend should he come down. Please let us know before hand, as you know we keep pretty well filled up with appointments and can only make two in the one day.
Thanks again, and let us hear when ever you feel like it won't you.
With all good wishes.
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce
8/20/36 Thursday [1246]'s ltr. to EC:
SERVICE CORPORATION ... Avenue, New York
My dear Mr. Cayce:
It's a red letter day because I have a letter from you...
I want to make myself clear, if I can, on this subject of business. I feel that many people have the wrong idea about it, or, at least, indulge in fuzzy thinking. We are all placed in a material world where the law requires us to pay our bills and deal with financial problems.
Personally, I feel that, if there is only ONE, only one power, one might, one God, business cannot be separated from that ONE. To have enough money is normal. To have health is normal. To indulge in competition striving to have more than one needs is stupid.
Your mode of living, with peace, open space, simplicity is convincing to a visitor.
I gather from your letter that you do not enjoy acting as a medium or radio cabinet for business guidance. Perhaps people who accept financial responsibility, may be just exactly as sincere in their desire for spiritual understanding as those who do not make the effort to be living examples of the truth that God does supply what is needed.
It may be in a confused economic world that you might at the moment do more good by helping to solve the economic problems than the health problems.
I say "may be" I do not presume to suggest that this is true.
Certainly your work is of a spiritual nature, certainly you are a highly developed spiritual person, certainly...from my standpoint...business is spiritual too.
To separate business from the spiritual is to believe in two powers.
Remember that I do not claim that the present economic structure is sound or right, I believe that the economic convulsion through which we are living is merely the pain of childbirth into a higher understanding, a truer appreciation of real values.
I am sure that you are right that the information gives a working basis, because we must learn to use our own power, we must learn that we are really sons of God with the One within. You gave me all truth in your spiritual guidance. I can see my own weakness, my own flaws.
Personally I have never doubted the importance of gaining understanding. This life has given me many experiences which others consider extraordinary, which I consider merely natural. I am the president of a business organization but I have never tried to make money for myself. Last year, in order to prove whether I really was sincere, whether I really am superior to possessions, I gave away everything I owned, everything I had collected over a period years during my European travels. I have always given all I had to give. I have no money in banks, possibly a small balance of less than $100.00 (one hundred), I have no stocks or bonds, except stock in my own little company, I own no property. I have always known that I would have at my hands what I needed.
But, in my business, I have reached a place where I must decide how to operate in the business, whether to attempt to go into a housing program that would give people happier homes because many of the little annoying problems of housekeeping would be eliminated...children would want to stay at home more...seemingly a thousand improvements would be made.
But, I have been so tired...a number of times recently I have been close to the last episode because of this heart condition.
To die would be a welcome release, if I were to be selfish but I have no desire to shirk my responsibility, no desire to go and leave any work undone.
I trust that I make myself clear. Perhaps I am a singularly honest person. I asked for business help, not to make money for myself, but to fulfil my financial responsibility, to give my service to as many people as possible, to do the NEXT THING, thinking in terms of spiritual at-one-ment, atonement. Do I make myself clear? As a student of Mysticism and Occultism I believe that we cannot separate our daily living from our spiritual living. I do not think we must go apart and live alone, as men for years have done in India, I do not think the cloistered nun is the answer. To live gallantly, to wear the seamless gown, to have plenty, whether it is health or wine or joy, as Jesus Christ lived, with the people, seems to me to be right.
You ask, "...is that force continually subjected to the wiles of the business mind will it not warp the whole structure?" If you are contacting Infinite Intelligence, you can depend upon that Intelligence to give the right word. If you are sincere in seeking to GIVE you cannot possibly "warp the whole structure." As you say you of yourself can do nothing. You can only be the beautiful channel through which the wisdom may come.
Edgar Cayce seems to me to be the man who removes his earthly mind and allows the INFINITE MIND to speak through him. The prophets knew who they were, I AM was not finished, they never completed the sentence...I AM GOD...but they knew, as you must, who you are...you can't be anything else if there is ONLY ONE GOD.
Only, you are privileged to speak with authority...to bring through the message, you have retained the humility which is your protection.
I believe that nothing happens by accident. The PATTERN back of the whole plan is always being drawn perfectly and beautifully...if we had eyes to see. Lack of all types is merely lack of understanding.
Christ multiplied the wine and the fishes...he gave the people what they needed...do not be disturbed because people come to you for help on business problems, they need that help at the moment...later they will have other needs...my faith in you leads me to believe that you will always be the channel to give them what they need, at the moment. Don't be disturbed about the mysterious business of every day life, it is still GOD'S HAND manifesting.
Yes, all laws are universal.
My blessing rests upon you and those who so beautifully help you,
Faithfully, [1246]
8/26/36 EC's ltr. to Mrs. [1264]:
Dear Mrs. [1264]:- Thanks very much for yours of last Thursday. I appreciate your consideration of my feeble efforts in trying to write.
I know you are right in your considerations of one force and one power, and I don't mean that one's business is to be separated - but that the material results are the outcome, or should be, of the spiritual and mental and material application, and not first and foremost.
No, I have never felt that the information through this channel was of such a nature that it should be used exclusively for business guidance. Possibly that's where I have been in error, if I consider it from the material angle. For most individuals are most anxious for material benefits, and I have never seen or known of any very successful mediums that only gave such advice - that is, for very long. To me the business and business associations should be the outcome or the growth of an individual's activity. Possibly I'm all wrong or I would not continually be in a confused economic position myself.
I believe all that we have of worldly possessions are only those things lent us by divine force to use as means of manifestation. And it's so easy for us to abuse such privileges that we often confuse ourselves in the application of such.
Every individual, I think, should know as to whether his or her privilege is to use material things, but I'm still persuaded that the greater material surroundings, the greater responsibilities we have are to our fellow man.
I do not think it is wrong for one to have material things. I do think the use of them carries a great responsibility. Certainly I do not desire or wish to shirk an obligation or to withhold anything that may be of help to my fellow man, whether it be in the mental, the spiritual or material realm. No doubt all of us in some way or another become warped by our own experiences, and the experiences are no doubt the result of our use of that which is good that has come into our possession. It is so hard to get the ego out of the way, so very hard for any of us to say, "Thy will, not mine, be done," and to be willing to be used in the way and manner as He would direct.
Thank you again and again for your beautiful counsel and advice. I'm looking forward with a great deal of hope to the opportunity of talking with you again at some length.
Appreciating your taking the time to write and trusting you will be moved to do so often - and may all the blessings of a loving Father be with you always, I am Sincerely, EC:GD
9/14/36 [1246]'s ltr. to EC:
My dear Mr. Cayce:
I remember that I promised to send you a photostat showing the outline of the route to Universal Mind, which you use so beautifully. Sorry I forgot this and trust that you will find it interesting.
Dr. Dobbin has been away for three weeks but will return tomorrow and I have an appointment at 11. Soon we are going to ask you for a check up on physical conditions. [1246-1] I have been feeling better but need to be much better. Have tried to follow instructions but am not sure I have been exactly right.
I have spent a great deal of time on the Life Reading. [1246-2] I was in Salem last week and tried to check up on the Beatrice Allgood but had no success...shall try Providence.
As you said, the important thing is to secure the spiritual understanding, nothing else really matters. I am sure that your Life Reading has changed many things for me, clarified many things which I have never been able to understand. Much that was in your Life Reading applied to me in a way no outsider could understand. I know my weaknesses very well, and your Life Reading touched on those things which need to be corrected. I shall always be grateful for it.
I did not try to reply to your letter, I shall save the subject for a personal discussion. There is a little difficulty, a little trick in this subject. I did not see it for many years, then I spent a summer at the shore where the foliage is rich and deep. I lay for hours in the sunshine an watched the birds with more food than they could eat, the bees with more honey than they could use, the squirrels with more nuts than they could possibly gather. And then I saw that man is not less, he, too, is given more than he can use, but it's all very unimportant, that is just the business of living.
To have plenty is man's normal state. To be about our Father's business may take us into the market place. It does not change the issue. Our job is to do His work. To have plenty is the natural result.
TO ACCUMULATE more than one needs is sinful. To build monuments to ourselves is worshipping false gods. It is hard to talk about it via letter. When do you think you will be in New York? I have a number of people who want to join the association when you come. Have not seen your friend Mr. [257].
Again my deep gratitude for all you have given me. And please give your delightful family my kindest regards. You are no doubt sitting with "open palms," listening for word which may come to those who can hear the still small voice on the 16th...
Faithfully, [1246]
See subsequent correspondence under 1246-3, her Business Reading Reports.
5/16/38 See 1246-4, another Business Reading.
5/21/38 She referred Mrs. [1595] for a Life Rdg. See 1595-1, Par. 68-A indicating their past associations in former incarnations.