This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of David E. Kahn, Active Research Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., 20 Woods Lane, Scarsdale, N.Y., this 8th day of November, 1936, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1285], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [257].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [1285]. Born July 11, 1896, in Watertown, N.Y.

TEXT

1. EC: We have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1285].
2. In giving the interpretations of those records as we find here, these as we give are that there may be a more perfect understanding of the entity of the continuity of life, of existence, of experience; and that each soul in its sojourns in the earth enters for definite purposes, that those promises which have been given may be experienced in the consciousness of the individual soul itself, "If ye will be my people, I will be thy God."
3. In the aspects or influences that bear upon the present experience and what the entity should do with the opportunities that are presented from time to time, these arise from what the entity HAS done in the varied consciousnesses WITH the opportunities for the manifesting of that continuity of experience. In whatever sphere of activity these have presented themselves they must be met.
4. The astrological aspects then as we find are these as ruling influences; not because of being born under this or that planet or in this or that house of the various aspects which are at times given; for these have turned - and there should be in the experience of those that classify or give to others interpretations, a NEW turn in these affairs.
5. To the entity then, in Jupiter we find the high ennobling influences in the experience of the entity; in materiality making for associations ever with those in high places, in power, in authority, that deal with problems in the affairs of great numbers of individuals or peoples, or the masses.
6. Hence it may be said that the activities of this entity in this experience would ever be as one having the finger of opportunity upon the pulse of the masses of peoples. In material wealth, ever closely in association with those who are in control of same. Hence we find as may be said from here, the entity's ACTIVITIES should be - as will be seen throughout the other experiences we are to interpret - in those capacities of advisor to large corporations, or in the capacity as counsel FOR those. Not to make for hardships then, but as to counsel for those that will be in the position to serve, in the position to make better opportunities for the masses.
7. In Jupiter we find, too, in the middle and latter portion of the experience the entity will be in those capacities where great amount of moneys or of finance will be under the control of the entity. Hence it will ever remain as a portion of the entity's experience to be true to those trusts that are put into the hands or the handling of the entity. And it necessitates that from this high ennobling influence there be set an IDEAL or idealistic manner of handling the situations that will deal with the larger numbers of peoples or groups or activities, and not merely as idealistic but as to become CONSTRUCTIVE in the experiences of all; that it is honest service for honest endeavor of individuals or groups that are to be associated in these larger organizations with which the entity will find itself associated.
8. From Mercury we find a high mental ability, and a student of and a seeker of those influences that cause or produce in the minds of individuals as individuals, as groups, the thought that prompts the activity. Hence we will find that the reading forces will include the training, the teachings of individuals who have been leaders in various forms. Not only of industry but in political economics as well as in wars and various campaigns that have been planned by individuals in their activity.
9. Hence the greater necessity for the entity, owing to these tendencies, to have an ideal that is of a spiritual nature; or that which is known within self and seen to be practical in the experience of groups, nations, states; to be constructive and not as tentacles that live upon the faults or the weaknesses of others but rather becoming constructive in their daily experience, their daily expressions of activity in a material world.
10. In Venus we find relationships as regarding friendships, marital relations becoming rather as the unusual experiences and circumstances that have arisen from the activities of the entity rather in the material world. Hence we will find relationships in these directions becoming rather strained at times. Friendships that have been of long standing suddenly take peculiar turns; those that are of the newer friendships often meaning much more to the entity than those of long standing. The marital relationships become entangled in the lives of many, rather than the individual. Yet as we find in the latter portion of the experience, as in some of the others, there may be brought in this experience a companionship that will make for a helpful influence in the material and mental affairs of the entity, and thus bring about a CONTINUED constructive influence not only in the daily experiences but in the home life as well.
11. Then the activities that arise both from the astrological sojourns and the earthly sojourns may be summed up in these - as we find from those experiences:
12. One rather of an independent yet dependent mien and manner. Yet there should be more of that within self which does not produce fear or doubt. For if the ideal, if the purpose of the experience and activity of the entity in the material sojourn is of a spiritual import, with those activities producing in the associations constructive reactions one to another, then the entity may know within self that it is indeed upon the Lord's side. And if the Lord be with thee, who can be against thee? This should be not as self-exaltation, not as of self-aggrandizement or self-glorification, but rather that knowledge that as ye do it unto the least of thy fellows ye do it unto thy Maker.
13. As to the experiences in the earth that make for influences in the activity of the entity in the present, we find:
14. Before this we find the entity living in the earth during those periods when there were - as termed - the struggles for liberty; or the Revolution period as known in the American history.
15. The entity may be said to have been in that capacity of the counsel to those leaders from the foreign influences, forces or powers that aided in the defense for the American colonies; and associated then with Lafayette, Rochambeau, and those leaders during those experiences - in the name then August Deucamp.
16. First the activities were in those portions around the Virginian capital, later in the settlements with the colonists in Philadelphia, later with those activities in and about that place now called New York.
17. The entity's activities became then first as one representing the French government in the new land.
18. In material things, in the mental influence, in the spiritual development, the entity gained. For there we find the activities in associations with those in authority becoming authority itself, in those considerations of the influences that dealt with the individuals, the groups and the masses.
19. The entity became in those activities as a student of international law; which is as a requirement in the experiences of the entity in the present, in the representation of corporations or activities that deal with groups and masses. Hence this should be a part of the activity of the entity; knowing not only the national and state law but the association in the international law dealing with the activities of those groups with which the entity is associated.
20. Before that we find the entity was in the Roman land, during those periods when Augustus Caesar made for the varied groups and various nations and peoples to become contributors to the Roman law, to the Roman activity, to supply not only tribute but to supply the necessary development for not only political conditions but the living conditions and the experiences for tribute and the activities of various natures.
21. Then the entity was very closely associated in those activities, acting in the capacity of that one to whom most of those that were representatives in the various lands made reports; then in the name Nellius.
22. There the entity gained and lost. For as the entity came into authority, with the influences in the lives and experiences of those about the entity, there came the tendency to turn those affairs into self-aggrandizement, self-exaltation. Thus hardships were brought into the experience, and hardened rather the heart and the purposes of the individual or of the man; yet not breaking - as it were - the real intent and purpose of the entity.
23. In meeting those experiences, then (for, ever in the experience of the entity or soul there is the constant meeting of self - hence in the present), there will come periods when the opportunity will present itself for the entity's activity to bring about hardships in the lives and the experiences of others; by the abilities of the acts of the entity to bring those things that would be hard to bear in the lives and experiences of groups and individuals, in the administering of affairs of those associates and of self and in those activities in the material plane.
24. But as ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. So may the conscience of self not continually combat with self and bring to the experience self-abasement, self-condemnation.
25. For he that meteth to his brother that as judgement is taking in hand unto self that which does not belong to his own purpose. For as the activities in the material world about thee show, man may labor, man may do this or that in the earth; yet the Lord, the spirit of justice, the spirit of truth, the spirit of mercy, the spirit of love can only give the real increase. Know ye the Lord while He may be found, for as ye draw nigh unto Him, He will draw nigh unto thee.
26. Before that we find the entity was in that experience when there were the returnings of those children of promise from the Persian land; when those edicts had been made by Xerxes, when there had been given the privilege of those that would join with Zerubbabel in the return to the holy of holy cities, there to reestablish the worship of God according to the dictates of their own conscience and to those influences that had led and guided those peoples in the experience.
27. The entity was among those that were born in captivity, to be sure, yet joined hard with those peoples not only that aided in giving comfort and aid to those that went with Zerubbabel but with Nehemiah in his return with political influence and force.
28. For then the entity represented not only the law of his peoples but the law as an edict of the king, then changed.
29. These made for those experiences when it may be said there was the greater development of the entity in a material, in a soul, in a mental experience. For the application of the law as interpreted and read by Ezra in the hearings of the entity, then Abajah, produced in the activities of the entity the making of the first overtures to those about the activities in the city when the temple had not only been rebuilt but when the walls were being rebuilded, that made for peace and harmony.
30. Hence the entity in its activities while as a law interpreter, as a lawgiver, as a law devisor in ways and means, will ever be in the capacity rather to make peace than to stir up strife among peoples or groups or nations or states. Thus the activity in that same capacity in the present may bring the greater development, bringing the greater harmony and peace into the experience of the entity in the present.
31. So, those activities that will make for the settling of differences between those not only of Labor but the ways and means in which there is the distribution of those articles or of that produced to the various groups and masses, will become as a part of the experience of the entity. For these, in which the entity was trained during those periods of the greater development, will be found to become not only as innate but manifested experiences in the present.
32. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Egyptian, during those periods when there were turmoils and strifes owing to the banishment of the Priest. Yet with the return of the Priest (as the entity was among those that were banished with the Priest), there came into the experience of the entity the activities as an interpreter between those peoples who came or returned from the Abyssinian land, the Atlantean land, the Caucasian, or those from the upper portion of what is now Mesopotamia.
33. Then the entity arose to one in authority, in the name of Tan-Shehit. In the experience the entity gained throughout; not only as an aid and a help to others but in those influences that made for the helping of others to help themselves.
34. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain, and how:
35. First, study to show thyself approved unto that thou hast set, thou dost set from day to day as thy ideal in self, in thy dealings with thy fellow man; making the application of that thou hast interpreted and dost interpret as MAN'S law relative as individuals and groups one to another. And then draw those correlations. For these are based upon those laws as given in the mount.
36. And know thou may meet thy Maker, thy God, in thine own holy mount, in thine self. For as thy body is the tabernacle of the living God, and as He has promised to meet thee there, so study to show thyself approved unto that THOU findest there; rightly divining the differences of thy fellow men and showing thyself APPROVED unto Him who is the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. And thou shalt find, thou wilt come to the greater knowledge, the greater understanding, and peace and glory and satisfaction; not of man but of thy close walk with Him - will be in thine experience.
37. Ready for questions.
38. (Q) What, in opinion of the Forces, am I best fitted to do?
    (A) As indicated, to act in the capacity as a law interpreter for those in authority as of corporations, between the individual activities and those whom such corporations would serve.
39. (Q) Should I follow a professional career or a business career?
    (A) A professional; and in that as indicated.
40. (Q) How would you suggest I prepare myself to reach the goal of finding what I am best fitted to do?
    (A) In the applying of self in those directions as indicated. In the representing or presenting of the affairs of such organizations or such activities, there needs be the studies not only of the state or interstate commercial associations but the national or international associations. And as the entity prepares self in the study of these there opens for the entity those opportunities to use same. For that thou hast prepared for, it comes - as He has given of old, "What hast thou in hand?" Use then that thou hast in hand and as ye apply same, it is shown thee day by day in what way, in what manner the activities are to be for the greater expression, the greater development; for the greater opportunities, for the greater help.
41. (Q) What would you suggest I do to improve my personality?
    (A) Increase the force and influence of thy INDIVIDUALITY and thus may the personality be improved, or this shine through thy personality. Know what thou knowest and then be humble with it, so that those who seek thy counsel, those who are in association with thee know that thou hast a knowledge of those influences as from which the fountain of knowledge and understanding arises - that is based first in the SPIRITUALITY. Not goody-goody, but HELPFULNESS, HOPEFULNESS to all. Be optimistic in EVERY association. Not as an exaggeration but as would ever be, if the Lord be upon thy side, or if thou art right and right indeed, Right does EVER succeed. For it is not by might nor by main but by the still small voice within that the individual is made conscious of being in the right, that produces, that induces those influences of a personality that becomes the GREAT force and power in the associations and dealings with thy fellow man.
42. (Q) What course of study would you suggest I pursue?
    (A) As has been indicated in those lines, along those readings, as to the various influences and forces in the lives of individuals that may be applied in thy daily experience and activities. Ever keep the law as was given by Ezra, not only to thy fingertips, in thy activities to thy fellow man, but upon thy lips; that ye speak and act in that which is ever constructive.
43. (Q) What course should I take to improve my position socially?
    (A) If these that have been implied are made active in thy daily life, ye will be SOUGHT by thy fellows!
44. (Q) How can I improve my mental powers - especially those of analysis, concentration, etc.?
    (A) Just in the same manner as has been indicated. And in thy reading or study of same do not attempt to force self to memorize words or tenets by others, but as ye read - then lay aside and make these, as ye sleep, as ye meditate, become as PRACTICAL applications. For knowledge or understanding or wisdom or what not, if it be not applicable in thy daily experience with thy fellow man is as naught. And above all, in all thy dealings, do not lose confidence in self. Let not thy act, morally, socially or in any wise, be such that it becomes as in controversy with that thou dost hold as thy ideal. And ever live so that ye may look EVERY man in the face and tell him to go to - !
45. (Q) What is my future with the General Electric Co. with whom I am now associated?
    (A) This to be sure depends upon the application of self. This, as in keeping with that which has been indicated, is a corporation that presents or represents to groups and masses a great activity. Then as ye prepare yourself, not only as an analysis or analogy of activities in the various places, states or associations, but as ye make application in these as to the abilities of each of the groups, ye will find ye may grow to become one that would be in the capacity of representing in the LEGAL way THAT organization; not only nationally but internationally.
46. (Q) In what way can Mr. Gerard Swope help me to help myself?
    (A) Only in enabling self to prepare self along those lines as indicated, in the study or in the preparation of self for the larger duties that may be found or may be in thine experience as ye prepare yourself for them. Be patient first with self, for in patience do ye possess your soul.
47. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

1. 11/13/36 "The reading was received today and read with great interest. Needless to say, I am quite pleased with it."
2. 12/18/36 "Events I believe are moving along the lines of the reading. I will be admitted to the N.Y. Bar next week and it looks as though from that point things will move much faster."
3. 2/08/37 [1285]'s ltr. to EC:
   ..., N.Y.
   Dear Mr. Cayce,
   I am enclosing my check for $10.00, which covers in full the payment for the reading. I have been so busy that I just couldn't send it any sooner.
   Since writing to you last, things have happened. I am going to be dropped from my present position because of failure to do satisfactory work. This is the reason given as I was put in a job about which I knew nothing and to which I am not adapted. Even with Knowledge of these facts, I had to take it, with the above mentioned result. The real reason for dropping me is that Mr. Swope, President of G.E., and in whose office I was for nearly ten years, does not like me and does not believe I will fit into his organization. This was told to me by an officer of the Company whom I know well.
   I am now faced with the problem of either working for a law firm or going out for myself. I would like the former, but that seems to be quite impossible due to my advanced age and salary required. Will you please look over my reading and give me the benefit of your advice?
   With best regards to yourself & Mrs. Cayce,
   Sincerely, [1258]
4. 2/11/37 EC's ltr. to Mr. [1285]:
   Dear Mr. [1285]:
   Have yours of 8th with enclosure, thanks for same. Note also what you have to say about your surroundings, and the conditions developing there. Well running true to the information, but that is not very helpful unless you can know what to do just at this time about it. First as is suggested in the information don't get panicky about it, while it may be slower you should succeed best going it alone, and when you can be, and you can soon represent some corporations you should be able to a decided success out of your profession. Please do not hold a grudge or hard feelings toward any one for their dislikes of you, that will only make a hard battle for you all along the way, but always have a good word for every one. That the special warning that is given you, you have some recent friendships that will stand you in good stead at this time, and you should make use of them. But know so long as you are doing the right thing to the very best of your ability, everything will come out alright.
   For as the reading puts it, so long as you have right on your side, all Hell can't lick you, unless you give up. Oh it didn't say that in so many words but that is what it means you know am sure. And keep that thought uppermost in your mind and the right thing will open up for you.
   Be sure and let us hear from you, and you know if we can ever in any way be of a help, call on us.
   With every good wish.
   Sincerely, [signed] Edgar Cayce
5. 12/05/38 [1285]'s ltr. to EC:
   ..., N.Y.
   Dear Mr. Cayce,
   I am sorry to have delayed answering your letter of Nov. 15th about the necessity of preserving records.
   I would like very much to help towards this worthy cause, but, unfortunately, I am unable to do so at the present time. I have just started on the practice of law and the money comes in very slowly. I hope that times will improve, at which time I will be only too glad to make a contribution to the good cause. In the meantime, about all I can give is my moral support and best wishes for success.
   With my highest personal regards to Mr. Cayce, Miss Davis and to you.
   Most sincerely, [1285]

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