This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 29th day of May, 1937, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [1376], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [165].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the entity known as [1376] (at the above address), who seeks to develop her psychic powers and is willing to devote herself in service to her fellowmen in the expression of these abilities. You will advise her as to how to free herself from inhibitions and conscious interference so as to reach the highest possible development and expression in this experience. Answer questions.
2. EC: Yes, we have the entity here, [1376]. (Pronounced it like [...]) [EC mispronounced her name throughout, as if it were spelled - r-o - instead of - o-r - ]
3. In giving that as we find which may be helpful to this entity, there might be first some questioning as to the declarations that are here made.
4. Are the purposes, are the desires for the expression through the psychic influences or forces, of self? or have there been such experiences that other influences are seeking for expression?
5. This should first be determined, then, within not only the physical consciousness but the deeper consciousness of the entity.
6. Again this question should be answered within self: What is conscious service to the fellowmen? Impelling them to think as self thinks? Or is it to enable such to find their own expression with their conscious contact with psychic forces?
7. Then again, what is meant, implied, by psychic development or a psychic experience of an entity?
8. Hence we see, in the question as is proposed, there is precluded in the consciousness of the entity that in which it believes as a manifestation or demonstration of psychic influences. Also, has the entity determined, and satisfied its mental and spiritual consciousness, as to WHOM the entity believes?
9. For as has been attested and demonstrated as of old, not every spirit, not every entity seeks to serve irrespective of self. Neither do all that may manifest seek to express or manifest other than that which has been the conscious, superconscious or subconscious desire of the ego.
10. What is thy purpose?
11. As we find, in defining then for the entity those questions, there must first be the purport - there must be the answer only within self - as to whom ye will serve. Is it God or man? Is it self or fame or fortune? Are there those grounds for common meeting of these influences?
12. For as the Teacher of teachers gave, as all who have pointed to a service to their fellowmen, there is ONE God; or "The Lord thy God is ONE" - and the expression should be, "My Spirit (not spirits, but MY Spirit) beareth witness with THY spirit (not spirits) as to whether ye be the child of God or not."
13. That witness, that attesting, that direction then, is only - ONLY - truly - in the temple of self. Or, as has been given of old, "Who shall I say has sent me? I AM THAT I AM!" That I AM then within self, responding to the I AM THAT I AM, is indeed the psychic or soul or of the soul self.
14. To arouse such then to an active service is to manifest the fruits of that spirit in conscious activity in a material world.
15. What then are these fruits? For the spirit itself may not be seen; for God hath not at any time been seen by man, only the manifested fruits of the spirit. Hence no hate, no dishonor; but patience, longsuffering, brotherly love, kindness, gentleness; not exalting of self but rather abasement of self that there may be the closer union, the closer walk with that I AM THAT I AM.
16. These be then those activities in which each soul may engage in a conscious material world. Not saying nor acting unkind things. No harsh words. None of these are a part of the soul, that seeks for soul or psychic development.
17. These be the manners then that one may develop one's self.
18. This entity, [1376] [?] - or [...] - (she should call herself by her real name!) - has the abilities through the manifested activities in the earth for becoming an acoustic vessel for the expression of influences in a high vibratory force that brings into the experience a desire that is at times fearful, at times glorious, at times - well, shaking - in the wonderment of whether there may not be a losing of self in the very activities that go about self.
19. Hence all the more necessity for the entity to determine, and satisfy self's own consciousness, as to the question, "For what purpose would I enter into active, conscious service for my fellowmen?" Is it that self may be exalted? Is it that self may be abased, that there may be the glory of God manifested among the children of men? or that an entity, a soul - as self - seeks expression that it, too, may use material consciousnesses for self-expression, self-glory? What witness does such an entity bear? That the Christ has come in the flesh, or that He beareth witness with thee in the deeds done in the body that are the fruits of the spirit of truth? or is it the indulgences into that which satisfies a longing for self-glory?
20. These questions must be answered, and may be answered in this:
21. Study to show thyself approved unto God, "a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth; and keeping self in body, in mind, unspotted from the world."
22. These be the determining factors, then, as to what, as to how, as to when, as to what way [1376] [?] may develop her psychic abilities.
23. Ready for questions.
24. (Q) Which of the following methods, if any, would be best for freeing this entity? Violet light, scopalamine (drug), hypnotism.
    (A) Neither of these. These have their place, in the physical forces of the body. Do not confuse that which is of spirit, and soul, and that which is of physical-mental and that is of the material. Put proper evaluations upon all phases.
    For as the Triune is in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, so is it in thy soul, thy mind, thy body. These are three, as the Triune are three, yet all in one.
    What is the best manner? Enter into the holy of holies with thy God, for in the body are the manifestations of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. Meditate, pray, read the Scriptures - these particularly:
    The 30th of Deuteronomy, the 1st 7 verses of the 6th of Joshua, the 23rd Psalm, the 1st Psalm, the 24th Psalm, the 150th Psalm; and know John 14, 15, 16, 17, not merely by heart - as rote - but as the spirit of the law, the love, the grace, the mercy, the truth that is expressed there. For as He hath given, "The earth, the heavens will pass away, but my words shall NOT pass away."
    Know that the soul, the psychic forces of an entity, any entity, any body, are as eternal as that promise - for they are without days, without years, without numbers, but the WILL of man may make all at naught. For how CAN he be free unless will is a part of that Whole?
    Thus, making the will one with Him, to be directed and guided by Him, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free - you - You - YOU!
25. (Q) In what specific direction should she direct her activities for the greater possible benefit of mankind?
    (A) Healing!
26. (Q) Are the methods recommended by her controls the proper ones for securing financial support which is needed?
    (A) "There is today set before thee good and evil, life and death - Choose thou!"
    As we find, to be controlled or directed by an ENTITY that has not PROCLAIMED - Well, it is allowing will to be broken.
    Do today the things thy hands, thy mind, thy body, find to do. Put thyself either in the hands of the I AM THAT I AM - or of the I AM that would seek first for self to be eased, or for self to be freed - or the earthly things and not the heavenly, the Godly.
27. (Q) Are the entities who present themselves as guides for [1376] the persons they represent themselves to be and how far may their suggestions be followed for her best development?
    (A) Such questions are answered when those purposes, those desires have been determined within the inmost self of [1376] [?].
    How spoke he [Archangel Michael] when he wrestled with the evil one regarding the physical body of Moses? Read that portion of Jude in which this is given.
    Be ye not as the winds that blow about, as clouds without water; but be ye steadfast in the word of truth.
28. (Q) How can [Mr. [165]] be of the greatest help to [1376]?
    (A) The greatest help would be to let her develop herself. Then aid in assisting and in applying a channel through which the abilities may reach material manifestations. [See 165-22, Par. 15-A p.m. same day.]
29. (Q) Can Dr. Thierer [A. C. Thierer, N.D.] be helpful in her work, of 640 Madison Ave.?
    (A) If the choice is in that direction, and motivated by truth alone.
30. (Q) In what way, if any, can [1376] be of help in the work of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.?
    (A) By filling those purposes for individual application of the truths for individuals that may be presented from time to time, if the choice is set in truth.
31. (Q) Please explain how she may protect herself from these entities?
    (A) As an entity, a soul, a mind, enters - as has been so oft given - put about the self the cloak, the garment, yea the mantle of Christ; not as a man, not as an individual but the CHRIST - that universal consciousness of love that we see manifested in those who have forgotten self but - AS Jesus - give themselves that others may know the truth.
    For the promise has been, "If ye will call, I will HEAR!" "If ye will call, I WILL HEAR!"
    That is the protection. Call - that the spirit of truth, that is manifested in the promises of an ALL-Loving Father, be about self in the seeking to aid, to bring cheer, hope, help, faith, courage to the weak, to the discouraged, to the disconsolate. These be the promises - and how hath it been said? "Though the heavens and the earth pass away, my words, my promises shall NOT" - unless ye supersede them by the promises of man!"
32. We are through for the present.

BACKGROUND

1. 4/15/37 Mrs. [1000]'s letter in re business association with Mr. [165]: "He met Mrs. [1192] [my sister, she was supposed to meet him on my behalf] and refused to go thru with it...for me to deliver $100 at once, which he won't take, but will donate to a woman psychic [1376] for readings which she will give either for [758] or others."

REPORTS

1. 6/03/37 Mr. [165]'s letter: "The 2 readings [1376-1 and 165-22] received yesterday and your kind letter tonight. For them all I am thoroughly appreciative. I took the 2 readings over to Miss [1376] last night and read them aloud to her. The reaction was a strange one even as the readings and especially hers a strange one. I cannot go into a discussion of them until later as there is food for thought that will require many days or weeks even to digest... Miss [1376] asks me to convey to you at the moment her most heart-felt thanks for the reading. She will do so herself when she has completed her study of it and begun her studies recommended by it. She is a strange lady. Has the typical English attitude of glossing over a lot of things with words - words - I really think she is sincere even if the reading can be interpreted as suggesting that her sincerity be watched. Strange about her name. Her passport shows the name to be [[...] or [...]] and she swears that she knows no other - but maybe I am gullible or else maybe her parents changed it without her knowledge. More of this later..."
2. 6/08/37 Mr. [165]'s letter to EC: "...Regarding Miss [1376] and her reading, - I saw her last night and she had been faithfully going over the suggestions made to her. The Bible references were all rather well in her mind, and she felt that they were most excellent, to the point, and were being helpful. To give you my idea of it all, I have to refer to the multitude that came to the Lord seeking loaves and fishes. He gave them a spiritual lesson which was not just what they were seeking. Then came the food. Miss [1376], without question needed the jolt which brought her to the consideration of the proper sequence. She, like most of us, thinking we are farther along than we really are, wants to forget the needed hours and years if necessary for consecration. In general the reading has been an excellent lesson for her..."
3. GD's note: We never heard directly from Miss [1376] or again from Mr. [165] about her. In 1948 a routine mailing to the address was returned, NOT HERE.

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