This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 14th day of October, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [1523], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [1523].

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the life existence in the earth plane of [1523], nee [...], born December 2, 1908, in Oceana, Va., and the earthly existence of this entity as Vesta in the Roman period at the time of the Caesars; being of the household of the cousins of the Caesars. You will give a biographical life of the entity in that day and plane of earthly existence, from entrance - and how - into the earth's plane, and the entity's departure, giving the development or retarding points in such an existence. You will answer the questions the entity submits, as I ask them, concerning the development, the present associations and activities from that period.
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as [1523], nee [...]; and those experiences of this entity in the Roman period.
3. In giving an interpretation of the records as we find them, it is well that the background of the place or period be given, in regard to the religious and political conditions; that there may be the correct interpretation of the activities and associations of the entity through that experience.
4. As may be found in the records, - there had been those journeyings of the peoples of the families of the Caesars to what was then the area around Laodicea, - which was peopled with those combinations of Grecians, Romans and Jews that had been expelled from portions of Galilee.
5. Hence this background of the activities was a part of the entity's experience. The land or country was under the direct rulership of the Romans, not as in those areas of Palestine where there were the Jewish rulers overseeing or being superseded by the Jewish religious groups or sects of peoples.
6. Thus those variations of the customs that were a part of those peoples; both the Grecian and the Roman, according to the dictates or tenets of the peoples of the time, yet shaded by those customs which had become a part of the people's activity as the influence of the Christian faith began to be noted in the land.
7. It was under such conditions that the entity, Vesta, then came into the consciousness of activity; of the background of those who were part Grecian and part Roman. As the entity's father, Xeren, was a Roman citizen, the entity was known as or called a Roman.
8. In the early developing of the entity the associations were with the people of the Roman influence, though - as indicated - shaded by the Grecian.
9. Thus those activities in the abilities as an athlete, or as one oft engaged in the games that were a part of the experience; also dancing was a portion of the entity's experience.
10. With the meeting of the one who later became the head of the church in that area, there began the greater period of unfoldment or development of the entity.
11. As there were the associations with individuals who had in a manner adopted the Christian or the Jewish and Christian faith, these brought entanglements.
12. As the companionship was with Lucius [294] through that particular sojourn, there came the adopting of some of the customs of these. And yet there had been the making of the agreements, or the marriage contract for Lucius. Yet this had little to do with the associations of these two, or their companionship. For, there were children born to these through those associations in the early part of that activity in the experiences.
13. When there were those acceptances by Lucius, Luke and the Laodiceans or Grecians and Romans, to journey to the Holy Land, or to Jerusalem, these brought disputations.
14. During that experience the marriage took place between the contracting parties, - the entity who had been Vesta's companion [294], and Mariaerh [1468].
15. These, of course, brought questionings, as well as questionings as to the experience of Vesta; and the disputations that arose later as to the associations of the entity with those of her own household, as well as the associations with those in the church - that later became established, with the journeys of Barnabas, Paul, Mark, and those of the early church.
16. The disputations arose especially with Paul. For, Paul sided with Vesta, in the periods when, for the eighteen months, he remained in Laodicea to build up or strengthen the church. Yet Barnabas, who had been of the combinations that guided the offices of the church, had sided with those of Lucius' household. These brought about those periods of questionings.
17. Thus, in the application of this part of the entity's experience, is there any wonder that there has been the questioning regarding the church and those who officiate in various capacities as directors in the affairs of same?
18. Innately within the entity there has ever been and is the questioning, as to the lives of those put in authority as the directors, ministers, deacons, elders, teachers. This is then the natural consequence of the entity's experience through that particular sojourn.
19. With the settling of those conditions, the entity began its active work among the peoples in that particular area or land. The activities that had been a part of the entity's experience in its early childhood then began to show expression. Thus the entity's influence with the young, its special interest and feeling for children, and especially of the young, - as these were a part of the entity's activity then, in the directing of same, because of the great diffusion of tongues, as it might be termed, or because of the customs from the various influences of the religion of the Grecians, the Romans, the Parthenians and the Jews. These naturally caused confusions.
20. Yet the entity in its activity through the experience, it may be said, was given to the directing of the activities of the youth in every form; as of weaving, knitting, dancing, basket weaving, applique work, tent making, - all of these were a part of the entity's experience.
21. The entity did not wed after that experience, and brought - through the experience - the greater unfoldment in the adapting of varied groups to religious purposes in and through the experience.
22. The entity lived to be a deaconess in the church in Laodicea, and lived to a ripe old age.
23. This was the experience of the entity, as we find, in the Roman sojourn.
24. Ready for questions.
25. (Q) Did I come in contact with Jesus; if so, in what activity and under what circumstances?
    (A) Only as the experience through the visions and through the close associations with those who HAD been with Him. These had been explained, these had been developed, so that the visions became realities.
26. (Q) Have I met or been associated in the present with the father of Pebilus, my child in Palestine (now my nephew, [1990]); if so, what association and name?
    (A) This was Lucius.
27. (Q) What was the association and activity with my present husband [1650] who was then Pitmumus; how may I further bring about a oneness of purpose between us?
    (A) In keeping to the unifying of purposes in those that are the ordained activities in the church. A very good friend, and eventually bringing him into the activities in the church. He was a fisherman then!
28. (Q) As given, there was a close activity with Luke; what was the type of activity, and what are the urges in the present?
    (A) In aiding in the writing, and what might be called the reporting of the activities of the church to Luke, and also to John. For the entity then was associated with John, the beloved, in the periods before he was sent to Patmos as an old man; and it was under his influence and direction that the entity was made the deaconess in the church.
    The associations with Luke were those because of the close friendship between Lucius and Luke, whom the entity never lost association or contact with through the experience in the Roman or Laodicean period.
29. (Q) Was there a close association with Andrew; if so, in what type of activity?
    (A) Only as a part of the directing of the journeys of Andrew, as he passed through that portion of the land. [See Par. 33-A below, left out of original copy.]
30. (Q) Please give the meaning of the disturbing dream I had Sept. 26th in which [1650] and I took [1990] to a dance and each of us staying with him alternatingly while the other danced - and my returning and finding that [1650] had left with another girl taking [1990] with him - and my distress at finding [1990] gone.
    (A) We do not have the dream here.
    In this connection with the association, this might be as the ends of some experiences through those periods of activity in that sojourn. But these are not bearings from this experience of the entity in the material sojourn.
31. (Q) How can I further prepare myself for opportunities that will aid the Association carry out its purposes and activities?
    (A) Study to show thyself approved unto thy ideal. Put down upon paper what IS thy ideal, - spiritually, mentally, materially. And then keep thyself unspotted from condemnation of thine own conscience.
32. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [33. (Q) [Left out of original copy]: What was my past association with [936], and what was the reason or purpose for our being drawn together this time?
    (A) We don't find an association in this experience other than just an acquaintanceship. [9/50 See [1523]'s letter under 1094-1 Reports in re [936]'s closest friend, [1094].]]

BACKGROUND

1. See 1523-4.

REPORTS

1. See year 1943's correspondence with [2508] recorded under 1523-13 Reports.
2. 7/13/43 Sister-in-law [2803]'s letter: "I realize that you have a million other duties to attend to such as your home, gardening, canning, giving your Mom [1541] and [2778] treatments, besides spending more time with Mr. Cayce and as I told [1710], only you, [1523], are capable of doing each and every task so thoroughly and consistently and carefully, for you are one in a million."
3. 8/31/43 See 3188-1 indicating that [3188] was one of the sons of Lucius (and [1523]?) in the Roman incarnation.
4. 10/02/43 Mrs. [1523]'s ltr. to EC:
   Saturday
   My dearest Friend:-
   I have been thinking of little else this week than our talk Monday, and have tried to bring myself to talk with you several times telling you what is in my mind and heart. Because of the conclusion I have reached, I don't believe I have ever had anything harder to face than that which I must tell you.
   I have attempted to think through all the things you have taught me - not only in Sunday School - but those I have come to believe and understand through my daily contact with you and your wonderful advice when I have been so confused in the problems that have confronted me in my personal life, and know that without you I would surely have failed. Is it any wonder, then, that I love you and would want to always be an aide to you at this time when there is such a turning point in your life's work?
   Twice before I have been impelled to take certain steps that I couldn't understand at the time - once when I left [2508], and again when I married [1650]. I have the same feeling now that I must begin helping in what ever way I can - to teach younger children - some of the many truths I have learned through you. It is something I have been thinking about for a year and have been putting off because I would much rather be at your side in what ever you are doing. I know you can understand and know how I feel.
   Won't you give me your assurance and help in doing a good job of putting into practice the lessons I have learned through you. It is I who needs you - and only in knowing that I really have your blessing can I accomplish a real service in this new venture which I feel impelled to attempt. In our mutual oneness of purpose maybe I will someday be as wonderful a Sunday-school teacher as you are.
   Love, [1523]
5. 11/16/43 Presbyterian minister [1842]'s note to Mrs. [1523]: "I hope you are carrying the torch which you picked up under my ministry. Don't disappoint me."
6. 12/29/43 She obtained her last rdg., 1523-17, a Ck. Physical.
7. 5/06/44 See 5070-1, Par. 40-A in re friendship of [1523], in Laodicea.
8. 5/18/44 Letter to EC: "It is oneness of purpose that counts - and accounts for being attracted - Knowing this, has helped me to emphasize and direct my energies - sometimes, it seems to me, almost to the extreme. This letter was written in inspiration, and I wholeheartedly agree. In lending my efforts in this direction, I sincerely hope to add (all that I'm capable of giving) to the lump that leavens the whole - for God has blessed me through you.
9. 5/44 Mrs. [5070]'s letter [wife of [3188]]: "To [1523] from [5070]:
   "My trustworthy friend, I'm glad I had faith in you those centuries back [See 5070-1, Par. 40-A] - but the faith I had then 'ain't nothin' compared to what I feel in your direction now. I even trust you with my husband [3188] and that's going the limit seeing as how attractive you are in every part.
   "I can thank you for this lovely, lovely pendant and chain - you know how unfeigned my real joy is in owning something so simple yet exquisite.
   "But I'd rather thank you for something else you have given me. It's something that NOBODY has been able to give me to the degree that you have. In short, [1523], it's confidence in myself, self-respect. You remember the reading [5070-1] told me not to be self-conscious as I was in my last incarnation - so you know what my tendencies are. You have noticed things that no one else has, about me, and what's more you've talked to me frankly about them - always encouraging me. Somehow your observations have never sounded like flattery to me - they have searched deeper into me for that to be the case and tho they have thrilled me, at the same time I have been encouraged to do and be more like my ideal.
   "Thanks a million from someone who wants you to know that the 'Laodicean me' believed in you not 'one whit' more than the 20th century me."
10. 4/04/46 Mr. [3188]'s letter:
    Where and how is [1523], my mother? I think of her often in my New Testament class, because I know she knows more about what went on in those days than my very learned professor. I like to picture her taking over his class for a day and throwing a few bombshells around. From her, I think these Harvard guys would eat it up. However, I sense that if I should try it they would eat ME up. The other day when the professor said he wished he knew who wrote Hebrews I had to sit on my hand to keep from raising it and saying, "My friend Barnabas". And when on another occasion he said he would certainly like to meet Andrew, I just longed to hand him a couple of railroad timetables and tell him to take off.
    You can imagine how hard it is to study thousands of pages of GUESSES, and to memorize all these theories, when inside you feel you're pretty damned sure of just what was the situation. I have recently read six authors who pointed out the DIFFERENCE between Jesus and the Essenes, never dreaming that he was one. But I keep my mouth shut, cram my head full of men's ignorance, and hope that the day after I get my degree I can forget it all and achieve the humility which leads to God's foolishness - foolishness that is wiser than the wisdom of men.
    It's the same in studying Church History as in studying the New Testament, which is taught largely historically, nowadays. You feel so silly memorizing little fragments which men have blindly saved in the thought that this is all they can know of the past; and as you study the room is positively swimming in Akashic records.
    When my professor announced the other day, "We know practically nothing about the Church at Laodicea", I wanted to shout "The Hell you say!" and walk out.
11. 12/09/47 Mrs. [4046]'s letter:
    "Darlin [1523]:- ...All of your knitting sounds so very ambitious. You always were a go-getter. I admired you so much for the way you could get things done. And I would surely love to watch you play the piano and hear you sing again. I never had any woman singer affect me the way you do. What a voice. Remember the Army officer from ... while at ... to hear Jose Iturbi? He actually admired your singing too. ...Would love to hear you sing "I Wish I Didn't Love You So" and "Near You." They have a certain quality with pathos or something, the kind of thing you can handle beautifully!"
12. 10/05/49 "Had a charming and most refreshing letter from Rev. [1842]. Bless his heart. Will send it on, when I have answered it. I just adore him, you know, - in a way that is quite safe for everybody."
13. 7/50 Note by current A.R.E. member who heard Mrs. [1523] give a testimonial to the Edgar Cayce readings: "I know that [1523] must write just as she speaks, and when she speaks I have a sort of 'glowing' feeling, the way I feel when the Christmas trees are lit on Hollywood Blvd."
14. 2/19/51 Rev. [3188]'s letter [[1523]'s son of the Roman period]:
    My long-suffering, patient parent! ...Letters is my doom. Woe, woe. I have dictated many to you, but always they were at night and I was either dreaming or too groggy to get up and set them down. ...Could I by chance come back again as your son and perhaps support you in old age or something?... Do you suppose I could get a birth certificate by writing to the Chamber of Commerce at Laodicea? ...Every now and then I struggle to full waking at 2:00; when I do, I include you and [...] and [...] on my list. But mostly you, because in you the old ideals are planted deep and "there is a river" of love in you which can bring the ideals to fruition in all others. From you I have learned some of the deepest spiritual piloting I shall ever know, beginning with the phrase which always calls your face before me: "What is your purpose!" Gad, I wish I could sit in your (our) office and have a long talk with you. When I do that I get up enough steam to start right in on the world and all its ills beginning with me (where we all have to begin!) I seem to be working so hard and doing so little good nowadays. But something's coming! The troops of the Lord are moving up. Atlantic University? Old friends from Laodicea? Hang on, [1523]! The power is starting to flow!
15. 8/24/51 Rev. [3188]'s letter:
    "My dear little mother,"
    You are the kind of a gift, in your presence with us, that a fella could never express his thanks for. When you add up all the lovely things you said and did for [5070], for me, for the kids, for our friends - it is a total stretching from here to an astrological influence, and a good one, maybe Jupiter.
    For example, you did me a helluva big favor in that last half hour talk about my book and thesis. I feel much more excited about the whole business than I have for a good many months. Thanks!
    Having you with us was a very precious thing, all too small. God grant that it may not be too long before we may take up again this strange but dear companionship that goes in such odd jump.
16. 6/09/59 Report by Mrs. [1523]:
    After I had my first life reading [1523-4] - in 1938, Mr. Cayce told me that Mrs. [1468] was coming to Va. Beach and that he would be most interested in seeing us meet. He told me that she had been his wife in Palestine - also - or too. That is to assume that we were ever married. In any case we had a family of children, so one might assume that we had at least gone through the "Roman" marriage rites. He told me that he had not told her [1468] about me - at least he had not identified me, and that when I met her - I would know but she would not. He seemed interested in what her reaction would be to me. It interested me that he did not seem concerned about how I might react to her.
    As I recall she arrived on a Monday or Tuesday - of the week - I do not recall what month, but I do remember the weather was very nice. The first time I met her, we picked her up to take her to the Tuesday Night Bible Meeting. Mrs. Cayce, Gladys, Mr. Cayce, Mrs. [1468] and I were the only ones in the car - Actually I do not know what I expected to feel, but I can tell you that I was very surprised to find that I felt very sure of my position - as related to Mr. Cayce and Mrs. [1468], but the unexpected thing was that I felt very flirtatious. She had planned to stay at the Beach two weeks - but checked out the next day and went back to N.Y. After Mr. Cayce had seen her in N.Y. he told (when he came home) that she explained that she was so upset by my presence that she just had to go home.

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