Edgar Cayce Readings, 1528-1

(Life Reading Suggestion)

TEXT

EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called Mr. [1528].
In giving the interpretations of the records here, the import is to be helpful in the entity's fulfilling the purposes for its entrance into materiality in the present experience.
Hence for this entity warnings as well as praise may be given.
It is not merely that one is to be successful in an economic, social OR in ANY manner, but that there may be such an adherence to ideals - that are of the creative nature - as to make a growth of the soul; as well as magnifying the mental influences and forces of the entity in an experience.
For as it hath been well said, what benefits if one gain the whole world yet loses his own soul?
Then in interpreting the records here of the entity, we find the entity is affected - or influenced - by astrological sojourns that find expression in the material experience through the INNATE or soul-expression; as in visions, as in that which arises from the inner self; as well as the influences from the material experiences that find greater manifestations in the emotional or physical-emotional self - which become, in the experience of many, those things that - if allowed to become the subjugations to habits that are not CONSTRUCTIVE become detrimental forces in the way of the attempt of the self to gratify material desire.
In giving then that as may be helpful:
As indicated, both praise and warning will be a part of the experience here. Use these, do not pass over them lightly; for they may become blessings, applied in this present experience.
From the astrological aspects:
We find Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune as the ruling influence; though Neptune as detrimental, from a material angle, rather than beneficent. These produce - though without regard to the application of the urges - these influences:
One that will most always receive praise and such from the opposite sex. But this may be used or applied in such manners as may be beneficial or detrimental, dependent upon the manner and the SINCERITY of the self as to treating, meeting all such advances in a manner as ye would desire to be done by.
This influence also produces an artistic temperament - and in the field of the unusual, or MECHANICAL APPLICATIONS IN THOSE DIRECTIONS would be the fields for the greater expression. Yet the abilities to make same creative in their influence upon the human experience may be praiseworthy, if that purpose is kept.
Hence in those fields where there is the requiem of patience, persistence and the like may the entity find means and channels of not only bringing into the experience of self that needed as a means for self-development in patience, but through same bring into being those things that are and will be beneficial not only for their BEAUTY but for their EFFECT upon the activities and the relationships that many individuals bear one towards another.
As in the study of the effect of fungi on grain in its fruiting or mating. Or the effect of the unfoldment of the blossom as it may be affected by the activity of the insect world in ITS becoming fruit or flower or blossom.
Not as the botanist, not as the ornithologist, but rather as one that may picturize or photograph such IN its relationships to ESTABLISH the EFFECTS of same UPON its relation to the human needs or to man's development.
These abilities arise from the very nature of the activities of the entity in the Venus forces.
Hence there will be required that patience and persistence be the key to the developments of such. The abilities are existent, but do not become impatient because of things that might be said by others as to the slowness of progress that might MATERIALLY be made. Look upon, then, the benefits that may accrue from the efforts to the many, rather than the FIRST premise being that of MATERIAL gain to self.
Through the Jupiterian influence we find the effect of the activities in such fields of endeavor becoming rather of a universal nature than individual, but affecting the masses; though the activity is INDIVIDUAL within self rather than individual within groups OF masses.
The inclination from Saturn will make for the interests in many fields of endeavor. Or because of the mental abilities of the entity, the entity may be attracted to this, that or the other FORM of endeavor. But in those fields as indicated may we find the greater material and mental successes, as well as the eventual material (worldly called) success.
Let, then, material success be the outcome of SINCERE endeavor to be constructive and creative in the applications of abilities, rather than the first premise of the activities in any field.
As to the warnings; that come from the Neptune influence:
Do not invest moneys in any field that has to do with boats or maritime affairs, or things upon the water. Be very careful of water, or in endangering self by many trips in small crafts over same. Or else we will find its demands upon the PHYSICAL abilities, the physical effect of the body itself.
Make precautions during the thirty-third (33rd) year especially, for then there may be - through the adverse influence of these forces or influences - that which may take away the MATERIAL efforts of the entity to that time. Be not overcome by disappointments or failures, but rather use each failure as a STEPPING-STONE for MAKING the corrections in the endeavors.
Know that the field chosen is correct; then labor therein.
Well that there be carried on the person the sardonyx stone (that is, in its semi-precious state); either in statuettes, pins, buttons, or a piece of same carried. Not as a protection but rather for the vibratory forces that influence the choices made by the mental forces of the entity itself. Statuettes, frames or the like are well. Much of the same vibrations may be obtained from using those combinations of stone made from the soya bean; that may act in much the same capacity. Figures made of same are well to have about the entity's SLEEPING quarters or abode.
As to the appearances of the entity in the material plane, and those that affect the entity in the present:
Before this we find the entity's experience was cut short in just those periods when there were the beginnings of the activities; by wrath (in part), and the desire to be ALONE in part; and forcing self upon the great waterways.
The entity was one above the ordinary - Shelley; Hamilton Shelley; and was in the land of the present nativity, following close in those activities of song, poetry that meant or proclaimed an ability that would bring great understanding, great renown. Yet by the very indulgences, by the very desires of keeping aloof, keeping alone, there was brought a watery grave - in what is now off the coasts of Providence and Newport, Rhode Island, as it is called.
In the experience the entity made for gains, for losses.
But those warnings as for water, those warnings concerning the periods when the astrological forces (of Neptune) are adverse to its material gains, those warnings as for its activities in the PHYSICAL protection, arise from the experiences in that sojourn.
Before that we find the entity was in the Roman land, during those periods when there were the greater attempts of the Romans to overcome or to apply much of the activities from the Grecians in their games, in those things that grew to be material hardships in the experience physically of many.
Yet the entity was among those that were rather of the artist type; being the teacher and the trainer among those, then, in the name Eldeun.
In the experience the entity gained, for there were those applications, there were those tenets proclaimed that the preservation of the body - in its beauty, in its activity - was not only for the material gain but for that MENTAL condition which it produced within the experience of the individual; which becomes so akin to the constructive forces as of the building within the experience of each and every soul.
Some call such GOODNESS, some call such GODLIKE, some call such SELF-PRESERVATION; but it is rather the natural law of the spiritual influences within the higher moral and mental influences among the children of men! and comes from without - and by having an ideal that is not material but spiritual in its essence, and being and living true and sincere to same.
Before that we find the entity was in the "city in the hills and the plains," the Persian and the Arabian land; when there were those teachings of the leader Uhjltd, and when there were many of those that were gathered to and against the activities there - because of the very actions that had been brought about by the natives of which the leader or the teacher Uhjltd was a part, and because of the material things that arose from the activities from the Persian throne and those conditions roundabout.
The entity then was one of those leaders of the peoples that gathered with Uhjltd, yet attempted first to take away the influence and the power of that teacher in the early periods of his activity; and the entity was SECOND in command, becoming a power among the nomad peoples in the experience.
Some of the experiences were used for self-gain, by raids made upon the caravans turned that way. Later these abilities were turned into the activities that brought about the concept of right and wrong; not for that which satisfied the bodily desires but being equal as one with another.
The name then was Ebesus, and the entity was an artist - one that read from the MARKS in the sand during its latter periods, because of the associations with the leader and the raising up of its position after the injuries in the raid were healed by the leader of its own group.
Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land, now known; when there was the separating of the people into their activities in the varied fields of commerce, law, order; when there were the teachings, the developings, the activities following or during the periods of the high development.
The entity was one that was what would be called now the architect, or the artist, or the planner of those things that were put into execution in the varied fields; whether stonecutting, erecting of pyramids, or designing of ships, or those things pertaining to means, modes and manners of transportation, and the building of storehouses and the manner of the receiving and the exchange of such wares.
Then the name was Is-Tud-Ella; and the entity rose to one in authority; and his services were sought not only by the people of its own land but by those of many lands.
And the only influence in which the detrimental forces came was in the attempts of the entity to SEPARATE the sex [sects?] in their activities as related to the services from the Temple Beautiful.
As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:
First, be true to self - its inner self. Know that the Lord thy God has promised to meet thee within thine own self. Look then oft within as to what are thy purposes, thy desires. Are they for secular purposes only, without the thought of the effect they may have upon thy fellow man? or for the gain of fortune or fame without respect to the good that may be given through thy efforts?
For that ye give, that alone will ye possess.
Keep the body, the mind, the purpose CLEAN! Seek to know what thy Father-God would have thee to do, and ye may through thy efforts, in seeking the unusual for the beneficent effects in the affairs and conditions of men, bring to thyself peace and harmony - as well as material gains.
For without the peace and harmony in the inner self, with all the gains life indeed is a failure.
With peace and harmony, and the beauty of the nature of THINGS and conditions and affairs kept in thy purposes, ALL may come to thee that is good.
Keep the warnings, keep the purposes.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Mr. [437], Air Mail to ..., Calif.
Copy to Miss [1101], ..., N.Y.C.
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1/27/38 Mr. [1528] wrote requesting the rdg.:
"We were under the impression that Miss [1101] was considering marrying him. We saw in print an example of his unusual ability as a photographer."

REPORTS

4/07/38 HLC's letter in reply to Miss [1101]'s asking for details as to field of endeavor, etc.:
Miss [1101] New York, N.Y.
Dear [1101]
We were glad to know that you found the reading for [1528] interesting and I hope that he will be able to benefit through many of the suggestions given.
Some of your questions I can answer but I would like to write him in full about the reading and also talk with you about it in preparing questions for another reading. In this way I believe we can secure information that will be more helpful.
I will be back in New York tomorrow and will be at the Woodward Hotel, 55th and Broadway for several weeks. If you will drop me a note and let me know when you will be in New York we can arrange to meet and go over this reading. I will be in touch with your family if you care to advise them about the best time to see you.
There is a tremendous growth of interest in unusual photography. The reading is very specific in recommending that [1528] undertake a study of photography that pertains to the slow growth of fungi, the passing of pollen from one flower to another, etc. I would imagine that some of the more recent books on photography might touch on this subject. It involves time exposures of long duration, fine lenses, and possibly relates to new methods in grain, fruit and flower culture. It should not be hard to find out who is doing the best work in this field at the present or the closest to it.
Dealers in semi-precious stones should be able to secure the sardonyx stones for him. It is a form of onyx. A look at some of the collections in the Museum of Natural History would show him what to look for. There have been some interesting developments of products produced with soya beans in the middle west. Ford has made extensive studies along this line. A good librarian should be able to secure some information for you through the Reader's Guide to Periodicals.
After we have discussed the reading and [1528] has taken some steps to track down a few of the suggestions questions can be made out that will be most helpful for another reading.
Sincerely, HLC
4/15/38 HLC's letter to [1528]: ..., N.C.
Dear Mr. [1528]:
Recently I spent a very interesting afternoon discussing your Life Reading with Miss [1101] and her family.
Enclosed you will find a brief explanation of some of the points in the reading from my angle. I will be glad to follow this up with answers to any questions you may have concerning any part of it.
You are especially interested, I know, in making a practical application of the suggestions given regarding photography as related to the culture of grains, fruits and flowers. May I suggest the following:
1. Acquaint yourself with whatever work is being done in the photography of grains, fruit and flowers, showing their growth. This deals with the new lenses, time exposures, etc. I am sure that you will find at least a few books touching this subject and perhaps will be able to study some of the work of the men who are leading in this field.
2. After you have acquired some background on this another reading might be helpful in suggestions for further steps in the right direction. If possible it would be fine to have you stop in Virginia Beach on your way home from school and listen at this reading, thus enabling you to ask questions direct. Also we can talk over and clear up any points in your life reading that are not entirely clear to you.
It is our desire to make these readings of real practical value to an individual. We hope that we will be able to help you do this with your own.
With all good wishes for completing a good year, I am
Sincerely, HLC
4/15/38 HLC's "analysis" of Mr. [1528]'s Life Reading:
PREMISE:
Life Readings present what we may call a theory of mental and spiritual growth extending through many ages as we measure time. Included in these steps are experiences on this earth as incarnations and other experiences between incarnations on other dimensional planes of consciousness. Our earth is a three dimensional plane. Science has already recognized other dimensions and the readings hold that we pass through experiences in these other dimensions. This entity, this inner self, that goes through these experiences is what we may call our "soul". As a snow ball rolls down hill it grows. Just so our souls grow according to the experiences we pass through in these various states of consciousness, of which the earth is only one.
In each of these planes we take on a body which is suited to the "climate" so to speak. Here we have our physical bodies.
In your reading you first have references to your experiences in other than this three dimensional plane, our earth. These are under the headings of astrological influences. The names of the planets simply represent the names of these various other planes of consciousness. On each of these you develop certain urges and tendencies which become mental drives in this life.
Out of your many past lives on the earth the reading presents a brief of those lives through which may be traced the development of the abilities and talents, which if expressed, will bring you the best opportunities for growth now in this life.
Briefly the above is the background. Now through your reading I am going to select the major urges first from the other dimensional planes (astrological) and then from the past lives on the earth.
URGES DEVELOPED IN OTHER PLANES:
Venus - (This represents a dimensional plane in which you developed the following urges.)
A power to attract the opposite sex. Modern psychology has a name for it. This must be used in a helpful way or it will get you into considerable trouble. You will continually find that women are attracted to you, appreciate you and praise you. You can use this power to be of considerable help to those you meet or you can use it to gratify your own desires and sense of importance.
Another mental drive from this development in Venus gives you an artistic urge with a mechanical twist. This I think you understand. It involves combining beauty with practical benefits to be derived from artistic work. Here the reading pauses to point out the type of work which is recommended for you. Through photography you should be able to contribute a great deal towards a better understanding of grain and fruit culture. This would involve new mechanical processes, artistic perfection (in timing, arrangement, etc.) and a purpose beyond just good work.
Jupiter - A mental drive that will give your efforts importance for the masses of people. Notice that your work will be individual, not with individuals. The results will influence large numbers of people.
Saturn -
This mental drive gives you an interest in many various fields of activity. It has a tendency to impel an individual to frequent changes in direction of action. This should be curbed to some extent in order that you apply yourself in one direction. Considerable patience will be required, for circumstances will always be turning up that present what will look like good propositions. Your mental urge will be to turn toward this new field.
Neptune -
Here there is a definite urge toward activities that pertain to water. Evidently your experiences in this plane of consciousness (represented by Neptune) were bad. These warnings as to time and places should be carefully observed, if you want to finish out this life.
As you know all kinds of matter have different rates of atomic vibration. Through your unconscious mind urges from this experience in Neptune are pounding on you urging you toward activities which would be dangerous for your physical body. The emanations from the stone and soya bean product simply tend to neutralize these mental urges. (Scientifically a bit vague yet - but we come closer to it when we think of the effect of radium, then of telepathy.)
Now remember that these planets simply represent other planes of consciousness. It is not necessarily true that we (our souls) go to these planets between incarnations. Our souls do pass through states of consciousness (experiences) that are represented by these planets.
URGES FROM PAST LIVES ON THE EARTH:
Rhode Island -
The urges (emotional now) involve wrath and desires to be alone which should not be given away to so much in this experience. This might develop into moodiness, bringing difficulties with those closely associated with you, or a destructive attitude toward society in general.
There is also an urge for the artistic interest, appreciation and expression.
The warnings about water are also involved here. Roman -
You have a very interesting urge from this regarding your body and physical activity. Back of normal care of the body lies a fundamental urge developed in this period as a Roman. It is one thing to keep a body fit, another to keep it fit because of the mental reaction and the ability which results for spiritual development. As the reading points out this is called by many terms but it is a fundamental and important urge. Read this section over carefully again.
Arabian -
The urges from this period are conflicting. It would be wise for you to study the correlated material we have on this period to get an understanding of the background. The urges are streaked through with desire for power, wealth, etc. Also a touch of the interest in equal rights. You were an artist, dabbled with the occult sciences and were healed through what is called today "spiritual healing." We are especially interested in that period for according to my father's life reading he was the Uhjltd spoken of.
Egyptian -
Here again is the development of the artistic ability involving a practical application with relation to the needs of the day. There evidently was a tie up and difficulties with women during the period. Notice how these urges are translated into building up your abilities in the present and concerned in the warnings related to the opposite sex.
You will notice that down through each of these incarnations in the earth the reading traces the artistic urge and its application in practical affairs.
6/30/38 EC wrote Mr. [257]: "Yes, I had an announcement of [1101]'s wedding - in fact gave a reading for the prospect."