This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 18th day of February, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1537], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [1066]. The Associate Membership fee is to be paid by Mr. [1537] in two payments, $10 on March 1st and $10 on March 15th this year.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born March 12, 1899, 7 A. M., in Dallas, Texas.

TEXT

1. EC: (In going back over years from present - " - '33 - yes, a change - '32, '31, - " etc., on back to birth date.) [See 1537-1, Par. R1, left out of Mr. [1537]'s copy.]
2. Yes, we have the entity here - that record of the entity called [1537].
3. The record as we find is very interesting, and the interpretation of same should be very helpful - if the entity will apply that given.
4. Do not apply it merely because of advice or counsel, or from physiological or psychological effects, or theological suggestions that may be given. But if the entity will study that given, carefully, he will find in same the answer to many questions that have disturbed him through the present experience.
5. And applying that which is good, and being consistent with it (which the entity so often is not), he will find material success, mental and spiritual peace, and harmony in the activities in which he may engage.
6. Thus he may make those he contacts day by day GLAD that he has come, SORRY that he has gone; making thusly the world a better place for his having lived in same.
7. For this entity should comprehend and KNOW, and NEVER forget, that life and its experiences are only what one puts into same! And unless the activities, the thoughts are CONTINUOUSLY constructive, and the experience well-balanced, the entity CANNOT, WILL not fulfil the purpose for which it came into the present experience.
8. As to those influences which are about the entity, [1537]; we find there are the astrological - which have a great influence. But the greater import of same has at most periods caused or been a confusion rather than causing helpful experiences; owing to not comprehending, not understanding that life IS a CONTINUOUS thing; and that an individual is EACH DAY meeting his own self - either in the mental, the material or the spiritual phase of his existence!
9. Know first and foremost, as has been given, that the Lord thy God is ONE! Then know, too, that thyself is one - thy ego, thy I Am. Thy purposes, then; thy heart and thy life must be a CONSISTENT thing!
10. For if thine eye be single (the I Am; that is, the purposes, the desires - and ye work AT IT!), then thy WHOLE BODY is full of light.
11. But if ye are attempting to have thy physical body doing just as it pleases, thy mental body controlled by "What will other people say?" and thy spiritual body and mind shelved only for good occasions and for the good impressions that you may make occasionally, there CANNOT be other than confusion!
12. These as given are not merely sayings; they answer to that which has been and is thy turmoil in the present. Look WITHIN!
13. For if there is trouble in thy mind, in thy body, in thy spirit - or purpose, or mind; sin lieth at that door.
14. There are astrological aspects, to be sure, in the influence of each entity; which are influences not because the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, Planets or any phase of the zodiacal signs are in this or that position at the time of birth - rather the time of the birth is controlling, or did control the position of the Sun, Moon and Stars as relative to thy activities!
15. For remember, all that IS is for the service to thee - if ye understand and comprehend thy relationship to same.
16. For as ye sow, so SHALL ye reap.
17. As the entity is under the Piscean sign, then, we find Uranus, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars - all in their aspects according to the very notation made - in the influences, or influencing the experiences of the entity in the present.
18. Hence we find the entity often determined to be very good. And for a few hours or a few minutes it is very well! Then such determination is forgotten, and it's to the other extreme! and he begins to constantly berate self for not doing this, that or the other! He declares that he WILL be frugal; he declares that he WILL be saving; he declares that he WILL do this, that or the other! And before the day or the week or the HOUR (and often before the thirty minutes) is passed, it's the same old story again!
19. And yet each determination is just as strong.
20. Know these are influences, but thy WILL, thy purpose is the deciding factor. Mere influences cannot or DO NOT cause thee to do this, save that they ARE a part of thee.
21. But to be the manifestation of stability, of good, of truth, of consistency, of patience, of long-suffering, of justice, of brotherly love, of brotherly kindness - THAT is thy purpose! That is oft thy desire!
22. Then not of thyself alone may ye do it, but in love, in truth, in honor ye may. For these are thy helpmeets, if ye hold fast to them. They arise from the influence or associations in Venus.
23. Hence ye are oft a hail fellow well met, and sometimes TOO well met by some! Ye are made too oft the EXPENSE of others, yet this is part of thy experience - if used, but properly.
24. Never then be hard-boiled, dictatorial - these get no one anywhere; but in being patient, just. DEMAND of others justice in the same measure as ye METE it to others - no more, no less; but all of that!
25. Keep thy purposes, keep thy desires in those directions; and ye will find that these may bring to thee the greater harmony in thy experience.
26. From the Jupiterian sojourn we find those influences wherein the activities or associations have to do with the public; or the abilities as a salesman, as a representative, as a directing of associations for purposes with others. Individual in its activity, yet affecting the groups, the masses, the classes in many ways.
27. As from the Mars' influence, oft there has been allowed anger and madness to control in the experience - in varied directions. When ye SHOULD have been just at times ye have allowed others to overstep because - as thine excuse, or thy justification - ye didn't want a fuss; and yet ye have made a fuss or a racket and been the very cause of much of turmoil in the lives of many!
28. Why? Gratifying thine own self, without the thought of that "I must meet this in my associations with others day by day!"
29. In the application of these influences, they come as INNATE forces; that is, mental experiences, day dreaming, or visions or dreams - as you are given to. And too oft, ye disregard them; or too seldom do ye pay any attention to them! They are parts of thy experience.
30. How oft have ye visioned in symbol or in dream those very things that happened to thee later! For from the Uranian influence ye are naturally inclined to those things that are mystic, and ye love to delve into things - so that often ye find yourself in hot water because you are simply curious!
31. Don't say you haven't the curiosity! You have more than the proverbial cat or any woman!
32. As to the appearances in the earth, these as we find become as the innate forces that arise from or through thy application - the urges of the inner self known as the sensory forces.
33. Ye are sensitive to things about you; because ye have lived not only in this experience but in many others a very EXTRAVAGANT life in EVERY phase of your associations with your fellow man!
34. Hence ye find yourself very sensitive to vibrations, very sensitive to a beautiful figure or a beautiful face; very sensitive to those conditions in which there may be something of the risque nature, or story; and yet very sensitive towards those things that proclaim the spiritual intents of truth and purposes.
35. All of these become confusions unless ye regulate thine own experiences in such a way and manner that all of these, while they should have their place in thy experience, may be for construction and not for merely the passing moment or the gratifying.
36. Have ye not found within - as in thine own body in the present - that the extravagance of thy living has produced those very inclinations that arise in thy digestive forces?
37. Thus thy high blood pressure that is produced within thy body arises from this overindulgence, this overactivity.
38. And unless ye make reparation these conditions will overcome thee. How may ye make reparation - by being what? CONSISTENT! O what a jewel consistency must be in thine experience, if ye will but take it and use it and apply it day by day!
39. As to the material activities - keep away from those things that HINDER - such as the effects of alcohol, the effects of riotous living, the effects of indulgence in those things that are of the nature of great quantities of stimulations; whether they be in condiments, excess of sugars, excess of this, that or the other. Or, as just given, be CONSISTENT!
40. Take often the Turkish Baths, but under the supervision - because of thy pressure - of one who knows the business.
41. Take high enemas often.
42. Thus ye will relieve those conditions as related to same.
43. As to the appearances in the earth, we find while not great in number, there is quite a variation in their activities and in the influences that they bear upon the experience of the self in this present sojourn.
44. Before this, then, we find the entity was active in the earth during that period of the forty-niners; when - from thine own environ, or those still farther east from the land of thy birth in the present - there were those that journeyed to the westward land for the activities that might bring wealth.
45. There the entity encompassed that purpose, or rose to one in power - but HOW!
46. Upon the abilities to be as it were the one whom others feared, whom others humbled to; owing to what may be termed - or was termed then - the lucky break.
47. Then in the name Deon Douglas, the entity made for gains, made for losses in the experience; but in the aftermath brought much understanding as to judgements which it would be well for the entity to use in the present as the criterion: "What ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," without respect of person, without respect to place or time.
48. For what ye are speaks so loud, people will not, DO NOT, hear what ye say.
49. That was thy criterion, that was thy law; but so late in thy experience!
50. Yet the ability as a salesman, the ability to make friends - and yet the ability to lose them - arises from those innate urges and experiences; those quick judgements that ye oft make - and ye find that thy first impressions are the better - it is when ye attempt to reason that ye falter.
51. Why? Because that which was set at last in those experiences is true; "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." That was thy criterion.
52. Before that we find the entity was in the Roman land, during those periods when there were the activities of the one for the acquiring of the other lands to make for tribute; when there were the journeyings of the Romans to the Egyptian land.
53. The entity was among the soldiery that saw, that knew of the activities of the Caesar, of Anthony; a soldier - close, but not so close as to be called a personal friend.
54. Hence the experiences that have been in the activities of the entity, not only in its present environs but in other environs, take hold much on those conditions that were and are oft visualized as the happenings among those in power or authority during those periods.
55. Lose these things. Use them, but lose them as for a part of self; and ye will gain much more in influence and activity that will become such that all the beauties of life will be as constructive forces and not merely for indulgences.
56. The name then was Sarpheuen.
57. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Egyptian, during those periods when there were the activities as related to the joinings in commercial ways and for the spiritual and mental influences.
58. The entity then was engaged in the activities whereunto there were the attempts for the commercializing of that which might be grown, or might be gathered, or might be as a part of a harvest in other lands than from its own.
59. Thus the entity became what might be said to be among the first, or THE first of those in that experience to give those that were in the position as the herdsmen, or those that grew those things for food and for the providing of clothing and the like, the interpreting of how these might be bettered by considerations for the use of things to aid or help in such developments.
60. The name then was Is-Tudel.
61. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:
62. That to which it may attain rests within self. WHO and what is thy belief? In WHOM do ye believe?
63. In self, in the God of nature, in the God of heaven and earth, in the God of Isaac or Jacob, in the God of those that are of the earth-earthy?
64. Whom do ye take in partnership with thee?
65. Upon this answer rests what ye may attain.
66. Know and behold the Lord is One. Thou are His son, a manifestation of His love, of His patience - in the earth.
67. How art thou using same? As if ye were, or as if ye were only adopted or only a bastard?
68. These be the questions ye must ask and answer within thyself. For ye are loved of the Father, even as ye love thy fellow man. For as ye mete to others day by day, so ye mete to that God ye worship within.
69. What is thy hope for the future? What is thy hope for the present? These arise from the applications of thy experience and opportunities in the past; not only in the present experience but throughout the eons of years that ye have been conscious of that abiding love that ye have at times so misused, have at others hoped for.
70. CLAIM it then as thine own!
71. Keep in the labors of thy hands that thou are in. For are these not in keeping with that which has been a portion of thy experience?
72. As to how to make the material success, first make it mentally. For if there are not the visions of the help that ye give, and knowing and believing in what ye are doing, then ye have chosen the wrong field.
73. But the FIELD is correct - if thy product is as good.
74. As to the associations with others - if ye would have friends, show thyself friendly. This does not mean becoming the butt of others' fun, nor of thy using others in the same manner. But if ye would have love, love others; do good to them, even that despitefully use you, even to those that misrepresent you. Not because it is ennobling, but because it is RIGHT in THY sight.
75. Do not belittle, do not hate. For hate CREATES, as does love - and brings turmoils and strifes.
76. Show thyself to be a son of the living Father, holy and acceptable unto Him; not ashamed, but keeping thy face towards the light and the shadows fall far behind.
77. Call on Him while He may be found. For His promises are sure, and though ye may be afar "If ye call, I will Hear!" This does not portend to become as one long-faced, not enjoying the fruits of thy labors nor the associations of friends; but keeping all in the channel and way of truth and justice and mercy; showing thyself WORTHY of the trust He has put in thy hands.
78. Ready for questions.
79. (Q) Does it appear that the girl I am now going with would make me a good wife?
    (A) If she was born in October, well! If not, no.
80. (Q) Is the business I am now in, one in which I may be successful?
    (A) Materially, yes. Or in the manner as has been indicated. Believe in what you are doing, fit yourself for it, show thyself worthy; and ye will make material and mental success.
81. (Q) How may I best find myself and come down to earth?
    (A) In the manner as has been indicated. Study to show thyself approved unto Him, a workman not ashamed; rightly divining the words of truth and keeping self UNSPOTTED from thine own conscience that so oft berates thee! Or keeping thyself unspotted from the world. Do not engage in those things in which question marks are set, not only for thyself but for thy children, for thy Lord.
82. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 1/13/38 "At the advice of a very good friend of mine, Mr. [1066], I am writing you for help. I am broken terribly, and something must be done at once."
2. 2/16/38 He submitted the questions, two of which got answered without being asked: "Will my stomach trouble be cured, also high blood pressure be reduced?"

REPORTS

1. 2/18/38 EC's comment at beginning of 1537-1, left out of original copy sent to Mr. [1537]:
   "First - this aside, for those present and not for this [1537]:
   "It would be well for your own enlightenment to have described for you the impressions or the visualizations of dates, years, in obtaining such information for individuals; and how and why - even with a Life Reading (which ye have said is not important that the individual even know it) - there is a variation made when the individual so seeking is attempting to hold the line of thought, or for helpful experience.
   "For as this entity - most everyone that does will have an experience, as he is having in the present."
2. 2/21/38 EC's letter to [1537]:
   Dear Mr. [1537] -
   Hope you find the information interesting and most of all worthwhile, of course it tell of your virtues as well as your faults, don't dwell on the one and not see the other, for life is made up of both and it is in the use of that as is good in the experience, that brings health wealth and happiness, they are all bound up in the ONE, but are we excessive with the one with out thought of the other, well - we pay and pay - for it is just ourselves we are constantly meeting - yet we are all prone like old Adam to blame it on some one else.
   But read the information over several times - at first it may appear as a jumble of words, but after several readings lay it a side, then in a day or so read again, then you will possibly see where it may be made a practical thing in your daily life, for unless it is something we can use daily it is not much use, and still unless we do use it daily we get no where with this life of ours.
   Will be anxious to hear from you, and as to what you think, and there may be questions you will wish to ask, ask them, we want to help if possible.
   With all good wishes, and please remember us to [1066] when you see him.
   Sincerely Edgar Cayce
3. 3/02/38 [1537]'s letter to EC:
   Dear Mr. Cayce: When I returned to Dallas your reading was her for me. Having been forward to several places when I was routed, but due to hard rains in Okla. I was unable to keep on my route. In fact I was about 90 miles from the town I advised you I would be. This was the day rain was the hardest. I was marooned in McAleston.
   Due to heavy expense, no sales am unable to remit the ten dollars as I agreed to do on the 1st. However will make second payment as promised and will make balance payment before end of month. Trust this will be satisfactory with you. [1066] has been out of town so I have been unable to contact him. This I will do later.
   Thanking you.
   Beg to remain
   Sincerely
4. 3/08/38 EC's letter to [1537]:
   Dear Mr. [1537]
   Have yours of the 2nd. Am hoping you have gotten something from the information, that is tangible and that you can put into practice each day. That is our purpose in trying to be of a help,others have and do get help from such information, and you should be able to do so also. But if there is not something there that answers to a something with in your self - well just discard it - think no more about it, don't try and carry a bucket on both shoulders.
   Will be glad to hear when ever you have the chance, and glad to try and help make the information valuable to you if there are any questions in that direction.
   With all good wishes
   Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce

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