This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 19th day of February, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self and wife, through sponsorship of Mr. Harry M. Goetz by choice of Membership & Reading Committee of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc. Mr. [1538] is privileged to repay the membership fee in small installments when able, in order to sponsor another's Reading who is unable to pay at the time.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. [1538], [585] (wife), and [413]. Born September 30, 1896, Harrison St., Danville, Va.

TEXT

1. EC: (Going back over years from present - " - '35 - turmoils - '26 - prosperity - '17 - yes, turmoils in self - " etc. on back to birthdate.)
2. Yes, we have the entity, those records that have been made by same in the experiences in the earth and in the sojourns during the interims.
3. These come as influences then of the innate or the deeper mental force; as do the sojourns in the earth make for those influences through the emotional or sensitive self.
4. The entity as we find is very much more sensitive to environs and surroundings than it ordinarily accredits self, or is accredited by others.
5. Thus the entity finds the influences of circumstance, as well as of individuals, often changing the purposes even from the desires and intents, without being aware that these are changes.
6. Often we find the entity has been in this experience misjudged as to the weaknesses or intents or inclinations, through those very influences.
7. If these are allowed to still be the ruling forces, they will continue to bring discouragements, disturbing forces and influences in the experience in this sojourn.
8. In the application of the influences, know that these are but urges; the will, the desire and that which the self sets as its ideal - whether pertaining to the material, the mental or the spiritual forces - should be the guide, should be the measuring stick always for decisions that the entity may make in associations or in activities; whether these deal with spiritual forces or the mental or material activities.
9. And unless one does hold or set an ideal, one continues to be a drifter; and never is at peace with self.
10. For he that condemns himself, or others, is not wise. Rather is it that each should set for himself an ideal manner and keep in purpose, in desire, in activity to that; and the growth comes.
11. For it is the gift of Creative Forces in the experience of life in every phase of its manifestation, and is thus a part of the experience of the individual entity or soul in its sojourn through any given experience.
12. As for the astrological aspects, these as we find in the present have been altered much. And these are the influences, but are irrespective of what the entity has done about same.
13. These then should not be confused with that which is the position or condition in the experience of the moment, but as to WHY - if there is the analysis of that which has prompted the entity often to cause or produce these influences in the present.
14. For ever, day by day, is there a choice to be made by each soul. One may lead to happiness, joy; the other to confusion, to disturbing forces, to evil and to self-condemnation.
15. But the WILL is of self, else ye would not indeed be the child of the Creative and Living Force or God that ye are; but as an automaton.
16. Then exercise thyself, and bring that to pass in thy experience that will create for THEE the environ of helpful hopefulness in the experience day by day.
17. The astrological aspects come in Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn.
18. Hence as we find, war and the environs of same have ever had an important part or urge in the experience of the entity. Not that the entity is warlike, but contentions, madness, disputations have continually been a portion of the experience in the astrological as well as reflected in the experiences of the sojourns in the earth, and those influences in which weaknesses or strengths have occurred continually to be a portion of an entity's experience - until the ideal manner HAS been attained.
19. For an individual entity, with all the attributes of body, soul and spirit, is subject to the laws thereof; and until individuals are in their thought, purpose and intent THE law - that is constructive - they are subject to same.
20. Hence those injunctions that have been so oft given, "When ye know the truth, the truth shall indeed set you free." From what? That of SELF!
21. For ye have then attained to the knowledge and understanding and the abilities of application within thy experience of that which continues to be constructive in thy relationships with thy fellow man.
22. For indeed the laws are ever, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap - as ye mete it to thy fellow man, so will it be meted to thee again."
23. Individuals constantly meet themselves, then.
24. And when they, as the story of old, blame someone else it is the continuous warring within themselves. For their selves, their consciousness, their soul, knows! and continues to war for the constructive experience in the activities with the influences about each entity.
25. As in Venus also makes for the influences that the entity is oft easily influenced by love, or emotion, rather than duty, rather than obligation. Yet these used or applied in creating the proper environ for duty, for obligation, become rather the beautiful experience than that which may make for regrets - or for sorrows, or for those things that make the soul itself afraid.
26. The abilities to make friends, the abilities to hold these arise from these innate influences. As to whether the entity uses these for constructive forces, then, or for that which makes for impelling towards ONLY sentiment, depends upon self.
27. For indeed the kingdom of life, of light, of love, is within SELF; and what one does about same depends upon whether one comes to know the true source of same or is only attempting to use same as the gratifying of material desires within the self.
28. In those forces that arise from the Jupiterian sojourn we find the activities of the entity as rather a preservation. For these arise as influences for a benevolent force. Hence, as the entity may view self, self's associations, it will find that the masses and the groups have not condemned even as self. Rather the masses and those whom the entity has contacted in material as well as mental and spiritual forces have attempted to shield and help.
29. Then do not abuse, rather USE same; not for self-glory but that the spirit of truth and love may INDEED be manifested in thy associations with thy fellow man in every phase of thy experience.
30. In those influences from Saturn we find oft the sudden changes in environs, whether mental, material or even spiritual experiences; and the continual experience of the entity determining within self to right about face in this or that activity, in this or that environ, in this or that influence that has become or becomes a part of the experience.
31. What IS, then, thy ideal? For truth, while a growth, is indeed ever the same; and is the stepping-stone to material, mental and spiritual success.
32. As to those influences from the sojourns in the earth, or those that become as a part of the other phase - or the emotional side of the entity's experience, or the sojourns in the earth that influence the entity in that manner in the present, we find these often and quite varied in the activities that it has wrought.
33. Before this we find the experience was in the land of the present nativity, in and about a portion of Maryland and a part of Virginia, and what is now Washington; during that period known as the American Revolution.
34. The entity then was what would be called the commander of the commissary, or that as provided provisions not only of the foods but the supplies of ammunition and the like; in the name then Houston Graber (?).
35. There the entity's activities endeared the self to the many, and many of those conditions that arose in specific activities - as in Brandywine, as in the uniting of those from the central army and the southern, and the gatherings for the activities that brought about not only the union of the efforts on the part of those that were the aids to the people but in the last siege - were experienced by the entity then.
36. Hence we find those influences as of historical conditions, things pertaining to campaigns and the preparation of same, becoming a portion of the entity's mental self.
37. When the entity reads or studies, such things as travel or campaigns as related to such become a portion of the desire for the study of same.
38. ABILITIES are in the directions wherein the entity, as may be seen from other experiences, is a salesman; capable as a director of activities, whether of the keeping in the shippings, or exchanges - that become rather the part innately and manifestedly of the experience, that the entity may use in the present.
39. Hence even from the sojourns in the colonial period; as a shipping clerk, as a keeper of records in a commissary, or in the directions in railroad shops - these would be those influences in the material in which the entity may find harmonious activity in its experience.
40. Before that we find the entity was in the English land, during those experiences when there were the preparations for many to join in an activity known as the Crusades.
41. There the entity was loath to join, owing to the environments, the home, the conditions as surrounded same.
42. Yet being persuaded through the influence of those in authority from what ye would term a political position, the entity acceded to those desires.
43. Yet EVER the entity was in the position of restraint throughout.
44. The name then was Samuel Gunwalder. In the experience the entity from the material angle lost, in the mental and spiritual gained.
45. From those activities in that sojourn there are the abilities to keep quiet, yet the abilities to become rather a prolonged arguer arise from those experiences; also the abilities to hold to ideals, yet that have been so oft trampled upon in thine own present experience.
46. Yet from those purposes and determinations during that sojourn, these may be aroused to activities as to become a portion of the entity's present experience.
47. Before that we find the entity was in the Promised Land, or the Holy Land, during those periods following the ministry of the Christ Child in the land.
48. The ENTITY, though, was among the soldiery - from the coalition of activities, where there were gradually those pressed into service that would accede to the authority of Rome.
49. The entity was among those peoples of that land who gradually acceded.
50. Hence again we find in the experience there, as Celtoner, the entity was one who weighed the material and mental, the social and political favor; and acted in those directions that were contrary to the real convictions of the entity.
51. WEAKENING the abilities for the determination, becoming more susceptible to environments in those experiences, as will be and are a part of the entity's make-up in the present.
52. During the sojourn from the MATERIAL angle, the social angle, the entity gained. From the spiritual, the mental - a lapse in the experience.
53. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Egyptian, when there were those activities during which there was the banishment of the Priest; the entity being a portion of the land to which the entity-Priest was banished.
54. When there was the seeking for the return of the Priest, the entity joined with same; and, as Ib-Duel, came as a body-guard - and remained to become the keeper and director of the Temple of Sacrifice, and the Temple that would be called of the Arts in the preparation of others for their forms of service; whether in the school, the commercial activities, the preparations for the spiritual awakening or the preservation of the tenets or the truths of every form or manner.
55. There the entity gained, there the entity made for those experiences that brought the greater harmonies in the experience in the earth.
56. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:
57. First, analyze self, self's virtues, self's faults. Know what is thy ideal, not only in what ye believe but as to WHO is the author of what ye believe.
58. Then set thy life, thy purpose, thy desires to attain to the not idealistic but the ideal relationships with thy fellow man in those directions.
59. As to the fields of service - those that relate to the character of activity as has been indicated will make for channels through which the GREATER development of every nature may come.
60. Ready for questions.
61. (Q) Should I try to get in Government service?
    (A) Either the Army or the Supply Depot of any portion of same would be well - as the entity is specially fitted or gifted in those directions as has been indicated.
62. (Q) How? Whom should I contact? to obtain such work?
    (A) Go through the representatives of thine own precinct, thine own county, thine own district. If these do not bring the results, go to those in authority - the President!
63. (Q) Direct me to work which will enable me to support my family and which will also be that I am fitted for.
    (A) These may be only - must be - accomplished within self. What is thy purpose? Set thine own house in order within thine self FIRST! THEN, these may be brought about.
    The RESULTS are those activities that are the creative influence within the mental self towards its ideal. And the results may be that as the outcome, NOT that as set as the first and foremost, see?
64. (Q) Should I seek for employment in Norfolk or outside of Norfolk?
    (A) Wherever there may be those very channels or characters as may be indicated.
    As we find, around Quantico would be the better; or Yorktown, or the like.
65. (Q) How may I fit myself better for this work?
    (A) That's what we have been trying to tell you all the time! If you can't see it, it's too bad!
66. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy to Sponsor

BACKGROUND

1. 9/14/32 See wife's reading 585-1 re their home and marriage.
2. 2/14/38 Mr. [1538] wrote requesting an appointment. His wife indicated he had been out of work for over a year and couldn't seem to find employment. [See 1538-1 Reports.]

REPORTS

1. 8/12/40 Wife's report: "The reading described accurately conditions in his life in '37 - '26 - '17. The ability to make friends. 'Those influences, as of historical conditions, things pertaining to campaigns and the preparation of same become a portion of the entity's mental self.' This is very true. He has a desire to read or study such things. The reading directed him to work in the army or supply depot of the army. He was in the Nat'l Guard during the World War and not a day has passed in the last five years that he hasn't been sorry for leaving the army. Now we understand why."
2. 6/13/46 Gina Cerminara's report after interview with [1538]'s wife, Mrs. [585]: "...'drifter, and never is at peace with self...': Yes, drifted from one position to another; she would say it is true he is not at peace with himself. The fact that he drank a great deal probably was an indication of this."
   "'War...have had important part or urge in the experience...': He was a member of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blue (a guard from time of Revolutionary War) and enjoyed it very much.
   "Mrs. [585] says at beginning of their marriage he didn't lose his temper much, but later on he did.
   "'Venus - easily influenced by love, or emotion, rather than duty...': Correct; had affairs with other women.
   "'...abilities to make friends': Yes, very true; he was a French Huguenot by descent - very handsome, straight black hair, dimple, olive skin, very well liked; when he got in trouble his friends would always try to help him.
   "Reading of their daughter, [308], shows that she was his wife in the Williamsburg period.
   "'...abilities to keep quiet...': Yes, very true; she often marvelled at the quietness of him. '...yet abilities to become a rather prolonged arguer...': Yes, also true, at times..."
3. 5/23/52 Report by [1538]'s wife, Mrs. [585], in answer to questionnaire:
   "The '35 turmoils came at about the time that he was fired. The '26 prosperity was at a time we built our home and everything appeared that we were on the 'up grade' of our lives together. The '17 period referred to came when he was in France. We were not married, then, so I do not know the nature of the turmoil. I just recall that during this period there was a long time that I did not hear anything from him - and he never gave me any explanation for the long period of silence.
   "In '31 he met a couple from Florida who were bookies, and gradually got into the habit of gambling through them. It's likely that this had something to do with his taking money, in his office, later on. But I can never remember hearing him say anything about feeling wrong about keeping up the friendship. I often wondered if he realized what he was getting into, but I don't think he did.
   "One of the problems involved had to do with running around with 'the girls'. He was interested in someone in his office, and others, which would seem to bear out the statement that he was easily influenced by emotion rather than duty and obligation.
   "Aside from being very handsome, I would say that one of his most outstanding qualities was the ability to make friends.
   "It is so true that others tried to help him, seldom condemning him.
   "Before the 1st World War started, he was a member of the 'Blues' National Guard, and sent down to the Mexican border in line of duty, and while there the war broke out and he was sent over seas. This would certainly be considered a sudden change, since he didn't expect either trip to take place. Of course, the loss of his job was also rather sudden. These are the two most outstanding incidents that come to my mind.
   "He finally got so he didn't bring home any money on pay-day, and when I would insist that something be done about it, he would disappear. Twice I found him in the Veterans Hospital, and of course I felt so sorry for him I'd take him back again.
   "With regard to the answer to [1538-1, Par. 61-A, 62-A] my husband made an appointment for the type of job indicated, and when the time came to keep it he lost his courage and nerve and didn't keep the appointment. In answer to questions 3 and 5, [Par. 63-A, 65-A] Mr. Cayce raised his voice.
   "We remained together until about '41 when I left him. I had told him that my daughter and I were going to leave to make a change when she finished school that year, unless changes came about in our relationships. Later I learned that he felt that I had 'let him down.' Some time after our divorce, he married again. After about 2 years they separated, obtained a divorce and later they married again. They are not living together now, however. "I have seen him on various occasions at public gatherings. At times he looked very good and at others he looked as though he was very unhappy."
4. 4/06/76 Mr. [1538] died in his home at the age of 80 yrs. Death notice said he was "retired from ... Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co."

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