This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 26th day of March, 1939, in accordance with request made by the self, Master [1581], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. [1602], [1564] (parents) and [1581] from New York.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the life existence in the earth plane of [1581], born June 28, 1926, in New York City, and the earthly existence of this entity as Howard Willoughby in the Salem experience. 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; especially as they relate to the present life work and spiritual growth. You will answer the questions which may be submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1581], with that which has been given as an interpretation of the entity's experiences and sojourns in the earth.
3. In choosing the interpreting of the experiences of the entity in the earth just previous to this, - these as we choose, then, are with the purpose that the entity may gain a greater insight into the application of self as relating to creative influences and forces that it applies in its own personal experience.
4. We find that the entity, as indicated, entered that sojourn during those periods when there were the struggles among the natives of that land respecting the needs for a physical or material maintenance, - yet the experiences of the many became a part of the entity's application of self respecting creative influences and forces in the life.
5. There the entity, in its developing period, acted in the capacity of one given to the planting, the seeding and the harvesting of maze, - as well as the developments that were to supply foods for stock as well as for the peoples of that particular vicinity.
6. The entity grew under the tutelage of those who were rather severe as to the tenets of their beliefs; and with the expressions given by some who were acquaintances with the entity in its developments among the activities of a people, the entity became close to nature itself. Such influences, as it were, found lodgement in the activities and experience of the entity.
7. For, the voices, the hearing of those activities about the entity as it labored, brought definite activity.
8. And while there were persecutions in a social manner of ostracism, first,- these had little to do with the study or meditation by the entity of those influences.
9. And, as has been indicated, - the voice as may be interpreted in music, especially as to those that take hold of the imaginative forces in pastoral scenes, - as the bleating of sheep, the mooing of cows, the lowing of oxen, - all of these become such an influence as to bring, as in the eventide in its stillness, the closer at-onement of the mental self to the dependence in the Creative Force.
10. Then, as these are made manifest in the activities of the entity in the present, greater and greater may be the abilities for those creative forces or influences that may arise in the experience to give expression to these very influences that will ever be a part of man's experience in his search for God.
11. For there, as we find, in that sojourn, there was the communing with nature, - seeing as it were the voice of the spheres in visioning the evening sun, in the shades of night falling, in the tempering of the winds, and seeing the activities of everything in nature bespeaking that at-onement, that closeness which the heart and soul seeks for its greater expression in loving kindness and gentleness to its fellow man.
12. For, as the entity experienced, even those greater activities brought the greater torments through the latter part of the sojourn, in a manner, because of the convictions. Yet there were the abilities to make these give expression in the reeded instruments such as to bring the greater satisfaction, not only to self throughout that sojourn but in the experiences of others.
13. As for the weaknesses, - these are only inclinations, as towards those things that brought judgments in the experience; but GREATER were the developments.
14. And these may be magnified in the present by the closer walks with not merely the imaginative, as some may feel, but rather with the promises which have been made as of old, "If ye will be my people, I will be thy God."
15. These, as they sounded in the experience of the entity then, in the stillness of the night, in the shadows as from the moon and the stars in their very voice, may bring the greater conviction, the greater strength to the entity in the present.
16. Hence we would give, - little were the failures through that experience, but rather that the experience brought in the activities of the entity that which may be experienced in the present, - as a closeness with that Creative Force.
17. Through the persecutions that gradually grew, by those zealous as to tenet and those who became as it were the tyrants to that very purpose for which they had entered the new land, the years of activity of the entity were shortened, - yet lengthened in the inner consciousness of the entity as to the influences that NATURE itself may bring, in the answering within as to the purposes and beliefs that one may have in the Creative Forces.
18. Ready for questions.
19. (Q) Should I continue to go to St. Bernard's school another year?
    (A) As WE find, it would be better to continue for another year in the present environs, or in the environs of the St. Bernard School. For there needs to be the stabilization in self of much that is being stressed there.
20. (Q) Which of my associates should I avoid and which should I cultivate to help me toward my own unfoldment?
    (A) As has so oft been indicated here, and as has been the experience of the entity in that particular sojourn just indicated that was a period of great advancement in development, no associate EVER becomes a part of thine experience save as an opportunity for the developing of that thou dost hold as thy ideal.
    That there may be easier ways, by taking that which is the easier way, is evident, - as ye grow in experience of application of self. But rather live thine own life, and use each associate, each opportunity as the means for giving expression to that which IS thy ideal.
    And then the fruits of thy activity will - even as with He - cement those friendships that may bring the greater blessing in thine OWN experience, as well as in the experiences of all whom ye contact.
    There is no such thing as having too many friends, or having so many that you can afford to lose a single one.
    This does not indicate, to be sure - as from what has just been given - that all are within the inner circle, as it were, but rather that ye will lose no opportunity - by mere acquaintance or by passing chance - of giving the opportunity for such to know what is thy ideal.
    CULTIVATE those who bring thee strength in thy ideal, NOT in thy weaknesses or thy faults. For these ye know within thine own self, as ye meet them day by day.
21. (Q) Will you give me suggestions as to how to improve my work in school, and my memory?
    (A) Let that be rather as this:
    That which ye would attain in the studies as to that which is a text, a thesis or a theory, - mull same as it were in thy mind, in thy consciousness. Then lay it aside, and meditate rather upon its application in every way and manner. Do this especially just before ye would rest in physical consciousness, or from physical consciousness, - or in sleep. And ye will find thy memory, thy ability to analyze, thy ability to maintain and retain greater principles will be thy experience.
    For remember that the principle is throughout physical, mental and spiritual alike. For thy body is physical, mental and spiritual. Each phase of same has its individual attributes, but ALL - and that alone that is eternal - is spiritual in its essence.
    Hence in the physical application ye pass to, through the physical eye, or through the ear, or through the sense of consciousness, that as of a physical law, or as a physical thesis, as a physical theory. This ye pass for judgment to thy mental consciousness, and in the laying aside of thy physical consciousness the spiritual attributes record same as it were upon thy real self.
    Hence the GROWTH to encompass same is natural, - just as ye find illustrated in thy interpretation of harmony in thy musical interpretations that are set before thee from time to time.
22. (Q) I have taken piano lessons this year. Are there any further suggestions now about my music?
    (A) Begin, as soon as practical - or in the coming fall - the reeded instruments.
23. (Q) Which one would you suggest?
    (A) The clarinet or the flute.
24. (Q) I have had flashes of past lives - a Norseman, a Spaniard about the time of Ponce de Leon - one of being on Columbus' ship - a Roman soldier - an American Indian. Are these impressions from past incarnations? Please explain.
    (A) As just indicated, the body is Body, Mind, Soul. HEED these impressions. These are flashes at times of material experiences that have been an influence, - just as has been indicated as to how ye may develop to apply thy mind in thy studies, or in any endeavor that ye undertake, - these become a part of the real self. These are, in instances, material experiences as sojourns. For as has been indicated, not all of the dwellings in the earth have been given. For, as the illustration: Ye experienced much of the Indian experience through the Salem sojourn, - that is, by associations. The Ponce de Leon and the Spanish, - these ye will find, as ye interpret deeper, are one. And the flashes as from the Norseman, - a real experience.
25. (Q) Stewart Hoover who is in the spirit world, - is he the one who guides me and should I cultivate the relationship?
    (A) This is not amiss, but best not for cultivation; else ye limit thyself and hinder Stewart Hoover in his real development.
    For, remember the Father, God, hath promised to meet thee in thy temple. Thy body is the temple of the living God. Thy body is as the shadow of the tabernacle, and He will meet thee in the holy of holies. Remember, as thy Master, thy Lord, thy Christ has given, "I stand at the door and knock, and if ye will open I will enter and abide with thee - I and the Father." This as ye conceive, this as ye understand, is the highest source of understanding, of knowledge. And it is the self that seeks this understanding, this comprehension, - not at the expense of another, but in that manner in which ye may aid even those who are in the inter-between, who having not here gained the full concept are still in that position even as He gave in the parable, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they would not listen though one appeared from the dead."
    Hence these are as the greater openings for thyself. Think it not robbery to make thyself equal with God, for He is thy Father. Then approach Him in thy inner self as ye would thy earthly father, with that same conviction that He heareth and will answer thee, - and that THOU usest that understanding in thy relationships with thy fellow man!
    For as He gave, "As ye do it unto the least of thy brethren, ye do it unto thy Maker."
    So when there are little jealousies, little hates, little selfishnesses, ye are hindering, ye are wounding the conscience, the love of the Father as manifests in thee. And His commandment is ever, "Love one another."
26. (Q) Nancy Lansdale has drawn an "Archetype" of mine. Has it any bearing on my present life and is there anywhere I can do some research about them?
    (A) These are not material research. For this as we find is the impression, the shadow that ye have cast that is caught as an aura, as a vibration from thine entity or whole self, - by a very sensitive individual. And it is her concept of how ye vibrate TO Creative Forces AND mental influence in the material world.
    The greater research is this:
    Remember the promise He has given, "If ye abide with me, I will bring to thy remembrance ALL THINGS FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!" What a vision, - that ye yourself, through that promise, that power, may know; not only how ye have acted towards others but may gain a glimpse, even as ye find here in this individual's concept, of THY vibration, and as to how ye have affected others.
27. (Q) Should I continue to live in N. Y. next winter?
    (A) If the choice of the associations or environs as to the schooling brings that to pass, yes.
28. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 1581-1.

REPORTS

1. 5/06/39 Mother's letter: "...[1581] is just fine. He always seems to go thru cycles of growing... It is a great privilege for us to be able to watch him unfold his own latent qualities so naturally and so beautifully, and of course, he teaches us when we are not trying to teach him..."
2. 6/09/39 See 1472-10, Par. 37-A indicating helpful associations with [1581] in Egypt, etc.
3. 6/21/39 Letter from [1581] to EC: "I am just writing to tell you how much I enjoyed the Congress and the fishing we had. I feel 100% better not only from the air but from your spiritual help. I am sorry I did not get in some questions I wanted to ask you when we were fishing but I hope to get them in when you come to visit us at the Thousand Islands this summer. I didn't think you felt like answering questions then. I thought that you just wanted to enjoy yourself.
   "Thanks again for the fishing I had with you. I hope we can get some more when we meet again this summer and then I will show you how to catch real big ones (I hope). Give my loving regards to Mrs. Cayce and the boys." Obediently yours.
4. 6/24/39 Letter from EC to [1581]: "Thank you very much for yours of the 21st - am glad to know you enjoyed yourself while here - was fine that you did catch a fish or two even tho had to come off and leave you before the real sport came on. But seems am kept busy. Do hope will have the opportunity to go with you fishing at Thousand Islands - what time or season is best for the big ones... - that is the time want to come if that will be the most convenient for your Mother. So write and tell me about when you think they will be running the best, and will try and make it about that time - for know if don't set a time will be practically impossible for me to get away.
   "Have been on the pier a few times since you were here - have gotten some very nice ones. Edgar Evans got one the other day that weighed about 4-1/2 that is a pretty good one.
   "Will be glad to try and answer questions at any time - assure you that I DO NOT know all the answers, but will do the best can.
   "Thanking you again, and asking to be remembered to your Mother and Father."
5. 9/26/39 See mother's reading 1602-4, Par. 39-A indicating she is being helpful to him.
6. 10/12/39 Mother's letter: "[1581] got 48 out of a possible 50% in school yesterday, about the highest mark he ever got. I think the subject was 'hand-writing' but then, his reading said he could write. He changes music teachers in another week and after a little coaching in technique, he will begin 'flutting'".
7. 11/05/39 Mother's letter: "[1581] loves his new music teacher and seems to be a most satisfactory pupil, which pleases me. He is going thru some interesting little problems at school and in his mind - and I feel, handling them quite well, but I am certainly on the jump, keeping up with situations as they arise and trying to be the flatiron without scorching the good material."
8. 1/20/40 Mother's letter: "[1581] graduates this year. I don't want him to go to boarding school and don't like the alternatives in town."
9. 4/14/40 See 1472-12, Par. 37-A, 38-A indicating much help might be given [1581] by [1472] in choosing [1581]'s course to pursue.
10. 9/22/41 Mother's letter: "[1581] has already gone off to boarding school (only 6 miles from here)."
11. 2/04/42 Mother's letter: "[1581] is in boarding school again - my desire - and learning practically nothing intellectually, that could possibly add to his future well-being (except examples in subtraction). The experience might eventually serve a purpose but the general aspect at this moment is to my mind negative..."
12. 7/10/42 Mother's letter: "I declared today a holiday for the family let [1564] and [1581] go out for golf and gave myself this time for a few long delayed letters to people I think the world of but have so little time to tell them about it. Now that [1581] is out of school for the summer I have taken over the role of teacher, so we have two sessions a day - Astrology and American history. Can you imagine that - up to date, - [1581] has had no word of his own country's history in any school that he has yet attended? And were he to continue in the school he is now in - or one of its character, he would not have such history for three more years? - But I suppose that the only way we can be made Internationally minded is first to destroy all traces of Nationalism - Americanism - which, is surely and positively being done thru the schools. My belief of what is needed in the world is MORE, not less of Americanism so that is why I have assumed the responsibility of imparting what little I know about my own country to [1581]. As for Astrology, I believe that is one of the best training subjects an individual can have for greater knowledge of the WHOLE and Its intrinsic parts. A subject, too, that permits the mind to wonder in the abstract regions and return with a true sense of the Infinity of the ALL and the fallibility of the transient. It teaches one to reason and to weigh before conclusions and gives a 'key' the WHY of things that might otherwise be enigmas in the course of their happenings. It explains this period of our history and the judgments of the times, based upon inestimable years of research and observance of the movements of the heavenly bodies in their accorded sphere. For the Great Book is above, even as below and we can learn to read if we lift up our eyes..."
13. 9/17/42 Mother's letter: "[1581] is going to public high-school here [Connecticut]. That was decided for several reasons and one was "its cheapness recommended" it. Incidently, he loves it as much as he could love school and seems to be delighted that he does not have to go to boarding school again. He hated that. He has grown a great deal in every direction and seems to evolve but not change..."
14. 8/01/43 Mother submitted questions for a Physical Reading, saying that [1581] was suffering with hay fever, which he had every year from early in the season until late in the fall. [Appointment was made but EC was not able to keep it due to his own illness.]
15. 9/21/43 Mother's letter: "...Yesterday we finally settled the question. He is going to the ... School of Agriculture which is part of ... State College...and it will seem quite impossible for him to have his reading now, guess it will have to wait until he is free on vacations even if it should be next spring..."
16. 3/44 Mother's letter: "[1581] finished the first part of his agricultural course Sat. and is now getting ready for his apprenticeship on a farm April 3rd. The hours are long - 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., so I guess he will have a pretty strenuous summer if the draft board doesn't decide he can serve better in another field."
17. 2/28/69 Uncle [1597]'s ltr. to HLC; telling that [1581]'s father, [1564], died in 1948 with T.B., his mother, [1602], in 1952 with cancer.
    "Finally, [1581] succumbed about two years ago (age 41) to a coronary."
18. See detailed letter under mother's 1602-1 Reports.

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