This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 4th day of June, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [1608], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Dr. Henry Hardwicke and Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Josephine and Thomas Buchanan, and Tommy Jr., and Leslie Savage. Also Hugh Lynn Cayce. Born December 11, 1902, in New York City.

TEXT

1. EC: (In going back over years from present - " - 1935 - Came mighty near getting married! - '34, '33 - " on back to birth date. Then, "Unusual regarding the birth here - carried over more than nine months!")
2. We have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1608].
3. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find here, there are many rather unusual conditions which surround this entity.
4. For while the appearances of the entity in the earth are many, that influence it in the present, these have so instilled the vibrations from the activities of the entity as to make the astrological influences appear as naught.
5. However, there are periods in most every cycle of the entity's experience, during this sojourn, when there will be a reverting to urges - in a MENTAL way - from astrological sojourns. These are rather unique in manners.
6. In giving the interpretation for this entity, then, of the records as we find here, these are interpreted with the hope and the desire that these become constructive experiences in the entity's activities during this particular period or sojourn.
7. So many of the appearances crowd in, for their voice in the interpretations, that these become somewhat difficult.
8. Remember, the records of each soul-entity are written - or impressed - upon time and space, as you call same.
9. Thus we find them as emanations from that expressed. Just as emanations from a metal, a gas, a light or what not - these pass off into what we call space; but they are continuous, because they are a part of the whole.
10. The attempt then to interpret or to read such records depends much upon the attitude, the desire of the individual or soul-entity seeking to know same.
11. Yet the very desire of such may be overshadowed by the individuality of an entity, as to cause deflections from that which might be an interpretation for constructive influences.
12. For it is only the will of an individual that deflects its activity in its relationships with Creative Forces.
13. Hence from same arises that which in the experience of individuals of a varied temperament or a varied development may become as the tune or the chord upon which the attunement may come for the better comprehension.
14. As with this entity, then, we will give that which is the experience of the entity through the astrological aspects, and give the interpretation as to when and how they become a part of the activities in the present sojourn.
15. We have found and will find that the influences through Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn and Mars are a part of the entity's experience.
16. Jupiter, then, has been and is an influence - as may be indicated - at least twice each cycle or year in the experience of the entity; and has just been experienced through the month of May - as the protective forces.
17. Again we will find Jupiter with Venus in the month of October of the present year will be an active influence.
18. As to whether or not such influences are for a growth or a retardment depends upon what the entity does about them.
19. So, it is not knowledge alone but what an entity or soul does about its knowledge that makes same applicable to the individual activity in ANY given period, place or experience.
20. In Venus we find the indications or those influences in which the entity is very sensitive; which as combined with Uranus, makes for those influences when they are very EXTREME - when the likes and dislikes of the entity become almost as an obsession, as would be psychologically termed in the present parlance. Or they become as the attachments in such a manner that there must be those activities, or the closing of self to same entirely.
21. In Mars we find there have been periods when wrath, anger, even turmoils have been and are a portion of the experience. And as to whether these become constructive or destructive depends upon how the entity uses or applies such; or it depends upon the WILL - which is the birthright of every soul!
22. The ability to choose is WILL; as well as the ability to allow self to be used by influences.
23. As to the appearances of the entity in the earth, these play such an important part for this particular entity - as has been indicated - because of the great number and the many so closely associated or so closely drawn into the individual activities as to become a part of the deeper self. (Pity the entity hadn't stayed to sleep then!)
24. Before this, then, we find the entity was in the land of the present nativity, near the environs of the present sojourn but closer to those of a different surrounding; being between the periods known as the American Revolution and the War of 1812 - or through part of the reconstructive period as well as of the preparation period.
25. In a beautiful valley of Connecticut, in the name then Leila Aspinwall, the entity created a beautiful retreat for many who were in turmoils and strifes. And the outgrowth of the activities brought into influence or force things pertaining to what would be called the separations in the teachings as for maidens or ladies and men, in their activities and relationships.
26. Peculiar influences arise in the present experience from same; the desire to oft be alone, the desire to be in very out of the way retreats or a country place - with the shadows and with trees and with water, with things that have to do with nature's activity. These draw upon the entity's action and influence in the present.
27. Hence we may find the variation as to its psychic abilities or its influences for the use of the attunement of the individual self to Creative Forces arises rather from the earthly sojourns than from astrological aspects.
28. In the present, then, we find the interest in many varied phases of that called mysticism, or the various teachings through the ages.
29. Hence even in that sojourn the entity studied, the entity thought much of those happenings in portions of the land above the entity - or in the Salem period, just before and after the Revolution. All of these, with the happenings in the Egyptian periods, the East Indian, the Chinese - as then - are an urge within the entity.
30. As the entity meditates it may oft find itself wandering among its OWN memories. And many times these are confused with others' teachings, or are confusing to self.
31. For - as to each soul, to each body-mind - these things must be kept in their proper relationships one to another. There is a body, a mind, a soul. These are one in the material manifestations. These may be separated - as the attributes of each may draw one upon the other of the influences throughout a material experience; but they are not to be separated as understandings. For they are one, and must be coordinant one with another, in the judgements, in the condemning, in the pronouncing of the experiences through which any portion or phase of this oneness may pass.
32. Hence oft does it become necessary to crucify the desires of the flesh that the mind may be one with Creative Forces, but there are then those needs of keeping also the MENTAL self attuned to that which is practical in a material world; and as you are IN the material world these must be kept so.
33. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the English, when those periods of activities drew upon many of those tenets owing to activities in other portions of the world - or in those periods known as the Crusades; when there were the drawings from many of the homes for individual activity in defense of that which was pronounced an IDEAL - or the defense of a foe that would destroy the ideal.
34. How simple is the mind of man! WHO or WHAT may destroy the purpose of the Creator? Why have ye not learned the lesson, that He came unto His own and His own received Him not? yet He did not rail on them, He did not condemn them to that other than they CHOSE for themselves!
35. For as He is the law, as He is the way, He is so through those abilities to know Himself to be Himself and to offer Himself as a friend, as a brother, as a savior. This is what is meant by the way, the water, the bread, the vine.
36. Hence the experience then, as Miriam Frey Berg, brought to thy activity rebellious forces, owing to the material surroundings. It also brought to thee, with thy activities among thy associates and thy fellow men, the love of those things that bring ease in the material surroundings.
37. USE these, then, rather than abusing them in they dealings with thy fellow man.
38. For to hold grudges, to hold malice, to hold those things that create or bring contention, only builds the barrier to prevent thy OWN inner self enjoying peace and contentment.
39. Not that one should be satisfied; for that indicates lack of growth. And know that truth, as knowledge, as life itself, is a GROWING experience in the consciousness of every soul - if ye will but allow thyself to arise to same.
40. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Promised Land, when the Master walked in the earth.
41. The entity was among those who were called of the household of faith. And with the messages, the tenets that were proclaimed by many during the entity's experience then, as Marga, the entity gained, the entity misunderstood; yet the entity gained.
42. For as has been indicated, as is the promise to each soul, the Lord looketh on the purpose, on the heart of EVERY soul, rather than the outward experiences.
43. Be ye up, then, and DOING; ever in the name of that as ye held during those experiences when the turmoils came by the persecution of the church, by those activities not only of the secular forces from the political disputes among the Jews of the period but the activities of those from without.
44. For rather the Romans of the period were and ARE condemned, when they were rather the preservers of what ye call your Jewish records!
45. In the present from that sojourn we find that these are drawn to the self, and yet deflected by the mysterious forces in the teachings of others; and those things pertaining to rote, to odors, to charms, draw the entity; when rather that should be held that it is neither in this mountain nor in that temple, nor in that place, but within the own heart and consciousness that He has promised to meet each!
46. Hold thou fast, then, to HIM who IS the way, the truth, the light!
47. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods when there were the activities of the queen who made so many changes in the land; Queen Hatherpsut.
48. There the entity was close in those activities that were begun in the temple preservation of things, of lessons, of teachings, in the founding as it were of the place of records in what later was known as the Alexandrian experience or court or library.
49. All of such were a portion of the entity's experience then, as Kopotitut. And the entity was looked upon rather as a sage, as one who dealt with influences which drew from the experiences of individuals the good and bad. These were well, so long as used for constructive purposes. They became temptations when self's own power began to wane because of self-indulgences.
50. From that experience, draw rather in the present upon self for service to thy fellows, than for service to thee FROM thy fellows! For he that is the greatest among you is the servant of all! He that would have life must give it, rather than demand it. They that would have love must show themselves lovely. They that would have peace must MAKE it in the lives and the experiences of every phase of those whom they meet day by day!
51. Then it is not he that cries, "Lord, Lord!" but he rather that is kind, gentle, patient, longsuffering, even to those who abuse the activities in his own experience!
52. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods when there were the turmoils and the strifes from rebellious forces that arose among the Natives as well as the King's own household, during those periods when the Priest was banished.
53. The entity then in the latter portion of its sojourn developed to the greater experience thus far in its material sojourns.
54. For in the Temple Beautiful were the activities of the entity, as Ar-Ar-Binx, in the counsel to those who had purified themselves in the Temple of Sacrifice for the preservation and propagation of the peoples and the channels through which souls might manifest.
55. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and as to how these may be made manifestations in thy dealings with thy fellow man:
56. First find thyself and thy relationships to the Creative Forces.
57. In thy abilities to write ye may then find a channel of expressing same.
58. Study then to show thyself approved in thine own conscience, to thine own ideal. And know that ideal is in HIM - Jesus; who became the Christ by overcoming the world!
59. Ready for questions.
60. (Q) As a child and even at present I have vivid memories of a previous death of myself as a child of 5 or 6. I remember home, gardens and other surroundings. Please give me names, dates and places which are the basis of this memory.
    (A) These are very well, but as has been indicated for the entity, these are not best DWELT upon. Let rather that memory be brought through, in the manner and way He has given, "Abide in me and my love; I will bring to thy remembrance ALL THINGS from the foundations of the world!"
    But if ye worship, if ye pay tribute to thine OWN abilities, ye become thine own stumbling-stone!
    These happened - this experience - in that sojourn just previous to the present; which was ONLY in the latter portion of 1892 and 3 - IN the now called New Hampshire hills!
    But dwell not, my child, upon these. Look rather to Him!
61. (Q) May I have the name?
    (A) Mary Benning.
    Dwell not upon these, my child!
62. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 5/31/38 Questions submitted besides Q-1 [Par. 60-Q] which got asked:
   "...Was I incarnated during the reign of Iknaton in Egypt? Please give more information on this period. Did I have other Egyptian incarnations? Have I had other Chinese incarnations? (If already mentioned) What Chinese incarnations have I had that are not mentioned? What particular metaphysical field should I specialize in considering my own development and the service I may render? Should I attempt to develop my psychic ability along any special line? Did I have other Atlantean incarnations? Or did I have any Atlantean incarnations - please indicate periods. It would be very interesting if we can get sufficient data on that American (Previous) incarnation both for personal and scientific reasons, but my heart really lies in old Egypt..."

REPORTS

1. 6/07/38 [1608]'s letter to EC: "...Thank you a great deal for my life reading. It helps to explain more fully some of the memories I have had. Perhaps at another time I may get more detail on the recent American incarnations so that I can check them up for scientific records. I am quite conscious that my nativity chart is frequently over-ridden by my purposive willing to modify what would ordinarily come to pass when I feel I can substitute a finer expression. This was definitely a case relative to the marriage which was astrologically indicated for me, in 1933, etc.
   "It is quite interesting to read that I was carried for over nine months - my mother was quite sure I was a seven months baby and the physician thought that I would never live.
   "There are several phrases that are not fully clear to me, and perhaps when your son comes to New York we may get a chance to go over them.
   "In a sense I am almost speechless, but I hope this sojourn to make 'good'..."
2. 6/08/38 Letter from [1608]: "...Perhaps sometime when you are at leisure you may be able to clear up a little more some of the following questions: Page 4 bottom [1608-1, Par. 41]: 'The household of faith' - was this a group connected with the early Christians or was it just one of the many foreign sects at that time? I don't understand the next sentence and the following paragraph - have you any idea just what these 'outward experiences' were? (PLEASE be very FRANK). In the Miriam Frey Berg - is the implication that I rebelled against organized dogmatic religion? Or was I on the other side of the fence - trying to force allegiance to the organized church?
   "The bitter lesson I learned as the result of 'slipping' when Kopotitut probably explains why at present I react so strongly at the other pole. This lesson I hope ALWAYS to remember.
   "The sojourn as Ar-Ar-Binx, was this in the reign of Iknaton?
   "Even as a child I had a faint memory of being at the head of some retreat as you refer to in the Leila Aspinwall sojourn. At present this name has no meaning to me. In fact as a child I had thought many times that when I grew up I would establish a retreat. Perhaps, later this will again be part of my job in this sojourn..."
3. 6/29/38 See brother-in-law [1610]'s rdg., 1610-2, Par. 62-A re their past associations.

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