This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 1st day of November, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1723], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by his sister, Mrs. [1602].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born January 13, 1913, in Yonkers, New York.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relation of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces; giving the conditions that are as personalities, latent and exhibited in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth plane, giving time, place and the name, and that in each life which built or retarded the development of the entity; giving the abilities of the present entity, and that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions he submits, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1723].
3. In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them, these are chosen with the desire and hope to make the experience a helpful one in the entity's application of self in the present toward a mental and spiritual development with reference to the material, - which should be the result of such application.
4. Then, in viewing the records generally - but without respect to what the entity has done or may do regarding the urges which arise - we find the inclination for the entity to oft be called material-minded, hard-hearted, stubborn, and without any thought of these things which bespeak of affections for affection's sake.
5. These as given are inclinations. The entity has altered and may alter such inclinations, - or they arise as conditions which may be magnified, and thus - though bringing material gains, even at times positions of importance - unless there is the development of the milk of human kindness within the experience it may be, it may become a very lonesome, a very disturbing experience throughout this sojourn.
6. In the interpreting of the astrological aspects, which are as reference to the interims of experiences, not all experiences are given but rather those which have the greater bearing upon the entity in this present period of activity in this sojourn.
7. And as first indicated, these are given with the desire that the warnings, the information may be made to be a helpful influence in the entity's application of its dealings with its fellow man.
8. Jupiter we find as the greater ruling influence. Hence in any endeavor in which the entity's activities are to serve the masses or groups of people, the entity will find a channel through which the greater material and mental as well as spiritual forces may arise.
9. Hence in those channels where there is the sale of products which are to have their effect or activity among the many, - or the gathering of data as a statistician, or records of any nature. All of these become a part of the entity's development, and channels through which the greater influence may come for greater helpful experiences; provided those characteristics as indicated become a part of their application.
10. In Mercury we find with the adverse influence in Venus, with Mars as well as Saturn, there are the influences which become a part of the entity's environs or surroundings.
11. Hence of high mental abilities is the entity, - with the liking for or desire for study, - the liking or desire for knowledge. But such knowledge as statistics, such knowledge as of the natures where the influences or activities of individuals or groups are to be maintained, is not to be used wholly for self in self-aggrandizement or self-advantage taken over others.
12. To be sure, it may be used in such measures as to bring greater material opportunities, greater material successes, but at the behest, - and not at the advantage taken over less fortunate ones or those who have not applied themselves.
13. In Venus we find the necessity for the cultivation of influences wherein not merely ideals or idealistic principles are held, but ideals to be adhered to, - in mental, in material, but based upon spiritual attributes. These are to be cultivated. So, the doing and being virtuous for the very NATURE of that impelling influence which it brings into the experience of the entity is necessary for cultivation in the activities.
14. These in their first applications may bring some disturbing influences, yet to know that obligations are opportunities as well as duties, as well as privileges, is a lesson the entity should learn, - and it will make for greater contentment, greater peace and happiness in its experiences as it deals with the changing influences and forces which arise.
15. Then know that while the life is in a changing world, with changing friendships, changing environs and changes of every nature, - unless there is accomplished that which lives on and ON in the heart and soul, little has been or may be accomplished by self in its dealings with its fellow man.
16. Be acquainted, then, with that home beyond. Take time not merely to be holy or good, but good for something, - good in that ye bring each day some new hope, some new opportunity, some new experience in the life of someone - a boy, a child, a babe, an old person who has lost the way in one manner or another. Thus ye will gradually build those steps which may carry you beyond the vale of those who see only the material blessings. For ye will know of Whom, in Whom ye have heard that "His words passeth not away."
17. So, though changes come, though the heavens may be in turmoil, though the earth and all the activities may be in riot, thy deeds done in such a way and manner will not change but live in the heart and the mind in such a manner as to bring that peace and harmony which comes only to those who take thought of just being kind to the other fellow!
18. Know that if you would be forgiven, if you would have friends, if you would know peace you must MAKE friends, be kind, be joyous, be CONTENT, - but NEVER satisfied! For that longing which arises to better thyself is not merely that thy body may take ease, or that ye may gratify the appetites thereof! but it is rather that glory of the hope within for the greater knowledge of the spiritual life to GROW and BLOOM in thy workaday life.
19. For only that character of spiritual thought that is a practical thing, that may be lived and experienced day by day, is worthy of thy acceptation.
20. And it is thy nature, - but cultivate it! For this will bring greater opportunities physically, mentally, and open the door of thy consciousness to the unseen forces that make men NOT afraid!
21. As to the material experiences and sojourns which become a part of the innate emotions through the influences upon the mental self in this material experience, we find:
22. Before this (among those that influence the entity) the entity was among those in the land of the present nativity, during the early periods of the settlings, - following what is called the American Revolution, or during the reconstruction as it were after same.
23. There we find the entity was in the environs of lower New York State, and portions of what is now known as Connecticut.
24. The entity's activities were in supplying what ye would call the necessities, or in the preparations for the homes in the manner of heating, in the manner of keeping the conveniences about same.
25. Then the name was Israel Cowper - and in the experience the entity gained, - the entity lost because of advantages taken by some individuals not wholly understood. And because of the newness of the activities of the entity, some hardships arose in the material things, - some little grudges became a part of the entity's experience.
26. And these, when they grow, become as a canker to the mind and soul of an entity, - hence they become a part of the experiences in the relationships with others.
27. In the present we find the inclinations for resentments to individuals who have appeared or may appear to be indifferent, or those that may bring some hardships.
28. Think rather, in such experiences - what would ye have done, or what would ye have done to you, if the circumstances were reversed?
29. Hence we will find those things in the present that would have to do with conveniences for groups, for masses, for homes, for every nature of such will be a part of the entity's experience. And these may be enlarged upon in such measures or manners as to become a part of the experience in the present.
30. The STUDIES, - rather let them be upon and in such subjects that give not only the history but the usages of such products - and their sources that are a part of thy daily experience.
31. Thus ye may find this knowledge becoming advantageous in the larger branches, and the opportunities for the greater activities in the fields of supervisor or a checking upon other distributors becoming a part of thy experience in the present.
32. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Roman, during those periods when there were the expansions being made by the early rulers of the established land.
33. There we find the entity as a representative of that government, in the capacity of one looking out for commodities that might supply the needs for the home consumption as well as for conveniences in all manners of activities.
34. Thus we find that machineries - that are of the nature of governmental or organizational activity, - not machinery that runs but machinery that runs governments, organizations, corporations, coalitions - all such become a part of the entity's innate and manifested experience.
35. And it is well that these be advanced and studied as a part of the experience for greater opportunities that may present themselves.
36. For as we find, there is the every prospect of a great deal of travel, - though maybe not far in extent, save at periods, but a continuous going about from place to place, and to become acquainted with the needs of those that are met day by day, as well as those of the organizations, associations, corporations with which the entity may be acting.
37. It is ever well, and will be much better, for the entity to work for (or work WITH, not merely FOR) those of larger organizations or corporations, than to attempt to work for self in self-directed organizations.
38. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Persian, during those periods when the "city in the hills and the plains" became a part of the problems of that Persian land.
39. We find the entity was in the capacity of what would be called in the present a keeper of the exchequer, or the manners or means by which trades were carried on, or the characters of activities and associations for the bartering of commodities. These were a part of the entity's experience.
40. Thus we find the activity in the capacity of a cashier, or caring for moneys of others, may become a part of the entity's experience in the present.
41. The name then was Phwasku, and the entity gained throughout the experience. For the ability to be affable, to be optimistic under all experiences and circumstances brought the entity in such relationships with not only its failing land but with those with whom exchanges were made, as to keep a better feeling between the various groups; and thus brought material, mental and spiritual development for the entity.
42. As to the influences from such, we find that those things of an oriental nature become as a part of the entity's outside influence, or the activities of same. Fine filigree work, tapestries, unusual character of paintings - all become a part of the experience, - a hobby as it were. As experiences develop these may grow or may be turned into other channels.
43. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods when there was the setting in order of individuals for specific or special service.
44. There we find the entity among those close to the activity of the King, as well as the Priest who had established that new regime, after the return from the banishment and there were the activities respecting the characterizations produced by and through the activities in the office of the Temple of Sacrifice and the Temple called Beautiful.
45. We find the entity was in the position again of overlooking the manners in which there were the activities through the fires and sacred fires and the various natures for the lightings. These were a part of the entity's work, in the name then Pl-tp-me-lb.
46. In the experience the entity gained. And those activities as in that experience may be developed by the entity in those influences and forces whereunto greater happiness and joy may be a part of the experience in the present.
47. Look upon all the warnings as well as the virtues as are shown. Apply those that may be magnified into bringing not merely material but the mental and spiritual blessings, and spiritual insight also. Thus may the experience be made a helpful, a hopeful influence for a growth towards those things which are eternal.
48. Ready for questions.
49. (Q) In what specific line of life work should I be engaged?
    (A) Anything that would have to do with the supplying of motivative influences, - or light, heat or the like. Any of those organizations or characters.
50. (Q) Am I in the correct line now?
    (A) This may lead to the greater fields, or in this same activity may it be broadened to a greater influence or force.
51. (Q) What steps should be taken to get into a broader activity?
    (A) As indicated, study the SOURCES of same - and the application in the experiences of the greater number of peoples.
52. (Q) What contacts would you advise to take steps toward this activity?
    (A) Preparation first of self, and as self is prepared for an individual activity he will find himself sought out by his superiors, - for this is ever an activity of the entity in those fields in which larger corporations, associations or organizations are to be the guiding force or influence.
53. (Q) Would a change of locality in the U.S. be advisable?
    (A) Not necessarily so. This will become a part later on, but in the present, and for the better development, hold to that in hand.
54. (Q) What steps should I take for more rapid advancement?
    (A) Prepare self in those channels and manners as indicated.
55. (Q) Would a move to California be advisable in connection with further work with the Texas Company?
    (A) Not as we find in the immediate. This may be farther along, but not in the immediate. In a year, two years it might become advisable.
56. (Q) What should be the direction for this body's energies in line with the mental and spiritual development?
    (A) As indicated, cultivate ways and manners and means of expressing the milk of human kindness.
    Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, dividing the words of truth and keeping all question marks against thine own conscience.
57. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

1. 8/17/39 He obtained a Life Reading for his baby son, [1976].
2. 2/28/69 Brother [1597] reported on 1976-1, saying: "My brother [1723] has long since forgotten the rdg. and the public career of his son's earlier sojourn." [See detailed ltr. under 1976-1 Reports.]

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