This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 20th day of January, 1939, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1796], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended and sponsored by Mr. [257].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born January 7, 1925, in New Haven, Connecticut.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relation of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces; giving the conditions which are as personalities, latent and exhibited in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth's plane, giving time, place and the name, and that in that life which built or retarded the development for the entity; giving the abilities of the present entity and that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions he has submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1796].
3. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them, these portions of same are chosen with the desire that this experience be a helpful influence in the activities and choices of the entity in this experience.
4. The records of the entity are upon time and space, and are a part of the entity.
5. Thus we find this entity - as each entity - is in the present the result of that the entity has applied of Creative influences and forces in every phase of its experience. Thus it makes for that called by some karma, by others racial hereditary forces.
6. And thus environment and hereditary forces (as are accepted) are in their reality the activities of the MIND of the entity in its choices through the experiences in the material, in the mental, in the spiritual planes.
7. The entity finds self then a physical, a mental and a soul body all in one; with its virtues, its abilities, its weaknesses, its intents, its desires, all prompted by something innate; and manifested according to the application of self towards the mental and spiritual attributes of the entity as a whole.
8. There are then those accredited signs or omens or indications of characteristics in the innate and manifested activities of the entity. But these are irrespective of what the entity is to do, or will do, respecting same.
9. In the interpreting of the records here, then, we find the entity from the astrological aspects is influenced not because of the position of the sun, the moon or of the earth in its relationships to planets or zodiacal signs or other influences. Yet all of these are recognized as a part of the entity's environment. Thus, as Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Uranus are a part of the entity's experiences in those environs, they have as definite effect upon the tend or trend of influence as does that the entity may study or peruse or practice in its daily activity, or feed upon in its physical endeavors for sustenance in material environs.
10. Hence we find one of high mental abilities, with a liking towards those things that are of a dramatic nature.
11. One sympathetic, yet at times inclined to be somewhat critical of those things or conditions about the entity. These should ever be tempered with that mercy and judgment that is desired by the entity for others to have with self. And let such criticism then be rather of a constructive nature, knowing that all must be founded upon a spiritual import.
12. For one finds the world within self, the world without self. And those influences that make for longings, for the satisfying, the gratifying of personal mental or material aspects are a part of the ego; just as the desire to know, to experience, to be acquainted with that from whence the mind, the body, the soul came, and whither it goeth in the experience and in the affairs that one finds about self.
13. There are then material, mental, spiritual laws that govern one in the attaining of activities in all phases of an individual experience.
14. Then, unless there is the application of those laws, - not tenets, not ideas but IDEALS, - there cannot be that accomplished which is the fulfilling of the purpose for which each soul enters a material experience.
15. For it is not by chance but a purposefulness that each soul enters, that it may become so developed, so applying itself in its relationships to the spiritual things - through its mental and material associations - as to become a fit companion to its sources, to its Maker, to the First Causes in the spiritual and the mental phases of an individual experience.
16. Hence there are laws immutable, unchanging. These are of spiritual import, yet are applicable in the experience of each entity in its dealings with its fellow man. That ye sow, that ye reap. As ye do unto thy fellow man, even the lowest in thine estimation, so ye do unto thy Maker. For the imprint, the soul, the spirit of each entity is a part of that great whole, that "I AM" by which the individual ego would seek to pattern itself.
17. Hence there must be in the experience of each entity an IDEAL: not merely ideas but an ideal of a spiritual import; and that ideal ye may find, ye will find, within thine inner self - as is shown in Him who is the way, the truth and the light.
18. The image of Him is within thine own self, if ye will but open thy heart, thy mind, thy conscience to the indwelling of that force, of that promise which is thine own - if ye will but embrace same.
19. In those abilities of thy mental and material self, then, pattern same after His manner of expressing same before His fellow man. For ye are indeed the fellow traveler with Him.
20. In the attributes of self and its abilities from the astrological sojourns, we find then the high mental ability, that affability, that ability to make friends easily, - whether those of its own sex or others.
21. And as ye become naturally one to whom many will look for counsel, for advice, temper such ever with that mercy, with that judgment as ye would have mercy shown to thee. And know that as ye would that men should do to you, ye do so unto them IS the rule by which thy attainments, mentally, physically, spiritually, will be measured throughout thy sojourn in this material activity.
22. There are the abilities then to judge as to the value of things, conditions, experiences in thy relationships; as well as conditions in thy environs - these are a part of thy activity; because such conditions, rather than figures or mathematical problems, are more in accord with the application ye have made of thyself, in the astrological as well as in the material sojourns.
23. Hence in a field of activity or endeavor where thy judgments may be as to the plausibility of the use of this or that thing, whether it be merchandise or things of commerce or things made or manufactured, or those experiences such as teaching, as edification, or of that nature, - all become a part of thyself, as ye apply self in those directions.
24. Then, as drawn from thy activities through material sojourns, with the ability as thou hast to tell others of such, ye may make a place in thy material associations in which love of the very activity may bring material success, mental satisfaction, and spiritual opportunities for itself.
25. As to the appearances in the earth's plane, these we find as the experiences that become a part of the entity's activities:
26. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during those periods of the American Revolution.
27. The entity, in the name then of George Powell, made what would be called today the presentation of propaganda to not only satisfy the peoples of the land of the present nativity but to induce others that were sojourners, even though as enemies in the land in material ways. For the propaganda was of such natures as to impress them with the idea of what liberty in choice of government, in choice of religious sentiment or activity, would and could mean in the experiences of all.
28. Through those activities the entity gained. And in the present, as indicated, such abilities may be applied in writing ads or giving convincing data as to why this or that thing, this or that activity in its dealings with others, would be, could be, should be beneficial in the experience mentally, materially, yea spiritually.
29. Before that we find the entity was in the Roman land, during those periods when there was the spreading of the activities of that particular people, during that period when the Master walked in the earth.
30. The entity was of the Romans in that particular land, becoming acquainted with, knowing the joys, yea the many sorrows, yea the hardships of those who professed beliefs in the tenets of the teacher of that land and that period.
31. Holding to the principles of duty, yet coming under the influence of those who had embraced or accepted the teachings, we find the entity then, as Delodora, making for periods of great disturbance as to the manners in which self would be directed; whether to the dictates of the conscience or to duty as had been given by word of mouth.
32. Hence we find in the experiences of self through the present there will be periods of wonderment, periods of turmoil, periods of disturbance, - through harkening to this or that counsel.
33. Remember, under such, - there is the ideal to which ye must hold; for He, thy God, hath promised to meet thee within thine own temple, thine own body; and thy conscience is that as ye must keep inviolate. And being true to thyself must needs bring the result that thou wilt not be false to any. For His ways are not past finding out. And making them thine own ways will bring that peace and harmony as He has promised, that IS the part of every entity's experience at some period through his sojourn in this material plane.
34. Those experiences give those ideals, as well as ideas; abilities to judge others, yet - as has been indicated - temper thy judgments.
35. Before that we find the entity was in the Promised Land, when there were those children of promise returning from bondage, or from the land where there were those scattered in the Persian land, to rebuild the temple, to rebuild the activities there.
36. We find the entity acting in the capacity of what would be called today the architect, or one choosing materials, and guiding and directing in the manner of building.
37. And from those experiences we find many interests become a part of the entity in the present.
38. Then the name was Eleasear; and the entity gained and lost.
39. Friendships for such peoples, of which the entity was a part then, become a part of the present experience. Buildings, - building things that pertain to conveniences, as well as things that supply activities in the experiences of man, - as wood and the materials of same, and all character of building materials, - become a part of the entity's consciousness.
40. Also, as indicated, there are the abilities of describing same as to their worth, their value in the experiences of others; and this may be best made a portion of the experience in the present.
41. Before that we find the entity was in the Atlantean land, when there was the separating of the peoples for the breaking up of the land.
42. The entity was among those who went to what is now the South American land.
43. Hence in the present there will be the experience, as it were, of the call for activities among strange peoples, strange environs. Yet such may or may not be the experience in the present, dependent upon choices.
44. The entity gained and lost through that experience, as Ameeon.
45. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:
46. First, analyze thyself, thy desires, thy purposes, thy aims. Are these all founded in spiritual things, or material only? Know that if they are in the material, they must change. If they are in spiritual, glorify them in thy activities among thy fellow men.
47. Know what ye believe and WHO is the author of same. Let thy yeas be yea and thy nays be nay.
48. Keep the body CLEAN, to thine OWN conscience. DO NOT that thou would not present to that ye worship as the God. For as ye do it unto the least, ye do it unto thy Maker.
49. In those fields of activity in which either the art critic, or dramatic critic, or writing of ads, or description of this or that product and as to its use and its developments - these may be the channels through which the greater joy, the greater material and the greater opportunities for mental and soul development may come.
50. Ready for questions.
51. (Q) Is the Horace Mann School the proper school to bring out these tendencies?
    (A) Very good - if there is the stressing more and more of that phase as has been indicated.
52. (Q) Is he taking the proper course of study to fit him for this life work?
    (A) Very good.
53. (Q) What other subjects should be studied at this time in order to have a rounded curricula for this special field?
    (A) Those that will gradually branch into that phase or field of service or activity that is to be the choice of the life's work.
54. (Q) What college should he try to get into after completing his work at this present school?
    (A) In New Haven!
55. (Q) Any other suggestions or advice for him to follow to further develop himself, morally, spiritually and physically?
    (A) Keep the faith in thyself as ye do in thy God.
56. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Mr. [257]
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 13/38 Mr. [257]'s letter to EC: "Dear Judge: I have a young man in whom I am very much interested along the lines of [487].
   He has asked me several times if I would not get him a Reading from you. I am having him sign an application and mail it down for a Life Reading.
   His name is [1796] and after the 8th of January every morning except Saturday and Sunday he is in school on Riverdale Avenue & 252nd Street. It is called the Horace Mann School. He was born January 7, 1925 at New Haven, Conn.
   His mother is a widow and a member of the G.E. Co. being secretary to the ... It was through her suggestion that Mr. Andrews wrote the letter recommending [487] for the position at G.E. So, you see, we never know how things work around and how the forces work for us. So, I would like to sponsor this young man's Reading while she sponsors [487] should G.E. place him on their staff. G.E. and RCA are closely affiliated.
   Please be good enough to set the date for the Life Reading and I will send you the questions I would like to have asked.
   With kind personal regards, believe me..."
2. 1/14/39 [1796]'s letter to EC: "I received a letter from Mrs. [189] today informing me of the time of the Reading. I do sincerely appreciate your willingness to do this, and to Mr. [257]. I shall be very indebted. During the period between three-thirty and four-thirty I shall be in my room, number 33, at the Horace Mann School Dormitory. The dormitory is at the corner of Riverdale Avenue and 250th Street, Riverdale, New York. I am in the Third form at the Horace Mann School which is the equivalent of the Freshman year in other high schools. My marks in school are at an average of about 83%. I shall follow all your instructions carefully..."

REPORTS

1. 1/23/39 EC's letter to [1796]: "Hope you find your reading interesting - and that it may prove just as helpful to you through the years as so many tell us theirs have been to them. Of course it must answer to a something within your own self, never just blindly - will be fine if you will have Mr. [257] or my son or both of them go over it with you - they having read many of them, can possibly tell you better just what is trying to be said - but after all it must answer to something within your own self. Don't read and throw aside, every few weeks or months get it out and read it over again - feel sure you will like so many others find something worthwhile will you study it a bit..."
2. 1/28/39 [1796]'s letter to EC: "I received your letter and the reading last Wednesday. I found the reading most interesting and invaluable in advice and helpfulness and I shall read it over again every few weeks as you advised. As yet I have not talked it over with Mr. [257], but my mother has been in touch with him and I am to see him as soon as it can be arranged.
   One of my relatives has a genealogy of the Powell family and I am planning to borrow it as I am interested in knowing if George Powell is included.
   Thank you again for the helpful reading."
3. 7/28/41 [1796]'s letter to EC: "Some time ago I had a life reading which has been a very helpful guide to me during the past few years, and I am sure will be increasingly helpful in future years.
   Mr. [257] feels that this would be a good time for me to have a physical and mental reading so that I will be able to get my body in good shape to get plenty of strength in order to carry out my life's work. I am anxious to accomplish a great deal as a senior at the Horace Mann School for Boys, for on this work will depend whether I shall have a scholarship in college.
   I shall, therefore, appreciate it greatly if you can at this time give me the benefit of your advice and help through a physical and mental reading.
   With sincere gratitude for what you have done for me."
   I am [...]
4. 8/02/41 See 1796-2, a Physical Reading - but questions sent, see on 1796-2, Par. B2, included ones about his school work, interest in music, etc.
5. 5/28/58 HLC told GD that Mr. [257] told him that Mr. [1796] has turned into a "city planner."
6. See Source File Key #1796 for solar [astrological] chart submitted by Dorothy Moore, 6842 Merrille Lane, Dallas, TX 75214 on 2/74 re 1796-1.

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