Edgar Cayce Readings, 1816-1

Time and Place: 11:00 to 11:30 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. ..., Mass.

TEXT

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 plane; giving time, place and the name; and that in each 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 she has submitted, as I ask them:
EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1816].
In giving the interpretations of the records we find of this entity, these are chosen with the desire that the experience become a helpful one throughout this sojourn.
And while there have been, and seemingly are, many influences that have kept the entity from succeeding in the material, and from accomplishing or attaining that mental and spiritual attitude which has innately and manifestedly been the desire of the entity throughout, we find that these should be as mottoes about the entity mentally and physically, and be always remembered:
They that endure unto the end shall wear a crown of life. They that persevere shall overcome. HE should be, and is, thy guide and thy light, and thy strength - if ye will trust in Him.
Viewed from the material sojourn, apparently every hopeful endeavor, every hopeful period of the entity's sojourn during this experience has been shattered either by seemingly unnecessary disappointments or by forebodings that have become at times as obsessions.
Yet the determination to go on, to do and to be, has driven and does drive the entity at all times. And it would never, under any circumstance, do for this entity - now - in the present experience - to do other than to be striving onward always.
Never rest! For the inclination is to be on the go.
But leave out of thy thought those things which have too often become as barriers in thy gaining thy proper understandings. Do not complain as to the "bad luck" that has come, or that appears to be. Do not blame others, or any influence. Rather meet such in Him.
The natural inclination of the entity has been, and is, towards things spiritual; yet these are too often relegated to the background; and that of business or of materiality has been kept too much apart from thy spiritual life.
REALIZE that thy body, thy mind, thy soul, to be sure, are ONE; as the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit are One; yet each in their own phase are dependent one upon the other.
And in that manner He, the Way, the Truth, the Light, may give thee the greater strength, the greater assurance in thy daily experience. And it is as ye mete it to thy fellow man that the strength comes to thee to carry on; which ye must EVER do!
Know that there is no good thing ye can DO for thy Lord or thy God; ONLY that manner in which ye treat thy fellow man. that ye hold in thy consciousness, thy purpose, toward thy fellow man is the manner ye manifest toward thy Maker, thy Brother, - yea, thy God!
For as ye do it unto the least of these, thy brethren, ye do it unto Him.
Let thy yeas be yea, thy nays be nay; but carry ye ON - in all of thy material ways and manners; leaving off resentments, leaving off covetousness, leaving off backbiting, leaving off harsh things said.
But make rather in their stead the fruits of the spirit, - brotherly love, kindness, patience, longsuffering; these be those things that will bring, gradually, that peace which He gives, - as ye grow in grace, in knowledge, in understanding.
And He hath not tempted, WILL not tempt thee beyond that ye are able to bear. For God tempteth no man. It is self CONSTANTLY meeting self, as ye may see from thy experiences in the sojourns in the earth.
But the Spirit of Truth - as is manifested in thy love, thy patience, thy grace, thy mercy, as ye mete - is meted to thee again.
In the astrological aspects, - these become almost nil in thy experience; for such sojourns have been chosen (the interims between earthly sojourns) by thee rather as rest periods.
Yet as in Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, ye find the places of thy activity - if they were considered as places; rather the REALMS of thy activity. Beauty, love, grace, mercy, business, judgement, - all according to the manner in which ye apply them in thy relationships to others.
As to the appearances, there are few that have an influence in the present - as compared to the many; yet these have been quite varied in their relationships, if comparisons were drawn as to the present situations, or as to that experience through which the entity has been meeting itself in the present.
For we find that the entity before this was in the French land, as it is now called, during those periods known as the Crusades; when men - and the companions and associates of the entity - went forth for a purpose, for an activity that to them was for an ideal, - which to the entity became as ridicule.
For the entity thought more of, and held more to that of the personal self in the experience, rather than to an ideal.
Hence the ideal, the spiritual force, remains latent; and the experiences in the present have been and are disappointments, failures; almost not failures and yet not altogether material or mental successes.
These are as thine own self meeting them in that which must be spiritualized in thy activity and associations with others.
That experience has fitted self in the present material activities for associations with others; but always with a wonderment, always with fear, always with not just the full surety or assurance that is needed to make for the great material successes.
But carry on! Take HIM, thy Friend, thy Brother, thy Lord, as thy Partner! Rest in Him, and HE will help thee. As He hath given, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light - if ye will LEARN of me! But if ye use such for the satisfying, the gratifying only of thy material or thy own self's desires, they become rather as crosses to be borne."
Before that we find the entity was in what is now called the Promised Land, during those periods of the return of the wanderers and those who sought to set up or readjust themselves in a land where there was the rebuilding, the replenishing, the readjustments to the variations which had come about, by that long sojourn in a strange land; when the laws and tenets and principles had become merely those of hearsay, merely those things that WERE, yet no one having wholly or fully experienced them.
There we find the entity was with Zerubabbel and those peoples returning to the Holy City.
The entity made for friendships with many of the natives and with the conditions surrounding, in the name then Abjadel; being in associations with those in authority, being in connection with those put in places of confidence and hope. Yet the entity held not altogether to those tenets, and there came a period through which much disturbance arose owing to the conditions and hardships that were brought about.
Meet them then in the present, in the way in which the greater promise may be fulfilled, - "If ye will abide with me I will abide with thee."
And remember the new commandment, "Love one another." Not in a possessive manner. O that all would learn that LOVE is all embracing, and NOT merely possession!
Before that we find the entity was in the land now called the Egyptian, when there the lives of the many being dedicated for a special service through the preparations and activities in being relieved from those tendencies and inclinations through the Temple of Sacrifice and in the Temple Beautiful, - that were built for the preparations - or what would be called in the present the education - for specific office or activities.
There we find the entity was in that activity in which the holding of the home was a part of the entity's experience. And the greater gains through the experience were had by the entity in that particular sojourn, as Adajanjah-eldth.
In the experience the entity gained throughout. For peace and harmony as for home and home environs, and the needs for the care not only of the household but of the offspring in their various activities, became a part of the entity's experience.
In the present, then, carry on - with Him - in that way and manner in which ye will never have thine own conscience, thine own self denounce thee.
Denounce not others for the things that come about, but look rather within self. For the way ye know - if ye will turn to Him.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Should I continue in the Insurance business?
(A) By all means!
(Q) What can I do to become more successful?
(A) Who and what is thy success? If ye will read, if ye will apply that which has been indicated in thy daily dealings - not in long-facedness but in happiness - ye will find success, materially, mentally, spiritually.
(Q) Should I keep my home longer? If so, how long?
(A) Just so long as it is a place where there may be good for self and for others arising from the use of same.
(Q) Should I continue to provide a home for my daughter and son-in-law, until he becomes established in his profession?
(A) You should.
(Q) Am I helping or weakening them in so doing?
(A) If ye blame them, - but if ye seek encouragement, if ye assist others, then ye shall so be assisted. But not if you are condemning them for sponging on thee, ever!
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file
[Questions besides those which got asked:
I long to play the organ. Would you advise lessons, or would voice culture be better at this time, to help me in my work?
Is it right for me to feel there will be a spiritual marriage, a mating of two souls?
Will I ever make my home in California?]

BACKGROUND

1/24/39 [1816]'s ltr. to EC:
New York City
Mr. Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.,
Dear Mr. Cayce,-
Through my cousin, [Mrs. [1770]] whom I am visiting this week, I have heard of your wonderful gift, and would like so much to have an appointment for a Life Reading. Any afternoon next week will be all right, for I will then be at my home again in ...
Perhaps you would like to know that my name at birth was [1816], I married in 1910 and a daughter [...] was born in 1913. In May 1914, my husband died. I carried on his business and in 1922, married again. A daughter ... was born in 1923, and in May 1929, my husband died. He was an Insurance Agent, and I have carried on his business since his death, and in this way have been able to keep my home.
My oldest daughter was married in 1937, and she and her husband are living with me. My daughter keeps house for me, while I am working, as they have no income. My son-in-law is a lawyer and although he has been practicing over a year, his income is barely sufficient to take care of his office expenses.
I have been going through a period of physical adjustments which has made my work more difficult and my burdens appear greater, so I would appreciate definite guidance at this time to calm my restlessness and again assure me that God is guiding me in all that I do.
If you answer soon, please address me here in N.Y. I shall probably leave for my home in ..., Mass. on Friday.
Enclose check herewith, together with a list of questions.
Sincerely, [1816]

REPORTS

2/23/39 [1816]'s letter to EC:
Mr. Edgar Cayce Virginia Beach, Va.
Dear Mr. Cayce,-
I thank you so much for the Psychic Reading, which I found most interesting and which will be extremely helpful as I read and re-read to grasp the inner meaning. I expect my cousin Mrs. [1770], in a few weeks, at which time we will go over the reading together and study it carefully.
I did not receive the two booklets on your life, which I wanted a friend to read, so will you please mail them as soon as possible.
Thanking you for your help, I am
Sincerely, [1816]
5/19/43 She requested a physical Rdg. for her sister-in-law, Mrs. [3080].
8/51 Questionnaire:
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Answer all questions as completely as possible. Merely "Yes" or "No" is insufficient if you know inside yourself that you have more thoughts you want to express. Remember that thoughts are deeds and that the final judgements are on the thoughts, not the deeds or actions. Every paper in our files are inviolably confidential as to source or individual identification with present appearance. Please do not hesitate or be in any respect afraid to express yourself. We welcome and cherish even the most meager expression because we know the value of that which stimulates it.
(Use Reverse side, and additional sheet, if required.)
1. Do you still have a copy of your Life Reading?
Yes. It is one of my most prized possessions.
2. How many times have you read your Life Reading? (If many times, give approximate number.)
Possibly 25 or 30 times during the past years.
3. Did you read it to or with someone else and, if so, what was the relation of the person to you? Read it over several times shortly after receiving it, with my cousin [1770], who was able to explain the reading in a most helpful manner. Also read it over with Hugh Lynn Cayce about 2 1/2 years ago when he was in Los Angeles for the annual Congress. He was able to point out very clearly the hidden meaning back of much that was given.
4. Have you given a copy of your reading to anyone and, if so, what was the relationship to you of that person?
Have never given anyone a copy of my reading but allowed at least three personal friends to read it, because of their interest in the Association and its work.
5. How recently have you read your Life Reading?
The reading was last read by me the latter part of July, 1951, when I was visiting the Association.
6. In what respects do you feel that your Life Reading was (1) true, (2) false, (3) correct, (4) imaginary, (5) hocus pocus, (6) inaccurate, (7) incomplete, (8) trivial?
Having, at the time I asked for a reading, absolute faith in Edgar Cayce, I naturally believed every word to be true, whether I could accept it or not, at the time.
7. Do you believe in a reincarnation of the soul and, if so, why?
Yes, for many years I have believed in the reincarnation of the soul. To me it is a theory which makes sense. The process of all life is to progress toward perfection. How else would we attain it, were we not privileged to return again and again to the earth plane to experience what is essential to our further growth.
8. What is your idea or concept of Karma? Is it (a) a state to which a people aspire, (b) a state to which an individual aspires, (c) an environmental influence, (d) a hereditary influence, (e) something you yourself have done or thought or left undone and unthought in a previous incarnation?
My concept of Karma is that it is definitely a personal thing or condition resulting from thoughts and actions not only built up while here on the earth plane, but also brought over from past incarnations. Karma may be good or evil. Whatever the effect or result, be it reward or suffering, it must eventually work itself out.
9. Have you in any respect consciously changed your (1) vocation, (2) thoughts, (3) actions or reactions toward others as a result of your Life reading? I thought my actions toward others were beyond reproach, but believing implicitly in what my reading intimated, I made a conscious effort to change my thoughts and actions accordingly.
10. Assuming your life to be no casual accident or experiment, do you have any new or different concept as to the purpose of your life as a result of your Life Reading?
My life reading gave me a different conception of the purpose of not only my own life, but of all life, through the information it revealed regarding past incarnations.
11. Have you ever systematically or otherwise set apart any part of your day, week, month or any other period of your time for introspection or an examination and analysis of your inner self (and we do not mean writing in a diary) as suggested in your Life Reading? If not, why not and, if so, are there any results measurable to you?
Yes, this practice of examining myself and the happenings of each day before going to sleep at night, has become over a period of many years, automatic with me. (Do not find any reference to this practice in my reading.) The results are amazing. It is impossible for me to disobey a Law in the slightest degree, without suffering in consciousness. The nightly analysis, consisting of a process of acknowledgement, forgiveness and willingness to overcome, makes it difficult to break the same Law again. The atmosphere is cleared in preparation for the new day, an inner peace is felt, resulting in sound, restful sleep.
12. Do you regard your vocation, whether it be as laborer, supervisor, manager, official, engineer, lawyer, doctor, housewife, mother, or what not, as the dominant force in your life or do you look upon your vocation as an agency through which you can the better fulfill your purpose in this life?
Being an Aquarian, I have always felt inwardly that my vocation gave me an opportunity to fulfill my purpose in life. Only by contacting people do we discover our own shortcomings, and what we can do about them.
13. How, in your opinion, can our Association best carry on the work of Edgar Cayce and the good for which he stood?
Edgar Cayce's great tribute to the world found expression in the thousands of readings which represent his life's work. There is no question as to the inestimable value of the readings giving material and physical help. I feel they should be free of access to interested people but with some recompense or "act of compensation" to the Association. (I do not mean by this, a free-will or love offering, but something equivalent to the service rendered to the recipient).
Edgar Cayce had reached the pure clairvoyant stage in soul evolution, which made him a perfect channel through which Divine Wisdom and Light flowed freely. Therefore, the Life Readings pertaining to soul growth and development, are of untold value. [See reading exerpts below] People today are hungry for these Divine Truths and yearn to know how they can apply them in their daily living. I would like to suggest assembling from the readings, every reference of a spiritual nature, and have these Truths put into a usable form for class lessons, text books or simple publications that would reach not only Association members or groups, but the world at large. The Association for Research and Enlightenment would soon become a BEACON OF LIGHT, that which its name implies.
8/22/51 REFERENCES OF A SPIRITUAL NATURE IN MY LIFE READING
They that endure unto the end shall wear a crown of life. They that persevere shall overcome. HE should be, and is, thy guide and thy light, and thy strength - if ye will trust in Him.
REALIZE that thy body, thy mind, thy soul, to be sure, are ONE; as the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit are One; yet each in their own phase are dependent one upon the other. And in that manner He, the Way, the Truth, the Light, may give thee the greater strength, the greater assurance in thy daily experience. And it is as ye mete it to thy fellow man that the strength comes to thee to carry on; which ye must EVER do!
Know that there is no good thing ye can DO for thy Lord or thy God; ONLY that manner in which ye treat thy fellow man. that ye hold in thy consciousness, thy purpose, toward thy fellow man is the manner ye manifest toward thy Maker, thy Brother, - yea, thy God! For as ye do it unto the least of these, thy brethren, ye do it unto Him. Let thy yeas be yea, thy nays be nay; but carry ye ON - in all of thy material ways and manners; leaving off resentments, leaving off covetousness, leaving off backbiting, leaving off harsh things said. But make rather in their stead the fruits of the spirit, - brotherly love, kindness, patience, longsuffering; these be those things that will bring, gradually, that peace which He gives, - as ye grow in grace, in knowledge, in understanding. And He hath not tempted, WILL not tempt thee beyond that ye are able to bear. For God tempteth no man. It is self CONSTANTLY meeting self, as ye may see from thy experiences in the sojourns in the earth. But the Spirit of Truth - as is manifested in thy love, thy patience, thy grace, thy mercy, as ye mete - is meted to thee again. Carry on - Take HIM, thy Friend, thy Brother, thy Lord, as thy Partner! Rest in Him, and HE will help thee. As He hath given, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light - if ye will LEARN of me! But if ye use such for the satisfying, the gratifying only of thy material or thy own self's desires, they become rather as crosses to be borne."
"If ye will abide with me I will abide with thee.
Remember the new commandment, "Love one another." Not in a possessive manner. Oh that all would learn that LOVE is all embracing, and NOT merely possession!
Carry on - with Him - in that way and manner in which ye will never have thine own conscience, thine own self denounce thee. Denounce not others for the things that come about, but look rather within self. For the way ye know - if ye will turn to Him.
In answering the questionnaire, I feel I already have commented on most of the individual paragraphs.
The information given in my Life Reading was accurate, as far as I know. What it revealed through the detailed descriptions of three of my former incarnations, I consider priceless. It enabled me to understand the reason back of experiences in this lifetime, which could not have been accounted for in any other way.
I continued in the insurance business for two and one-half years, until I went to California to live.
I kept my home for four years, as long as it was of use to my daughter and son-in-law, when they, too, moved to California to live.
The advice given regarding the business and my home, helped me to carry on until the time was ripe for me to go to California to live. I had known for many years within myself, that I would live here, and wanted so much to make the change when my husband died in 1929. However, there was much I had to experience first, which came through carrying on the insurance business. In 1941, I was directed from within to make the change, so there was no longer any question as to what to do.
The answers to the remaining questions helped me to realize that I was doing the right thing about my home, so I continued to keep it, "Just as long as it was a place where there was good for self and for others arising from the use of same."