This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 28th day of March, 1940, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [1857], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [1857]. Born July 4, 1900, in Selma, Alabama.

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 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, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over years from the present - " - '33 - changes - '30 - '25 - yes - '23 - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1857].
4. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, many of the individual experiences present an activity in themselves.
5. But these will be chosen from the records here with the intent and purpose that this be a helpful experience for the entity, in attaining and gaining the greater concept of the purposes of individual experiences, and the carrying forward of activities not only by associations (from which it would appear that one never gets entirely away) but by giving expressions to fulfil the purpose and intent for which the soul entered this material plane.
6. The urges arise from sojourns in the earth (as will be expressed more in the emotional nature or side of the individual's activities), and also from sojourns in the environs accredited to the astrological aspects about the earth.
7. Hence we find that the entity is deep in its thought, - as from the Mercurian experience we find one high in mental abilities.
8. From Venus we find both the benevolent and the complex associations; bringing into the experience those relationships and associations with others that are both good and bad, that are both beautiful and sad.
9. Also from Venus we find a great appreciation, - and so few souls manifest that in their daily experience or life; yet this one virtue may be said to have been attained by this entity above most others.
10. We also see in Venus the love of home, the love of those environs that are brought about by same. There is indicated, too, the reverse; in which ties have been broken, that have been and are as emotional experiences, - yet in the deeper expressions the lessons that have been gained are as developing points in the experience of the entity.
11. From Jupiter we find the benevolent influence, that has brought about the contact the entity has with greater associations in masses and groups; and influences arising from these will ever be beneficial. For, with a consistent appreciation, others also learn or gain - by association with the entity - an appreciation of all their experiences and activities in this material plane.
12. We find from Mars that the entity has a very good temper; this isn't bad temper, but a GOOD temper! One without a temper is in very bad shape, but one who can't control his temper is in still worse shape! The entity is one, then, who has learned to HOLD the temper, and yet not be entirely suppressed in doing so - or by the needs of such; rather being able to gain from same, through the very virtue of patience and longsuffering, which has been and is the experience of the entity through this particular sojourn.
13. As to the activities indicated, - the associations having to do with decorations, as interior decorating; or in those things pertaining to any datastician activity, - as in the library, or in clerical work, - these would be channels for an outlet. Yet, as has been indicated, the home is to the entity the ideal. It is an expression of hope, as well as giving the abilities to be more helpful, more patient, more longsuffering with others; and these are virtues in the experience of the entity.
14. As to the appearances in the earth, or those that go to make up the emotional nature of the entity, - these have been many, yet they have been well balanced - save in the adverse forces from Venus. We find that the emotional as well as the spiritual forces are well balanced; and these need to be kept as ideals:
15. First, know in self what IS thy ideal, - spiritual, mental, material. Not as to how much one may gain from this or that association, but how much there may be given, - and in the giving find the greater blessings. For, as has been exemplified in the manner in which God gave to the world the Son, His Son, that we through Him might have eternal life, He so LOVED the world - His creatures, the makings of His hand - that He gave Him that we might have an advocate with the Father. Thus, He is the ideal (the Son, the Christ), - in spiritual, in mental and in material applications.
16. As to appearances, then:
17. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, in that portion of same that was then the capital of Alabama.
18. The entity was the daughter of one in authority, the entity's sire eventually being the Vice-President of the United States [William Rufus Devane King?]. [See also 1857-2, Par. R3.]
19. Then the entity was in the name Nora King, and did not have a long experience in the material sojourn; yet the entity wielded an influence upon the peoples with whom it came in contact, as well as gained by the activities through the experience.
20. Thus those desires, those likings for travel, that of change, the ability to meet individuals in every estate or walk of life and to be at home or "in place" with them, - these become a part of the entity's experience from that sojourn.
21. Before that the entity was in quite a different environ, - during those periods when there were the wars between the peoples of the Holy Land and those of the French and English land, or those people in that land who were seeking to establish the rights of those associations in and about the Holy Land.
22. The entity then was of the Mohammedan peoples, and thus of the Parthian land - or of those activities about portions of what is now Asia Minor, Turkey and - more specifically - the city Agnostos, in which the entity then dwelt.
23. Then the entity saw much of those peoples who were the intruders, as well as the natives who were active in those experiences. Through those activities and associations the entity gained, and also lost; and was determined to learn more of those experiences and environs and activities which brought the entity greater knowledge of those associations. For, though a Mohammedan, the entity married a Christian; and thus brought turmoils to itself and to its associations, for it meant the changing of its environs and the returning with the mate to the French land.
24. Through those experiences, though, the entity gained. Hence the ability to analyze definite ideas, definite concepts, if the entity takes the time. Yet know that the Lord thy God is One, - that all concepts of the worship of the Law of One arise from the same emotions as the seeking to be at one with the Creative Forces. And the manifestations of same are that ye show thyself to be worthy of acceptance, according to that which is set as thy ideal in relationship to Creative Forces, in whatever stage or activity ye choose to give expression to same.
25. Before that the entity was in the Promised Land [See 1981-1, Par. 66-A], as now known; during those periods when there were those carried away into captivity.
26. The entity then was among the princesses of the Jewish peoples, or of the daughters of Zedekiah, who was carried into the Babylonian land; becoming associated with those who were in authority during those periods when there was the reestablishing of that people, in the Persian and Chaldean land.
27. Hence we find that things of an oriental nature are an urge in the present experience; things that are old, things that are new. These find an expression in the entity, not merely as keepsakes, but each carrying a message because of the vibrations, and because of what such things must have meant to individuals as they used or had them about their abodes or their activities. These become not as things that would become worshipful, but as meaning more in the experience of the entity than to most individuals.
28. Then the entity was in the name Esmara, and the entity aided in establishing among its own peoples that desire which later found expression before those in authority for the return of the peoples to the worship and the rebuilding in the Holy City.
29. In the experience, then, the entity gained the greater concept as to how to be, and not to be, the more helpful in all environs, in whatever might be the activities or the associations.
30. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land. The entity was the daughter of the Priest who caused the many changes to come about in the land; both in association with the Natives and those in authority from the various groups, especially those who had been in rebellion, the entity was able to bring more harmonious activity because of the close associations through the experience with the leaders of those rebellions.
31. Through these associations there were the abilities for the entity to aid in being very helpful when there was the dividing of the political and religious offices (as would be termed in the present). For the entity was in close association with those from Atlantis, as well as with the Young King, as well as with the Native peoples of that particular period.
32. Then the entity was in the name El (meaning beautiful) - Ar-Ela. In the experience the entity was held almost in as much reverence as the companion of the Priest, Isis; and many of the figures of the entity were a part of the hieroglyphics that later became a part of the worshipfulness of many of the peoples. Because of the entity's close associations with those who were the animal worshipers, these brought discouraging and disconcerting activities, but they eventually came to be channels through which great help came to the peoples in that experience.
33. The applying of those abilities from that sojourn will be a part of the activity of the entity in the present. For, oft there come into the experience those associates or individuals or activities in which position or place, or some activity of the entity, becomes as the greater influence for activity. And to aid such individuals to gain their equilibrium, and to bring about the greater coordination for the developing forces, - as for home and for such, - IS an activity or a JOB (to put in plain words) for the entity in the present.
34. Before that the entity was in the Beginning of the activity in the earth, when the morning stars sang together as they announced the glory of the coming of man.
35. The entity was active in those experiences when the individuals were concerned with the preserving of their relationships through the greater associations with the sons of the Law of One.
36. Thus we find innately in the present that desire within the individual for the greater dependence upon the voice within; also the intuitive abilities, and the soul or psychic forces manifesting through its associations in places or with individuals and their activities.
37. Know within self that thy own body is the temple of the living God. There ye are to meet Him in thy meditation, in thy prayer. For He is the same today, yesterday and forever; and there He meets thee, and will guide thee and direct thee. Trust thou wholly in Him.
38. Ready for questions.
39. (Q) How can I shape my life so as to make the greatest possible spiritual advancement in this incarnations?
    (A) Study those things that have been the shortcomings, and those that have been and that have brought the greater blessings in the experiences through the various sojourns in the earth. Then magnify those things in which there is greater stress, and greater faith, and greater activity toward bringing material as well as mental and spiritual development. They are - as has been set - ever the same. For the law of the Lord IS perfect, converting the soul. It reneweth a righteous spirit within thee, day by day. Meditate oft, then, in those things and in those experiences.
    For, much of that which was the activity through those various periods, by thy own intuitive force, may be made better known to thee; and as to how and in what manner ye may conduct self, not only in relationships to others but as to conditions which arise in the experience of those ye meet day by day.
    Remember to keep that appreciativeness, not only for what He is, has been and ever will be in thy experience, but that ye may GLORIFY Him in thy speech, in thy activity, in thy associations one with another.
40. (Q) Have I any psychic abilities which can be developed for the good of myself and others?
    (A) As has just been indicated, these have extended, do extend, deep into the INTUITIVE forces, - from the very beginning. But find the answer deep within self. For, as given, - Self, thy body, thy mind, thy soul, is the seat of thy relationship, thy association, thy connection with thy Maker, - even thy Elder Brother, who has promised to meet thee within thine own temple. Then, meditate oft therein, as ye allow that consciousness to arise through thine own body, in the emotions as will come by the closer thought along this line:
    I AM GOD'S OWN. THROUGH ME HAS COME MANY GENERATIONS OF THOUGHT, OF MANIFESTATION. SHOW ME, O GOD, THE WAY.
    And then, as ye listen, there will come that assurance, that help, that understanding as to what, as to how those activities are to find material expression in the present. For He changeth not.
    Then, rely not upon others. For, as was the pronouncement of old, it is not who will come and give thee a message; for, lo, as has been indicated, thou art from the beginning of the manifestations of God's love. Then magnify same, listen, be patient; for in patience ye become aware of thy soul, and its relationship to Him.
41. (Q) How can I help to guide my present marriage toward the best development for both?
    (A) It has been well begun. Hold - as ye oft have in thy experiences - that which is the most precious of promises to thee as to His care, God's care, in those relationships in which each may be as a help, as a prop one for the other.
    For in this present experience ye are meeting those activities from other periods when ye were dependent upon thy present companion, even as he depended upon thee; not only for spiritual guidance but for mental and physical relaxation, and for the awakenings that brought to the many - to the MANY - the knowledge of the LOVE of the Father, as was manifested in the Son.
    For he was that companion whom ye followed, from the land in which ye were a stranger, into the new environs; and ye are meeting same in the present. How oft have thy environs changed in this present association! These are but shadows or patterns. But give praise and thanks that THROUGHOUT ye have - here a little, there a little - added unto that whereunto ye can show forth the Lord's death till He come again!
42. (Q) Was there any other relationship in the past with my present husband, [...]?
    (A) Also in the Egyptian experience there was a relationship, but as a friend, not as a companion or close associate.
43. (Q) Was there a relationship in the past with [294], other than the Egyptian?
    (A) This was a close enough relationship to go through the whole experience! but ye were with him in the Beginning. Ye were both then, as it were, as the WIND (for comparison) upon the waters, that announced the glory of the coming of man! Hence ye were both as spiritual imports and purposes when Adam first walked in the garden.
44. (Q) With [849]?
    (A) A relationship of brother and sister in those experiences when ye left thy home in what is now a portion of Asia Minor; and also in the Egyptian experience an association as indicated.
45. (Q) Please explain the simultaneous dreams experienced at various times by me and the entity [849].
    (A) As there were the sources of the one thought and purpose through the close associations as brother and sister (and they were brother and sister in spirit as well as in the fleshly understanding), we find that in the state when the physical consciousness of each is laid aside, the SOURCES of their impelling influence become the same.
46. (Q) Can I help my sister Zena in any way?
    (A) Place before her that as has been indicated of thy understandings and concepts, that SPIRITUAL awakening is necessary for the mental and material gains, and leave the results with Him. Not that they are to be foregone in any way or manner, but fret not thyself. For God will have His way. And as ye will see by comparison, there has been an association there. These will be, have been, for good in this experience.
47. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [GD's note: Mrs. [1857] remarked after the reading that everything rang "so true". She knew the characteristics were exactly as described and therefore believed also the explanations of her past incarnations, etc.]

BACKGROUND

1. 4/02/39 She obtained a Physical Rdg. 1857-1.
2. 8/22/39 She obtained a Life Rdg. 1981-1 for daughter.
3. 4/10/39 EC's ltr. under 1788-5 Reports indicated he used to know Mrs. [1857] as a child.

REPORTS

1. See daughter's reading 1981-1, Par. 66-A, indicating a Palestine incarnation at the time of Jesus, in which [1857] was then the daughter of her present daughter [1981].
2. 10/09/42 See daughter's second life reading, 1981-2, Par. 19-A re. achieving a closer understanding with the mother [1857] and step-father who opposed her contemplated marriage with [1776].
3. 11/15/47 Report to GD: Although Alabama history says that Wm. Rufus King died a bachelor, she has never questioned the reading. Recently in two different spiritualistic seances messages have come through to her from Rufus King - she knows it was he, although the medium did not know of the reading, etc. The first time the message was purported to come from one "who has a fatherly influence; he says tell you it is Rufus and he is still the big kingpin; you'll know what he means." The next time, the medium said, "One is here who comes as a father to you; he says he is Mr. King."
4. 12/27/60 Mrs. [1857] requested a copy of her Life Reading.
5. 12/27/77 Mrs. [1857] wrote GD: "Before this beautiful experience escapes me I must write you and let you know about it.
   "I went into the whiskey store at ..., Va. and after buying my 'Four Roses' I was at the door on my way out when one of the clerks (a woman) said, 'You knew Edgar Cayce, didn't you?' So I came back, put my purchase on the counter and asked, 'What did you say?' She repeated it and asked 'What were you to him?' and without deep thought I said 'He was my father.' Then I added 'In the Egyptian period.' Without even sniffing my drink I was weak-kneed and ready to pass out!
   "As Mr. Cayce said so often, you never get away from an experience.
   "This woman then asked me if I knew [2454] and said she was ill and offered to leave her job as clerk and take me to her but I protested as Mr. [...] was waiting for me.
   "Now! How is that for an experience?
   "Dear Gladys, you are still my golden haired angel on the Christmas tree." Love, [1857]

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