Edgar Cayce Readings, 1877-1

Time and Place: 10:30 to 11:25 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. New York City.

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, [1877].
In giving the interpretations of the records, something of a summary might be given as a premise. For the entity's activities would oft belie much that would be indicated from the purely astrological; thus partaking of influences that should not be looked upon, by the entity, other than as indications, leads, directions, and not dwelt upon as the ultimate.
For, the awareness of the relationships of the entity or soul with the Creative Forces arises from within, and not in signs or emotions, or shadows or lights, but these ALL are rather the result OF the directing forces.
The entity often applies the law in many respects without full awareness of same, having so often depended upon others for directions; and following same has received oft without the consciousness of its source or the filling of all the blessings that may be from full awareness in Him.
Some warnings, some directions as may be helpful, might be applied also, - yet these are given without respect to what the entity has done or does do about those influences that become so much a part of self in its seeking:
Be mindful of the tendencies for physical disturbances of the respiratory system, that are a part of thy experience, - not necessarily a development but an inclination, a weakness.
Flowers - no matter whether they be in or out of season - are well to be oft about the body. The beauty, the aroma, the aliveness of same will make for vibrations that are most helpful, most beneficial.
The body becomes quite sensitive to odors, as well as colors; and especially the colors of purple and coral should be about the body - and rose.
In giving the interpretation of the records as we find, these are chosen with the desire to make the experience a helpful influence in the activities of the entity in the present.
As indicated in the summary, the entity has exceptional abilities in obtaining that it desires. Be sure, then, in thy wishing, in thy seeking, that ye ever surround thyself with the thoughts, with the awareness of, the desire for the CHRIST-Consciousness; and those inclinations for influences that might waver, that might direct the entity into unstable channels, will be lessened.
For, all might, all power in heaven and in earth has been given into His keeping. For, He - having overcome the influences of the world of matter, being endowed with the spirit of truth, and helpfulness, and hopefulness, and love - is able to keep thee from falling into the errors of materiality or of ease.
But directing in those ways that make for the assurance of His abiding grace and mercy and strength, ye may present to thy fellow man - as ye are called on to do - an example, a way, a lesson; yet a weapon that will bring to others peace, harmony, and the longing for the filling of their lives - as well as thine own - with love and beauty and charm, that brings the consciousness of His abiding presence.
Astrologically, we find Venus, Jupiter, Mercury and Uranus as rather the impelling forces from such aspects. Thus we find that beauty, charm, the easy manner, - all become a part of the self, in its relationships with others.
Jupiter's influence brings the strength, as well as dependence and independence.
The entity has the inclination, owing to the exercising of the influences as indicated, to become too easily dependent upon others.
Rather learn the lesson as He has given, that he that would be the greatest among you, among his brethren, among his fellow men, will serve THEM the more, - rather than depending upon them.
And know that His strength, if ye will abide in Him, will sustain thee always, and will bear thee up, in those periods of disturbance or distress.
For know, as He gave, so long as ye are in the material experience, of the awareness of fleshly desires, it must indeed be that offences come. Just let NONE be offended in thy neglect, in thy willful carelessness, in thy desire for power or for position.
But rather give place to humbleness, that ye may shine the greater for thy Lord, for thy God.
WHO, then, IS thy Ideal? And in such LIVE, - not put it up to be looked at alone, but live towards others as ye would have others live towards thee. Counsel others in those fields of service, those fields of activity in which ye would have others guide thee.
For in the surrounding of self with His presence, there comes the ability to counsel with any, in any phase of man's experience in the material sojourns.
From the Uranian influence we find the interest in the mystic or occult forces as a part of man's experience. For as the mind has given and does give power to all those influences of which it has been a part, so is the power wielded.
For as He has indicated, that ye think in thy heart, that ye become; just as that alone which ye assimilate in thy body becomes a part of thy life-blood.
So, in thy spiritual and mental life, keep in those ways that will bring the more and more consciousness that He stands not at thy door but that He walks and He talks with thee! and thy garden of love and light is filled with His presence; and ye show these in the manner of thy thought, thy conversation, thy dealings with thy fellow man.
As to the appearances in the earth, and the activities that these produce as impelling forces and influences in the present experience, - we find that these, as has been indicated, have been mitigated or changed much by the application of self as to the laws, the rules, the regulations of individual activity in relationship to Creative Forces.
Then, what is Creative Force - an influence in the affairs of an individual, as thyself?
Good, as it comes in any form, is creative, is constructive; and thus, as one applies same - without the thought of self, but that others may know peace and harmony in their experience - it brings such an awakening as ye have experienced oft as ye sought to feel the vibrations through thy body, or to feel and hear and know, through the lights of thy consciousness upon the affairs and thoughts of others, - bringing the exhilarating feeling of nearness to that Creative Energy.
Then, as to the appearances:
Before this we find the entity was in the land of the present nativity, in the name Alice Kyle. Through those periods following the American Revolution, during the reconstruction, the entity was active in aid to the young of a circle of friends, making those applications of much that would today be termed psychological, - or the helpful forces by the study of the freedom of speech, of body, in the body's ability to attain strength and beauty from the light of the sunshine and from the light of bodily activities in such ways as to stimulate such.
Also there was the setting forth of the beauties in nature, in the gardens of those periods; the flowering of the trees, the shrubs of all characters, - these all were a part of the entity's application in the experiences of others through the sojourn.
Yet the entity also found time to rear a family, and to create and bring into their experience also the beauty of grace and strength, and that of virtue for its conscience' sake.
For, those things that make one unafraid are in living, in being in all good conscience. For when questions arise, these bring fears and doubts, and the hiding away - and these the entity through that experience fared to make as an unapplicable experience of those about self.
Hence in the present we find that odors and flowers and colors and lights mean so much! But know, - these are but promises in the Great I AM. In Him is the way and the truth, the assurances that His blessings abide; and these other influences are not the fulfilling or the end at all, - only the helping hand, the guiding light, the influence to make the pathway straight.
Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Promised Land. To be sure, there were other acquaintances, other experiences, - as in the periods of the Crusades, as in the turmoils of other sojourns, but these are not important other than in the associations and acquaintances. And know, as has been and is His promise, if ye abide in the Christ-Consciousness, He will bring to thy remembrance ALL things from the foundations of the world. For without Him was not anything made that was made, and as He gave, ye were with Him in the BEGINNING! Hence HE is the way, the truth, the light as shineth in the hearts and lives of men EVERYWHERE, in all periods of experience! His light and strength abide ever! For as He has given, "I will be with thee ALWAYS," if ye seek!
Let thy dependence then be upon Him, as ye even saw through those experiences during His material sojourn in the Palestine and Galilean land.
The entity was of the Galilean land, and closely associated with the activities about the sea.
Hence, as ye have experienced in thy listening - listening, and through the light, ye have heard the MEANING of the word Galilee! as it rings in thy experience from thy sojourn there, when ye were blessed by Him, - among the children that gathered about Him, as He entered into the teachings to His disciples as well as those gathered about!
As He gathered thee into His arms, materially, so is there - as ye abide in the presence of His love - that as may bring the security. For as goodness, as love lives on, so may thy body-soul realize that presence again, that blessing as ye magnify - in thy dealings with thy fellow men, "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these, my little ones, ye do it unto me."
Let that not SINK into thy mind, but let it be ever as a LIVING thing upon thy countenance with thy fellow man.
Ye gained throughout those experiences, - in the name then Elcor.
Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods of turmoil, those periods when there was the building up and the tearing down among many of those who were in authority.
The entity then was among those, in the early portion of the experience, of the dancing girls in the first of the temple service; being closely associated with the King (the young king), as well as his counselors, and the Priest, in the activities.
With the breaking up, or the banishment of the Priest, turmoils arose within the experience of the entity, - as El-Khar.
Yet, joining with those in the household of the King, the entity came to know the greater influences and forces with the reestablishing of the Priest.
And THEN the entity was among those who danced in the Temple BEAUTIFUL; resuscitating its own life in the service for others.
As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, - these ye limit alone by what ye choose as thy ideal.
If those that are so abounding in His words, His blessings, rule thee, - then, as He has given, "What ye ask in my name, believing, that shall ye do."
He hath made all the beauties of the world, that they might be a part of thy experience.
What, then, will ye choose?
As ye have known, and as ye have experienced and do experience, ye must choose - this day - WHOM ye will serve, - God or mammon, self or Christ. These are at thy command.
As ye apply, so does the awareness come.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Am I doing all that I should in the way of service to my fellow man?
(A) Only self may answer such. Be rather as He. Know in thine own conscience that ye are doing the best that ye know, leaving it to Him as to the direction ye should take. Do not attempt to MAKE seed grow! Sow them, - in kindness; water them in love; nourish them in patience. For God alone gives the increase!
Fret not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what the day may bring forth. Live today in such a way that ye may look self in the face and say, "Master, enter and abide with me."
(Q) I have two groups that meet at my house for study of spiritual truths. Is that the work that I should do?
(A) They may be used as stepping-stones. Apply that ye find in thyself that is in keeping with His promises to thee.
(Q) Could I write a book in the near future that would have a REAL message for the world?
(A) If ye would write His blessings to little children, - YES!
(Q) I have been told that I shall, after the age of fifty, lecture on spiritual truths. Is that true?
(A) That depends upon the application and the desire. For, as has been indicated, if that is thine inner desire, then ye will prepare thyself for same - and WORK AT IT!
(Q) Have [Mrs. [1602]] and I been together in previous lives? - either in an Egyptian life, or during the time of the English Crusades?
(A) Compare that given. The answers will surely come within thyself.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

11/01/38 She obtained Life Reading for her daughter, Miss [1722].
4/20/39 She submitted questions for her own Life Reading:
Is there any talent or creative ability which the entity could develop so that she might serve humanity in any way?
What are the faults of the entity that should be corrected or transmuted?
Is there any way in which the entity could serve Faith Hope Charity Harding?
Is there any way in which the entity could help to awaken to a greater degree the spiritual understanding of her husband, [...] and her daughter, [1722].
Where should the entity live for the next few years?
Have (Esther) Marion Armstrong and I been together in previous lives?
Was I present at the time of the crucifixion of Christ Jesus, and if so what was the significance of the life at that time (my life)?
From a spiritual point of view, should I have investments or speculations in the stock market?
Should we continue to live in the same apartment next fall?

REPORTS

5/21/39 [1877]'s letter to EC:
... Street, N.Y.C.
My dear Mr. Cayce;-
It has been with very real appreciation that I have studied my reading, as there is no greater teaching for anyone than "Know Thyself". I am very grateful for the help and direction given, as I had never fully realized that I was dependent in some ways upon the opinions of others. In the last two years I had received an inner assurance that I could "stand alone", but I realize now that that was grounded on my spiritual beliefs, and that I am still dependent on others' opinions as I often go against my better judgement in order not to hurt people.
I should like to discuss in detail with you the reading on what I do for my friends. Before I came into any realization, in this life, of Truth I gave of myself indiscriminately in order to help people. I often helped to add to their self-pity by giving them sympathy, and then would lie awake worrying about their troubles. Later, as I grew in understanding I conserved my energies, no longer scattered them, and tried to be helpful and constructive. It was all done from a real love in my heart and not from a mental concept or desire. The reading definitely indicates that it was more mind than heart - with which I do not agree. Some people have told me that if I did less for people and stayed at home all the time I would grow more spiritually. I am not interested ALONE in my spiritual growth (as that is only a concern of self, as the Spirit Within knows all things) as I feel that if I do my best from day to day in the way of meditation and service I am doing what I came here to do. Each one has his own path of evolution, his own plan of Life, but the one real reason for being here is to Be One, and to be of service to your fellow man. I have often quoted when people have tried to tell me not to wear myself out what was quoted in the reading "What ye do unto the least, etc." If I had not responded at times to another's call the result might have been rather dire, as there was no one else to whom to turn in the outer (and we do need help in the outer when we do not know how to turn Within). I ha e taken quit a bit of thought over this part of the reading, and this morning I felt very definitely that I wanted to write you about it. I know that in some ways you must agree as your life is dedicated to service.
From the reading, it is very definitely stated that My Father-God or Christ Self is not allowed to "enter and sup with me". The one thing that I have been striving for is to live from "within-out", so that I may see and know all things as He would have me. I have entered a Silence that is indescribable, but apparently it was not (according to the reading) the Silence that I felt it was. I understand clearly what the reading told me, and it may be the incentive that I needed to live more Within, but as that is the only goal for which I am striving I know now what a small distance I have gone. That is all right and I shall only try the harder to Be The Light and radiate It as much as possible. Nothing daunts me, but I have always realized that one has to be humble as a child, and I have tried to submerge my will in His. The teaching that has helped me the most is the Super-sensual Life by Jacob Boehme. I am enclosing part of a little article I wrote for the two groups a year or so ago which gives excerpts from three books, which rather expresses the way I feel.
I am sorry to bother you as I know how busy you are, but when you have the time I would appreciate your opinion.
Cordially yours,
[Enclosure:]
In order to attain the Christ Consciousness there is only one pure and safe way for the door to be opened into the Kingdom Consciousness. Any other way is "climbing over the fence", and there is no "short cut" to heaven. Love and selfless service are the open sesame to that Consciousness, which are explained so beautifully in "Brotherhood" and Jacob Beilhart's book. Also in those books and Dr. Fox's "Your Heart's Desire" is stressed the fact that you cannot bring peace, harmony, health and wealth into the outer by just visualization or prayer. You must become One with Yourself, no longer caring what outmanifests, for if you are living in Real Union, every need will be known and every desire fulfilled. That is the real Goal for which we are striving.
"Brotherhood" - "The voice of self is always asking, demanding something for self, is always concerned solely with self. My Voice always points you to and concerns you with others whom I want you to think of and to help.
The voice of self sounds from without, always relates to something in the outer world, or to conditions springing from it. My Voice always sounds from within, relating to things of the Soul-state, your Soul, or your brother's.
PRAYER - PART II
The voice of self is always trying to get from others that which would benefit self. My Voice definitely requires that you denounce the ways of self, that you realize now and always that My Way is just the opposite of self; for it is over the way of loving service to others, instead of getting for self."
Jacob Beilhart - "Old desires for self glory or self possession pass away, and the desires of Spirit take their place, and you then see the One Spirit that lives in you and in all others. This consciousness gives you a rest in every part of your nature. War ceases and all is peace. from this time on you will receive all desires from Spirit for a purpose, and you will have a desire to do all you need to do, so that none of the things you do will be a burden, but rather a joy."
Dr. Fox - "People work so hard to bring health to their bodies; to bring prosperity, to bring happiness, to bring success into their lives; to bring artistic or literary gifts or talents within their grasp, to bring new ideas form the outside; and, of course, they continually fail, because we cannot "bring" a single one of these things from the without to the within. The actual development is just the reverse - they have to be released from the within that they may appear on the without. In short, we have not to build on from the outside; our task, as Browning says, is "to set free the imprisoned splendor."
5/23/39 EC's letter to [1877]:
Dear Mrs. [1877]
Please let me thank you for your very lovely letter of the 21st. To have been the least help is very gratifying to me, would like to discuss your reading with you, but feel that Hugh Lynn can do a much better job of it than I, he having made a careful study of the Life readings for several years is much better qualified than I to help one get the most out of them, and when you are here for the Congress hope you will take the time to have real set to with him. Not that I am trying to get out any thing, for would be more than glad to give what little understanding I have.
In saying tho the reading indicated you "activity was more mind than heart" you are no doubt exactly correct, but do you have the same concept of "Mind and Heart" as that the readings present? We oft times confuse our selves with words - you have the entire truth - in about three statements made by the Master - namely "The kingdom of Heaven is Within" "To love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, Soul and body and thy neighbor as thy self" and "a new Commandment I give unto you - that ye Love one another" when we have these, Live these - are these in our daily life - there is to my mind every assurance in our lives that "He walks with us - Daily".
"As you do it unto the least of these my little ones - ye do it unto Me" is the test of our lives - the measuring stick with which we may measure our lives, and never questions, for we have the assurance there, that "My spirit beareth witness with thy spirit - whether ye be the children of God or not."
Mrs. [1877] - isn't it a question and not a statement - as to "His entering to sup" with thee.
Please, please don't ever think it is a bother to try and discuss the reading. What comes, comes - and I have such a small part in same, and am so unworthy, wonder many times why have been privileged to try and serve even as have thus far. As the good book says - and am sure you believe it also, "there is nothing in Heaven or Hell that may separate us from the Love of God, but ourselves", "For the Gospel of Jesus the Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" and it is not he that sayeth he believeth, but rather he that liveth that word. "Not every one that sayeth Lord LORD shall enter in but he that doeth the word."
The extracts you sent me are lovely - they are TRUTH, and thank you very much for them.
Do hope may have the opportunity to talk over the reading with you. Feel you have however taken a warning, as a criticism, but do hope to have been of some help in HIS name, for of myself am nothing - only as HIS spirit may work in and through me, may I ever be of any help to any one.
Thank you again for writing me, and hoping to see you on the 15th and with all good wishes to you and yours
Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce
6/07/39 [1877]'s letter to EC:
At home.
My dear Mr. Cayce,-
Thank you indeed for your lovely letter. It was a joy to receive it as so much radiates from you. I had planned not to "let you off" if I attended the Congress as I wanted so much to talk with you of many things - and to discuss my reading. Although I might have been against you in the first part of the Egyptian life (I am being a little facetious as I really do not know myself anything about that life - only what I have been told) I am certainly most attached to you now, as intuitively I know you for what you are.
Unfortunately Mr. [...] and I shall not be able to attend the Congress. Mr. [...] has had an important readjustment to consider in his business, and I feel that I am needed at home just now. Mr. [...] and I hope to go to Virginia Beach and see you in the fall if that would be agreeable to you, as we should like to be in closer contact with you. If Hugh Lynn should come to New York this summer I should appreciate his letting me know at ..., as I should like to have him interpret my reading. I could go in to New York at any time to see him.
I understand from Mrs. [1602] that you and Mrs. Cayce are celebrating a wonderful anniversary on a week from Saturday. I am sending you a little thought for the occasion so if it should arrive early, please keep it for that date. Would you be good enough to cancel my reservation at the hotel? I do hope that it will not cause them any loss, but Mrs. [1602] seemed to feel that it would be all right.
I regret very much that we shall not be with you all at the Congress, but I know that it will be a REAL success.
Most cordially, Mrs. [1877]
Wednesday morning. address - ...
4/18/40 See 1877-2, a Check Life on her Palestine life.