This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milton W. Harrison, 56 Highland Circle, Bronxville, N.Y., this 18th day of April, 1940, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [1877], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Hugh Lynn Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [1877] and Mrs. [1602].

TEXT

1. HLC: You will have before you the life existence in the earth plane of [1877], born in Brooklyn, N.Y., February 14, 1895, as Elcor in the Palestine period at the time of Jesus. You will give a biographical life of the entity at that period from the entrance to the departure, giving the developing and retarding influences in that life and the urges which come from this life to the present experience. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1877] AS Elcor.
3. It would be well for the entity to consider a painting, a drawing, a stone, or some form of such, in the shape or form of a shield; not as an omen, not as merely a sign, but rather as a shield to remind the entity of that as may be given here.
4. For that as may be gathered from that sojourn may be as a helpful influence in the present.
5. During the experience the entity was among those peoples in that land because of the positions of those close to the entity as a helpful influence for the people of the land, as well as for the influences, forces or powers of other lands.
6. Hence it was a land of adoption for the entity, rather than merely by the birth there.
7. Thus we find that the developing of the mental, social and spiritual influences was twofold, through the experience of the entity.
8. When there was the voicing of groups and individuals as to that fact taking place in the land, - of a new teacher, a new rabbi, - at first this was considered by the entity merely as something of the same thing which had been as a report of those peoples for many, many years.
9. Yet, with the contact in a social manner, and in the manners in which needs were supplied in healings, and in the variations that were being considered among the Romans, the Grecians, the Parthians and the Jews of the experience, the entity began to consider those teachings and influences from a different angle, or from a different manner of thought.
10. Because of the character or manner of livelihood of many of those who were proclaimed as disciples or adherents to those teachings, the entity attempted to dismiss them.
11. However, again and again the entity was presented with those influences proclaimed by groups, as to the experience and life of the individual, and as to the followers being in that position of fulfilling the prophecies which had been a part of not only the teachings of those peculiar peoples, but also of the verse and the songs of many.
12. Though many of those groups were oft questionable to the entity, these had again an altering influence in the entity's experience; sometimes doubting, sometimes fearing, sometimes dismissing.
13. And these have brought, do bring into the present experience of the entity, periods when such experiences in the lives of individuals apparently AROUSE something deep within the innate forces and influences of the entity, as to those very same characters of doubts, of hopes, of fears, of assurances; and these become again as questionings.
14. Hence as indicated, this sign, this figure, may remind the entity that indeed one should put on the whole armor, with the shield of faith, and the hope in righteousness, and with every form as may be outlined in the figure of a shield for the entity.
15. As to the parentage, and the household environment, - these had little to do with the things which made for the activities, owing to the associations, the social life, the variations in those groups and sects among the Jewish population, and the effect upon such population by the Romans who were in partial political power, and refrained from an active influence in the religious - or certain portions of the social life of individuals through the period.
16. Thus the entity finds in the present that these very influences vary in their EFFECT upon the entity, or their relationships with the entity, in every form of activity in which the entity finds itself at times, - as to peoples in certain positions, politically; as to peoples in certain positions socially; as to peoples of certain beliefs in their religious life, in their social life.
17. Then, as it might be interpreted, various periods of the activities through that particular sojourn apparently become re-enacted in relationships in the present experience.
18. These may be literally dismissed from the mind, and the attempt to act as if independent from the latent urges that arise; but being a part of the entity's development, being a part of that continuity of opportunity in soul and mental process, they may not be dismissed from the entity without something being done about same.
19. Again we would reiterate the reason (if one is sought) for having something to remind the entity that there is at times a way that seemeth right unto an individual or person, but the end thereof may be such as to be called death.
20. Also it may remind the entity that there is a way which may be applied and taken hold of, in every relationship of life, - not as a boastfulness, not as one setting self above those of other spheres of development or phases of activity, but in patience, in love, in gentleness, in kindness, - which will hold the entity to that as will indeed RENEW a righteousness within; creating a more perfect union with the vital forces of soul and mind, that are continuous in the experience of every entity.
21. Hence we find, - as conditions developed in that experience, and as activities were brought about in the life of the man Jesus, - there were periods of expectancy, periods of fear that there might be an uprising - as to undermine the very foundations of that upon which the entity and its associates, and its household, depended; not merely for the position, the political forces that brought the activities, but for the very THOUGHTS of relationships with the material, mental and spiritual life, and the physical outlook upon same!
22. Then, - during those periods when there were the activities which brought the relationships more with those in the religious authority, and as the death was brought about, - again great changes came into the experience of the entity, as well as into the experience of groups - and those who had been in authority in high places of political influence, and those who were in authority among the various groups of the Jewish leaders.
23. Hence, with the questioning which arose as to the real divinity of Jesus - through and by the experience of those who saw and talked with those who knew the facts concerning what had taken place - the realization and the wonderment of it all dawned upon the entity; so that there was then the humbleness in the entity's activities for the time.
24. Then when there were the persecutions, and those being questioned as to their INTENTIONS in their dealings with their government, in their dealings with their beliefs in the LAW as had been a part of the experiences of so many, - the entity again faltered in its willingness to stand without questioning; fearing what others might say.
25. Hence the entity heard again and again the consequences of self's own conscience, and these eventually became a physical experience of the entity.
26. Again in the present experience we find, from that sojourn, the periods when changes are wrought by accident, as it were, or by apparently a preconceived idea in the minds of those who would attempt to influence the thought or activity of the entity.
27. Often in that sojourn, by the very nature of the entity's associations with those in political power and authority, there were changes to other lands.
28. Consequently, there was a knowledge of what took place in other lands, - as in Alexandria, Cyrene, Silicia, Antioch, and even in Rome as the activities progressed.
29. Then eventually, in the latter portion of the sojourn, the entity determined to stand fast; when there were the activities and ministry of the leaders of the Church, - even Paul and Silas and their work; for the knowledge of their ministry brought the determining factors into the experience of the entity.
30. Thus again it may be said that the entity should let that shield be a reminder to self to put on the whole armor of God, acquitting self as a good soldier; keeping that breastplate of righteousness, the feet shod as with good tidings ever.
31. Let thy activities among thy fellow men, thy neighbor, - yea, thy enemy, - be such as ye finally sought to express in those experiences there.
32. For, ye found within self that which has ever been the promise of Him, - whom ye questioned, whom ye loved, whom ye sought, whom ye doubted; but whom ye finally embraced with thy whole purpose.
33. That promise is that if ye will open thy heart, He may enter and abide with thee; and all fear, all doubt, all confusion, WILL be cast away!
34. Hence we find that the entity throughout that sojourn was as one who would fear (to put in common parlance of the day), yet one who could not turn loose; one who denied, and yet conscientiously embraced; one who FEARED, yet who GLADLY aided others who showed the lack of fear - though they were of various castes, though they were of groups and peoples not the entity's equal in social, mental, or in any manners.
35. In the present, then, - by keeping self reminded, the entity may remind others of the needs to live that life which was wholly, truly exemplified in the life of the man Jesus, who became the Christ through the things which He suffered, and through demonstrating in the earth the abilities to overcome DEATH, the law of death.
36. Even so the entity in the present, in its dealings with its fellow men, may become more and more aware of that Life filling its own thoughts, its own purposes, its own desires, merely by JUST being kind!
37. Ready for questions.
38. (Q) Of what race or nationality was the entity at that time?
    (A) Of the peoples of the Palestine land that were not Jews, but were AMONG the Jews; and the entity was wed to one of the Romans in authority but of the Grecian descent.
39. (Q) What contact did the entity have with Jesus during that period?
    (A) OFT the entity was in the presence of the Master, and ESPECIALLY upon those occasions when He spoke in places where those in authority entertained.
    When in the house of the "ruler" He was in the entity's own home; and when the woman of the street was questioned by one of the companions there, it brought confusion and yet determinations in the experience of the entity.
    Also the entity was present when there were about five thousand who saw and heard the words of the Master after the resurrection; and as the entity thinks, dreams of or FEELS that experience, the GLORY of it warms the heart in the present.
40. (Q) Who were the individuals with whom the entity was associated in Palestine, with whom a closer relationship should be developed now?
    (A) This should be a matter, rather, of the awakening from experiences in self, and the paralleling of such experiences with those who were active in that particular sojourn; joining their works and services in ways commensurate with the own activities through that sojourn.
    We find that a close relationship should exist with all of those who were of the household of faith, those who were among the teachers of the Essenes, - those who were of the households of those who were the channels through which the prophet and the forerunner came.
41. (Q) What was the spiritual significance, if any, of the entity's life in Palestine?
    (A) The very shield itself should indicate this, - as the symbol of what it means; for there the entity saw, the entity embraced, that which is indeed the SHIELD of life itself!
42. (Q) What is the symbolic meaning of the name Elcor?
    (A) As may be found in scripture itself, - one who JOINED doubt with faith!
43. (Q) Is there any way in which the entity at this time could serve her Father-God, as she has an intense desire to do so?
    (A) As indicated, - it is not by might, nor by some great deed (as the entity saw illustrated in that experience), nor by something that may be spoken of by others, but as He has given so oft, it is here a little, there a little, line upon line, precept upon precept; SOWING the fruits of the spirit, LEAVING the fruition of same to God!
    So oft do individuals stumble over their own abilities, because of not seeing, not experiencing, great revolutions because of their attempts.
    Remember, as it was told to those of old, as it was told to THEE by those who answered when ye beheld Him enter the glory of the clouds, the sky, - "Think not He has left thee, for His promise has been, Lo, I am with thee always, even unto the end of the world."
    So, - all who open their hearts, - all who keep their purpose in Him, are as under the protecting wing of that promise.
    Faint not, - but keep the faith.
44. We are through for the present.

    Two copies to Self (one for Mrs. [1602])
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 1877-1.

REPORTS

1. 3/29/43 She wrote thanking EC for his autographed copy for her of the special edition of THERE IS A RIVER.

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