This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 7th day of July, 1939, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1950], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [257].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born December 7, 1904, in London, England.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relation of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces; giving 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; answering the questions he has submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over years from present - " - '36 - changes in the environs - '26 - a change again - '24 - " etc. on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity called [1950].
4. In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them, these interpretations are chosen with the desire that the experience may be a helpful one for this entity in the present.
5. Thus, applying those suggestions for the correction of inclinations and tendencies, and magnifying the virtues for the greater awakening, the entity may through the experience become more and more aware of its purposes for entering the material plane; and for the application of self in such a way and manner as to become more content and to live a more helpful, a more useful experience.
6. Please comprehend and understand that this experience is not for a selfish motive, and if the desires are turned into those things that are for self-indulgence or self-aggrandizement, these - with the inclinations - will bring a very disturbed, a very unsuccessful life.
7. For, as would be termed by the astrological aspects, this was a very unlucky day on which to be born. But, as we have indicated for others - and would give for this entity, such inclinations only indicate tendencies; and there is ever the will, the choice in self.
8. Then, first study to show thyself approved unto God. Let thy yeas be yea, thy nays be nay. Look more to a spiritual awakening, a spiritual understanding.
9. This does not make one a recluse, but rather - if same is applied in a conscientious and consistent manner in the experience and the dealings with the fellow man, it will bring of itself - as has been the promise ever - contentment and greater blessings materially, mentally, socially, financially.
10. But if these are forgotten, then the inclinations to be self-indulgent and to glory in accomplishments are the result. Because of the natural high ideals, let not those influences of a social nor of an economic nature turn thee aside.
11. As to the urges from the astrological sojourns, - we find Venus, Jupiter, Uranus being the greater influences or forces; and these are independent one of another oft in their influence.
12. Hence there are periods when there is the desire to withdraw from a general social surrounding. There are other periods when the activities or urges from Venus, as a combination with Uranus, increase the desire for greater social accomplishments, greater economic accomplishments.
13. All of these are well, provided - as has been indicated - these are not allowed to become that sought, rather than the same being a result OF a conscientious life lived for the good works of every nature.
14. There are the abilities in searching out, - for as the entity has been an explorer in the experience before this, there is the natural inclination for the desires to give, to know, to be acquainted with, to have a large cortege' of friends, to have a wide acquaintance and a choice to make with those who have accomplished or may accomplish various activities in every field, - not only in the one in which the entity is engaged but in the political, the economic, the social, in art, in letters, in all of those things. These are natural attractions for the entity.
15. These are very well, but know what thou desirest to be, in every walk of life.
16. Wood and things made of wood will always be a channel or a manner or way for activities of the entity to succeed. And these should be, as we find, a part of the entity's experience. In anything that has to do with the things or articles that are manufactured from wood, or in the manufacturing of same might there also be those activities in which accomplishments of a material nature may be had.
17. In the Uranian we find the extremes, as indicated in the associations with people and in the being alone, as to social order, as to political affiliations, as to group activity and of every nature.
18. For as indicated from the Jupiterian influences, the entity will deal with masses; individual activity with same, but the effect upon crowds or the mass rather than the individual activity.
19. As to the appearances in the earth plane:
20. Before this we find the entity was in those activities as indicated, where the explorations of varied lands were the labors sought for the entity, - and in the northern part of South Africa - Rhodesia, were the activities in which the entity materially and physically accomplished many things.
21. But there was a lonesomeness, a lack of sociability, that has made and does make for a longing within the experience of the entity.
22. Also the acquaintance with and the vibratory forces from the Uranian force make the entity itself VERY psychic. These are well if they are used for HELPFUL forces.
23. The abilities to read or to feel the emotions of others is well, but to use same for self's own indulgence, for self's own gain without consideration of others whom ye may be able to interpret so easily, is sin!
24. In those activities then the entity gained. Yet there are urges latent in the present that MUST have a development in one direction or another, from that experience.
25. The name then was Rodman Carr.
26. Before that we find the entity was in the land of promise when there were those activities with the returning from the Persian land.
27. There we find the entity was among the priests with Zerubbabel, in the name Eljah. In the experience the entity gained, the entity lost. When the activities were such as to make for the greater developments for the whole peoples, well. When there was the use of the office as well as the social affiliations turned into self-indulgence, these brought periods of debasement, - not only of self but of the office itself.
28. And remember, these are but experiences that must be met in thine own self. For an individual through varied experiences in the earth is constantly meeting himself.
29. Those abilities as an interior decorator, those abilities to choose hangings for draperies or the like, are innate from those experiences, - as are the mental urges to DOUBT - because of self's own abilities to analyze others and their emotions. This does not indicate, because the emotions of an individual may be analyzed, that the individual's real purpose or desire is as open a book, - even to one so gifted as self in the interpretations of the emotions of others.
30. Use there abilities, then, as well as the indications given, for a greater spiritual awakening, that the material and mental purposes may arise from the results accomplished within self and self's own development, THROUGH the aid to others.
31. For, know, ever: What ye are speaks so loud, seldom is there heard what ye say.
32. Also, know this: The manner in which ye treat thy fellow man (and this means woman also) is thy concept of thy God. For as ye do it unto the least, ye do it unto thy Maker.
33. Then, beware of selfishness in thy dealings with others.
34. Before that we we find the entity was among those peoples who journeyed from the Egyptian land to the Promised Land.
35. The entity was among those who were of the sons and associates of Korah, but not of the Levites who were destroyed. Being young in years during the experience, the entity learned a lesson, and became among those who joined with the Gershonites as the keepers of moneys or the records of same, until there was the division of the lands in the Promised Land.
36. Hence we find the entity in the present is one that may be a very good statistician, or datastician, especially as to things pertaining to the working of or working with things made of wood, - as varnish or finish, of form, of shape, of moulds, of things that would have to do with ornaments for same.
37. For as one of the Gershonites, though of course - as indicated - OF the kinsmen of Korah - the entity gained throughout that experience; and was close to the elders as they established their activities in the Promised Land.
38. Hence there is the great desire for knowledge pertaining to those who are in high places, - the innate urge to be TRUE to all influences, and yet - as it were - seeing the shady tradings of those about the entity, the upper hand as taken because of weaknesses of some character or nature in the associates or friends or the activities with others; but be not tempted by same.
39. The name then was Ajlon.
40. Before that we find the entity was in the land now called the Egyptian, during those periods of the banishment of the Priest in the Abyssinian land - of which the entity was a native, becoming very closely associated with those who were the guards or armor bearers or companions of the Priest in exile.
41. Thus, the entity was among those who returned with the Priest to the activities when there were the classifyings and the developments of individuals for a greater service; the entity being among those who were the wood carvers, making for the beautifying not only of the inner portion of the dwellings but also of the burial places, when there were the carvings not only of wood but the fitting of same with metals, - as gold, silver, copper and brass. All of these were a part of the entity's experience.
42. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, and that to which it may attain, and how:
43. First, as indicated, there is no position too high for the entity to desire to attain. There is nothing to hinder the entity from attaining same, in any field of endeavor that it may desire, except the practising of selfishness or the forgetting of its relationship to Creative Forces.
44. There has been an unusual experience for the entity, there may be within the present the meeting of same - and thy name be called blessed among men, - if ye will but apply thy abilities in whatever the field chosen. There has been indicated those fields through which greater contentment may come. But know thy ideal, and what ye believe; and then act in thy relationships to each and every individual as if it were with thy Maker.
45. Ready for questions.
46. (Q) How may I solve, or what should I do about, my domestic problem?
    (A) As ye would that it be done to thee if conditions were reversed, if circumstances were reversed, then live in that manner. For remember, "As ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them" is the beginning of wisdom.
47. (Q) Is it possible to know about my position, its security and possibilities for the future?
    (A) As ye apply thyself in the manners and ways indicated, ye may go FAR, far in the chose field of activity.
    Do that.
48. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 7/03/39 He submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 7/10/39 Mr. [1950]'s ltr. to EC:
   Dear Mr. Cayce:-
   I have received the reading - and I am very very grateful. Faithfully believe that it will be of considerable help to me.
   Plan very soon to meet with Mr. [257] and have him help me to understand and interpret to a greater extent, the reading.
   Wonder if you can help me understand better what is said on page 3 - paragraph [1950-1, Par. 24] which begins "In those activities then the entity gained," etc, etc.
   Please help me to comprehend more what is said on page 5 [Par. 44] - which begins "There has been an unusual experience for the entity," etc., etc.
   The reading in several passages mentions the word selfishness - I must confess that I have been guilty. How can I overcome this?
   Is it possible for you to tell me a little more about the answer to question #1 - on page 5 [Par. 46-A]? I want so much to arrive at a solution to this problem, for the benefit of everyone concerned.
   Thank you, thank you again for the helping hand you have given to
   Your obedient [1950]
   P.S. Very shortly I shall impose upon you for a physical reading on my brother. Will the preliminary procedure be the same - now that I am a member of the assn? [1950]
2. 7/13/39 EC's ltr. to Mr. [1950]:
   Dear Mr. [1950]
   Thanks for yours of the 10th. Am sure if you have had the opportunity to go over the reading with Mr. [257], he has been able to answer your questions personally much better than I can by mail - but will give you the best can at a distance. Of course, the idea is, Mr. [1950] for you to study out the answers within your self - for unless the suggestions strike you as a personal thing - they do not mean much.
   On page 3 [Par. 24] - where it is referred to the "entity gained then" the information approaches Life from the spiritual angle - and gaining infers that you gain spiritually; that is what is meant by the "entity gained." Page 5 [Par. 44] - "there has been an unusual experience etc" there has been the opportunity here and now - this experience for you to show whether you were selfish or not in a very unusual way. What that has been, you your self can determine better than I. How to over come selfishness? A hard question - only by practicing self denial and when opportunities come for self to be the gainer - act in just the opposite way. May for the moment appear to be acting in the way of loss - but you will soon see a much better conscience and much more contentment with your daily life. That does not mean satisfied - not at all - for he who is satisfied is very apt to be living a selfish life.
   Answer to question 1 [Par. 46-A] - look at the situation for an unselfish standpoint - were conditions reversed. What would you wish to have the other one do. That the better attitude and it of its self is creative - good - holy - and not just for the moment but is just taking GOD in to your confidence asking him to run your life - for HE does, you know. The few short years here like [lack] a lot of being all of eternity - of that we must think.
   Am sure Mr. [257] will give you the very best insight as to the reading. Just remember it does not, no - will not, give you the advantage over the other fellow. You must do to others as you would be done by for a safe, sane life.
   Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce
3. 12/12/39 See wife's reading, 2061-1, Par. 41-A--44-A regarding "domestic and marital difficulties" and just what attitude she should take considering her husband's unfaithfulness to her.
4. 2/17/41 Mr. [1950]'s ltr. to EC:
   Dear Mr. Cayce:-
   Some time in 1939 it was my pleasure to obtain from you a life reading. To me it was not only a revelation - but have tried to follow your advice and suggestions. Although at times I have found it difficult to follow because I found myself forgetting the things you told me. Of course when this happened, the result was chaos.
   Please do not think the following request for assistance is due to vanity or selfishness. But in the positions occupied by me, a good appearance makes for continued success. Now, for the past several years I find my hair thinning considerably and should it continue, will undoubtedly lead to baldness. From time to time I tried various treatments to my scalp, but found in the long run that they were ineffectual. If my scalp condition is brought about by some internal condition, perhaps this could be corrected. Knowing well how many you have assisted, I wonder, perhaps if I obtained a health reading regarding my scalp, it would assist in correcting a failing condition. Please advise me what the next step is to be. Many thanks for you time and I look forward with pleasure to your early reply.
   Very truly yours,
5. 2/19/41 EC's ltr. to Mr. [1950]:
   Mr. [1950] Bronx, N.Y.
   Dear Mr. [1950]
   Thank you for yours of the 17th. Glad to hear from you and glad to know you have been able to put the suggestion in your reading to use. Of course, it isn't easy at all times, but when you use the suggestion and find it good, then it is up to us to try and apply the same more often.
   Will be glad to make an appointment for the physical reading with special questions. Am enclosing blank, your member ship lasted one year.
   Just hope may be of as much help to you as have seen in many such specific conditions.
   Hoping to be of help
   Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce

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