This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 2nd day of August, 1939, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1974], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Miss [1522].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born June 1, 1884, in New York City.

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 that he has submitted, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over years from present - " - '26 - yes - quite a difference at that time - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1974].
4. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, these are rather unusual, - and yet it is not unusual that the entity should seek through such a channel; for at times the best that is within the experience comes to the surface.
5. The interpretations here may not be at first wholly comprehended or understood, but if the entity will apply those suggestions in the better nature of self, there may come - in this experience - an arousing to the real abilities and to the purposes for which each soul enters into a material experience - for this entity.
6. These, then, are chosen from the records here, with the desire and purpose that these may be an experience that may make this sojourn of this entity in the material plane more worth while.
7. Know that it is not by chance that a soul enters a material experience, but as the entity has experienced in some activities here and there, too often have they become "there's" without any "here's" in the religious experience.
8. These ye have allowed to become sour, - vinegar in thine own experience. Self has sought so much of self, there has not been the stopping to take time to have the real blessings that have been thine, nor to observe the opportunities that have come into thy experience through this material sojourn.
9. Patience and contentment ye must learn. Their opposites are thy faults. Unless ye correct them, ye will indeed remain most miserable in this sojourn.
10. But study first to show thyself approved, within thyself. The law of the Lord IS perfect. And unless thy life and thy associations with thy fellow man, as well as with thy wife, be founded upon spiritual attributes, ye may indeed become a wanderer; yea, one even losing the blessing the same as Esau - thy father.
11. In these experiences then, apply first. Know that there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is indeed death. These are not God's ways, - they are thine own.
12. In the astrological aspects, - these have meant so little in the experience of the entity in the present, and not much in the past. Hence they become as naught in THIS interpretation in the present.
13. The sojourns are somewhat different, for the entity becomes very emotional at times, - that is, during this last cycle of experience especially - without consideration of the spiritual aspects of its life.
14. As to the appearances, then, - we find these as ruling influences:
15. Before this we find the entity was in the Roman lands when there were turmoils, when the entity was brought as one of those who would bear witness as to the activities of Pilate, during the trial of the man called Jesus.
16. There we find the entity was in that position of attempting to fulfil its own ideas as to the interpretation of the law, as well as the attempt to be upon the right terms with those who by force brought the entity to that activity.
17. Thus we find the entity was drawn between two fires, - that as to whether to be true to its religion or to be true to that as MIGHT bring into the experience favor with those in authority.
18. The entity failed, yet the entity gained. For the desires - though the entity was brought into great trials - were counted as it were for the saving graces to the entity.
19. In the present experience we find the entity at times with a streak of religious fervor, and then - as indicated - this sours, becomes vinegar in the experience and activities or principles or associations with others.
20. In the business relations - again we find these becoming experiences in which the entity seeks favors, and yet rarely considering that it is the character of seed one sows that brings the result in one's experience.
21. Ye cannot sow selfishness and reap peace. Ye cannot sow selfishness or strife and reap that which brings harmony. Ye cannot be extravagant in thy words or thy activities and expect there to be always plenty in the activities or experiences of every nature.
22. Study, then, to show thyself approved, even as ye did in that experience as Mathias, - to bring order out of chaos for ALL. Thus you will bring it for yourself also.
23. Thinkest thou that the love of the Father-God is for any individual above another? Be reminded that he is not a respecter of persons; and those who love Him keep His ways, and unto such will He be gracious.
24. Before that we find the entity was in that land when there was the returning to the city of the activities about the rebuilding of the temple.
25. We find the entity was among those who were with Nehemiah, or the third trek of individuals to the promised land.
26. There we find the entity was engaged rather in commercial activities, with little thought of the conditions necessary for the rebuilding; and thus the entity was often rebuked not only by its own people but thought little of by those whom the entity favored.
27. Yet the entity in the end became the gainer, because there was seen the need of turning to the spiritual aspects if there were to come the proper understanding.
28. For, grace and mercy and peace come with the better grace and mercy shown in the material as well as the spiritual aspects. For, know that the Lord thy God is ONE; that is, the relationships between thy fellow man, thy Father-God, thy own family, all are one, - and as ye do it unto the least of thy acquaintances, ye do it unto thy Maker.
29. In that experience the entity was what would today be called the furniture builder.
30. Thus, such will be a part of the experience, or should be in the present, - the making for conveniences in the home. The ability to outline new designs is a part of the entity's experience. Such are well to be kept, of there will be applied that as was in the experience during the latter part of that sojourn there - as Elias.
31. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land when there were the persecutions, when the kings had forgotten Joseph.
32. There we find the entity was among those of the household of the pharaohs of that experience; and yet favoring the teachers because of the dreams, the visions, the interest in the magical things of that day.
33. These brought to the entity much disturbance, and yet - as was experienced in the latter part of that sojourn - even with the departure of the children of Israel - the entity became more and more an adept in soothsaying; bringing to itself much of power and much of the ability to direct the lives and the affairs of the many.
34. These then may in the present bring activities or abilities to direct many, especially in those things as would have to do with the creating of new ideas as for conveniences in the home, the office or the store.
35. These are activities through which the entity may gain the greater, - the designing in woods or metals. These are the channels for expression for the entity.
36. But first learn to govern self. Learn patience, learn mercy, learn judgment. Get understanding, and abuse it not. And when these are applied in the experience, we will find those abilities in those directions such - as indicated - as to bring harmony, peace and under standing; and greater success materially, socially.
37. But put not those things away that ye have promised to defend.
38. Ready for questions.
39. (Q) How should the entity go about getting into the right business?
    (A) He is in it, if he will just keep on applying himself more in those directions! But learn to love thine enemies (or ye think they are). Do unto them that hate you, as ye would have them do unto you. Do good to them that hate you. What reward have you or do you ever gain by being good only to those who pat you on the back for what THEY may take from you!
40. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 7/24/39 Letter: "My present position is swing man where I am working in the Theatre. I feel that I am a square peg in a round hole - working at a trade I do not like in a locality I dislike. I want to change my work and locality - what and where will it be? I am a devoted reader of mystical and occult philosophy which I love."

REPORTS

1. 8/05/39 [1974]'s ltr. to EC:
   Dear Mr. Cayce
   Your reading received and I must say I am greatly disappointed as it does not answer any of the three questions I wished enlightenment on.
   Respectfully, [1974]
2. 8/16/39 EC's ltr. to [1974]:
   Dear Mr. [1974]:
   Thank you for yours of the 5th - am sorry indeed to hear you are not pleased with your reading. Remember Mr. [1974] the approach is from the Spiritual. If you have no interest there - then there is little enlightenment but read it over several times - don't just throw it aside because it did not tell you to do so and so today - you would not wish to be an automaton for you have a mind and a will of your own, and that alone must direct you - study it over several times believe you will find something of help.
   Sincerely, [signed] Edgar Cayce

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