This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 20th day of June, 1944, in accordance with request made by themselves, Mr. [1861] and Mrs. [2072], Active Members of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Jeanette Fitch, Steno. Mrs. [2072] and Mr. [1861]. Present in

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the entities [2072], born March 25th, 1910, in Attica, Indiana, and [1861], born April 4th, 1906, in Blackstone, Virginia. They seek information, advice and guidance in a joint reading as to their former associations and their influence in the present, also as to their studies and their present life and work. You will answer the questions they submit, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the entities here now called [2072] and [1861].
3. These, as we find, as has been indicated, spiritually, individually, as to their activities in the earth and their associations in the present, are as near ideally fitted as a complement one for the other as may be expected to be found in a land like America that differs so much in the vibrations of its group study.
4. In analyzing the activities which have been outlined, there have been many periods when those activities in the earth have fitted each for that in the present which may make of them an individual group that may give to others examples, ensamples or activities in advice, counsel and, most of all, give by that lived in their own lives that which may be so as to encourage and help.
5. As is oft indicated through these channels: Individuals should, as this couple, work towards a oneness of purpose. This is indeed a couple where in purpose, in ideal they are one. Hold to this above everything, grow together, unfold in thy study of spirituality, of spiritual things, of God, of God's relationship to man, of God's hope and promise in man and promises to man through the example of the pattern given in Jesus the Christ, the man who became the Christ; as each entity, each soul is desired of God, that it become such that it may be companionable. Encourage such in others. Not that ye go out and pat everyone on the back, no. Not in act nor in words, but help individuals to help themselves. See, as ye oft do, that which is good in those who are materially, mentally or even spiritually ugly in their relationships with their fellowman, with themselves or with their Maker as individuals; see the good, see the possibilities, see the opportunity for thee to say a kind word. Kindness, gentleness, patience, persistence should be the watchword for each entity.
6. For, as in the relationships ye have borne in the earth as husband and wife, that which is the ideal as set by the Maker Himself is in those means in which there would be two manifesting as one in their hopes, in their fears, in their desires, in their aspirations.
7. This do, and as ye have lived as father and daughter, as mother and son, as companions, as friends, as acquaintances, with differences, each with their own axe to grind, be patient, be tolerant one with another, as ye would desire a father to be patient with a daughter, a mother to be patient with a son, as companions with the hopes of their desire bringing into existence into a material manifestation a channel, a body for the manifestation of a soul recently from God. God's presence in the earth, God's manifestation to man, life, LIFE as may be created by the union of bodies in body-manifestation, these are the ideals. These have been the purposes here for a manifestation in thy selves in such ways, and in such measures that all of these, and yet more, may be manifested in the earth. For, as ye seek to so live in thine own lives as to manifest these, as the blessings, as the hopes, as the beauty of living in a material world that thy Maker has given ye, help thy fellowman.
8. Then go forward with the knowledge that as ye so live thine own life together, as ye associate with thy fellowman, as ye do unto them ye are doing to thy Lord, thy God; for it is the appreciation of thy fellowman also, as self, being a child of the most high God. When individuals, when a couple so blessed, recognize in themselves this opportunity, how gracious, how beautiful, how lovely is life itself! Ye have this opportunity, don't muff it!
9. Ready for questions.
10. (Q) Did we know one another in our French incarnation?
    (A) Here we might give you a great deal of what has been intimated through these channels as to what the vibrations of nations, as individuals might mean. No, ye didn't know each as individuals in the French, otherwise you'd have been different in the present. Why? There is that which is the spirit of France. Don't ever get the idea that, even under the stress through which the nation of France is passing, it will be eliminated from the earth. It is as one of the seven sins, as well as one of the twelve virtues in the human family.
    No, not acquainted with one another; acquainted with some of the doings but these weren't very pretty at times.
11. (Q) Did we know one another in our Palestine incarnation?
    (A) Ye did. These were periods when ye each were a helpful influence, as may be indicated by analyzing closer the activities of each. For this was a period and an experience which rings true to each, as is intimated through the varied prophets of old, that which is builded by a nation or a certain portion of the land, think indeed what is meant by that spoken to Moses: "Take off thy shoes, for the ground on which thou standest is holy." Why? Did you ever try to analyze why that ye enter some places, some homes which are indeed homes and others, from the very feel, if ye are sensitive at all, there is confusion; there is anger, there is abuse, of all those natures present in that house, not a home? Try this by entering a church and go from there to a jail and then go from the jail into the church - you will find it. So it is with individuals as they have entered earthly experience in various spheres or periods. These were not by chance. Think not that God doeth things haphazardly. For He hath not willed that any soul should perish, but has prepared a way.
    Those, then, who hold animosity, hold grudges are building for themselves that which they must meet in confusion, in abuse of self, abuse of others, abuse of groups. It is not strange that, if ye have read how that all nations - strange that they were made nations, - no. For there must be every type, else where would the opportunity come for those who seek to manifest God in the earth? It is indeed not strange there are even in the protestant churches, Methodist, Christian, Baptist, Congregational or the what, but it is to meet the needs. What is God? All things to all men that all might know Him. Not that one is better than the other.
    These as individuals chose one another as companions. For what? Because they fitted into such companionship, becoming more and more daily as one and as a complement as one, finding in the other that which would answer their needs. Just as an individual, seeking God, finds in self. He must have lots of water to wash his sins away and the other may do it with a drop, but the water and the blood must be there. So it is with these companions, finding in each, as in this experience, that each sought and found that which answers in the present that of prayer, of meditation, of that vibration in each which may be as healing to selves, as hope for others.
12. (Q) What were our names in the Palestine period?
    (A) Ruth and what should be called in the present Alec - for he was a pretty smart alec then!
13. (Q) Were we Essenes in the Palestine period?
    (A) The names themselves imply it, yes. But remember the Essenes had the divisions, just as you will find that most churches have their groups and divisions, these were in opposite groups of the Essenes. One held to - that it can happen - the other that God makes it happen. Which comes first, the hen or the egg? As was implied in that same question.
14. (Q) What were our activities as Essenes?
    (A) As is indicated, they were so divided that comparing them together isn't well. And as to using in the present, don't fall out with each other because one wants to listen to Brahms and the other to Liszt.
15. (Q) Were we close to the Master?
    (A) In purpose, yes, and who is my brother, who is my sister? He who doeth the will, that is the closest to the Master; He who doeth the will of the Father, not in person but as a helper. Just as we may find daily individuals, though they may not in body be that which would respond or even other than know material, mental and spiritual love, yet each are the complement of the other, the life blood, as it were of the other. So then these, though having a difference of opinions in that experience, learning, apply it in the present. Let each be the complement, the mortise [mortar] and pestle, or the dew upon the flower, or the rainbow in the cloud, or as the voices in the night.
16. (Q) Shall we ever be able to build a house of our own?
    (A) You will! In 1946.
17. (Q) Where should we plan to build?
    (A) We would build it on the ground for the present, and where you would choose. That whatever ye set about for thy selves. That we would do. Let these come rather by circumstance. But do plant your flowers first before you build the house, for these may mean much to you.
18. (Q) Would it be well to carry out the plans [2072] has drawn up?
    (A) As we find, you'll change these plans if you'll look at them, but it will be well to start with.
19. (Q) We would like to plan a sanctum - a building apart - in the garden of the home we build.
    (A) This is just what we've been giving you. We found this first.
20. (Q) Please give suggestions as to furnishing, colors to be used and any other suggestions or advice?
    (A) These will change as to styles in furniture. Don't make it too modern. But so that things, THINGS remember, which will be coming to each of you, will fit into the design of same.
21. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy for indexing

BACKGROUND

1. See previous readings of [2072] and [1861].

REPORTS

1. 8/22/44 She obtained another Physical Reading. See 2072-16.

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