This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 16th day of January, 1940, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [2080], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mrs. [1947].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born March 30, 1905, in Chapel Hill, N.C.

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; answering the questions, as I ask them.
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [2080].
3. The records, as we find, are a bit unusual, or irregular; but these interpretations are chosen with the desire that this may be a helpful experience for the entity.
4. The entity was among the Atlanteans who entered Egypt, and among those groups over which there were many questions, - in their attempts to predominate the activities there.
5. Hence we find the entity in this present experience, as well as through sojourns in the earth (though of not a great number), will be one who may make a real material success, or become a complete moral and financial failure.
6. This we will find to be true, unless there is a balancing of the emotions that are innate, and so oft predominant, which make the entity sufficient so much unto himself, and so material-minded as to control or direct or predominate the activities in whatsoever direction the choice lies.
7. These then are chosen, - these urges that are indicated, - good and bad, - that there may be an analyzing of self; that the entity may realize that it is not all of life just to live, and to enjoy the good things of material experience.
8. For thou art indeed thy brother's keeper. There are those opportunities ever being presented for the real abilities which are within the experience and the consciousness of the entity. In taking advantage of, or using, such opportunities in the proper direction, the entity may make his paths straight, and know the purposes for which each soul enters a material experience; that these are not just that ye may have to hold, other than as a keeper of opportunities in hope, in love, in faith, in patience, as unto thy Maker.
9. It is not sufficient, then, to merely live that ye may outwardly appear as a successful individual, - not too bad nor too good, - but to be one who, irrespective of others, chooses the better place.
10. From the astrological aspects we find that the abilities through the mind, or from the Mercurian sojourn, become as the ruling forces. Hence the entity usually admits that it is better in its judgments than most others, and that it may "get by" with that which others may not, and not make the mistakes that others have. But usually, and eventually, unless there is the tempering of all such associations and activities with creative forces, there is the bringing of the dregs of regret, with material and mental anguish, and the FEAR of spiritual awakening.
11. In Venus we find the affability, and the appreciations of the goodness as well as the beauty of every nature that may be manifested in others; and yet from the Mercurian influence combined with Venus, we have rather the inclination to take advantage of such - and yet appear to be equally in accord with the good things, that self may be well spoken of.
12. Remember that as He gave, - "Many will come in the last days that say, Did we not in thy name do this, that or the other; heal the sick, even make hopes in the lives of some?" and He will say, "Depart from me, I never knew thee," for the purposes and intents are that self may be exalted, - even as in those experiences when the Atlanteans again brought the desire of power, and were only stopped by the activities of that entity who brought hope to the Egyptian land.
13. As to the sojourns in the earth, - we find that these have not been of such great numbers, and especially that influence or make for activities in the immediate. Rather, the activities of each have brought those conditions in which the choices have been - what to the entity is termed reasoning - for self-protection.
14. Rather, does not nature teach just the opposite? And also the words of the prophets, - yea, of the Teacher of teachers? For, He gave, "He that would have life must lose it, - he that would have friends must show himself friendly, and not merely to be wellspoken of, but that the law of the Lord may be made perfect in the daily life, and LIVED in such measures and manners as to be real in the experiences of the entity!" And not merely in those things that may bear outward appearance, for ye become - even as He gave - without very beautiful, but within full of dead men's bones!
15. What are the promptings, then, that motivate thy activity? Are they merely that ye may have, that ye may be better spoken of? Or that ye may direct or rule, or be in position to dictate to others? Or, are they that the word of truth may be manifested in the lives and hearts of others; where there is sorrow, that the tears may be wiped away; where there have been disappointments, that there may blossom hope; where there is darkness, that the light of love of the Christ and of God may be made manifest in the hearts!
16. These are thy own judgments, - for ye judge others by such, and yet in thine own heart of hearts, what is THY ideal? Is it what ye may gain from others, or the position ye may occupy that there may come to thy understanding - or thy hands - those things that would direct? Or, is it "that I may give myself, my life, my love, my all, that the glory of God may be manifested in the earth"?
17. Forsake not that thou knowest in thy heart, nor think in thy mental self that ye can undo the prayers of those that have been offered to thee. For, that ye hate, that will befall thee. That ye depreciate in others, that will be thy eventual lot. For, God is not mocked, and whatsoever a man soweth, that must he reap.
18. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during the early settlings; and when there were the divisions by the principals to whom there had been accorded the grants of land.
19. The entity interested self in such settlements, and in aiding as to the divisions; and saw to it that self was not accorded those that were not the most promising. These worked for material gains.
20. Hence we find in the present the appreciations of the good things in peoples as well as in conditions and the easier things of life. These are well, - but what is the purpose of same?
21. The name then was S. T. Orson.
22. Before that the entity was in the French land, during those periods when there were many gathering for the activities in the Holy War, - or the activities in which individuals joined for a purpose, for the defense of an ideal.
23. And these brought to the entity the impressions and the activities which are exhibited in the present, - for the freedom of speech and of activity became as a thing of joy in that material experience.
24. Many lessons were learned, and yet many determinations to be ever free from entanglements other than those that might not be controlled by self.
25. Hence, until late - very late in life there should never be the attempts for a wedded life; unless the purposes, the main desires, the hopes, are founded in spiritual life and less of that attitude of being sufficient unto self, - as was indicated through those experiences in that sojourn which brought hardships, and yet satisfaction in material things by joining only to self and then letting others go to their own way or end.
26. Before that the entity was among the Atlanteans, as indicated, and among those who came into the Egyptian land; and aroused in the activities with the leaders and the natives the realization that there would be the powers proclaimed, and the submerging of THINGS (or of peoples in their lower evolution) to become more and more as servants.
27. In such activities the entity is not always gentle, not always kind to those who are beneath him in a social station; and this becomes innate in the experiences in the present from that sojourn.
28. Yet there are the abilities to claim the material things, the abilities to become a real power, a real aid, a real strength, - if the promptings of those activities are guided by the spiritual purposes rather than material gains.
29. As to that to which the entity may attain, and how:
30. This depends entirely upon choice. For, today - now - there is set before thee good and evil, life and death, - choose thou.
31. Analyze thy life, thy purpose. Are they in keeping with that which is truth and life, as ye really in thy heart understand? Or are they dodging the issue and taking thought only of self-preservation?
32. Choose thou.
33. In any line of endeavor the entity may materially and mentally succeed, - until it has drained the dregs of its own conceit.
34. Or in any line of activity which the entity may choose it may become the real servant to mankind, so that there may become the real spiritual awakening for the helpfulness and hopefulness, and to sow the seeds of the spirit of truth - in which there may come peace and harmony, - and, with it all, the abilities to succeed physically, mentally, financially.
35. Ready for questions.
36. (Q) Should I continue with my present profession?
    (A) That depends upon the choice as may be made. As indicated, it may be made a material success if so chosen. Or, in ANY of the fields of activity that the entity may turn its mind and purposes to, it may be made to succeed.
37. (Q) Would you advise that I use my profession in a different capacity? If so, what?
    (A) As just indicated, in any field of abilities or service or activity the entity may choose, the abilities are such that it may make a MATERIAL success. This does not ALWAYS indicate a spiritual and mental success - unless it is prompted by the fruits of the spirit; for one day it must pay, and pay in full!
38. (Q) Should I expand or curtail my market operations?
    (A) This again is playing a game in which ye cannot hope to succeed other than TEMPORARILY; unless there are those judgments that are not of themselves speculative.
39. (Q) Have I been previously associated with [1947]? How?
    (A) In the Egyptian experience, and a very close friend.
40. (Q) What should our association in the present and future be?
    (A) This depends upon the ideals and the purposes as may be set for each. They CAN become a helpful influence one to the other, or a great stumbling stone. No one, until the entity has set his purposes, may find happiness with the entity; nor may the entity find happiness tied to anyone.
41. (Q) Would I remain comparatively happy unmarried?
    (A) As just indicated, all too often the entity is all sufficient to himself! Yet it is riled under obligations.
42. (Q) Would marriage with [1947] be right or practical?
    (A) Not unless the ideals are changed.
43. (Q) Would a business venture concerning helping others to remake themselves physically, morally, mentally, etc., be successful?
    (A) Provided it is FIRST practiced in self, yes!
44. (Q) Should we collaborate in this?
    (A) PROVIDED there is first the setting of the ideals of self.
45. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self through Mrs. [1947]
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [GD's note: Questions between 3 [Par. 38-A] and 8 [Par. 43-A] were left out of original copy and typed on separate page.]

BACKGROUND

1. 1/13/40 Mrs. [1947] submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 4/28/40 Mrs. [1947]'s letter: "Will you please take [2080]'s name off the mailing list? His mail falls into the hands of others and is a little difficult situation at the present for him to explain."
2. 6/09/40 See 1947-5, Par. 11-A--14-A, 25-A, 26-A, regarding marriage with [2080], his financial security, whether or not he should go west, etc.
3. See also 1947-6 through 1947-10.

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