This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Milton W. Harrison, 56 Highland Circle, Bronxville, N.Y., this 17th day of April, 1940, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [2170], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., recommended by Mrs. [1472] and Miss [1387].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Hugh Lynn Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [2170]. Born December 30 or 31, 1902, in Vienna, Austria.

TEXT

1. HLC: 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, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over years from the present - " - '33 - yes, changes - '30 - '31 - '29 - '21 - yes, another - '19 - December 30th - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, - yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [2170].
4. In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them here, these are chosen with the desire and purpose that this may be a helpful experience to the entity, in realizing the purposes for which each soul enters a material sojourn.
5. For, individuals enter not merely by chance, but as an influence or force that they may make manifest that as may enable them to become aware of their individual relationships with the Creative Forces, or God.
6. For He hath not willed that any soul should perish, but that all shall come to know their relationships with Creative Force, and make MANIFEST such in their dealings with their fellow men.
7. Then, there are urges which arise from the sojourns during the interims between the activities in a material plane, - that is, those designated as astrological aspects.
8. In this particular entity, we find that such aspects would apply only in a general way. For, as the entity has experienced, and may experience, it is the choice one makes, and what one does with opportunities in one's relationships to material things, to material or mental accomplishments, to spiritual ideals, that governs what one makes of the purpose and intent.
9. Astrological aspects are indicated in the entity's abilities, especially as related to the effects from sojourns upon Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn, and the effects commonly accredited to these.
10. Changes are indicated in many phases of the entity's relationships to places, to individuals, to circumstances; thus one of those activities is that the entity makes itself more and more adaptable to these changes.
11. From the Mercurian sojourn we find indicated the mental abilities of the entity; its abilities to make quick, sudden and definite decisions. Not that the entity has not had periods when there have been problems, but when the entity does make changes it is well that thoughts of what might have been be left entirely out of its consciousness.
12. We find benevolent influences from the Jupiterian sojourn, as related to associations with great numbers of individuals, and - as indicated in regard to changes - of every walk of life. These may be made to become helpful or disturbing, dependent upon what the entity continues to hold as its ideal, - as to spiritual values, as to mental necessities, and as to material relationships. All of these, as we have indicated and will indicate, must be tempered by or judged from spiritual aspects, if there will be kept harmonious experiences in the activity of the entity.
13. From Venus we find the abilities as a descriptive writer; as one that appreciates art; as one that will be associated with things, conditions, circumstances or activities of unusual natures in material relationships.
14. These are then, as we find, channels through which the entity may apply itself in its material relationships with others, and bring not only in its own experience more of the actual appreciation of living but a means, a manner through which growth, development in mental and spiritual ways, may be accomplished.
15. As for the urges, - as always will be indicated, these do not surpass the human will. The will is the birthright of the Creator to each soul, that it may choose for itself that direction it - the entity, the soul - may take. But the urges latent and manifested, as indicated, are a part of the entity's experience.
16. The abilities especially in the field of writing are indicated.
17. As to the sojourns in the earth, - these bring urges of a different nature or character, and find expression in the emotions of the body, rather than in the dream or meditative or latent power.
18. This entity finds the emotions at times surpassing the urges which may arise from the latent or hidden forces. Thus at times the entity finds its ideals clashing with its material wishes or urges.
19. Then, as to the appearances which we would indicate, - there have been many sojourns of the entity in the material plane. These are chosen, however, in the present (for some have passed, that are not given), as those furnishing the urges in and through which the entity may apply itself in fulfilling or accomplishing that for which the entity entered this present sojourn.
20. Before this, then, the entity was in the land of the present sojourn, or in the American land; during those early periods of settlement in the land, - in those portions near what is now known as the Philadelphian land of expression.
21. There the entity was of those peoples, its parents being among those who had recently come under the direction of those principles or purposes which prompted those who had the grants for settling the land.
22. Then in the name of Mazah Hersford, we find that the entity gained in the greater portion of that sojourn.
23. For, with those ideals, those purposes for creating or bringing the expressions and manifestations of freedom of speech, freedom of activity in relationships to the worship of Creative Forces, there came the desires to be of a helpful influence in the lives and experiences of others, without creating or bringing bonds of direction in ANY way other than according to the dictates of the individual conscience.
24. Hence the entity, as a teacher, as an instructor, made for helpful experiences. And the abilities to make notations of those activities which had been a part of the paternal experience through that sojourn, brought the entity into positions of extending its activity into fields even far beyond, or from, its own abode.
25. Thus we will find in the present experience that the entity is a good entertainer in ANY FIELD in which it may choose its expression, with the abilities to write same in such a form or manner as to be a helpful experience in the lives and associations of others.
26. And though there may be those conditions that might appear to be hindrances, the entity should use those influences, those abilities, in such a manner as to give to others the opportunity for seeing, knowing, feeling that which is a virtue indeed in the experience of this entity in THIS sojourn.
27. Before that the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during those periods when there were great disturbances being wrought owing to the many lands joining for an activity in what THEN (and later) was called a HOLY war, - or during the Crusade periods.
28. The entity's activity in that land brought periods of disturbance, owing to being left, being doubted; not being able to become wholly self-reliant, and the desire to make such the experience.
29. Consequently, in the present sojourn there is a feeling at times of loneliness, of at times not being fully understood, - even by those closest to the entity; and the fear of not being able to carry forward just that desired to express.
30. Not that it creates a feeling of an inferiority complex, but the DOUBT in self of being appreciated.
31. The entity was known then as Marie Herfenstofderen, - and in the experience the entity gained, the entity lost.
32. And, as indicated, these influences and urges are to be met in the present, - by and through not only ideals, but those abilities that were accomplished in other experiences.
33. Before that the entity was in the Chaldean land, during those periods when a people became as servants, as chattel of that land OVER which, THROUGH which, the entity had influence and power.
34. For the entity was of the household of one Beltzadader, a leader of one of Nebuchadnezzar's armed groups.
35. There the entity gained greatly in its abilities to apply some of those tenets gathered from those who became servants to the entity through a portion of that experience.
36. And the entity applied same in its relationships or dealings with others, - not as to what might be termed its court or social life, other than in a general manner; yet the purposes, the intents, the activities of the entity then, - as Shalazur, - were those tenets, those principles that years later made for the creating of that which FREED a peoples, under those determinations and activities of Xerxes; also at those periods of the return of that people who had taught much to the entity, through those tenets and principles of the young, who had been instructed in that law which is universal, - "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."
37. It is simple in words, yet so deep in its meaning, so far-reaching in its application in every phase of human experience! For it is the opposite of greed, avarice, hate, and that which makes people afraid.
38. As to the application of the entity's abilities in the present from that sojourn, - use such as the basic thought of that as may be expressed in the writing, in the speechmaking, in even the essays that would depict such in its various ramifications. And it will be that as might be called the earmark of the entity's efforts, and the entity's application, in its dealing with others.
39. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods when there was the purifying of individuals for the activities in other lands.
40. The entity was prepared for a service as an emissary, not only among those of that land but those of other lands where other teachers were cooperating with the teachers of the Egyptian land in attempting to unify all purposes and intents.
41. Through that experience the entity gained, by and through its abilities and its willingness to train and teach others for ACTIVE service.
42. The name then was Aar-Peth.
43. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, that to which it may attain, and how:
44. Many fields of service or activity are open for the entity, yet there are those special abilities in the fields indicated, - as a writer, an instructor, a teacher. These may be applied in those forms or manners in which there has been an active service through the sojourns in the earth, as indicated.
45. Then, know thy ideal. Apply same, - studying to show self approved unto that ideal which thou may set in thy activities; keeping self from condemnation, - which has at times brought and does bring such a fear of showing self worthy.
46. For, know in Whom thou hast believed, and know He is able to keep that committed unto Him against ANY experience that may arise in material, mental or spiritual relationships.
47. Ready for questions.
48. (Q) Did any relationship exist in the past between myself and my present husband, [...]?
    (A) More than once. From the experiences in the land of the present nativity, a FEAR arose, - from the relationships through a portion of that sojourn. Again in the Persian land, the entity STRENGTHENED the mate; and it will be necessary in the present, if there is to be the better development, and the MEETING of those experiences necessary in the present sojourn.
49. (Q) What was the relationship in past incarnations, if any, between myself and my son, [...]?
    (A) We find there was a relationship in the Persian and in the Egyptian sojourns (not in the ones just previous to the present); and the relationships were close, as friendships, in both sojourns.
50. (Q) Was there ever any previous relationship between myself and my parents, Mr. and Mrs. [...]?
    (A) As we find, this relationship was in the sojourn just previous to the present; and the relationships were the same with the mother as exist in the present, - not the same with the present father.
51. (Q) Did I ever know Margery or James [...] in a previous incarnation?
    (A) We find relationships, but as to periods - we do not find that, unless we could have the paralleling of same.
52. (Q) What should be my attitude in the disciplining and general training of my child?
    (A) This may be best gained from the study of the needs of the child throughout those experiences and relationships that have existed. But as indicated by the close friendships which have existed, there IS that ability to wield a helpful force through making of him thy friend, - as well as thy child.
53. (Q) Do I have any psychic ability, such as a gift for automatic writing, which I can develop, and is this desirable?
    (A) As we find, it is MORE desirable to develop inspirational writing than automatic. If there is the turning within, in the fields of activity as we have indicated, especially through those periods outlined, this should become as an inspired activity. Do not trust to automatic, - for it opens the self to low influences.
54. (Q) In what particular type of writing would I be most successful?
    (A) As indicated, - the depicting of periods and experiences in which there is the application of the tenets which were gained by the entity in the Persian sojourn, and almost lost in the Austrian land (as now known). We will find this type of writing becoming more and more helpful, not only to self but to others.
55. (Q) Where is the most desirable place for my family and I to live?
    (A) In some place in Pennsylvania!
56. (Q) Are there any special talents which I should try to develop, and any interest outside of my work at home?
    (A) The writings should be developed by ALL MEANS!
57. (Q) How should I act so as to carry on my relationships at home in the most harmonious and constructive way?
    (A) This, too, may be gained best by the paralleling of the faults and virtues in the lives of those in the home.
58. (Q) Is there any way I can assist my husband in his work?
    (A) By counseling, YES! For, as has been indicated, ye have leaned upon one another, - and yet have doubted one another oft!
59. (Q) Did I ever have any relationship in the past to members of my husband's family?
    (A) This we do not find or have here.
60. (Q) What languages did I speak in the past?
    (A) Not only those of the lands in which the entity sojourned, but those of the lands nigh unto same.
61. (Q) Were my parents selected by me before my present incarnation? Is such a choice usually accidental or deliberate?
    (A) A whole dissertation might be given on this subject! and it would be necessary, in order to give a full explanation. Remember, LAW - physical, mental and spiritual - is EVER active! and yet may be RETROACTIVE at times.
    There is the law of cause and effect. There is the law of attraction. These are not JUST the same, though they join one to another.
    Hence the individual entity, or self, CHOSE - partially - because of there being created the channel through which expression might be found.
62. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    [Questions submitted which did not get asked:
    14. What is the state of the spirit in the intervals between incarnations? Does one have a picture of the events, good and bad, which one will go through in life on earth? Do you know these things in advance of one's incarnation?
    15. Do you always have the same sex in different incarnations?
    16. When you are drawn to someone physically or mentally on this earth does it always mean some previous relationship or can it be just accidental?]

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