This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Virginia, this 17th day of October, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [2175], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. [2175], Beverly Simmons, Mae Gimbert, Jane Williams and Helen Ellington.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the life existence in the earth plane of [2175], born October 23, 1911, in Danville, Virginia, and the earthly existence of the entity as Sofa, in the Promised Land, the nurse of John the Baptist. You will give a biographical life of the entity in that day and plane of earthly existence, from entrance - and how - into the earth's plane, and the entity's departure, giving the development or retarding points in such an existence. You will then answer the questions the entity submits, as I ask them, concerning the associations in that period and their influence in the present:
2. Yes, we are given the records here of that entity now called [2175].
3. In giving the outline and the activities of the entity through the experience in Palestine, something of the history of the period must be interpreted, for this to be a helpful experience for the entity.
4. There were, in the period, those political turmoils with many of those peoples of the holy family, or the house of the Lord.
5. Zachariah was a just man, then living in the hills of Galilee; yet the priest who offered sacrifice for the month Nisan. And when there were those visions or experiences, and his wife Elizabeth conceived, these brought into the experience of those groups - of which this entity, Sofa, was a part - the Essenes - a great deal of questioning, - as to what manner of individual would be required or needed as the helper, or director, or nurse, in the circumstances that would naturally arise if these visions were to be fulfilled.
6. When there has been the experience, then, of the happening of the visit of Mary to Elizabeth, there was the choosing of the dedicated women for this office.
7. This was a reminder to many of what and how the maiden had been chosen on the stair.
8. The entity then, Sofa, was one of the women dedicated to service in the temple; not as one that would be called a caretaker, yet these were the offices of the entity - to "touch up" or paint, or to keep certain portions of the temple in order for the activities of the priest.
9. Thus the entity appealed to Zachariah to use his period of preparation as the one to offer the sacrifice, as the time when there would be the choosing of the attendant or nurse to the babe.
10. Hence the entity was chosen by what would be termed, or is termed in the Cabala, the moving of the symbols upon the vesture of the priest.
11. This, then, prevented ANY of those confusions as might have arisen with the entity.
12. When there was the birth, then, of John (for, remember, he was not called the Baptist until after his death), in the periods of training, the entity also acted as the instructor; as in the position of one who looks after or cares for those through such periods.
13. And (this aside), too often there is not sufficient thought taken as to the care of a developing body through those first eighteen months to two years.
14. Here, though, this entity was chosen by those directing forces as from the temple service itself, or by divine guidance.
15. Thus did the entity fulfil, until the boy, John, was weaned at six years of age.
16. THEN the entity was associated with Jesus with the last year of the experience in the household of Mary and Joseph. While the offices here had been fulfilled by that one as we have indicated, the entity was especially given this office to indicate to the developing child the nature, the character of the cousin.
17. After that period, and the period of education, and the periods when the labor began - from the periods of twelve years to that of seventeen, - when the entity John went to Egypt for the dedication and the preparation there, - the entity was known among those who were as holy women, who acted in the capacity of the mourners at the various functions of the Order, as would be called, of the Essenes.
18. Later the entity was among those, not THE first but AMONG the first, to be baptised by John in Jordan.
19. The entity also ministered to the needs of John when he was cast in prison, and was among the chief mourners when he was beheaded.
20. The entity also was among those who, during his period in prison, sought Jesus for counsel. And with the answers given, the entity was confused - until there were those reclaiming activities upon the day of Pentecost.
21. Then the entity was old in years, and among those first disturbed by the first edicts that brought death to James; the entity dying in that period from exposure by the abuse of soldiers in that first raid.
22. As to the period, no losses in spiritual or mental progress might be indicated; rather those periods of confusion that may be the experience of any that are dedicated to an idea, and who in sincerity give of their best through a material sojourn.
23. As to the entity's parents, - these were of the Levites, and those acquainted with many of the activities in the temple.
24. And from same, ceremony means much to the entity. Whatever the preparation, for whatever function, to the entity there must be some ceremony.
25. Ready for questions.
26. (Q) To what extent, and over what period of time, did I have a close association with Jesus?
    (A) As indicated, during a year the entity gave most of the time to indicating to the child Jesus the life, the preparation, and the character of John. Then ONLY meeting same in those periods when, as indicated, coming to Him for counsel.
27. (Q) In choosing to be the nurse of John the Baptist -
    (A) (Interrupting) Chosen; not choosing but ASKING that there BE a choosing, and chosen by the office, or upon the ephod.
28. (Q) Did I take the vows of celibacy?
    (A) They didn't take the vows of celibacy! Not to have children during those periods was considered to be ones not thought of by God!
29. (Q) Concerning the fulfillment of those promises which had been a part of the Scripture, please outline the promises for purposes of study. (That is, where in the Bible?)
    (A) ALL of those recorded by the writers respecting the visit of the disciples of John to Jesus. Then especially 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th of John. THERE are the promises that are a part of the promises to the entity, and to all.
30. (Q) As indicated, in '42 the influence of my children will enter in, especially when there will be the awakenings as to their relationships, or as I unfold the story of both of those who took the vows of celibacy. What were the associations with each of my children that bring about this influence in the present? First, [2308] - then Sister Duene? [Duane?]
    (A) A younger sister of the entity; and this means very much younger, as you would count by years today. And as the entity experiences, [2308] oft appears more in the role of the sister than as the daughter.
31. (Q) [1566]?
    (A) In the experience [1566] was among the acquaintances of the entity, rather than being closely associated - as was the older.
32. (Q) Were there associations in that period, and of what nature or activity, which brought - or would bring about - the deep friendship between me and the following: [2390]?
    (A) When there were those visits of the entity now called [2390] to Jerusalem, the acquaintance began. And from the entity they learned of the life of John, the purposes, the fulfilling of prophecies, the fulfilling of those things that brought about the associations or friendships in the present.
    The entity then, of course, was older, much older, than the entity now called [2390].
33. (Q) [1523]?
    (A) Known of, through the associations with the acquaintance made; and when there were the reports later of the activities in the church, it was close to the period of departure of this entity.
34. (Q) [578]?
    (A) Knew of, but not close together.
35. (Q) [413]?
    (A) The entity now known as [413] was among the holy women, then; thus among those groups who were oft together in the offices as the mourners in those periods.
36. (Q) Was I associated with Lucius, now Edgar Cayce? If so, how?
    (A) Acquaintance, and advisor to Lucius.
37. (Q) Please suggest best manner of meditation for me.
    (A) As we have indicated to the entity, there must be some ceremony. Choose whatever manner that befits thine own consciousness, whether this is from odors or otherwise. And if odors are chosen, choose sandalwood and cedar to be burned.
    In such an atmosphere much of those things that were a part of the experience through those periods of meditation may be brought back.
    Then surround the self by thought, as well as by word, with the consciousness of the Christ-Presence. THEN, and only under such, ye may open the centers for direction.
38. (Q) Please suggest affirmation well to be kept at this time.
    (A) O LORD, OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER! IN THE CHRIST-CONSCIOUSNESS I COME TO THEE, AS THY HANDMAID, SEEKING THY PROMISES AND THY DIRECTIONS. USE ME, O GOD, IN SUCH MANNERS AND IN SUCH WAYS THAT MY LIFE MAY REFLECT THE LOVE THOU HAST SHOWN TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN IN THE CHRIST-LIFE. AND MAY I EVER BE A CHANNEL OF BLESSING TO OTHERS.
39. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. Previously she obtained Life Rdgs. 2175-1, 2175-3 and Physical Rdgs.
2. 10/17/42 She was present, submitting questions.

REPORTS

1. 2/24/43 (Wednesday) Mrs. [2175]'s letter to EC:
   Dear Mr. Cayce,
   Before the time comes for the reading you have given us on our study, I want to give expression of the deep appreciation I feel. I am humbly grateful for your interest and encouragement all along but when you offered a period of time for our study I felt rather like the woman who looked out her window and found that the mountain HAD been removed.
   That study means a GREAT DEAL to me. I have gained a little understanding because of it, but that is not the primary reason for my writing. For some time now I have wanted to write to you. I've written numerous letters torn them up because I can't find the words to express how I feel about you. I find that even now words don't come. I can only thank you for yourself. I have thanked God for you many times.
   I guess I am one of those "little ones" whom you have taken such excellent care of.
   I love you, [2175]
2. 2/25/43 EC's letter to Mrs. [2175]:
   Dear [2175]
   Thank you - don't know of any one would rather be of a joy or help to than your good self. You have always been very close to me some how ever since first met you, and you really feel just like one of my big family of those I love and want to be with and do every thing possible for and do hope in the information you wish hope can give something as may help in many ways. Something is amiss when you are not here. You and yours are very close to me, and I remember each of you in my prayers daily.
   Thank you for writing me
   With love to each of you [signed] Edgar Cayce
3. 3/06/43 See a personal message to her in 281-63, Par. 19-A.
4. 3/20/43 See friend's reading, 2390-7, Par. 28-A, regarding their past associations in Egypt.
5. 5/19/43 She obtained her third Physical Reading - See 2175-7.
6. 8/24/44 She obtained a Mental-Spiritual Reading - See 2175-8.

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