This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 27th day of July, 1940, in accordance with request made by the father - Mr. [2345], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born November 7, 1923, in Huntington, West Virginia.

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, as I ask them:
2. EC: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [2316].
3. Rather an unusual personality!
4. There are some conditions in the experience and the characteristics that are at times confusing to others, in attempting to analyze or to plan the environs for the entity.
5. Then, in giving the interpretations of the records as we find them, - these are chosen with the desire and purpose that this be a helpful experience for the entity, as well as for those who are guiding or directing the environs for the entity.
6. These characteristics are evident as a combination of things or conditions latent and manifested in the inner purpose, as well as the emotional purpose of the entity:
7. One inclined, then, to be oft - or at times - deeply interested in things of the unusual, the psychic or the mystical nature; rather a dreamer of dreams of the nature in which good fairies or unusual circumstances bring proper returns for the entity of every nature.
8. Then, the entity is inclined to be rather a spendthrift as to means, as to self, as to body, as to mind.
9. One that is gifted in good story telling, and might make a success materially as a writer, as an essayist, or psychiatrist.
10. Commercial things, as the selling of things, have not a great interest in the experience of the entity; though the entity is gifted in being able to judge well respecting such.
11. One that finds the condition as related to the law, the order of things, as being an analyzing portion of the mind.
12. Hence the entity should have the advantages of a good English as well as law education.
13. In the astrological aspects we find Neptune, Venus, Uranus and Jupiter as the ruling forces.
14. Hence things of mystic nature, as pertaining to the unusual, are portions of the entity's experience, as well as the beautiful manner in which to portray things.
15. A tendency for the ludicrous. Hence a cynical portion, or a cynical form or manner of eccentric things becomes a manner of expression for the entity.
16. From the Uranian influence we find the extremes and the moody conditions which arise; and these should be taken into consideration by those about the entity as well as by self; though the entity oft makes snap judgments, and tends toward or longs for a great deal of travel.
17. Hence the basic forces of conserving as well as saving should be the training for the entity, and the dependance upon its own abilities, - not so much by wit alone, though the entity may ever make much returns through its wit, or witticisms of the nature as indicated of a cynical nature.
18. Writing is indicated as a portion of the entity's experience, but not things pertaining to commercialism.
19. As to the appearances in the earth, - these as we find have been quite varied and under varied circumstances.
20. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, or in the eastern portions of the land, - about what is now Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg, and a portion of the entity's activity.
21. The name then was Benjamin Gowdy. In the experience the entity gained through its activities in the relationships or activities as a keeper of records, or as an administrator of those things pertaining to the law and order; not only for the natives of the land but for the sojourners and the new dwellers.
22. Hence the abilities in regard to the entity's associations with law, with order; the abilities to fit in activities of individuals in the various phases of the individual experience.
23. Hence the entity will ever be interested in, and able to outline for others, vocational questions better than it may appear to do for self.
24. Before this the entity was in the land now known as the French land, during those periods of turmoils which arose, during the activities in the early portion of Crusades.
25. The entity was among those hindering, or attempting to argufy with groups that were determined to represent themselves as a director of ways and means for others in other lands.
26. Hence the entity found himself unpopular. yet with those things pertaining to the functionings or happenings of those groups who did go in the service, the entity gained in the MANNERS in which it conducted itself.
27. However, we find both good and bad influences appearing in the present from those activities.
28. For the entity then considered (as it does now at times) its own judgments superior to others because of its own attempts to reason within, without knowing as to the spiritual and mental values of activities, as well as the mental activity in the experiences of self or others at all times.
29. Yet, as just indicated, this in conjunction with the abilities to make judgments for others will and does cause confusion in this experience, in others' attempting to understand the entity's way of approach to the experiences and relationships with others.
30. Before that the entity was one in authority, under the rule of the great king of Israel - Solomon.
31. The entity then was Benoni [See 2316-1, Par. R1], the leader or director of the army or the military forces of that great king; thus one whose judgements and activities were looked upon as being close to the king himself.
32. The entity gained, the entity lost; yet we may see much in the characteristics and personality of the present entity from the activities of the entity AS Benoni, the keeper of the military forces of Solomon, the king - if there will be made a close study of those activities.
33. Hence we find again that conditions, experiences, mental attitudes, rather than the commercial influences, are the guiding influence in the activities of the entity in this experience.
34. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, during the period of reconstruction.
35. Then entity was the son of the armor bearer to the Priest in exile; for the entity was born of those associations and activities when the father was the armor bearer to the Priest, rather in the position not understood either by the King or the Priest; yet the entity grew up under the influences of the activities following that period.
36. When there was the attempt to tutor those for the vocational guidances and activities, the entity grew into the directing of the forces for the better understandings.
37. Hence as indicated in the temperament and characteristics, there will be seen or found in the present experience those abilities of the entity to judge according to the activities of individuals because of their training, their development, their lineage, and their activities in the various forms of life.
38. The name then was Shu-en-el.
39. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, that to which it may attain, and how:
40. First, analyze self, self's purposes.
41. Know thy ideals, mentally, spiritually, materially; not as to what ye would have as a gift to self, but as to what self has to give to others, to the Lord, to the keeping of those periods of activity in which there may be safety, security in material, in mental and spiritual relationships.
42. For these may ever be kept well balanced in the planning of thy life.
43. In the fields as a writer, as an essayist, or in things pertaining to law and order, the entity may find the greater outlet, and be contributing to the better welfare of its associates as well as to the public in general.
44. Keep the faith.
45. Ready for questions.
46. (Q) How can he best prepare for this life work?
    (A) As indicated; an education in law as well as in English and writing.
47. (Q) What school or college should he attend for special preparation?
    (A) This should be a choice by the entity, - but not in its own present environment.
48. (Q) What city will offer the best environment for him?
    (A) This, too, may be a question after there has been the thorough analyzing of self; but the west offers the greater outlet for the abilities of the entity, - if the abilities are magnified or used aright in the experience.
49. (Q) Which appearance of his past history will have most effect on his present and future plane [of existence]?
    (A) As indicated, these are tied up especially in the association with Solomon the king, and in the early Egyptian period indicated, as well as parts of the French.
50. (Q) What advice can he have for personal friendships and associations?
    (A) These as indicated must be analyzed and not USED, nor ever abused in the way and manner as to induce or bring about hardships for self or others.
51. (Q) What will aid his spiritual development?
    (A) An analyzing of self and self's purpose as related to the ideals, or the law, or as indicated int he 20th of Exodus.
52. (Q) What does the future hold for him?
    (A) Depends upon the use to which he puts his abilities.
53. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Father
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy to Mr. [257]

REPORTS

1. GD's note: Benaiah? See I Chr. 11:24-25. The name was written as it sounded to me, but on looking up the Bible reference I am sure the name should be spelled Benaiah.
   On 5/13/43 in 3001-1 a man was told that he had been a man of prominence named Benaiah during the period of Solomon, but evidently he was the "Also" Benaiah mentioned in I Chr. 11:26-31.
2. 9/12/40 See mother's Life Reading, 2344-1, Par. 44-A indicating paths crossing in several incarnations but not close relationships.
3. GD's note: Later reports by Mr. [257] indicated [2316] was closest to his father, [2345], and that his sister, [2153], was closest to his mother, [2344].
4. 12/29/43 Father, [2345]'s letter: "My son, [2316], is in the Navy which he was anxious to join for active service in face of the fact that he was permitted, under the regulations, to continue his studies at Princeton University."

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