This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 16th day of January, 1941, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [2428], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., via Miss [1298].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Hugh Lynn Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born August 14, 1911, in Lyndonville, N.Y.

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 entity in the present, that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over the years from the present - " - '31 - yes - changes - '21 - yes, anxieties - '19 - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. We have the records here of that entity now known as or called [2428].
4. As many who entered this cycle of 1910 and 1911, or during this cycle, the entity is an Atlantean.
5. Thus, with the Uranian influence, the entity is at times rather the extremist.
6. We find that the entity may become a greatly developed soul, or bring turmoil and strife to many.
7. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, these are chosen with the desire and purpose that this be a helpful influence for the entity; enabling it to realize its opportunities in the present, and thus fill that place for which it chose to enter this particular experience.
8. Urges and influences arise. These, as we find, come oft in very definite and very unusual ways and manners. For, the entity itself is highly developed mentally AND spiritually; and has periods when the emotions and desires that arise are not understood by self, - as to whether they arise from material desire or the ego of self, or from a deeper latent urge in which there is felt the entity has a duty or an obligation to perform. Of what? Only a vision, only a sensing of same is felt - at times.
9. Then the relations to the greater influences, or from which urges arise - these are the astrological aspects; not merely because the stars or planets were in some particular position at the time of birth. For, as the body finds self with a body, a mind, a soul - yet these are one in manifestation - so is the universe one creation of and for a definite purpose; that the offspring of the Creative Forces - through their developments to be companions with that Force - may find those spheres of activity through which the application of self may be made to become one with Him.
10. Thus we find that the sojourns have their direct influence upon the entity as to the deeper, latent urges which arise from visions, from that not capable of being expressed in the material - and words only confuse.
11. Hence, as accredited to those environs about the earth, the sojourns there as a part of the whole bring manners, characteristics, urges, ways of activity that make the entity individual, or itself not as any other self.
12. In Venus we find the love of beauty, the manner of expression, the very way in which there are the appreciations of what may be termed by some the FINER things, - or the ability to see shades or variations in the manners in which tonal things of any nature may be expressed; whether it be in the shading of a portrait, or the attempt in song, or even the very manner of conducting self with its neighbors or its companion, or its friends.
13. These become to the entity as fine points, to be sure, but make the entity a most interesting personage to all who may come in contact with it.
14. The entity is a good conversationalist, and one that may adapt itself to most any group, or to most any circumstance, - so long as the entity sees or feels there is a lesson, an understanding, a thought to be gained by same.
15. Hence the entity is a good conversationalist to the extent that it should either be in those fields of teaching, or of lecturing upon those subjects that may become the application of self in regard to spiritual things, - when the determination is set as to Whom ye shall worship - the self or the God in self.
16. We find in Jupiter only the emphasis upon the abilities with groups, masses, things, - whether they be political, social, philosophical, or whatever choice the entity may make.
17. In Uranus we find the extremes, - the interest in the unusual, the psychic, the occult. All of these, then, only produce what may be said to be an exaggeration, or a stress, or a special emphasis the entity may put upon any of those phases of its experience or relationships in which it may choose to exercise itself.
18. Thus the warnings that there be the sureness in self as to what is the ideal, - not merely from a religious or theosophical or theological standpoint, but according to what is thy ideal of home, home life, friends, friendship, relationships with individuals, and the conditions as may surround the entity; physically, yes; mentally, to be sure; but above all spiritually.
19. For this - the ideal, as it is set - should be not as to what others should do to make the ideal situation for self, but as to how self may apply itself in its ideal to BRING the ideal relationships with others!
20. Also from the material or earthly sojourns we find urges that are given more to the emotions of the body. For, as indicated in the entity's activity, the body desires material relations; and these may be at times overshadowed by the spiritual or the high mental concept. These, - dependent upon their use, their application, - become the stumbling-stones or the steppingstones to spiritual development.
21. As to the sojourns, - not all are given here, but those that have the greater bearing upon the entity in the present. For, as from the record here, we find that some FOURTEEN might be given, - but only four of these in the present have their great relationships to those things or conditions which have the greater bearing upon the present period of development.
22. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during that period known as the American Revolution, or when there were those struggles for ideas and ideals.
23. The entity was among the home builders in that particular period, and had a large family of self's own children - CHOSEN, as might be said, by the entity itself.
24. In the experience the entity gave and gave, builded and builded, towards the materially STRONG ideals for the relationships to bring freedom of speech, of worship, of activities in the relationships to others.
25. Hence the entity became a teacher in those periods of the struggle, as well as in the periods of reconstruction, - in the name Margaret Welsh.
26. The entity gained in that experience.
27. Hence in the present we find that the larger household is sought, - the relationships with the young, the desire oft to counsel, the ability to instruct others in ALL forms of home building.
28. The entity, then, is a good economic student.
29. Before that (that brings the urge in the present experiences of the entity) the entity was in the English land, when there were turmoils - according to the notes of those called historians, yet those periods when there were great progresses made in not only the relationships of man with his companion or mate, but in the relationships with other groups of other lands and other nations, and other activities, - during the reign of Alfred the Great, when there were studies made towards the unity of purpose of all.
30. Hence the entity in the present finds self INNATELY divided within itself, almost at times to the point of feeling itself as two individuals; believing this or believing that. These need to be united, or unified. Yet, as has been indicated, from these experiences within, the entity may learn - and has the ability to recognize within self the lessons gained. For, know that thy body is the temple of the living God; there ye will find the answers to most, to all of thy questions. For as He meets with thee, and as ye counsel with thyself, ye will find that the comparisons are drawn from thine own ideals and thine own material longings.
31. Let not thy longings too oft become desires that are contrary to thy ideals.
32. The name then was Felice Shawnesey.
33. Before that the entity was in the Arabian and Persian land, in the "city in the hills and the plains."
34. The entity was among those of the leader's tribe in that particular period; and in those relationships that brought about the healing to body, to mind of many, the entity gained much that may be applied in self in the present; by its speech, its conversation, its activities.
35. For as ye think, so are ye within. For the fountain putteth forth not sweet and bitter from the same source, but as ye use thy abilities to temper the thoughts of others, let it be in patience, in love, even as ye learned through those tenets of the teacher in that period.
36. There are the abilities of the entity to be helpful in the sick room, - the abilities to find self entertaining others, and to find an interest in the LITTLE things that happen in the experiences of those about the entity. These arise from the application of self in that particular period, - in the name then Esden.
37. Before that, then, we find the entity was in the Atlantean land, when there were those periods of determining as to WHO would be the rulers in the land, - the children of the Law of One, or the sons of Belial.
38. There the entity, materially, applied self in that saying, that she "loved too well and not too wisely." For, the persuasions, through the use of the latent abilities that are manifested in the present experience of the entity, for self-indulgence and self-gratification, oft at and to the expense of those not so far developed in material things, brought destructive influences to the entity.
39. The love of ease arises in the present from that; the seeking at times to know if there are not shortcuts, - from the tendencies and activities of that particular period of activity.
40. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, - that to which it may attain, and how:
41. FIND thy ideal. Know that it is in Him. For He, the Lord, is not mocked; and whatsoever a man soweth, that must he also reap.
42. Study to show thyself approved unto thy ideal. Condemn none. Seek the good in all; denying none, but embracing that which is helpful and constructive in thy experience and in thy relationships with others.
43. Ready for questions.
44. (Q) Why do I not become pregnant, and what can I do to correct the condition of sterility?
    (A) Make of thy mind, and of thy body, a channel for an ideal; not by other than the MENTAL adoration of the beauties to be gained by such, - and the channels of thy body may be awakened to the spiritual forces.
    To be sure, from the experiences, there has been a hindrance by the very position of the organs.
    Not as a charm, but once a week at least use this:
    Put a pellet of sweet gum, the size of a buckshot, in hot water and sit over same, with the vagina exposed to same. This, - with the mental attitude, - will have an activity upon the body. We refer to the sweet gum from the sweet gum tree, you see.
45. (Q) Will we have any more children, or should we adopt a child?
    (A) This depends upon the application of self in those directions indicated; and this is not self alone, but in unison of purpose - as indicated - ye must learn.
46. (Q) What is the karmic link between my husband, [...], my daughter [5043], and myself?
    (A) Karmic relations are from activities together. Before this, both the husband and daughter were close in relationship; for both were children of the entity in that sojourn.
    In the Persian experience we find there were friendships with the daughter, and companionship with the husband.
    In the Atlantean relationships, the husband was NOT a good association.
47. (Q) Should my husband continue working for the present firm or seek a position elsewhere?
    (A) For the present firm through the greater part of this present year. Then changes may come about.
48. (Q) Why does my daughter [5043] have such a fear of water, and what can I do to eliminate this fear?
    (A) It may only be eliminated by the suggestions that may be made as the daughter turns to sleep. MAKE the suggestions as for the usefulness of water in the experience, else we may have indeed a barren body.
49. (Q) What was the cause of this fear of water?
    (A) It is from those experiences that brought about destruction to many, in the former appearance. This may best be seen by paralleling the life of that entity (or through that entity's own Life Reading, or record).
50. (Q) Any suggestions regarding my meditation?
    (A) First, find thy ideal; and this will be an ideal manner of meditation. Then enter into same with a clean purpose, a clean desire, to be used and not to demand.
51. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 1/14/41 She submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 1/23/41 [2428]'s ltr. to EC:
   ..., N.J.
   Dear Mr. Cayce,
   I received my reading and thank you very much. I was very satisfied and found it extremely interesting. I did have a difficult time to understand it at first but have studied it over so many times that I think it is quite clear now.
   However, I was instructed to use sweet gum from the sweet gum tree and I don't seem to be able to get it. The druggists have never heard of it - only the red gum. I wonder if you could offer me some suggestions as to where I could get it?
   Thank you again.
   Sincerely yours, Mrs. [2428]
2. 1/24/41 EC's ltr. to [2428]:
   Dear Mrs. [2428]
   Thanks for yours of the 23rd - am glad you are pleased with your reading - yes - such information is often clothed in such language it is at first hard to get the trend of thought intended to convey. Should there be any questions about any part of it, please don't hesitate to ask about same.
   Sweet-gum, I think you will be able to get from any crude drug house possibly one like Eimer & Amend of N.Y. or from crude drug place.
   Thanking you and hoping to have been of a service
   Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce
3. 2/24/41 [2428]'s ltr. to EC:
   ..., N.J.
   Dear Mr. Cayce,
   In regard to the sweet-gum which I was advised to get - I have tried many places and am not able to purchase it. I wrote to Eimer and Amend as you suggested and they did not have it but referred me to Mr. George H. Lincks in New York who is a dealer in all kinds of gums. He was not able to help me either. So as the last resort I am writing to you again in hopes that you may be able to offer me another suggestion.
   Sincerely yours, Mrs. [2428]
4. 2/26/41 EC's ltr. to [2428]:
   Virginia Beach, Va.
   Dear Mrs. [2428]
   Have yours of the 24th - sorry you are having trouble obtaining the gum. Felt sure you would find it at the place in N.Y. - would suggest you write S. B. Penick & Co. - Crude Drugs, Ashville, N.C. as they gather much of their products from the mountain side. Am sure they will get it for you. May be that you can best get attention through your own local druggist, as wholesalers, usually wish to have requests come through such.
   Do hope you will find it. If you don't have ready response let me hear and will see what can be done further, but feel sure you will obtain this here.
   Thanking you and hoping you are feeling much better.
   Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce
5. 7/24/43 Letter: "I would like to have a joint reading for our two children, [...] [baby son], born 7/04/42 in ..., N.J., and [5043] born 10/01/37 in ..., N.J. [See 5043-1 and subsequent Reports in re 2428-1, Par. 46-A--49-A, etc.]
6. 8/03/43 Letter: "I received a copy of A SEARCH FOR GOD as a gift from [1298] and have found great help and comfort from it. I intend to procure copies for some of my friends, as I would rather not loan my copy."
7. 5/05/44 She obtained 5043-1, Life Rdg. for her small daughter.
8. 3/06/51 Reply to questionnaire: "I still have a copy of my reading which I have read about a dozen times. I read it to a friend once and with my husband once. I have just read it again today. I feel that my reading was true because it described feelings and thoughts which I have had and clarified these to the extent of being a life guide. Mr. Cayce's opening statement was definitely true. ' - '31 - yes changes - '21 yes, anxieties - ' The whole reading was so complete and so much in detail that it touched on practically every essential phase of my present life. I believe in reincarnation of the soul because I have had experiences which have been proof, plus the fact that I have read TIR which offers very convincing evidence. My idea of karma is the law of cause and effect - retribution. Karmic relations are from activities together. Since I had my Life Reading I have tried to be more helpful to others, more patient, tolerant and kind. Because of my reading I realize that the purpose of my life is to help others instead of demanding or expecting so much from others. As suggested in my reading, I have taken inventory of myself many times but not systematically. I do not believe it necessary to set aside time for this. The main thing is to set the right course and then stay on it. I look on my vocation as an agency through which I can better fulfil my purpose in this life and learn the lessons I have to learn. I was not able to get the sweet gum but had a grand boy, July 4, 1942, making two children in our family. I'm very happy to say that thanks to my reading we were able to complete[ly] eliminate my daughter's [5043]'s, fear of water. We followed the instructions one night and the next day she was a changed child. Just loved the water after that and is an excellent swimmer now."
9. 8/22/62 [2428]'s letter:
   ..., N.J.
   Dear Sir:
   I am enclosing a check of $25.00 to be used for the Association for Research and Enlightenment. Please use this wherever it is most needed in the Association. I have always been most grateful to Mr. Cayce for my life reading and would like you to accept this check as a small token of my appreciation to him.
   I understand that you too are doing a very fine work in continuing the Association for Research and Enlightenment.
   May you and the other fine workers in this Association continue to be blessed.
   Sincerely, Mrs. [2428]

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