5/23/41 [
2441]'s talk given at the 1941 Congress [See
254-108, Par. R4]:
SYMBOLISM
A symbol is defined to be a visible sign with which a
spiritual feeling, emotion, or idea is connected. Man's
earliest instruction was by means of symbols. The wisdom
of the Chaldeans, Phoenicians, Egyptians, Jews of Zoroaster,
Syrus, Pythagorus, Socrates, Plato, of all the ancients that
is come to our hand, is symbolic.
The objective character of a symbol, which presents something
material to the sight and touch, as explanatory of an
internal idea, is best calculated to be grasped by the
infant mind, whether the infancy of that mind be considered
nationally or individually. And hence, in the first ages
of the world, in its infancy, ALL propositions, THEOLOGICAL,
POLITICAL, or scientific, were expressed in the form of
symbols. Thus the first religions were eminently symbolical
because as one philosophical historian has remarked, "At a
time when language was yet in its infancy, visible symbols
were the most vivid means of acting upon the minds of
ignorant hearers."
To the man of mature intellect, each letter of the ALPHABET
is the symbol of a certain sound. When we instruct the child
in the form and value of these letters, we make the picture
of some familiar object the representation of the letter
which aids the infantile memory. Thus, when the teacher
says, "A was an Archer" the Archer becomes a symbol of
the letter A, just as in after life the letter becomes
the symbol of a sound.
"Egyptian tombs and stiles exhibit religious symbols still
in use among Christians. Similar forms, with corresponding
meanings, though under different names, are found among the
Indians, and are seen on the monuments of the Assyrians, the
Etruscans, and the Greeks."
"The Hebrews borrowed much of their early religious symbolism
from the Egyptians, their later from the Babylonians,
and through them this symbolical imagery, both verbal
and objective, has descended to ourselves."
"The early Christian architects, sculptors, and painters,
drank deep of symbolical lore, and reproduced it in their
works."
Art, the lapidary, has preserved for us something of the
beauty and magic of the ancient symbols. Many a pattern
and device that we use haphazardly for the decoration
of buildings, dress, or china were once of religious or
cosmic significance.
Symbols are at once the world's secrets and revelations and
the philosopher or student may sometimes find an ancient
key to the mystery of life engraved on his teacup or dinner
plate. In the standing stones and circles of prehistoric
times, in the buried tombs and temples of Egypt and India and
in ruined places of Assyria, Crete and Chaldea, we may find
a veritable book of revelations. Not in the words that
could be deciphered only by the learned, but in pictured or
sculptured forms beautiful, as the artist could make them,
significant as the priest or teacher could conceive them,
the enigma of life was propounded and solved by the wisdom
of remote antiquity in symbols that were universal and yet
characteristic of the races that evolved them. Many meanings
have been given for the Greek word "Symbolon" a gathering
place, a pledge, a sample, and perhaps the last in spite
of its associations, is one of the most illuminating
definitions. For a symbol is, as it were, a sample in
the material world of that which is too great to be shown
in its completeness. It is a miniature of the same form
and substance as the whole, only reduced in scale, for
the convenience of the messenger and for the readier
apprehension of the receiver.
A symbol should be the simplest expression in matter of some
law that shapes all degrees of matter.
PRIMITIVE MAN
AND THE SCIENCE OF SIMPLE NUMBERS. THE IDEA OF THESE SIMPLE
NUMBERS BEING INVESTED WITH SOME STRANGE SIGNIFICANCE - A
SECRET THAT PERHAPS ONLY THE MEDICINE MEN OF HIS TRIBE HAD
ANY NOTION OF -
[diagram showing one vertical stick]
Counting by rods or sticks led no doubt to the earliest
geometrical relations of human thought. One stick would
represent existence, a fact or a thing of man's perception,
maybe a woman or a child, an ox, a sheep, a flint-head, a
day or a night. Also one-ness of God; power descending upon
mankind from above, or in the opposite direction, yearning of
mankind toward higher things.
[diagram showing two vertical sticks]
Two, then, would stand for relative existence, and would
use to the faculty of comparison, as by one being longer or
shorter than the other, thicker or thinner, and thus heavier
or lighter, stiffer or more supple. What a great deal man
began to know when he counted two!
[diagram of two sticks leaning together and touching at the
tops]
Could he not bind these two sticks together with the thread
of destiny snatched from the pampas grass or the water reed?
Things were thus as they should be, and when he came to
examine all their relations, he found he could bring their
tips together so as to form an inverted V and thus was
evolved the first symbol of humanity - the creature with two
sides, a male and a female, one that is supple and one that
is strong.
[diagram of a triangle]
But he could not enclose a space between them, and this
suggested an incompleteness and gave rise to a new idea, and
the number Three was born in the human mind. By placing the
divided ends of two sticks upon the ground he could remedy
the incompleteness by given them a solid base on which
to rest, so the Earth was called Son, child of the
Father-Mother, by name Tu. Now this was a perfect thing -
Father, Mother, Child; and its perfection was made manifest
under an everlasting symbol when the man walked around
the woman, and a circle of which she was the center, was
inscribed upon the ground.
[diagram of a circle]
The idea was one that fastened upon the primitive mind,
and the number Three was henceforth invested with a special
significance, altogether magical, wonderful, divine. Then of
course, the three greatest things in Nature answered at once
to the native thought, the Sun as Father, the Moon as Mother,
and the Earth as Son; and thus they have persisted, through
the religions of all nations, in no form more familiar or
less obscured by lapse of time than in the Egyptian trinity
Osiris, Isis and Horus.
THREE
Aristotle looked upon the triad as the number of the complete
whole, inasmuch as it contains a beginning, a middle and an
end. The importance of the triad conception and the hold
it had and still has, on the imagination is shown by the way
thought instinctively groups itself in threes. Sun, Moon,
Stars; birth, life, death; heaven, earth, water; the three
fates, three furies, three graces. There are the three
dimensions, the three parts in every sequence of thought. We
speak of the 'world, the flesh, the devil' as opposed to the
'good, the true, the beautiful.'
Light, Life and Love
Will, Love, Intelligence
Physical, Emotional, Mental
[diagram of three vertical sticks with a circle above the
middle one]
With his circle before him, suggesting the round of a tree,
and his three sticks in hand, the camp stool would soon be
evolved.
[diagram of a three-legged foot stool]
Home was already in sight, and soon the round sherd,
supported by three sticks over a fire, would be bubbling over
with the good things of earth. (Man existed long on earth
before he discovered fire.)
[diagram of a pine tree]
Man's veneration for trees as symbols of the abstract
qualities of WISDOM and INTEGRITY led him to designate as
trees those individuals who possessed these qualities to
an apparently superhuman degree. For example, the Druids,
whose name, according to one interpretation signifies the
men of the oak trees, in many instances, the trees themselves
were believed to possess the attributes of DIVINE POWER
and INTELLIGENCE, and therefore supplications were often
addressed to them. The beauty, dignity, massiveness and
strength of oaks, elms and cedars, led to their adoption
as symbols of power, integrity, permanence, virility and
divine protection. Temples were often built in the heart of
sacred groves and nocturnal ceremonies were conducted under
the widespreading branches of great trees, fantastically
decorated and festooned in honor of their patron deities.
The tree has also been accepted as symbolic of Man. The
serpent so often wound around the truck of the tree signifies
THE MIND - THE POWER OF THOUGHT - and is the external tempter
or urge which leads all rational creatures to the ultimate
discovery of reality. While the tree is apparently much
greater than its own source, nevertheless that source
contains potentially every branch, twig, and leaf which
will be objectively unfolded by the processes of growth.
Trees are repeatedly mentioned in the Bible. The Tree of
Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil, the burning
bush, the famous vine and fig tree, and the grove of olives
in the Garden of Gethsemane and the miraculous tree of
Revelation whose leaves were for the healing of the nations.
[diagram of a five-pointed star]
THE PENTAGRAM
is called the blazing star, is the sign of INTELLECTUAL
OMNIPOTENCE and autocracy. It is the star of the magi, and
is the star of the morning. The pentagram is the figure
of the human body, having four limbs, and a single point
representing the head (will). The old magicians traced the
sign of the pentagram upon their doorsteps, to prevent evil
spirits from entering and good spirits from departing. It
signifies also Grand Architect, for the pentagram on every
side represents an A.
[diagram of a six-pointed star]
The well known Hexagram or Solomon's Seal with which he was
said to have worked miracles, warded off danger and curbed
rebellious spirits was made of two equilateral triangles
interlaced forming a six pointed star. It symbolized the
COMPLETED WHOLE OF LIFE. The union of spirit and matter.
Wherefore the Man is represented as a Pentagon, within the
Hexagon Star, the Universe.
THE CROSS
The origin of the Cross is in the mists of antiquity. We do
not know who first discovered fire, or who shaped the first
pottery vase, or who built the first human inhabitation, nor
do we know who first made a cross. It differed in shape and
design as ancient peoples and civilizations differed. But
in some form, all through the ages, the cross has existed
and has had a vital significance and influence.
Probably the earliest known form of the cross was represented
by the intersection of two lines at right angles. From it
evolved the Swastika or Gammate Cross, which in its original
form was in the shape of a curious capital Z. Its earliest
significance was prosperity, its latest, for it is a symbol
still in use, is GOOD luck.
So to symbolize the inner nature of man, that inner world of
feeling and emotion, we shall liken it to the upright bar of
the Cross [small diagram of an upright bar].
To represent the effort man makes to live up to his ideals
and thus express his real self we shall take the Cross-bar
of the Cross, representing the Will.
[small diagram of a horizontal bar] In the beginning
the cross bar is at the bottom of the upright bar, and as
man progresses, the cross bar gradually rises, or drops,
according as he exemplifies in his life the ethical teachings
of his religion, be that what it may. The way is not a
simple matter, as anyone may prove for himself by endeavoring
to live a life in accord with his own standard of right, but
in the effort so to live one will find that apprehension is
quickened and comprehension deepened, and knowledge will be
more easily acquired. Personal effort must be made! The
cross is the supreme emblem of Christianity, symbolic of
SACRIFICE and redemption. It is difficult for us in the
midst of our modern and intensely material civilization to
realize how vital and how widespread has been the influence
of the cross all through the centuries. In our own country
at the beginning of its history, the cross had its place and
influence. The early settlers raised a cross wherever they
went as a symbol that it was to be a Christian land. But the
cross was seldom seen after the first permanent settlers came
to these shores. They were the Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers,
Dissenters and adventurers. Not a cross-bearer among them.
But in the old world, for centuries before and after the new
world was discovered, the cross was almost everywhere to be
seen. No great enterprise or crusade was undertaken that did
not have the cross carried upon a staff or embroidered upon
a banner. Here are a few examples, altars, in processions,
woven into vestments, pictured on canvas, and in stained
glass, in frescoes and mosaics fashioned with rich
craftsmanship and hung upon the walls of cathedrals which
were themselves built in the design of the cross. On every
spire and many gables were crosses of iron and stone, and in
the churchyards they marked the resting places of the dead.
Everywhere were wayside shrines with crosses of wood and
stone. The Crusader's sword was cross-hilted and every
knight dedicated his sword upon the altar and wore a cross
upon his breast, as he went forth upon a crusade. The
escutcheons of most ancient families bore it in varied forms
and it appeared frequently on the coins and metals of the
realm. The cross is a symbol more universal in its use and
more important in its significance than any other in the
world.
[diagrams of various crosses, titled:] PAGAN, GREEK, LATIN,
U-TAU CROSS, ST. ANDREW'S, THE FLORIATED CROSS, PILGRIM,
LABARUM (early Christian Cross). MALTESE, CRUXANSATA
(Egyptian) and CELTIC. MAN THE CROSS!
Emblem of Eternal Hope
The mystery of Life and Death
[diagram of a lotus flower, with a bird [dove?] over it]
The use of the lotus as a symbol of creation or the beginning
of life extends back beyond the measurements of time. A
growth of the watery element, without roots in the earth,
nourished by the rays of the sun, the lotus was a symbol par
excellence of the power of nature through the agency of fire
and water. As the world was conceived to have come into
being by the inter-action of these two elements, the lotus
became the dual symbol of spirit and MATTER or the "spirit
moving upon the face of the waters."
The ancients, who did nothing in a meaningless way, creating
and developing form not only to shelter and protect life, but
to express in all ways, as beautifully as their imagination
and skill would permit, their profound belief in and worship
of Life, made elaborate use of the leaves, buds and flowers
of the lotus as decorative motifs, and this symbol became
one of the most important decorative features in the
architectural designs of Egypt and India.
Always arriving by way of nature, it is interesting to trace
back definitely to the underlying thought of Life. And
nowhere is the idea of growth from the soil upward, reaching
toward heaven, better expressed than in these Egyptian
columns which, resting firmly upon the ground, terminate
above in capitals formed like the lotus-symbol of creative
energy, life, immortality.
The lotus is called the Flower of Light and Flower of Life,
"flower de luce" and "fluer de lis." This light shining
in the darkness was like Christ the Light of the World
symbolized by the "Fleur de Lis."
The stories of Aaron's rod that budded and also in Wagner's
great opera, Taunhauser, where the budding staff of the pope
signifies the unfolding blossoms - unfoldment of spiritual
understanding found therein. All beautiful flowers as rose,
water-lily represent spiritual unfoldment and attainment.
(Illustrated talk on symbols given by Mrs. [
2441] at the
Tenth Annual Congress of the Association for Research and
Enlightenment, Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., June 21, 1941)
7/02/41 [
2441]'s letter to EC:
..., Penna.
Dear Teacher,
That you truly are! Because every moment I was in your
presence I was being taught the much needed lessons of utter
consecration, selflessness and humility. And then as I told
you when I was there you answered all the questions in my
mind. In going back over a letter you sent me April 2nd
where you said "May be best that you get the answer first
to what you 'reached out for' and if you find that, then the
why and wherefore may be of particular interest." I know
now what it was I reached out for and I have found it
within myself and oh so very much within you, God bless you.
In one of the first lessons from the Arcane school is given
the following; "The life of service involves consequently
an identification of the unit, man, with group interests and
considerations. Here is a point where many people go astray;
we will touch upon it briefly. The group interest with
which the Soul is impelling the lower man to merge himself
is the group of Souls with which the man is linked; it is not
necessarily the particular group of human beings with which
he is temporarily identified. One of the main objectives
of life-training at this time is to bring certain earnest
students into such a condition that they will recognize their
'own group' and the units of that group wherever met and
contacted. Many lives are spent by the Soul in urging the
Personality towards these identifications. We have to find
our group, to awaken its interests and to recognize the unity
of effort underlying the work of perhaps widely separated
units. The life of service, as viewed by the occult student,
necessitates an ability to contact the plans of the Hierarchy
of perfected Souls, to get a vision of the purpose of the
Guides of the races and to ascertain the part of the general
scheme for which his particular group is responsible.
Remember it is a GROUP with which we have to work." And so
with this quotation I should like to say that at this late
stage in my life I have found my group. I shall be only too
glad to help carry on the splendid work that has ben going on
in the Association.
I should like to quote from my life reading, "As to the
abilities of the entity in the present, then, - that to which
it may attain, and how: - the entity is as a director, a
teacher, - yea, the more as a scribe or writer of that which
has been and is the purifying needed; in body, in mind, for
the attaining of the attunement to the Creative Forces. But
attune all such to Him, the law-giver, the law interpreter,
- who came not to do away with the law but to fulfill; even
as ye must do in thy daily life and daily application." I
should like to be able to write of that which has been and is
the purifying needed; in body, in mind, for the attaining of
the attunement to the Creative Forces. So I have looked in
the Bible under the word Purify and find Tit. 2.14; Jas. 4.8;
1 Peter 1.22. Wonder whether the physical and life readings
or mental ones would not be of help. Seems to me that is the
reason I came to Virginia Beach. Hardly know where to begin.
Could you make a suggestion?
Don't know whether we shall get to the beach again this
summer or not. The last thing Mrs. [
1100] said to us, Mr.
[
2462] and me was, "see you at the beach over Labor Day."
We are planning to move into our new home about that time so
can't say but only wish it were possible. But I certainly
shall plan on next year whether as a member of the board of
trustees or not. It would be an honor indeed, but if I am
not qualified to hold such a position I am satisfied to be
an active member.
As for your ability in Jelly-making you do certainly excel.
Ours was Apple and it was good. Mr. [
2462] also enjoys this
art and suggested we mail you some of his. He made some plum
last year. He says that leaving the seeds in it makes it
better. We will let you be the judge.
With love to you all,
Sincerely, [
2441]
7/08/41 EC's letter to [
2441]:
Dear Mrs. [
2441]:
Thanks for yours of the 2nd - you do say such nice things.
Thank you, may the Lord Bless you, and keep me in such a way
that I may indeed be a channel of blessings to many. Yes,
sir, the answer must always be within self. That way alone
can and is it our own - yet never possessive, but to be given
out, and as we give more and more do we receive. Is just
like love divine, the more one gives, the more they have.
You have expressed it precisely regarding groups and all,
I feel at times so many fail, because they insist that one
belongs to this or that group, and it is never the group
or tenet that is to be worshipped or even held aloft - but
the good that such brings into the experience of the other
fellow.
A friend of mine [[
541]?], one whom have never met, but who
says her reading started her to writing, and think the
enclosed indicates she has the real ideal. In one of
her efforts "Holy Day", tell me what you think of it.
Thank you for your quotation from your lesson - it is lovely
and true, so true. One wonders how so many fail to see and
know - unless it is - "she thou gavest me, she persuaded me."
Thank you, [
2441] - do need you, your help. It is wonderful
to have found you. Had a lady [
2529] in from ..., Sunday,
said her Dr. told her to come here, then she talked with
Miss [
1747]. Well, as she said - "after I talked with her, I
even forgot to comb my hair, came off without a coat, was so
anxious to get here." May the Lord have mercy on us all and
guide us aright.
Would I make a suggestion - would desire that each have a
Mental and spiritual reading - yet fewer have these than any
type - believe because they are not ready - think you are.
Do wish tho you were present when it was given - do you or
do you not feel there is something in hearing what is said
- have imagined there is something in hearing them - then
having them to help recall what we heard.
Oh, yes, you must get to the Beach again - believe that Mr.
[
470] and Mrs. [
1100] will come, and you and Mr. [
2462] must
come. Think we need you.
Glad you like the jelly - would be nice to have a bit of the
plum. Am sure would enjoy it.
Will let you know just exactly what the reading says about
you. This is very irregular - am sure - but who wishes to
be regular.
Thanks again for every thing - the drawings were lovely -
don't know how soon they will have Congress report, but do
appreciate your fixing the stencils for us.
Love from all to you and yours
Sincerely [signed] Edgar Cayce
7/29/41 [
2441]'s letter to EC:
..., Penna.
Dear Mr. Cayce,
I notice that your letter of July 8th is getting farther and
farther away from being answered. I have wanted to be able
to give something worth while in my letters. Well I have
been studying the Constitution of Man. I have to know just
what goes on in this marvelous constitution. I have found
many helpful thoughts regarding the Astral plane, prana and
the Akashic records. If I am to help in the Association
I must know these things to be of any real value. How
little we really know about Man and his creative abilities!
The group in the Association will really be the means of
synthesizing all the theories which I have studied about
and which if not used would become as a stagnant pool.
Since I have come back from the beach I found the book by
the imperator of the Rosicrucian Order, H. Spencer Lewis
entitled "The Mystical Life of Jesus." The information in it
regarding the Essenes would be of very much interest to the
Association. The question "Why has the history or story of
the Essenes been withheld from general knowledge?" was asked
and the answer is simply that there was a desire on the part
of those who knew the story to keep the Essene Brotherhood
shrouded in mystery for the purpose of protecting its work
and teachings from being publicly discussed and eventually
criticized and scoffed at by those students or professors
of orthodox Christianity who have labored so diligently
in the past to make even a greater mystery of Christ and
Christianity. He goes on to say that because of a broader
minded view that is taken by the average educated student
he is justified in giving the following facts in regard to
the Essenes. The Essenes were a branch of the illuminated
brotherhood or Great White Lodge, which had its birth in the
country of Egypt during the years preceding Amenhotep the
Fourth, Pharaoh of Egypt, and the great founder of the first
monotheistic religion, who supported and encouraged the
existence of a secret brotherhood to teach the mystic
truths of life. The several mystic schools of Egypt, which
were united under one head constituting the Great White
Brotherhood, assumed different names in different parts of
the world, in accordance with the languages of each country,
and the peculiarities of the general religious or spiritual
thought of the people. We find that at Alexandria, the
members of the Brotherhood there assumed the name of Essenes.
The word Essenes truly comes from the Egyptian word Kashai,
which means "secret." And there is a Jewish word of similar
sound, chsahi, meaning "secret" or "silent"; and this word
would naturally be translated into essaios or "Essene",
denoting "secret" or "mystic." Even Josephus found that the
Egyptian symbols of light and truth are represented by the
word choshen, which transliterates into the Greek as "Essen."
Historical references have also been found wherein the
priests of the ancient temples of Ephesus bore the name of
Essene. A branch of the organization, established by the
Greeks, translated the word Essene as being derived from the
Syrian word assya meaning "physician," into the Greek word
therapeutes, having the same meaning. The Rosicrucian
records clearly state that the original word was meant to
imply a secret brotherhood, and while most of the members
became physicians and healers, the organization was devoted
to many other humanitarian practices besides the art of
healing, and not all of its members were physicians in any
sense. The spread of the organization into the many lands
near Egypt was slow and natural, in accordance with the
awakening consciousness of the people; and we find that
the Essene Brotherhood became a very definite branch of the
Great White Brotherhood representing the outer activities
of the G.W.B; which was primarily a school of learning and
instruction. Thus, for several centuries before the dawn of
the Christian Era, the Essene Brotherhood, as an active band
of workers, maintained two principal centers, one in Egypt
on the banks of Lake Maoris, where the great Master Morya-El
the Illustrious was born in his first known reincarnation,
educated, prepared for his great mission, and established
the principle and law of baptism as a spiritual step in the
process of initiation. The other principal center of the
Essene Brotherhood was first established in Palestine, at
Engaddi near the Dead Sea.
(That is strange that I thought in the eyes that I had
contacted that they were the eyes of the Master M.)
The branch in Palestine had to contend with the despotism
of the rulers of that country and the jealousy of the
priesthood. These conditions forced the Essenes in Palestine
to hold themselves in greater silence and solitude than they
had been accustomed to in Egypt. Before they moved from
their small buildings and sacred enclosure at Engaddi, to the
ancient buildings on Mount Carmel, their principal activity
seemed to be the translation of ancient manuscripts and
preservation of such traditions and records as constituted
the foundation of their teachings. It is recorded that when
the time came for them to move from Engaddi to Mount Carmel,
their greatest problem was the secret movement of these
manuscripts and records. Fortunately for us, they succeeded
in preserving the rarest of the manuscripts that came out of
Egypt, and in other ways preserved the ancient, traditional
stories and teachings. It is from these that we derive most
of our knowledge regarding the Essenes and the Great White
Brotherhood.
Every member of the Essenes in Egypt or Palestine, or of the
Therapeuti, as they were called in other lands, had to be
a pure blooded descendant of the Aryan race. This point
is very important in connection with the facts that will be
revealed regarding the birth and life of the Master Jesus.
Likewise, they were the students of the Avesta writings, and
adhered to the principles taught therein, which laid great
stress upon a healthy body and a powerful mind. Before
any qualified Aryan could become an Adept in the Essene
Brotherhood, he had to be prepared in childhood under certain
teachers and instructors, raised with a healthy body, and
had to be able to exercise certain mental powers under test.
Every adult applicant who was allowed to partake of the daily
meal in the Brotherhood building, was assigned at the time
of his initiation to a definite mission in life, and this
mission had to be adhered to regardless of all obstacles,
and all temptations, even to the sacrifice of his life. Some
chose to be physicians or healers, others artisans, teachers,
missionaries, translators, scribes, and so forth. Whatever
worldly things they possessed at the time of their initiation
had to be donated to the common fund, from which all drew
only as was needed. And the simple life they led, free from
any indulgence in the pleasures common to the public, made it
unnecessary for them to draw upon these funds except in rare
instances.
Immediately upon initiation, each member adopted a robe of
white composed of one piece of material, and he wore sandals
only in such weather or at such times as was absolutely
necessary. Their attire was so distinct or unique that among
the populace they were known as the Brethren in White
Clothing. The term Essene was not popularly known, and only
the learned knew of it. This accounts for the lack of
references to the Essenes in most of the popular histories or
writings of the time. I'll not copy more but he takes up
their living, the council of judges, their laws, "Judge not
- lest ye be judged also." Next follows the Ten articles of
Faith. He tells of the departments with their stewards, the
hospices called Bethseida the beginnings of hospitals. And
the special staff of workers called Hospitalers which later
became a more or less separate organization. Rescue homes
and the entrance to most cities had a place called a Gate.
Recent discoveries in Jerusalem have revealed the existence
of a Gate known as the Essene Gate. Marriage and women were
then taken up in this book. The problem of orphan children
and also that of servants. We must remember he says that in
the days when these rules were adopted, most servants in
every wealthy household, or the servants of a king or
potentate of any kind, were like slaves, and, of course,
among the Essenes every man and women was a free being, and
slavery or serfdom of any kind was absolutely prohibited.
(What of Hitler and his slaves!)
Please forgive me for copying so much of this material. I
have been so interested in it that I thought others would be
also. I wrote to Mrs. [
2072] about the book and they have
a copy of it so she said out it came for reading. It had
belonged to [
1861]. The birth of Mary and of how her parents
left her in the Temple and then when it is time for her vow
to be fulfilled and the conception and birth of Jesus is
marvelous to read. Trembling beauty! I have not finished
the whole book but read it occasionally. Trying to make it
last a long while. Speaking of Mrs. [
2072] and her ability
to write the most individual letter I have ever read. It
gives me great joy to know that I met one so beautiful! Her
Mental and Spiritual Reading [
2072-4] must have been lovely.
She quoted to me passages which she thought I would enjoy
because of my interest in symbolism. And then she sent me
a page on Numerology [
5751] which she had copied from the
readings while at the Beach. Such a grand person!
Yes, I do feel that one receives so much from hearing the
reading. Such a full feeling that it lasts for such a long
time and then it is time to receive a copy and read it again.
Perhaps when the board meeting after the publishing of the
book I might get one then. I should like to be there and to
hear it direct.
The poem which you sent to me is a good beginner. Perhaps
a little trite. I really am not a judge of poetry. Today
those writing do not seem to write in the singsong rhythm of
yesterday. I forget all I knew about meter but she perhaps
would gain much from studying all the different meters and
then trying again. Cruel sounding perhaps, but things which
are commonplace are just more things. Perfection of course
is the goal and the road is long and difficult but it is by
trying again and again to be perfect that we succeed. Is it
not so?
Mrs. [
2520] tells me that you have had company [his sisters
from Ky.] and I know that you have been enjoying their visit.
Hope this letter did not keep you too long away from them.
This is to be our fourth life together, working and striving
to help others. Here's to a year of much success in the
Association.
Sincerely and lovingly yours, [
2441]
8/28/41 She wired for an emergency Physical Reading - See
2441-3.
Edgar Cayce Readings © 1971, 1993, 1994, 1995 by the Edgar Cayce Foundation