This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 7th day of April, 1928, in accordance with request made the by themselves - Mrs. [2457] & Mr. [3657].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. L. B. Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the bodies and the enquiring minds of [2457] and [3657], ..., Alabama, and their business associations and relations. You will give them advice that will aid them in getting located properly at this time, telling them what changes would be best for them and where the change in location should be made to. You will answer any other questions I may ask you regarding same.
2. EC: Yes, we have the body here, the enquiring mind of [2457], the enquiring mind of [3657].
3. Now, respecting their business relations and the desire of each to locate at this time where there may be, at least, the CHANCE for the success of the undertakings. There are many conditions to be considered in this light. There are many varying circumstances that have to do with the failure or the success of an undertaking. The abilities of the body are above the average, even above the normal in some lines, yet there are those hindrances also associated with the undertakings that do not savour of the correct principles, or correct status of conditions, as would bring about the best for each. There are differences that arise that made and bring unpleasantnesses; not only in the regular way, but bring those that make it unpleasant for either of the individuals to go about either the business or social relations in the proper way.
4. In making, then, any changes, all these things must first be considered; for while already there is in the minds of them that there may be better circumstances, more opportunities, broader fields of endeavor - these are true, and in that district wherein these have ALREADY made some inquiries, made partial arrangements that were such and such to happen, or do such and such changes come about, that this would be the better place for location - in the Birmingham or in the mineral district. This good, even as any other would be, with the abilities of either or both. To make a success of their lives, first there must be that correct principle from which each must labor; which is first finding self, and self in the correct relationship with each other, with the fellow man, and first of all with the creative forces as give that as may be applied in the material or the spiritual life, and THROUGH same come those successes, those satisfactions, that are in keeping with the promises as have been made. Be persistent, be consistent, and above all remain true to every promise as has been and is made between each. WHEREVER either might decide to endeavor to build up the right kind of surroundings for such business relations, there the success may be made - whether in Birmingham, Mobile, Cullman, or in the East. Any change, necessarily, brings much of the new fields to be gone through, new friendships, new conditions must be created, and if these are builded on the same principles that have brought to the bodies the conditions now existent - the same conditions will be the result.
5. Then the change most to make, is in self. NOT so much in the ABILITY to apply self, but in the APPLICATION of self to EVERY condition presented to self for the activity of that KNOWN to be in the proper direction. Do that.
6. We are through with this reading.

BACKGROUND

1. 4/01/28 Mrs. [2457]'s letter: "Things at the store [her husband, [3657], was a jeweler, optometrist] are just at a standstill - blank nuisance."
2. 4/03/28 Wire: "How soon is it possible for you to give [3657] a Physical or Life Reading telling him where to locate? I want him right this time. Wire me when, collect."
3. 4/03/28 Letter: "As you see from the N/L I am in distress again. What is about to happen is going to happen next week from all accounts now - and [3657] has made up his mind to leave...so that's the reason I asked you to help. It will hurt to leave this house but worse things have happened and more may, unless we do.
   "He asked me to write you for a reading for him. He is so upset and worried and I do want him to get right this time. There have been mistakes made in all our lives but we are trying to better one made 15 years ago this month [GD's note: I think she is referring to their wedding. It seems that [3657] had become steadily more addicted to drink and would get into all kinds of trouble while under the influence. See 3567-1 Background]. I know it is asking a whole heap to break into your routine and if you can't, why I guess it will be alright.
   "I am fighting like heck to show that it doesn't make any difference but it seems to me I'm making a mighty poor attempt... [3657] was talking of settling in the Birmingham district. We don't seem to make any progress here, just make ends meet and that's about all.
   "You know, letter for letter, but things and events are happening too fast, so consequently you are flooded."
4. 4/06/28 EC's letter:
   Yours of the 1st, your wire and also special delivery, received - and just at a time that it seems to me I never had so many special requests on hand, and - too - I don't know whether I fully understand just what [3657] wants or not. I do not think that the regular Life Reading would be beneficial to him just at this particular time. Just what sort of information he would want. I don't know. I hope, however, I will be able to undertake this for you tomorrow. I will do the best I can - for, of course, if he has already made up his mind, there's not much of anything that would change it effectively - but, we will see what the reading will give. I feel sure there is a great deal more back of all this than is on the surface, and its not one-sided either. That's why it is such a hard thing to get information of this kind that is worth while, for you know the readings do not approach anything except from the purely spiritual side of any question. They are not even material-minded enough to help me out in a pinch, and I can't ask somebody else to try and use something that I can't use myself! But, if one will let their inner life be the CRITERION, and the material things of life the RESULT of a proper spiritual life, its a different question entirely - but alas, how few of us approach life in that way or manner! We promise ourselves we'd do better if we had more! When if we don't do better with what we've got, its very certain we would NOT do better if we had more; for truly was it said, "Shall be taken away from him that which even he SEEMETH to have."
   [3657] has made up his mind he's going to Birmingham, and he's going - and don't think that those very same things that have been bothering him, and you, are not going to follow. They SURE will, just as sure as Adam ate the little apple! for that's absolutely what the eating of the little apple was.

REPORTS

1. 5/11/28 Mrs. [2457]'s letter: "Did you see [3657]'s name in the 'Society Column'? - Civil Court, Tuesday... Things are still dragging, and I think he intends (from the present situation) to remain in ... Guess it is just as well, for I have spent about 37 years on the plane in this place, so just as well fight out the other 64 years. I enjoy life so much and do have such a time at times that I want to - well. You have felt that way yourself many a time but regardless we take hold of the bit again and work harder than ever. Such is life. The sorrows and disappointments, though they are terribly hard to bear at the time, after they are over we wonder why. I am not a good Philosopher.
   ...You warned me in my Life Reading [2457-2] to be careful of this world's goods. I thought I was, but since I have been put through the mill, and not all the way through yet, I find many leaks very unnecessary. Spilt milk..."
2. 4/02/30 Mrs. [2457] obtained her second Physical Reading - see 2457-4.
3. 6/24/32 A baby son was born to Mrs. [2457]. She named him for her husband AND EC.
4. 1/29/44 Her husband, Mr. [3657], obtained a Life Reading.

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