This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 18th day of October, 1941, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [2608], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Miss Florence Edmonds.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mrs. [2608], Florence Edmonds, Esther Wynne and Minnie Barrett. Born March 1, 1885, in Onslow County, North Carolina.

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, that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions, as I ask them:
2. EC: (In going back over years from the present - " - '35 - yes - '98 - what a change in the environs! - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [2608].
4. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, there are varied manners of interpretation. There are varied approaches. But these we choose, that this information may be a helpful experience for this entity; enabling the entity now to fulfil those purposes for which it entered this sojourn.
5. Each material manifestation of a soul in the earth should indicated to the soul the awareness that the Creative Force, God, is mindful of thee, and that thou should be mindful that thy experience is to the glory of that opportunity which is manifested in thy abilities to magnify that influence, that force among thy fellow men to the glory of Him who hath made it possible for thee to approach the throne of grace.
6. In material manifestations urges arise in the experience of each soul, fostered by influences which arise from within and from without.
7. The material urges are manifested in the environment, the others in the hereditary forces. These bespeak rather of influences little understood, save from the spiritual interpretations of same.
8. Thus a soul is in the earth, in the material manifestations, as in a school of experience. For, no soul gains knowledge or understanding save through experience.
9. The experience is not of another's making, but of thine own. For in spiritual truths, His spirit beareth witness with thy spirit, - not thy uncle nor thy aunt, nor thy father or mother, but thy soul self.
10. For, until the Creative Force - or God - becomes a personal experience of the soul it has only been heard of, and the activity more oft is because of what others will say. This may be truly called environment, while those experiences while absent from the body are in that realm in which the soul is present with what it has done about the opportunities in the material plane. Thus this may be truly called a spiritual-hereditary influence. Here it is called astrological aspects.
11. For ye live, ye move in an environ of dimensions according to the awareness and application of thyself to these influences in thy activity. It is not then what ye think or what ye say that counts, but what thy soul desires, what thy soul hopes for, what thy soul manifests in thy relationships to these environs; that are opportunities for the application of that understanding ye MAY have at any given period of manifestation.
12. Thus, astrologically, in the solar system of which the earth is a part, other environs are manifestations of the influence that controls centers in the human body, - as the brain, the sun, - sex, the moon, - as the centers through which activity manifests in the five senses of the body, and the centers that manifest same.
13. To such has been accredited, then, those influences represented in what a soul-entity may have applied in the individual self. THAT magnified, to be absent from the body is to be present with that ye have magnified, or glorified, in thy relationships one with another.
14. For He hast not willed that a soul should perish, but hath with every temptation prepared a way, a means for correction; and it is through those awarenesses, or those dimensions, that these take their course with an individual entity.
15. In thyself ye find Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus as thy experiences; to be sure with their correlating from earth's experience in the sun AND the moon.
16. Either or any of these may be magnified to the detriment of another. It is best that they be correlated, co-balanced. For, as the earth - we find body, mind, soul; in the Godhead we find Father, Son, Holy, Spirit. These are one.
17. So, in thy dealings, be not the extremist - as may be magnified either from the Uranian or the Venus influence. For these partake of those influences. These cause the urges by their expression, not because of thy being born at any given hour when this or that planet was in the ascendancy, or in the 1st, 2nd or 9th house, but because of thy doings THROUGH those environs or those dimensions.
18. In Venus we find the love influence, the desire for beauty.
19. From Jupiter we find the universality.
20. In Mercury we find the judgement.
21. In Uranus there are the extremes, both in the physical and the mental at times, and in the application of these in thy experience or associations with thy fellow men. These thou hast not always used well, but thou art using them well in the present.
22. Good alone lives on. For, good is of God.
23. All temporal, all physical, all of the three dimensional passes away. Only that which is of spirit, of mind, that is of the holy spirit, of the way, the Son, lives on - for it has then attained in the flesh, in the manifestation.
24. Thus, as indicated in the beginning, it behooves each soul to so live, to so magnify those influences in the experience that it becomes a growth, the nearer to the more perfect understanding.
25. In the flesh, or in the experiences, these find reflections in what may be the more often termed the appetites, or the senses of the body, and thus become animate or inanimate, according to the application of such in an entity's experience.
26. Each soul in its awareness is born into an environ materially, an environ spiritually, an environ that may be of the making or the undoing; dependent upon the will - the birthright, the gift of each soul that it may make itself manifest and one with that Creative Force, and not merely an automaton that would be moved only as it would not.
27. The ability is given each soul to make its will one with His.
28. Hence, as the Way ever prayed, ever acted ever lived through the experience, "Not my will but Thine, O God, be done in and through me."
29. This is the way, this is the understanding to which each soul attains as it journeys through those experiences meeting same.
30. As to this entity's appearances in the earth, - these have responded to the latent and manifested urges in the emotions, which express themselves either as the great talker or in the feeling or emotion, or in that of sense, or in the abilities to conceive odors, or to vision, see or apply or make manifest those expressions found through the reflections of the sun upon the moon and upon the body-emotions of an entity itself. Or the abilities that have grown with this entity through experiences in the earth, of the laying on of hands to bring quietness, the answering as of face to face in water, as in "My spirit beareth witness with thy spirit."
31. Who maketh the heavens and the earth? Who brought them into being? He that is the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, He that IS mindful ever, He that pitieth His children; He, though, that giveth them will that they may war one against another, and again love to that measure as to bring peace, harmony, beauty, joy in the earth itself, though it is of the earth earthy.
32. Not all of the appearances may be given here, for the entity has passed many of those not beautiful in the experience, but has taken hold upon those that do find reflection in that of truth which IS the experience and the opportunity of each soul through its sojourns in the earth.
33. As indicated then from the astrological sojourns, so may there be given here the material sojourns that in a manner respond, or correspond, to how the entity is in the present correlating same with its activities among its fellow men.
34. Before this, then, we find that the entity was in the Scotch or English land, - or the Scotch portion of same, - during those periods when there were the Holy Wars.
35. There the entity was among those that knew the fire of nature as prompted individuals through the environs to be aroused to an activity. Yet the inner life, the deed in thine own environ was not as sincere as that far away.
36. Thus, as is the experience of the entity, as is the experience of most, far away fields become the more green, the more beautiful; those things that partake of or hold to such. Yet as was given by the lawgiver of old, as the entity understood from its associations in that experience, it is not that one should come from over the seas to bring a message, or that there would be a resounding even from heaven; for lo, it is within thine own heart.
37. In that experience the entity suffered materially, the entity gained mentally and spiritually. For the entity learned to carry on. Though the environs, the surroundings oft became torn with the turmoils of the world, the entity loved her neighbor, - not materially, but spiritually, and manifested same through that period.
38. The name was then Shada Erlingon.
39. Before that the entity was in the Promised Land, during those periods when there were the preparations for changes as predicted by many of those who studied the cycles of time for the changes and the incoming of that promise to the world.
40. The entity then was among the Essenes, yet also among those close in the temple that was temporal. This made for a division in the entity's material experience. For, being convinced in mind, the body was surrounded by the material ethics and traditions of its own household, so that it brought turmoils. Yet the entity - not secretly, yet not openly - espoused the cause when there was the gathering of the Twelve that were offered as channels through which the Holy Spirit might make manifest.
41. Thus we find the entity prepared for the announcements or pronouncements by the heavenly host, and yet not able - because of tradition, because of the conditions in the environs - to take part materially.
42. Hence the entity finds in the present experience so much of tradition that hinders individuals in the acceptance of spiritual as well as heavenly influences that are the birthright of each soul, if it will but open the door.
43. For, as He hath given, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." What door? What door? Is it without? Is it thy house? Is it thy Temple?
44. Thy body is indeed the temple of the living God. Where in thy body, then, is the door through which - when ye open it - the Christ may come in, the Christ-Conscience? He is the Son of righteousness. He is the sun of thy soul. He is the maker, and thus through that awareness ye may make thy whole purpose one with Him - in thy sincerity.
45. Don't fool thyself. Do not allow those things to enter that would add material, add self, add anything that is of a temporal nature.
46. Not that all the beauty, all the glory, all the wealth of the world may not be at thy disposal. For the silver and the gold are His.
47. But that thou hast, use as thou didst in thy experience in that sojourn, - as Japhter.
48. Before that the entity was in the land of Ur, when there were those journeys of that one called.
49. The entity was among those of that household, who knew and understood, and who made administrations for the welfare of Abraham and Sarah. The entity knew of those choices when there were the attempts on the part of man to force an issue with God.
50. How oft ye find in thy experiences today that there are those same attempts on the part of individuals to tell God how they desire health, position, to be well-spoken of.
51. Know thou that He knoweth these things. Hath He not been evilspoken of? Hasn't man defied Him to His face? Hasn't man attempted to sneak away in the dark, in the shadow, in that of self-indulgence?
52. These ye know, but these - as thou hast in thy experiences in the earth - ye are now taking hold of in thy dealings with thy fellow man. Make same manifest. For ye have seen their undoings in the experiences, and they are a part of thy heritage, - environmental, hereditary, - of the spiritual sources of thy experience.
53. The name then was Szubar.
54. As to the abilities of the entity in th present, then:
55. Who may say how high is perfect, or how deep is hell? save those souls who attempt to skim or see the shadow of each, and yet keep aloof from both.
56. The way ye know, the truth ye know. Apply these in thy dealings with thy fellow man.
57. As ye have ministered in mind to the body of others, as ye have ministered in thy person to the activities of those that made the way for others to know, and as ye have ministered in body, in mind, in purpose to those who brought changes in the earth, - so may ye in the present minster in body, in mind, in purpose, in spirit, to the FAILINGS, - physically and mentally, - of thy fellow man.
58. Fail not. For ye would not stumble again.
59. Ready for questions.
60. (Q) What is my true life's work?
    (A) Read just what's given.
61. (Q) For what did I come into this experience?
    (A) Haven't you seen it here?
62. (Q) Should I locate in any city and work out from it?
    (A) Use with all thy might what thy hands find to do, where ye are; and when it is time to move, let Him guide thee where to go.
63. (Q) What is my definite work in the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.?
    (A) That, too, ye must find. As it measures up to thy ideals, and in its manner of ministering to others, that ye may accept. That as does not measure up, reject.
64. (Q) What should be the nature of my work of healing or teaching, or both?
    (A) As has been indicated, the laying on of hands; not only as ye saw in thy experience through the trying periods in the English and Scotch land, but also through those periods when He whom ye fostered - though not openly - laid on hands, even as thou may do. For as He has done you may do, if ye live the life, if ye act in that way as to bring that full awareness in all PHASES of the urges within thy body, thy mind, thy soul being at one.
65. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 10/18/41 Questions submitted prior to 2608-1:
   1. What is my true life's work? 2. For what did I come into this experience? 3. Should I locate in any city and work out from it? 4. What city? 5. What is my definite work in the Ass'n for Research & enlightenment, Inc.? 6. What should be the nature of my work of healing or teaching, or both? 7. Would it be well for me to establish a Faith Temple in Norfolk? 8. What is the best step for me to take in order to put some of my literary work on the market? 9. Would it be well for me to borrow money to open a faith mission? 10. How may I be able materially to devote more of my time to spiritual work? 11. Is it indicated that my husband, who is now in a hospital, will ever be able to be restored to his family? 12. Would it be well for me, in order to do my life work, to consider a divorce? 13. Please give me some advice in healing that will help me to be a more perfect channel and yet not to become so depleted myself in body. 14. Am I psychic? If so, in what way may I use it in order to be of greater service? 15. What is my seal? 16. What colors should I wear?

REPORTS

1. 8/09/50 [2608]'s letter:
   P.O. Box 874 - Zone, 7 ..., Virginia
   To the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc. Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va.
   Dear student friends in the "Master's service", I send each of you greetings in His precious name, with the sincere hope that these few lines reach, and find that you are all enjoying good health, and are doing well generally.
   And too, that you are still carrying on, and prospering in the wonderful work that you were doing back in 1941-/42, when at that time I was an active member of your "Study Group", and derived much pleasure from same.
   Today, while unpacking a pack of books and special printed information, that had been packed away since the close of 1942.
   I found among these papers the "Psychic Reading" given to me, on the 18th day of October 1941, by our highly esteemed Teacher, Rev. Edgar Cayce, and there was also other valuable papers, important information in regard to the great work that he, and his co-workers were doing.
   I am an Evangelist, and a Bible Training School Teacher, and have the Bible Gift of the Laying on of Hands for Rest and Healing.
   The Lord has saved, and healed many people in my humble ministry.
   I had been working in this field of evangelism several years, when I met with, and joined your group of workers. Then as opportunity afforded, I spent much time in the deep study in which your group were employed at that time, covering a period of about two years.
   Then in the leading of the 'Spirit' by Rev. Edgar Cayce, I was advised to travel in the Evangelistic Field, to further the spread of Bible Evangelism.
   From then to a few months ago, I traveled continuously. Just teaching the Bible Way in Free Evangelism - not connected with any church or organization.
   It was essential for me to take a complete rest - so, I came home to Richmond, Va. Now the "spirit" is urging me to get busy about our Father's business again. There is not time to sit idle, there is so much work to be done.
   But instead of traveling alone, I have an urgent desire to come, and work with you dear people, if you have a place in your Headquarters Ministry where I can fit in, to continue this Work the Master has called me to do.
   I could settle there, and work under your jurisdiction as the Lord may lead. My Ministry is Evangelism - in Bible Teaching - and the Bible Gift of the Laying on of Hands - for Rest and Healing.
   This "pack" I refer to, that contained these papers, has been stored here at home for safe keeping, while I have traveled from place to place, for nigh eight years.
   Last night the Lord gave me a "spiritual vision" in regard to the great need for "spirit filled ministers" in the "Masters Mission Field", now.
   Then I was urged to open this "pack" and to get in touch with you dear people. So that is why I'm writing this. This is a small part of the vision.
   At first I was dreaming - then the "Blessed Teacher" caught me away in the spirit, and stood me on my feet, in the largest "wheat field" I had ever seen.
   It was in an immense valley - surrounded by rugged rock cliffs, at the foot of the mount of God.
   The side of the rugged mountain was strewn with thick clumps of underbrush, but a part of it, was naked bare rock, with narrow ravines here, and there, for the pass.
   The wheat was full ripe, and ready to glean - and I heard a "Voice" say several times, "Where are the Reapers"? but there were no reapers come.
   Then the "Voice" said - make a pasture for my sheep - and call the Faithful Shepherds!
   Then I looked over the wheat field and it seemed there were millions of hungry sheep, and for a short while they were content to eat.
   Then all at once they began to mill in terrible fright, and with a shepherd's staff in my right hand I began to search for the cause.
   I looked up on the mountain side - and with horror I beheld ravenous beasts, of wolves, lions, bears and tigers - coming out of the ravines and from behind the cliffs and bushes in large numbers. They came down into the valley - and the field of wheat - among the hapless sheep, and began to rend and to tear many of the helpless sheep apart - and to drag them piece by piece back to their dens in the mountain. It was awful.
   The "Voice" cried out in agony, again,
   "Where are the shepherds? Where are the shepherds? Where are the shepherds, that tend the sheep?"
   Only a few shepherds came with their staffs to fight a terrific battle to protect the frightened sheep, there were so many sheep and such a few faithful shepherds, it seemed almost impossible to protect the helpless sheep from the ravenous beasts, but as we fought with every effort to shield and protect the sheep - some one called my name in great distress - "Sister Ida - Sister Ida - Sister Ida - come quickly with your shepherd's staff to assist us."
   Then, the spirit lifted me off my feet and carried me over the mountain into another valley - It too, was surrounded by rocky cliffs the ground was rock strewn, and black muddy - and was barren of any green grass, or other vegetation.
   Looking up I saw Jesus Christ weeping over His church - as He stood in the mountain pass.
   Looking down in the valley, laying sprawled on the muddy ground were thousands of Ewe Sheep - mother sheep, helpless in their weakness. Many were in the throes of hard labour, paining and crying to be delivered - Some lambs had been born and were mostly dry - as the mother sheep lay prostrate on the muddy ground too weak to arise to their feet for the need of food, and attention.
   Many of the little lambs that had just been born lay wet, and shivering, on the cold muddy ground, for the lack of attention.
   Then there was a dark cloud or shadow overhead - and a heavy rustling of wings, and a terrible stink.
   It was the Vultures that had come to devour the half-starved mother sheep, and the helpless lambs, as they cried out in the agony of despair.
   I realized there were another few shepherds fighting with all their might to keep the vultures, and ravenous beasts away from the helpless sheep. As I fought in frenzy with my staff to protect the helpless sheep and lambs - my staff became entangled with something and I pausing to look, and to untangle my staff - I was astonished, for there besides me, with his shepherd's staff hooked in mine - was our precious Teacher - Rev. Edgar Cayce, and he said, "Be quick Sister Ida the Lord has great need of you to help me protect, and feed the sheep, and the lamb."
   Then I awoke with the urge to write you this letter - If you need me, let me hear from you real soon as I want to get settled to work right soon, I am your Sister in the Master's Service - and love in the Spirit of Christ.
   Rev. [2608] Bible Training Teacher, P.O. Box 874 - Zone 7, ..., Virginia
2. 8/22/50 I wrote Sam & Edna Benesch a card asking 'em to look her up & report, if time & inclination. GD.
3. 9/20/50 HLC's ltr. to Mrs. [2608]:
   Mrs. [2608] P.O. Box 874, Zone 7 ..., Virginia
   Dear Mrs. [2608]
   I must apologize for not answering your letter of August 9 sooner. Pressure here at the Headquarters has prevented me from handling my correspondence promptly.
   This morning I read with interest the life reading that Edgar Cayce gave you. I have also read with great interest your description of the visions which you have had.
   I understand from Miss Davis that you knew Esther Wynne and other members of the Norfolk study groups. Miss Wynne is the Director of our study group program and it is possible that there you may find an opportunity to work closely with us.
   I am sending you under separate cover our publications lists, membership blank, BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS, HIS OWN COUNTRY, copy of THE SEARCHLIGHT and a pamphlet on study group work.
   I am forwarding your letter to Miss Wynne and I am sure that you will hear from her direct.
   Sincerely yours, Hugh Lynn Cayce [HLC:mb]
   cc: Miss Esther Wynne, 2709 Lafayette Blvd., Norfolk, Va.
4. 9/25/50 E. Wynn's ltr. to Mrs. [2608]:
   2709 Lafayette Blvd., Norfolk 9, Va.
   Mrs. [2608] (folder) ..., Va.
   Dear Mrs. [2608]
   Since I am chairman of Study Group Work of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., Mr. Hugh Lynn Cayce asked me to write to you about our group training and activities.
   If there are any basic principles set for the members of the Association they are:
   First, "Know IN WHOM you believe as well as in what you believe." Second, "With all thy getting, get understanding." Third, "Study to show thyself approved..."
   The meaning of the first principle is so obvious that it needs no interpretation.
   As "to getting understanding," that not only refers to the spiritual, but to the mental; for it requires intellectual research into the heart of self, of our fellow man and into the heart of God in order to know our proper relation to each other. The wisest man once said, "With all thy getting, get understanding."
   "To show ourselves approved" unto others as well as unto God is an essential that no sincere worker can overlook. This brings us into a broad field of study both secular and spiritual.
   If we follow the reading given by Edgar Cayce we would study the following:
   The Gospel of John. Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17. Deuteronomy 30th, 34th. Psalms, 1st, 2nd, 24th, 91st, 23rd, 67th, 150th. The Revelation - John. Tertium Organum - P. D. Oupensky. The Law of Psychic Phenomena - Thomas J. Hudson. Varieties of Religious Experience - William James. Pamphlets and books published by Edgar Cayce Publishing Co. that deal with different phases of the work.
   I would suggest that you begin to study some of this literature, and as soon as you feel that you can, organize a group, if you do not have but one or two students. I will be glad to visit your group, and will do all I can to help you.
   Very sincerely yours, Esther Wynne

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