This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 30th day of March, 1942, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [2716], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [1861].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born April 24, 1909, in Blackstone, Va.

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 - " - '39 - changes - '36 - some anxieties - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as [2716].
4. In giving an interpretation of the records, we might say that some experiences have been tempestuous, some self-indulging, some karmic conditions that are expressed in the purges going on within the system physically in the present.
5. Then, in giving an interpretation of the records as we find them here, these are chosen with the desire and purpose that this may be a helpful experience for this entity; enabling it to better fulfil the purposes for which it entered this sojourn.
6. It is self-evident that each entity must minimize the faults - in others and in self, and magnify the virtues; yet, as a whole, this becomes much more necessary in the experience of this entity as it analyzes itself and applies the principles of an ideal life in its relationships with others.
7. For, from the astrological and material sojourns, - if a perspective were taken as to a composite of these, - these are virtues and faults that are apparent:
8. The entity is one that tends to desire to try everything new; new recipes, new modes or manners, new inventions, new types or designs of this or the other, - in dress, headdress, manner of speech or the like, or the little things that have to do with the character-forming habits of individuals.
9. Yet, there is an inclination at times to criticize others. Remember, before any thought is given, and especially before a speech or word is spoken, with what measure or judgment ye mete it will be measured to you again. This is an unchangeable law. And law is love, and love is law. It is law in spirit, it is law in mind, it is law in cause and effect.
10. In giving innate urges and sources from or through which these find expression in this material plane, we find that all influences are present.
11. For, there is ever the consciousness, - not only with this entity but it is a universal law, - of the individual in body or mind to partake of that influence about itself. This is environment, it also partakes of that which has been and is the expression through creative influences, or hereditary influences.
12. Thus we find these giving expression as to those forces that manifest through astrological aspects. Not because of being born under a certain star or planet, or because of any particular influence in the signs of the zodiac, but because of what ye as an entity have done about the opportunities of thy manifestation through material activities!
13. As we find with this entity, then:
14. One close to the cusps or changes in the zodiacal signs. Thus one who has periods of quite confusing influences within self; temperamental, as it may be termed, and yet it is the result of confusion within self. There is the desire that others give an expression of opinion, yet there is innately reserved in the entity the forming of its own conclusions, even from the opinions of others. This is very well, if the ideals of the entity are ideals and not ideas alone. Ideals have their basic principle in spiritual import.
15. While the mind is the builder, that as bespeaks of self or selfishness is ideas, not ideals.
16. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, the Sun and Moon are the ruling forces. Hence the high mental abilities, the appreciation of the beautiful, - in music, in associations, in temperaments as in relationships to others; becoming very intense in its love or loves, and equally so in its dislikes; having to do in Jupiter with rather the universal consciousness.
17. Hence the abilities of the entity especially to train or teach children should be the fields of activity, if the entity chooses any vocational influence.
18. Thus, as we find, the appreciation of character, of home, of love, of duty; these may be best manifested in the moulding periods of individuals.
19. The home is the natural environ for the entity, and that with a spiritual program as its basis, if there would be the greater accomplishments of the entity towards advancing in this particular experience.
20. As to the sojourns in the earth, - we find the expressions through the emotional natures of the entity, or the manners in which the entity thinks or reacts under given conditions in certain directions.
21. Before this, then, the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during those periods of the early settlings in the land; when there were those individuals being brought to the land for the companions to others.
22. The entity was not among those but was acquainted with some. Thus that innate feeling oft that sudden changes will come, and that "I will be unable to help self in same;" dread of change in home and environs that may NEVER come to pass, save by neglect of duty on the part of self.
23. In the experience the entity gained, for it learned those lessons of adapting itself. While change, the newness of things arises, this may be said to be lacking in its best virtue. For, changes must come, but remember that good, pure, lives on eternally; it changes not. Only that which is material changes.
24. The name then was Jane Cowles.
25. Before that the entity was in the Promised Land; not at the time but during those periods following the walk of the Master in the earth.
26. The entity was born during that period, but its years of activity came during the changing periods of the first few years of acceptance - and then persecutions. These brought fear, the desire to hold to but fear of authority.
27. Thus an innate fear oft in its visions, in its experiences, of hidden things that the entity understands not. The fear of that it doesn't understand arises in the experience.
28. Yet we find the entity gained, with the periods of application, the periods of tempering self to those principles of making the life practical. For, true Christian principle is a life of PRACTICAL application of brotherly love, and in the application of the fruits of the spirit of truth; long suffering, kindness, gentleness, patience. Against these there is no law; they ARE the law - love, and life.
29. In the experience the entity was known first as Vashti, then Cleo, - as an associate of those that were of the Antioch church.
30. In the tempering or training of children, the care of the young, became the latter portion of the entity's experience - in which much may be gained in the present, in the study and in the application of those things that would tend to lead to the practical use of the spirit of truth in practical application.
31. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, among the Natives; during those periods when changes were wrought.
32. The entity acted in the capacity of a dancer in the Temple of Sacrifice, and was good so far as the actual fact; as to its principles, these the entity turned to self - rather than to a universal consciousness.
33. Thus the changes that are so oft desired, the looking for the unexpected thing to happen, and yet these may be turned into activities in the present of being used for tempering the self in the ways of truth and life.
34. The name then was Zela-Gera.
35. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, that to which it may attain, and how:
36. First, know thine own ideals, - spiritually, mentally, materially. Know the author of same, and that these are founded in truth, not myth, and that they are practical in the daily life; answering to EVERY trial that may be in the experience of the entity.
37. Thus, make thyself in accord with that ideal; studying to show thyself approved unto same; condemning none, not even self. Look to the author, the finisher of faith; that is set in Him who IS the way, the truth, the light.
38. Keep self unspotted from question, and question others only as ye would have others judge or question thee.
39. In the home life and in the teaching of children may the entity find the greater blessings in the expression in the present.
40. Ready for questions.
41. (Q) Why do I feel the urge to compose music? Would study be to an advantage in this?
    (A) Study would be an advantage in being able to play and compose for children, especially. The urge arises from those experiences when there was introduction of music in the Egyptian influence, in the temple service; also in the Christian era.
42. (Q) What phase of the business world should I enter if it should become necessary to do so?
    (A) As has been indicated.
43. (Q) How may I overcome the dislike and dread of the business world?
    (A) It is with individuals and not with things that ye fear. Thus those things that have to do with the developing, the budding of life, should be the activity in any BUSINESS relations.
44. (Q) Why should books of Chinese and English literature appeal to me particularly?
    (A) Because of those activities in that experience, in the expressing of same to those of foreign lands, or to those lands which had the same principles for foundation.
45. (Q) Why am I obsessed with the idea of obligation toward certain members of my family?
    (A) For you owe them much, through associations or experiences in other sojourns.
46. (Q) Where and when have I known the following entities: Judith [...]?
    (A) We haven't Judith [...].
47. (Q) Edith [...]?
    (A) In the Palestine experience. There the associations were in a companionship that brought questionings, and yet a friendship that held for security to each.
48. (Q) Norman [...]?
    (A) In the Egyptian land. These brought associations good and bad. Let these not repeat themselves in the bad in the present.
49. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 3/20/42 She submitted questions.

REPORTS

1. 4/12/42 Mrs. [2072]'s letter: "Mrs. [2716] brought her reading over for us to read. She seemed to find several things in it to help her. She seemed very glad to find encouragement in the one thing she has always wanted to do - care for, and teach, and make companions of little children. She said she has always wanted to take children - very young ones - and help 'mold' their minds, just as the reading stated. 'A dancer in the Temple in the Egyptian period' struck home very deeply, for the Temple Bacchanal Scene in 'Samson and Delilah' has always had a tremendous power upon her, she says."

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