This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 13th day of July, 1928, in accordance with request made by self - [2731] via friend Mr. [345].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Mrs. Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. L. B. Cayce, Dr. Thos. B. House, and [2731]. Born November 22, 1897, in Hammonton, N.J.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relation of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces, giving the conditions that are as personalities, latent and exhibited in the present life; also the former appearances in the earth's plane, giving time, place, and the name, and that in that life which built or retarded the development for the present entity; giving the abilities of the present entity and that to which it may attain, and how.
2. EC: Yes - records will show there were very few born in this place near this time, save this entity - which means much to this place and other places also.
3. Now, we find the entity entering the earth's plane under influences as would be astrologically termed unusual, and coming at a time and a period that would - purely astrologically - bring many unseemly and unusual conditions, incidents, circumstances, chances, in the present physical experience of the entity, and at the present time the entity, looking back upon this present experience, finds that self has often been near to many unusual occurrences, happenings and conditions, that were out of the ordinary; yet not wholly within, nor changed by these circumstances; yet these have had an influence in the present experience. Hence one that we will find the astrological aspect and the innate desire following near a general trend, but the actual happening of the conditions surrounding the entity not wholly in keeping with those indicated from the ordinary charts as have been drawn by students of this phase of man's relativity with astrological conditions. Hence to the entity itself, while astrology, astrological aspects, hold an interest beyond the ordinary; yet little to the body personally is there to be given astrology as certain, sure, or better would it be to say, the entity reasons with or about same much in THIS manner: True, astrology, or those students of same, may give some inclinations of an individual, BUT - when there are changes - where is the basis of that which is good in same?
4. In the astrological aspects, then, little will be dealt with here, save as to sojourns that give rather that innate feeling that often lacks expression in the present experience; for in the NOW one develops, yet one IS what he IS because he WAS what he WAS; and that which may be called hereditary is MOSTLY one's own innate expressions of an inner consciousness that is finding expression through that of the subconscious SELF. While environment from the same basis is the PERSONALITY finding expression through the individual, so made by self's own activity. Hence many (as in this case) under the same environment, and the same hereditary instincts, find quite different desires welling up in the life or the experience in the present earth's plane. In this entity nature and its God; the outdoors and its ruler; the effect of atmosphere - whether land or sea, sky or of the deep - these are the welling up in the inmost self OF the entity to find their meaning and their relation to man's expression of himself toward his creator, as well as toward his fellow man. Hence we find Neptune, Uranus and Jupiter the RULING forces IN the entity's PRESENT experience, and these - with the earth's sojourns (though few in number) - bring much that is UNUSUAL; yet not in ANY sense wholly ethereal, nor mysterious, nor unreal; yet others often find the idea and ideals of the entity such, to their MATERIAL MINDEDNESS, and hence not understanding the entity's actions, endeavors, desires, likes or dislikes, nor that to which the entity would build in the present experience.
5. In the application of will does one find the way of development in and through the earth's plane, for will is that factor that may guide, guard, direct, ruin or make, the inner man; for it is the will that is in accord or in opposition to the divine will as keeps every activity, every life, in motion. In will's forces, then, does there come the creative or destructive. Hence oft has it been said, "Thoughts are deeds. They may become crimes or miracles." In the action or application of will toward thought, these are will's influences in individual life. To the entity there is that ability to control self, self's desires, self's interests, self's own understanding even, by the WILL of self, as may be seen in Jupiterian, Uranian, and STILL more in Neptune's influence, OR the sojourns of the entity there. THAT the influence as one of the earth is earthy, becoming carnal in the action of material mindedness. In those influences in Uranus and Jupiter, these come in those influences as are brought from sojourn, or those influences there. In the application of same in the entity's PRESENT experience, these, as seen, apply then to the study, or the application OF study, in mystic or in occult, or in JUST good. There being a great difference between being GOOD, and good for SOMETHING! A great difference in occult and mysticism. Mystery may be good, or it may be evil. Occult may be good, or it may HINDER. IN these forces as are manifested in their various phases in earth's experience, or earth's plane, comes the greater ability for development, and for administering and ministering, and for service to the entity in and through this present experience. These are highly developed, and are NATURAL forces in the entity. Do not confuse that of a natural force, by self's own experience, with mystic forces, nor occult forces, that are of a universal nature, and not applicable oft in an individual manner. Get that difference! In the application of universal forces one may confuse self in individual application.
6. In appearances and the effect of same in the present experience:
7. In the one before this we find in that land when there were wars made in that now known as Persia, by the peoples of the plains - who were then a highly civilized, though not spiritualized, peoples. The entity was among those that were subdued by this civilized and unspiritualized people, and carried to the lands that afterward came to be the capitol of the then known world. The entity gave to the peoples much of the studying of knowledge through drawings, that represented and depicted places not able to be seen by all. This service brought development to the entity. In the power given, brought destructive forces to self - for this entity then could not stand within self that power over others given, and this brought destructive forces in the aggrandizement of selfish interests. In the name Ulda; and there will yet be uncovered in Ur of the Chaldees some of the drawings on stone that the entity had erected there. In the urge or INNATE forces, that love of nature, outdoors, and the dislike for lording or lordship by anyone. Two combative forces again in the present experience.
8. In the one before this we find in that land now known as Peru. The entity was then among the Ohums [?] [Aymaras?] [See 4/29/77 GD's note in 4292-1 Reports re prehistoric Aymaran Indians of Peru.] that gave much to the peoples of that day in the way of converting the elements of earth to the use of man. Hence jewelry, precious stones, and those things that GLITTER attract unusually the entity in THIS present experience; yet the HOARDING of same is ABHORRENT to something the entity seems unable to locate in self. Then in the name Ooae, and the entity gained through this experience, giving self in service to others.
9. In the abilities of the entity in the PRESENT experience, and that to which it may attain:
10. As seen, in the application and study and teaching to others of that relationship of GOOD FOR SOMETHING; occult in its application; mystic in its understanding; and art as a whole - for THESE are the ESSENCE of art! Study first to keep self unspotted from the world. Keep Him, who gave himself - in that he became the artist, and the figure for good, and GOOD FOR SOMETHING! becoming all things unto all men, that many - many - may understand. Ready for questions.
11. (Q) Is the body working in the right profession at present?
    (A) Yes, this will lead to those higher elements that will BRING the body to that of teacher, and LECTURER - when he is forty-eight!
12. We are through.

REPORTS

1. 10/06/28 [2731] got married, sending Mr. and Mrs. Cayce an announcement.
2. 5/18/29 [2731]'s letter: "...My wife and I are very happy out in our new country [Washington state]... How are things coming along with your wonderful work and Hospital? Do you have something for me to read and look at? How is the History coming along that your Secretary was compiling [past incarnations compilation]? It won't be long before I will be able to help along with a few little things. Received a letter from [345] who is now in D.C. He is going to make a real artist of himself, and he is in a very good place... The trip out here has changed me in lots of ways and am looking forward to great things..."
3. 1/28/30 Mr. [345]'s letter: "...Mr. [2731] was asking me about you. He is doing well on the [...] Times..."

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