This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 10th day of March, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [2830], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born January 19, 1891, in New York City.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relations 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 - " - '40 - some anxieties, some unusual activities - '24 - changes - environs - '20 - '17 - yes - '12 - preparations - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes - we are given the records here of that entity now called [2830].
4. In choosing the interpretations of the records as we find them here, these we choose with the desire and purpose that this information may be a helpful influence in the experience of this entity; enabling the entity to better fulfill those purposes for which it entered this present sojourn.
5. There are many varied interpretations that might be made from the records, but these the entity should make within itself.
6. Then, there may be indicated the urge and the promptings for the entity; so that the entity may analyze and choose that which may be the greater in keeping with the entity's ideals.
7. As indicated for this entity, as with each, there are latent and manifested characteristics which are the manifestations of the entity's combination of influences; also those that impress others with the activities of the entity.
8. Thus we find these characteristics, when the composite is taken of the latent or the spiritual urge and those urges resulting from activity in the material plane:
9. One quiet in demean and manner.
10. One who is studious in itself; contemplating in its choices.
11. One to whom many individuals would go for counsel and advice. Though not one that the entity itself would feel was a leader, we find that the very choices and mien or manner of the entity, and its abilities, may influence the lives of many.
12. For, the entity is as the leaven that may leaven the whole lump. Here a little, there a little, does the entity influence those with whom it comes in contact day by day.
13. Thus, as is that latent force, the entity must be very sure within itself. Surety comes by knowledge, as the entity interprets in self; yet that surety from knowledge alone may at times cause insecurity deep within self - unless the authority of that prompting the choices made by the entity is to the entity unquestioned.
14. Thus the necessity of demonstration or intuition being relied upon in the entity.
15. Then, choices that are once made by the entity are seldom changed - unless there is a definite awakening, or the answering of purposes that have prompted certain choices of the entity.
16. Thus we find one upon whom others can rely. And this is a virtue that is seldom seen in such an extent as indicated in this entity.
17. Indeed fortunate, then, are those who may call this entity "My friend."
18. Astrologically we find influences not from the ordinary term of astrological aspects, but rather from the basis we have indicated; that, life is a continuous consciousness, and in those realms of consciousness outside of that called physical experience or consciousness there are influences which we term astrological - not because of the position of a star or planet, but because of the entity's own sojourn or consciousness in same.
19. For, remember, all of these planets, stars, universes, were made for the ENTITY and its associates to rule, and not be ruled by them, - save as an individual entity gives itself to their influence.
20. For, the Creative Force made or brought into being SOULS to be equal with, and one with, Him; even as is manifested in the Way, the Truth, the Light.
21. Thus we find consciousnesses of the entity in those realms we term Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, - and yet in phases that are not the common term of same.
22. In Mercury we find the high mental abilities, the ability of reasoning, the applications of reason to activities.
23. Jupiter is as a benevolent influence, but universal in its nature - that keeps an equal balance in the entity's manner of expression.
24. Saturn we find in changes, or in the influences the entity may have upon choices made that influence the experiences (not lives but experiences) of others.
25. Uranus is the balancing power, rather than the extremes, in this entity. But the abilities to differentiate, the ability to stress that necessary in the activities.
26. As to the sojourns in the earth that affect more the consciousness or the awareness in the emotions, or the sensing, or that wherein the mental and spiritual may be made applicable by an entity in its relationships with others, - we find quite a different expression from that ordinarily or sometimes termed the emotions. Though all the appearances may not be given, these we find influencing in the immediate and in the future:
27. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during those periods when there were the activities in restoration of ideas under a new environ; or the reconstruction in the land following what is called the American Revolution.
28. The entity then was a teacher, one ministering to the needs of the young through that period; not as a pedagogy teacher but rather of the physical and mental, the application of those things instructed by actual practice.
29. There we find that the entity was close to nature. Thus that innate desire to be, to know, those activities in same. Thus, as we find, the song of the bird, of the brook, of the wild life of a community, of a nature unfoldment, is as much of music as ANY that may be the experience of the entity. But one brings the appreciation of the other. Yet the entity feels deep within self that the orchestral rendition of a poem or of any experience is merely as a counterpart or an imitation of the real.
30. The entity in that experience was a helpful influence to others, and thus gained that consciousness of the universality of the needs of individual entities; that though they may be applied in an individual application, the universality of same is a part of the consciousness of others.
31. The name then was Ellen McClaren.
32. Before that the entity was in the Roman land, and the entity then was changed in the sex; and the entity was an historian at that period when Caesar Augustus made those changes in the relationships of various groups that had come under the authority of that power.
33. Then in the name Millincus, the entity gained; for it gave to those peoples of its period a new interpretation of the activities, and the needs, and the abilities of groups, of provinces, of peoples of different religious faiths, as to how they might live together as a contribution to the betterment of the welfare of the earth, as a dwelling place of peoples in that period.
34. Thus an interest in things and conditions of such natures that are recorded. Thus the ability of the entity as a datastician, as an interpreter of history, as an interpreter of records that are made of events, of unfoldments mentally, of the application of same in the experiences of others.
35. Before that the entity was in the Persian and the Arabian land, when there were those developments from the activities instigated by the teacher in that period.
36. The entity was among those that stressed the needs of those who were healed in body conditions to apply themselves close to nature, and to the earth.
37. And the entity then headed, or instigated, or brought into being, the groups in that dwelling place that supplied foods from soil, rather than from that which lived upon the soil.
38. This is an unfoldment and a part of the experience of the entity that may be applicable in the present.
39. The name then was Schadrah. The entity was healed then from the ills that were portions of the experience of many that made journeys with those groups that made exchange in varied lands, of that grown or needed there for better unfoldment, from what is now the Indian land and the Egyptian land.
40. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods of unfoldment when the establishing of the tenets of the Priest became a part of the activity of many in varied groups.
41. There the entity was active the most in the persuading of the varied groups to keep definite records of the EFFECT of chosen activities that had been part of the vocational study or guidance of groups, but as to the individual effect of such changes; as there was the dedicating through the Temple of Sacrifice and the activity in the Temple Beautiful.
42. Thus the entity was a datastician in that experience to the efforts of the varied groups; then in the name Sz-had-zer.
43. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, that to which it may attain, and how:
44. Remember, as first indicated, thy abilities are many. Of him to whom much has been given is much required.
45. Know in what ye believe, but know also the author of thy faith, the author of thy confidences; and study to show thyself approved unto thy ideal.
46. In the fields of activity that have to do with nature, as well as with data respecting same, or in ANY fields of literature, the entity may find the outlet for its abilities.
47. Condemn not, and bless those even who would despitefully use thee. For, inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of thy brethren, ye do it to thy Maker.
48. Thy body is indeed the temple of the living God. There He has promised to meet thee. Meditate oft in same.
49. Be not afraid of His directing care, His directing voice.
50. Ready for questions.
51. (Q) Can I be of the most service by remaining in my present position at ...?
    (A) As we find, in the present and for the next few years, yes. Keep the interests, of course, in nature, and in nature's storehouse. Keep close to the earth oft; with the feet well on the ground, but look to the mountain. For the mount is the hill of God.
52. (Q) If I am to stay on at ... what instruction and warning do I need in regard to my conduct?
    (A) None save that as indicated in that given, which is as the nature and the purpose. Know thy purposes, and know thy authority for thy purposes. And know, be persuaded, in the spiritual, He is able to keep that committed unto Him against any experience that may arise in thy relationships with others.
53. (Q) Is it right for me to regard life in the country and service in it as an ultimate goal?
    (A) As indicated, this has been part of the experience; it is the answer to the surety in thy inner self.
    Let that light guide thee which has been the light of men since He gave, "God said, Let there be light, and there was light." That light ye may know, for it is the light of the world, even in Jesus the Christ.
54. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 2830-1, especially letters of 2/20/43 and 3/08/43.

REPORTS

1. 4/12/43 [2830]'s letter to EC:
   "By the date on my reading it is nearly a month since it reached me. I certainly never intended to wait so long before writing to you. But somehow life has been very full of many small duties recently, and even my last trip to the country was not the peaceful relaxation it usually is but was a scurrying accomplishment of one task after another, - all of them pleasant and satisfying but leaving little time for writing. This week was a very busy one at the office, and I felt the need of a little quiet meditation, so that I did not even attempt to go to the country but stayed in my apartment, and put myself and my house in order. The reading stirred me deeply and made me feel at once comforted and very humble, - particularly as on page 2 I came upon what is really a benediction on my philosophy of living and which I have long cherished inwardly but of which I have spoken to few. The advice and admonitions are at the same time inspiring and corrective, and I shall shape my thoughts by them. I find little here that is difficult to understand, but the indication of much that will require effort to work out. It isn't easy, the path that these readings point out, and the responsibilities that they lay upon one are very definite, and not to be discharged lightly. However, I feel very much reassured since receiving the reading and am so grateful to you for bringing me this hopeful and encouraging message.
   "I sent your letter and the order and check through to the business department, and that will all be taken care of through the regular channels. If any of the books fail to reach their destination within a reasonable time we shall be glad to be notified so that we may check up on the shipment.
   "The reviews have shown about the variety one would expect, and the outlook seems to me a very hopeful one. A slow and steady increase in interest in the subject, one with which you and the association can cope, and direct, is much to be preferred, it seems to me, than a quick flare of sensational notice and then an equally speedy indifference.
   "It is something that we can all help in. I shall not fail to give testimony to the value I place on the book as a means of introduction to a higher way of life, and there are many ways that I can bring it to people's attention, - as will everyone in the association, I am sure. If this seems a very slow way of spreading a message of comfort and encouragement, and of bringing people to an awareness of God and the relation of their lives to His, it nevertheless seems to me the only sound one. This is seed that we are sowing, I believe, and it may have the fate that the seed of which Christ spoke, had when it fell in divers places. We cannot hope that it may all be fruitful any more than we can avoid the responsibility of helping to sow it or to stand by ready to assist in the bringing in of harvest. "It appears to me that those of us who have been vouchsafed the great boon of spiritual communion thru you must seek to share the results with others with whom we come into contact and that the book will have a natural place in all such efforts. Right here let me say that I feel that the marketing of THERE IS A RIVER by Thomas Sugrue, and its distribution as a publication is one thing, and the spreading of the message of which it is a part, and in which it serves as evidence is another, and that, desirable as they both are, the means and ends of both efforts must be kept distinct in our minds.
   "The commercial equipment of Holt as a publishing company and of the wholesale and retail bookstores will make the book available, - accessible to all who want it. There is where, I believe, planned enterprise will stop, and where its effectiveness ceases. From then on, the message of the book itself must do the work supported by those who have shared in the blessings to which it bears testimony. In face of all the grief and confusion in the world, it seems as if we must exert every effort to spread the knowledge of divine purpose, and it is difficult to contemplate anything but the most wholesale methods, but this was not Christ's way and it does not seem that it should be our way. We have our commission through your spirit, each one of us on whom this benediction has been bestowed and we will not be dumb in the service of God or in brotherhood with each other and with you."
2. 7/43 [2830]'s letter to EC:
   "It seems a long time ago that I wrote to you, but that does not mean that I have forgotten you or am unmindful of the importance of your work. For a while, I carried your most recent letter back and forth from city to country, thinking that in one place or the other I would have that moment of peace and leisure wherein I could send you greetings. But the spring and summer have been far from peaceful and now I have a little spot of time through a combination of circumstances not altogether happy.
   "Publishing is getting to be pretty difficult business, as I suppose all enterprise must be as materials grow short and workers scarce. Cloth and paper are real problems now, and as the war takes one of our people for one purpose or another there are only a few of the older workers left. Some of the newer ones are good but the youngsters in the clerical forces are restless, and they change about as fast as they can go up and down in the elevators. We have some good books, and I think some important ones on our list but it's going to be a struggle to get them out. I should be happier if I could think that only futile or unnecessary books were going to be eliminated by the tightening of the means of production. A little pressure, however, won't hurt, - there has been waste, duplication in books as in other things, and if we only have to work a little harder to put into print things that we believe should be there, then we will be let off easily. We had a good deal of sickness on the staff, a form of flu-cold that put people to bed, - then measles and chickenpox and finally [2834]'s secretary came down with the mumps! The cold, wet spring was like hope deferred and the general confusion and anxiety of the times add something to the general sum of difficulties. But we here are being very fortunate and we know nothing of real hardship yet, - just little annoyances. I wonder if we are not, as a whole, getting out too easily, - except in the case of families where a soldier has been wounded or killed. For suffering seems to bring that sense of kinship and of understanding that is essential, it seems to me, if all this honor is to have any meaning. When I read or hear of the conditions in Europe or of the experiences of our fighting men, I feel that we must almost welcome difficulties and cherish opportunity for sacrifice, so that we may talk the same language when the ordeal is over.
   "You know, probably, that [2834] is going to China, - the time still remains indefinite on account of the difficulties of transport, and I confess that my heart sinks when I think how much we need him where he is now. But it is a fine mission and he can do it so well that we can only say, 'Thy will be done.'
   "I escaped from long and anxious hours at the office to the peace and restoration of the country almost every week-end. My neighbor about a mile down my little dirt road has a big farm and garden, and she let me weed and hoe in return for instruction and some carrots and peas at the appropriate times. My own land has not been cleared sufficiently for such things. By taking my vacation in day-at-a-time fashion I got some long week-ends and avoided too crowded trains. One day I worked in the garden down the hill and one day I worked on the rocks and roots in my own front yard. It has been very good fun and I have a feeling of accomplishment when I clean up a few square yards of timber land. My health has been pretty good and I am certainly stronger and less nervous than last year at this time. My particular difficulty is not conquered yet and I still need to be careful in a day by day way which occasionally discourages me. I thought it might be a good idea to repeat the treatment that gave me such a lift last fall and I made my plans to start according to the reading but I was stopped by two things.
   "The first was that Fletcher's Castoria, which is the first step in the treatment, has been withdrawn from the market. That proved very beneficial and the substitutes don't work as well. However that was not the most serious obstacle. When I started three years ago on my country experiment, I bought a used car, a small Plymouth sedan that has carried me and those who have been connected with the project through ran and shine so faithfully that the sturdy, if somewhat battered car has seemed like a good friend rather than a combination of mechanical parts. We gave it a name, and JUNIOR figured in our discussions and was cared for as all else essential to our using the little house which is ten miles from the nearest railroad station. Last week the man who helps me with the place and who takes care of the car for me was driving to work with 3 teachers when a youngster driving another car at high speed cut in on him and smashed the near front side of JUNIOR very badly. Luckily no one was hurt, but the kid had no license, the car wasn't his and this week he will be inducted into the army. I haven't many details but at first they thought JUNIOR was a total loss and I was wondering in dazed fashion whether I would be able to pay for another car or to find one if I could pay for it. Needless to say, the youngster who did the damage had no money. The man who drives for me, - his name is Peter, - has always been a careful and considerate driver and no blame attaches to him but he was very much distressed and upset. He will need the car as much as I. I am holding to the thought that the matter will straighten out, and that if it is right for me to go to the country, the way will be opened. Next week I hope to be able to arrange for some way of getting there and find out what the exact situation is, and what I can do to help. I know Peter will do everything he can and perhaps JUNIOR can be saved. But Peter has just started to work after being out of work a long time and he does not make much money. I have some saved so that's alright, - but you can see why I am not planning any treatments which are beneficial, - but also expensive. I think Junior needs his insides looked after worse than I do, at present.
   "I had in mind that I might be able to go to the conference of the Association. I should certainly have liked to and the report sounded interesting, but it did not work out. I talk about 'There Is A River' to interested people and feel that its influence will continue for some time; it helps to find other people who are interested and concerned in this same aspect of life as I am, and I feel the need of the sort of spiritual companionship that a discussion of it always develops. I seem to need a lot of props, the Bible is another and the chance to write to you certainly another. I take out the life reading and go over it when I get a bit down. There are beautiful things in it. This is enough about me. How about you and can I be of help?"
3. 10/10/43 [2830]'s letter to EC:
   "I have come to feel that, knowing the comfort and the inspiration of the messages that come through you, we others who are growing along the path to a better life for mankind, are too prone to turn to you for help, rather than to discover and develop this power within ourselves. There have been many times during the past months when I was tempted to ask for readings, only to find that when I waited patiently I found the answer within myself. God has helped and strengthened me in so many ways, both large and small, that I feel that when the issues involve only myself and my immediate comfort and progress, I must depend upon what we Quakers call - 'the Light within.' But if at any time things get beyond the power of my limited vision to discern a way, I shall turn to you, confident that the high spirit that shines through you will give me the direction I need.
   "The little book you sent me - THE SEARCH FOR GOD - has been of great help and I read it and the Bible, especially the New Testament, almost daily, - my Life Reading I have gone over many times and find much in it to sustain and guide me. When I received the Life Reading I was disappointed because it did not release me to go to the country and take up my life there at once. I love the country so much, and long for the simplicity, the peace, the genuineness of the life there. With all the patience and the good will at my command, I am restless and inclined to feel imprisoned. Added to that the conditions of work at ... are often such as to try my not too stable temper. However, I asked in my reading where I could be of the most service, and the answer was - right where I am now! So here I stay until I am released. That there are plenty of tangible and immediate rewards for such a course of action, I realize, and if they are not the kind of rewards I want, I can always kick myself for an ungrateful cuss who does not know what is good for her.
   "There is also the constant temptation to abandon my present work and get into something more obviously and directly in the service of man. For eight years I served as a social worker and I have not forgotten the lessons learned then. There are so many insistent appeals for help for the children running wild and neglected as their parents work around the clock in war factories, - for hospital help, for all kinds of service that I perhaps could perform. It takes a good deal of effort to remind myself that publishing is an important public service, now as much as ever before, and that I may have a special mission in holding the light high in the tangled and obscure conflict that is going on in our office. Well, God grant me strength to hang on and to do the right thing. I seek Him constantly, but there is always the comfort of knowing that if my own power is insufficient, I may turn to you.
   "Somehow I think of you as being the keeper, the guardian of a door that opens into a land which most of us are aware of very dimly. When we can go no farther on this earthly road, we cry to you and through the power of the divine spirit, you open the gate for a moment. Through it shines a warm and comforting light, and we have a brief and inspiring glimpse of things above and beyond our own poor little struggles, and we have renewed faith and strength to work out our allotted tasks. It seems to me that we must ask that the gate be opened only when all resources within ourselves fail, and that we must strive constantly to develop the spirit and the power within ourselves.
   "My most serious personal problem is still that of health. It is just about a year ago that I first wrote to you for help in that regard. Comparing my condition now with then, I know that I am much improved. Many of the more acute difficulties have been overcome and I have made enough progress to be greatly encouraged. I still have to watch my daily regime carefully and any mistakes are promptly punished. I do not have any endurance, such as I used to have, and I am studying how to regain my strength since there are so many things I could do, could I put a little more into each day. I shall take another course of the steam baths and massages such as I had last year, if I can arrange it.
   "When I wrote to you the last time, there had just been the car smash-up in the country. Well, that worked out all right in the end. No one was hurt, - and they managed to repair the car. The bill was steep, of course, but since the money was found to pay it, we should not feel badly about that. The wild youngster who was responsible for the accident may have learned a valuable lesson. I've been going to the country quite regularly ever since and have loved every moment of it. There is something very satisfying about sawing wood and digging in the ground, seeing one little spot grow in beauty and usefulness.
   "You must miss Hugh Lynn in many ways. It's difficult to feel that this world is worth very much when all the brave, bright young people are herded off by themselves and we are left with a dull and apparently unprofitable routine. There must be something for them to come back to, and they will, rightly, I think, call us to a strict accounting. If there is any way that I may be of help, let me know. I'll always have strength for that, whatever it may be. Perhaps some day I can come to Virginia Beach and acquaint myself more thoroughly with your local group. That would help me, as well as be very interesting in many ways, as I feel a great deal of sympathy with the aims of the Association. However, that will come in good time and at the right time. At present, I talk with those who are interested in the general subject, and help to get Mr. Sugrue's book into the hands of those who may be open to its message. It is slow working this way, - but when was it ever not slow - this spreading of the light of God. "I shall look forward to a word from you, - but only when you have the time and strength - both must be greatly taxed these days. (Thanks for letting me know about Dr. Caldwell's Syrup of Pepsin.) That proves to be very helpful. Let me know what I may do, should occasion arise at any time. If I do not do all that should in these sorry times, it is because I lack the direction rather than the will. May the spirit of our Father and the love of us, your brethren, go with you now and always."
4. 5/01/50 GD's note: She asked that her address on mailing list be changed to the country - so we assume that she at last was retiring.

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