This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 27th day of April, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - [2982] new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born February 12, 1909, in Bristol, Connecticut.

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 - " - '41 - changes - '38 - yes - ")
3. Yes - we are given the records of that entity now called [2982].
4. In giving an interpretation of the records here, these we choose with the desire and purpose that this may be a helpful experience for the entity; enabling the entity to better fulfill the purposes for which it entered this sojourn.
5. As indicated, all have fallen short of the glory of God. It has also been indicated, "Be ye perfect, as my Father in heaven is perfect."
6. These may appear, in the material mind, as conflicting. Yet remember the whole law, - man looketh on the outward appearance, God looketh on the heart. While individuals may at times fall short, if it is in doing or trying to do that which in the light of their consciousness is sincere, it IS to the grace and the knowledge then of that light had.
7. The purposes for entrance, then, are that ye may know the truth that will make you free. Free from what? Earthly cares, earthly sorrows. And this one may attain in the light that is the way and the truth.
8. In this entity's experiences we find, from the astrological, much that would be termed astrological does not apply. For, the application of self may make for those activities whereunto ye may use those tendencies, or ye may abuse them. Just as an individual entity may deny the cross, despise the crown, and thus find in self that confusion which is not in keeping with His purposes in the earth.
9. Then, being in keeping with His purposes is being at-one with Creative Forces; thus fulfilling the law, and becoming one with that Creative Force.
10. From Mercury, Uranus, Venus and Jupiter we find the beauty, the ability to control, direct, to lead others by the entity's own persuasive way or manner.
11. Hence as a teacher, as an instructor, should the entity be led by the way of life, and light, and truth - and thus teach others. For, if the blind lead the blind, they that accept a prophet in the name of the prophet receive the prophet's reward, though even the prophet may be at variance to those tenets which might bring others to an understanding, or an interpreting. But they are both of the Way. For, he that climbeth up some other fooleth himself, and is not wise.
12. In Mercury we find the high mental ability, in Jupiter the universal consciousness - the intuitive forces, the abilities for the attuning of the mental and the spiritual to ideals.
13. Thus as a teacher, as an instructor, the entity may find the outlet for its abilities.
14. In Uranus we find the interest in the occult, the metaphysical, the how's and why's, and also those extremes to which the entity goes at times, - physically as well as mentally.
15. As to the appearances in the earth, - not all may be indicated, but these we would give; indicating the manner of approach to things, to conditions, to circumstance, and the tenets whereby the entity applies itself in relationships to others:
16. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during the early settlings in the land.
17. The entity was among those born near Providence town, and those activities in which there were the activities of the natives as well as the various types of individuals becoming a part of those first settlings, that were the associates or companions to the entity then - as Elsie Gillchrist.
18. In the experience the entity surpassed many of those, owing not only to the close associations with the other groups - or natives of the land, but the abilities to comprehend - those things pertaining to nature, to signs, to symbols.
19. While these are not in the same category of saying the entity is superstitious, it may be said that the entity is suspicious of most things it does not interpret or find an answer to within its own self.
20. Yet, as the injunction is, "Try ye the spirits; they that deny that He hath come in the flesh, have nothing to do with them."
21. Those tenets or truths that would explain Him away, best forget, best not use - in thine own experience.
22. Let thy yeas be yea and thy nays be nay, when in thy approach to the awakening of self to the Creative Forces as may manifest in thine own experience.
23. Before that the entity was in the Holy Land, when there were those activities especially following the persecution of the church.
24. For, the entity was rather young when the Master walked in the earth, and knew rather by hearsay of those that had seen and known Him in His ministry in the earth.
25. Yet those teachings of the Essenes were especially close to the activities of the entity. Thus its embracing of same, as it aided in interpreting in the lives of others those tenets to which the teachers of the day had subscribed, brought the abilities of the entity to counsel with those in the various offices of the organizations through portions of the Holy Land.
26. Though the entity lived not in Jerusalem, it had visited there on feast days, and as a very young person had been impressed by the activities on the day of pentecost - when there was the first speaking by the disciples in tongues.
27. Those things of such natures still find a distant chord in the entity's consciousness.
28. As given, if ye live the way ye may know the way.
29. In the experience the entity aided many that faltered, in many various ways and manners, and in part was a teacher, rather as a helper to those put in authority in various places of the whole Holy Land.
30. Though the entity then was not Jewish, it knew the Jewish faith. The name then was Mercia.
31. Before that the entity was in the "city in the hills and the plains," when the activities of the teacher there brought many helpful influences by the practical application of healing in that experience.
32. The entity then became what today would be called a seeress, a prophetess, or rather as a leading nurse, or head nurse [GD's note: It is interesting that only after the reading did we learn that Mrs. [2982] had been a practising registered nurse before her marriage.] among the peoples of the native land.
33. Thus we find that the entity joined with the tenets of the teacher, and also had the abilities to interpret much in the life and the experience of others through that same period of activity.
34. The name then was Lido-La. The entity gained throughout the experience.
35. Those abilities of the visions, of the experiences, of the dreams, or in dreams, arise much from the application of self to certain tenets through that period of sojourn.
36. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, when there were those activities just prior to the passing of the Priest; when many changes had been wrought by the attempts of the Priest to placate - not exactly placate but to HURRY the evolution of body and of expression through the activities in the Temple of Sacrifice.
37. But the activities of the entity were the more associated with those in the Temple Beautiful, where the tenets and truths were proclaimed to those who sought to be a channel of blessings or help to others.
38. Thus we find again the entity giving itself in the pursuit of those activities in which there might be the better helpful influence in the experience of self, to help others help themselves.
39. The name then was Ist-Hean.
40. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, - that to which it may attain, and how:
41. Who would tell the rose to be fragrant? Who would tell the sun to shed its heat? These are gifts from the application of self in doing creative forces, as in compliance with spiritual and mental law.
42. In the application of self in training, teaching, directing others, may the entity find the greater outlet.
43. Yet study thyself the more. And this will enable thee to interpret others and their motives. Not as judgments, for if ye would not be judged then ye do not judge others.
44. But let thy light so shine that others, seeing thy good work, may be constrained to glorify the Father, - not an individual, not a group nor an organization, but the Father, the Maker, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
45. Keep the way open. And apply thyself in these directions. Ye may indeed find that hope in that purpose for which He entered into this material experience; that we as individuals, through Him, might have the closer access with the Father.
46. Ready for questions.
47. (Q) Why was I born into a family with whom I've never had anything in common?
    (A) Ye had nothing in common with them as ye applied thyself in the experience before this. As the tree falls, so will it lie. So is the law given.
48. (Q) Why did I have such an unhappy childhood?
    (A) Happiness is a state of consciousness. It is found within self. Ye had not found thyself, nor thy relationship to the Creative Forces as may manifest in this material world.
49. (Q) What mental cause was responsible for the heart condition I had in 1937?
    (A) We haven't the physical condition.
50. (Q) Have I ever studied metaphysics before?
    (A) Not by that term, but the application was made in Egypt and in the Persian and Arabian land, to say nothing of the experience just before this. For, self and the universe, and its relationship to the First Cause, - call it what you will or may, - is Creative Energy, correlating with that which has been given as the law, - "My spirit beareth witness with thy spirit."
51. (Q) Which traits must I develop before I can grow more rapidly spiritually?
    (A) Patience, and forbearance.
52. (Q) What can I do to overcome resentment?
    (A) As indicated so oft, the manner in which ye treat others ye are treating thy Maker. Keep this much in mind, and resentment will not be so much a part of thy conclusions. It is not thyself by nature, but conclusions.
53. (Q) What causes the feeling that I should be doing something else?
    (A) Not the sureness in self.
54. (Q) Do I have any particular aptitudes or talents that should be developed?
    (A) Teaching and administering to others, as indicated. While these are being applied, they should be accentuated the more in the present experience.
55. (Q) Why am I so avid for knowledge?
    (A) Why are you alive, then? By the grace of God!
56. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. Questions submitted:
   (Life Reading)
   1. Why was I born into a family with whom I've never had anything in common? 2. Why did I have such an unhappy childhood? 3. What mental cause was responsible for the heart condition I had in 1937? 4. Have I ever studied metaphysics before? 5. Which traits must I develop before I can grow more rapidly spiritually? 6. What can I do to overcome resentment? 7. What causes the feeling that I should be doing something else? 8. Do I have any particular aptitudes or talents that should be developed? 9. Why am I so avid for knowledge? 10. Is there any karmic reason why my husband [2981] and I have never had children?
2. 3/18/43 Letter: "About 6 yrs. ago I was in bed practically an entire year with a heart condition, which the doctors said was steadily growing worse, and it was through the study of metaphysics, and knowing my oneness with God, that I am a healthy normal person today. For the last year I've been at sort of a standstill as far as progressing in my metaphysics is concerned. It seems that I should be doing something other than just being a wife, but I don't know exactly what."
3. 4/12/43 She submitted above questions, also questions for her husband [2981]'s Life Rdg.

REPORTS

1. 5/05/43 [2982]'s ltr. to EC:
   Dear Mr. Cayce:
   Enclosed please find a check for twenty dollars covering the amount necessary for a "Mental and Spiritual Reading". Whatever appointment you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
   I received your note this morning and I was about to write to you. The reading has already helped me in many ways to understand and analyze correctly many urges in my life. I've read it over many times and almost everything is completely clear - the next will come I know, but I feel the urge for this further Spiritual Reading as I need guidance to further open my physic [psychic?] forces. I feel that you are the medium for wonderful work and the means of helping so many of us who are struggling for light and guidance. The reading has already made me more content (because of better understanding) and I shall of course follow its admonitions and counsels.
   As for Mr. [2981]'s reading, I found it analyzed him perfectly. He's been very busy thus far & hasn't had the time necessary thus far to analyze it properly. I believe he was slightly disappointed in not getting more specific counsel but I feel that that disappointment is due more to confusion within himself. However, I know it will benefit him greatly in many ways, at any rate, we are both grateful.
   Regarding the mental and spiritual reading I have requested - I shall formulate my questions and send them on to you later.
   I am looking forward now, more than even too meeting you and having a nice chat. I do hope you won't be too busy during your Congress to give me some of your time. My fiend [3051] and I may come a few days sooner to be sure of availing ourselves of the opportunity of talking to you.
   Very sincerely yours, [2982]
2. 6/23/43 [2982]'s ltr. to EC:
   Dear Mr. Cayce,
   It was so nice talking to you Monday morning - words can never express what that week in V. Beach - seeing you and talking to you did for me. I know it will be to me always one of the most outstanding times of my life - a turning point - or perhaps I should say an awakening to the realization of my duties to God and my fellow man. It was definitely an answer to that haunting feeling inside of me, that should be doing something else. Now that I know what that is, all my energies and purposes shall be to fulfill mission. I'm sure you realize how very tremendous a meaning that has to me - and without your help I might never - at least not in this incarnation found my purpose. You've also helped me have more faith in myself - why is that so difficult? I know you too trembled at what you were doing - wondering if it was possible that you were chosen by God to be a means of blessing and helping so many of your fellow souls.
   Perhaps you can give me just a sentence or just a thought that will help me to realize that I too am worthy of being such a channel of God's love, as to help mankind.
   During meditation I do sometimes feel that at last I AM one & I know then that God is flowing thru me & I feel I could heal anyone because I could actually feel His presence and was as if we were one stream God flowing into me without a break anywhere. The thought uppermost was "There Is A River." If I could only maintain that feeling of knowing, but come daylight I'm not at all sure. I'm asking for guidance & hope it will be disclosed to me how I may first begin this healing I'm afraid I expect too much as am dealing too much in the physical side of it.
   Wish I might be close to you, so as to get the benefit of your wisdom & guidance. Yes, I know we should lean on the source of all Wisdom but it's so wonderful to have a crutch to lean on & you are my crutch for the present. You've taught me much already especially humility. This self-aggrandizement creeps up so stealthily that it must continually be squelched?. Knowing you has helped me to a better understanding - these.
   I, like many others, I'm sure feel a deep kinship with you, a love that is not physical yet embraces all aspects of your nature. Because as you said to me - you ARE all those spiritual virtues and that's why we love you - if you were too spiritual we might make the mistake of revering you, as we did Jesus, instead of knowing that He is one of us and therefore we too may emulate His life.
   Incidentally this A.M. about 5 of 2 I was awakened by you and for a full second I felt as if a buzzer were ringing in the center of my brain - could that have been your thought or my imagination? I am so grateful of the opportunity to meditate at the time you do - I trust it doesn't inconvenience you too much to call me. I'm with you always during your readings & I know God is too.
   As ever [2982]
3. 12/01/43 See 2982-2, a Physical Rdg.
4. 5/27/44 See 2982-3, a second Physical Rdg.
5. 6/19/44 See 2982-4, a Ck. Life Rdg., on her Persian incarnation as a "head nurse".

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