This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 15th day of August, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - [2990], Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) Born December 7, 1898, in Omaha, Nebraska.

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 the dates - " - '41 changes in circumstances - '40 - '21 expectancies - '20 - changes - physical and mental - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [2990].
4. In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them here, these are unusual as to the variation or abilities that are latent within the entity that haven't been used. Thus we find there is a deterioration in the sensory forces or perception of the entity. That is how and why these become a part of the material result of spiritual purposes, that have been blocked by material things; so that these oft come to be a physical condition in the body.
5. In giving the interpretations, as we find them here: These we choose with the desire and purpose that this information may be a helpful experience for the entity; enabling the entity in many ways to better fulfill those purposes for which it entered this material experience.
6. For, one enters not by chance but by choice, that it may learn or meet its own self. And when there are those environs through which such material opportunities may present themselves, such a soul - seeking - finds expression. These become a part of the whole experience of an entity.
7. For, as from the beginning, each soul-entity is related to the whole, the entire creation - as manifested here in the three-dimensional phase of an experience.
8. From that oft termed astrology, we find as an urge latent and manifested the intuitive forces, or reflexes manifested that are above the ordinary in this entity. Yet these have oft been submerged, which has created those forces manifested in the material as subjugations, or - as active in this entity - the manners of approach or consciousness, or of an awareness, if chosen to be called such. These are in that state of transition through the experience, for the lack of activity; or as would be in any experience where there is a real manifestation as to cause such to become inactive. Here, as is termed by some, it is active through the imagination.
9. Is there ever the consideration as to how different things appear to others, that are visioned even by the natural eye? Few, if any two individuals would judge by vision the moon to be the size of a flour barrel, or a plate or a saucer. So, here is a great measuring stick for individuals. And in this individual entity, it appears much like a speck.
10. Astrologically we find Mercury, the Moon; Mars, the Sun; Jupiter, Venus, Saturn. All of these in their verified aspect bring these influences:
11. One very highly sensitive; quite capable of exercising and using psychic powers - and has been afraid to, because of what people would say. This not being used has caused much of a disturbance in the emotional body of the entity.
12. Being under those influences of Moon and Sun also, we find in the Sun the strength and in the Moon the weakness. These have brought experiences also in the marital relationships or quite variations as to whom the entity would say it loves the most - itself, its husband, its children, or its friends. These become entanglements in part, and much is kept submerged in the physical reactions of the entity.
13. As indicated in Venus and Mars, - a very active, but oft a very negative individual; dependent upon whether there is the opportunity to give expression through those experiences or channels through which the entity manifests.
14. In Saturn we find the great changes that loom ever as the most important periods of the entity's experience. Magnified the more in the own imagination that they come to be almost a visible influence from those about the entity. These, as combined with Jupiter make for those experiences wherein there would be suggestions; not as rules or regulations, for the soul must choose. For, it is ever as has been indicated, "There is day unto day set before thee life and death, good and evil - choose thou."
15. The choice, the self, the ego of each soul is that expression, that stamp, that image of the Creative Force, of the energy, of the God; which, is as the gift of God, making each individual entity aware, or conscious of itself and all its abilities to choose, to think this or that, to choose this direction or that direction.
16. Know deep within self that nothing may separate thee from the knowledge or the love of God save thy own self.
17. In these influences astrologically, we see a great deal of that which has come, and why. Yet we may see more in the varied appearances of the entity in the earth. Not all may be given here, but those that influence the entity in the present.
18. Before this we find that the entity was in the land of its present nativity; journeying from the eastern land towards the western land, when there were those influences having to do with fortune telling (as would be commonly called in the present), by reading lines and the astrological aspects. These the entity adopted in itself for material needs. That these were oft used for necessity became as something disturbing the inner being of the entity.
19. Thus we find in the present that the entity is attracted to, and is capable of using, manifesting, the psychic forces, spiritual forces, soul forces within self. Yet the latent activity or feeling has prevented the use of same. And not always has there been judgment concerning giving expression to that innately felt and experienced within the inner self. For, too, as the lawgiver gave, - lo, it is within thee; not in heaven, not from over the seas, not from those influences from the past activities of individual entities, save of self. For, as each soul-entity is a part of the universal consciousness, this soul force then may know, through those channels, the greater awareness of the universal consciousness.
20. The name then was Hester Webster, as known in the eastern land during the early periods of travel through that section.
21. Before that the entity was in the Holy Land or Promised Land, following the periods of the Master's sojourn in the earth.
22. The entity was associated and acquainted with many of those that were of the household of faith, or those that were disciples or apostles of the Master.
23. But during those days of persecution much that might have been gained by the entity in spiritual lessons was denied, for fear of material hardships. For, it is ever, - "Today there is set before thee - choose thou."
24. The entity then was known as Cerle; among those that knew of the disturbances between Peter and Paul, especially in the disputation brought about in the early church at Jerusalem.
25. The entity moved with that household, to which it had joined during those periods when James was beheaded at Jerusalem, to portions of Macedonia where the disturbances arose.
26. Before that the entity was in the Arabian and Persian land, during those periods when there were the teachings in the 'city in the hills and plains.' It was during the period when the activities for healing were manifested among those even of the travelers.
27. The entity was among the Persians, and a reader of the signs of the times in the sand; and was called by some the soothsayer, Shala-Maah.
28. The entity came under the teachings of the leader in the 'city of the hills and plains,' thus becoming better acquainted with the spiritual forces. These brought about closer associations with those activities in healing, and these had much to do with those phases of the material disturbances in the present - "Those that have eyes may see not."
29. The entity gained in the latter portion, and applied in the present - as in every soul-entity's experience - you will find that as you help others you help yourself, spiritually, mentally, materially.
30. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods when there were the preparations of groups to bring straight or pure bodies for the manifestation of truths.
31. The entity was in the Temple of Sacrifice, yet failing when the activities brought material changes in the body. These brought disturbances for the entity, and not until there was the change of those peoples in that land were there the greater activities of the entity.
32. The name then was Shel-Ib-Ed.
33. If there is the awakening to the possibility of using the psychic forces in self, and keeping them in touch, and true, with the spirit of that manifested in those periods in the Holy Land as Cerle, the entity may find the answer to its spiritual, mental, material problems in the day.
34. For as a healer in self first, and as an interpreter of the needs of others, few may surpass the entity if it will make application of that it already knows.
35. But first analyze self, thy purposes, thy hopes, thy desires. Know that they are in keeping with that He has given, "In my Father's house are many mansions - if it were not so I would have told you - I go to prepare a place, where I am there ye may be also - Seek and ye shall find, knock and it will be opened unto you; for, if ye love me and keep my commandments, I will come and abide with thee forever."
36. Ready for questions.
37. (Q) Please explain karma to me in relation to my eye condition, and how it may best be met in the present?
    (A) Read that just given, and as to how you may apply it. Karma is met either in self or in Him. For, as has been given, "in the day ye eat thereof - or in the day ye entertain fear, the day ye entertain sin - the soul must die." Not in that moment, possibly not in that era, but if the soul continues in sin, that is karma, that is cause and effect. But God has not willed that any soul should perish; He has with every temptation prepared a way of escape.
    Hence, He, the Word, the Light, the Truth, came into the earth, paid the price of death, that we through Him might have life more abundantly; eternal life, the consciousness of eternal life; the consciousness of eternity; and that we are one with Him.
38. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. See 2990-1, a Physical reading. Doctors say she is gradually going blind.

REPORTS

1. 8/15/43 GD's note:
   I would suggest that you get in touch with Miss Florence R. Edmonds, 611 Pennsylvania Ave., Norfolk, Va. - phone 32562. She is the leader of the Association prayer group and healing work. She would be able to help interpret your reading, and I believe you will find much in common. According to your Life reading and hers, you two have worked together in past lives.
2. 12/21/43 See personal message to Mrs. [2990] in 5758-1, Par. 19-A.
3. 1/03/44 She secured a Physical reading for her nephew, [3426].

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