This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 13th day of May, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - [3001], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [257].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born June 10, 1890, in Albany, New York.

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 - he ought to have a Physical instead of Life - '39 - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now called [3001].
4. In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them here, these are not all pretty, from some angles; but these we choose from same with the desire and purpose that this information may be a helpful experience for the entity; enabling the entity to better apply itself in making paths straight, in walking in those ways to fill the purposes - not merely materially, but mentally and spiritually - for which this entity entered this present sojourn.
5. From a particular sojourn we find the greater part of the characteristics that are manifested in the present; that in the period when the entity was the leader of, or friend to, Solomon. For, the entity then was Benaiah. Hence those inclinations or tendencies; for the individual entity would not be called a religious man, and yet there is the adherence to - or the desire of information, knowledge, or that in which the entity interests self - in comparative religions, comparative philosophy, comparative things having to do with the mental and spiritual influences in the lives of men. Yet it also makes the entity a hard taskmaster.
6. The entity is very decided as to its views. Once having set itself as to its views on any proposition, - whether a material, a mental condition, or about things, about people, or in any form. - it takes a lot to change him! This is a real stubbornness at times, though the entity is very sure this is not true.
7. But if the entity will analyze itself, it will be seen that this was not only the outstanding appearance of the entity, but also from same come the greater characteristics.
8. The abilities having to do with mechanical things, or those things prepared by mechanical things.
9. Yet there are the abilities for the entity to WRITE, if it would choose to do so.
10. The astrological aspects as may be indicated have little to do with this entity. While Mercury, Venus and Saturn have an influence, these are far in the background as to the characteristics of this special appearance of the entity in the earth.
11. Hence it makes of the entity a good leader, - if there is the choosing of the spiritual import, - a good director; one in whom - when the word is given - one can put one's confidence. Yet others might say just the opposite - unless in complete agreement with the ideas of the entity. But innately and deeply the entity is honest - though isn't always honest with self; honest more with others than with self.
12. These, then, should be the things that the entity should take note of:
13. In thy undertakings, and in thy inner self, do apply those things that are of a spiritual nature. For, whence comest thou? Not by chance; neither is it purely a matter of cause and effect; not because of a appetites or desires or passions of individuals. Those are the results, those are the channels ye took. But ye have a soul, a mind, a body, and the Lord thy God is one! But who is thy God? Thyself, thine own interests? as they were considered during that period when ye would make of thyself one to be remembered.
14. Well if the entity could forget what he caused his own people to bring into their experience, that led them gradually away from the way, away from the Father-God!
15. But look, listen! Better stop those things of making or forcing thine own inner self to thine own self. True, thy measurement to others is the manner in which ye treat thy Maker. But thy judgments, - are they in keeping with the law? that if ye cause thy brother to offend, ye are worse than the infidel?
16. Let that which was th directing force in the law keep thy ways, thy directions, and ye will find ye will come into a closer, better understanding of the purposes of life, and find greater joy in same.
17. As to the appearances in the earth, - these have been quite varied and quite far apart.
18. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during those periods when there were the activities called the American Revolution.
19. The entity was among those of the British, and among those peoples who cam into the activity there - by force. But the entity remained active in and near what is now Long Island, or New York. Eventually the entity in the activities made for material gains. The activities as to a mental and spiritual gain might be questioned, dependent upon what is the ideal, what is the measuring stick of success.
20. What gains the man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? or what can the man give in exchange for his soul? For, the purpose of the manifestation of individuality in the earth is to be to the glory of God, not to the gratifying of self nor of that ego, nor to be wellspoken of. To be wellspoken of is beautiful, but is this of self or to the glory of the Creative Force?
21. The name then was Elijah Bemish. From that experience we find in the present the entity's interest in those things that came closer to the determining factors in that experience, as associated with clothing, woolens, textiles of all natures, especially skins, furs, and activities of the nature.
22. The entity was an independent actor, or an independent worker; and thus oft in conflict with some of those that rose in power in those directions soon after, and in which the entity failed to make the greater material gains by the cooperation or coordinating of the activities.
23. Before that the entity was in that land and during the period when Solomon, the son of David, was king of Israel; when the entity, as Benaiah [I Chr. 11:26:31?] [GD's note: Previously in 2316-1 a man had been told that he was Benaiah, leader of army. I Chr. 11:24:25], was raised to one of authority, one of power, and yet one who brought to himself - while in the material plane gratifying experiences, and wonderments in the mental - those judgements that must be corrected in the present.
24. Be well if the entity would analyze and study especially the life of that leader of the peoples, as to how servitude was brought about, as to how the various groups - as to classes - became a part of the experience through much of the activity of the entity in that period; and the lack of the due consideration or stress put upon man's relationship to Creative Forces in that experience.
25. Before that the entity was in the land when there were those journeyings into the Holy Land.
26. The entity was among those of the tribe of Levi that were acquainted with, and of the family of, those that rebelled. Though the entity himself was not lost in the destruction of the sons of Korah, the entity became so awed and so evilspoken of in many quarters that it was in the latter portion of the entity's sojourn before he was wholly accepted into the activities that brought about the distributing of the gifts of the cities, or of the activities, to the children of Levi.
27. In the city near Ramah did the entity then dwell, in the name Keldebah. The entity gained much, for it attempted to apply those tenets that had become a part of the activities - in the latter portion of its sojourn.
28. And those experiences in the present - material gains are little, unless the mental and the spiritual are in accord with same.
29. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, - that to which it may attain, and how:
30. First, know thyself. Analyze thyself, thy purposes, thy hopes, thy desires. Are they in keeping with the interpreting that ye may make of the law? not of man, but of God? For, if ye keep the law of God, ye will keep the law of man.
31. In those activities that have to do with things manufactured by machines; and in writing, and in counseling - and in not being too hardheaded; may the entity bring to itself not only contentment and peace, and material gains, but be at peace with thy Maker.
32. Ready for questions.
33. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self (two copies, one for Mr. [257])
    Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

1. 5/24/43 Mr. [257]'s letter: "Mr. [3001] and his wife are planning to come down to Congress also with me.

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