This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 26th day of June, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - [3063], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Born November 5, 1886, in Lyons, France.

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 - " - '31 - change in the attitude - '29 - '23 - yes - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [3063].
4. In giving an interpretation of the records as we find them here, these we choose with the desire and purpose that this information may be a helpful experience for the entity - yet there are many things to be considered.
5. The experiences in the earth plane have been quite varied. And while matters pertaining to soul and mind have always been of special interest to the entity, the application of some of those tenets has not been so well for the entity.
6. There is much to commend. There are those things to be condemned. Yet these we choose, that - with the study and application of those tenets and truths as may be given - there may be brought a great deal more of harmony in the experience of the entity.
7. Think not that, because they may apparently apply only to the mediocre mind, or to those that are of or in a certain faith, that they do not apply to thee. But know that the truth is applicable in every experience of the entity's life, whether as a shoestring vendor or a seller of such, or a director of some great financial institution, or even a leader or ruler over many peoples.
8. For, the same tenet that applies in one is true in the other. For he that would declare, "If I were so and so, how charitable I would be," or "If I were in this or that position what an effort I would make to magnify this or that," only attempts - in saying such - to give others a high opinion of self, and yet is not fooling even himself or anyone else! For if you give not when you have not even sufficient, though you were blessed with many millions, very possibly you would be much more stingy than you are now - and much harder to get along with - though you declare you wouldn't be!
9. In analyzing the urges latent and manifested, we would magnify the virtues and minimize the faults. This is the first lesson ye should learn: There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, it doesn't behoove any of us to speak evil of the rest of us.¹ This is a universal law, and until one begins to make application of same, one may not go very far in spiritual or soul development.
10. For, what we are speaks so loud, others seldom hear what we say.
11. In abilities - whatever the body, here, would set itself to do, it CAN make a material success. But the material success, by choice of certain activities, may become the very stumblingblock for soul development. And no soul enters a material experience just to have a good time, or to magnify the ego. For he that is the greatest among his fellow man is the servant of all with whom he comes in contact.
12. For, in what manner ye treat thy fellow man, ye are treating thy Maker.
13. That thou art in physical consciousness, - with the awareness of emotion of love, of hate, of jealousy, of brotherly love, of kindness, of patience, should indicate to thee that thy heavenly Father is mindful of thee. Then know, nothing in heaven or hell may separate thee from the love of God save thine own self!
14. As to urges latent from the astrological as well as material sojourns in the earth, - these, as indicated, are abilities.
15. The entity naturally is something of a politic; and hence very high strung - something as of mechanical nature. Hence moody, at times. In periods it may be very expectant, and apparently determined in self to embrace every opportunity, and looks upon the associations of others as opportunities for glorifying that God within self; and at other periods to be used for thine own self-indulgence - whether used as steppingstones or not, know that ye may stumble over steppingstones, even into hell itself, unless these are applied in keeping with the divine law.
16. Astrologically, - not because the stars are in this or that position at birth, but because of the position or awareness in the realms of dimensions accredited to such, - we find Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. These indicate in the entity's personality that of perseverance, beauty, love of beauty and of charm; the ability to correct or control others by the very might of the word, as well as the ability to ingratiate itself into the confidences of others.
17. These abused, remember, become stumblingstones. These used to the glory of God, ye climb up to the greater knowledge and awareness of Him.
18. In Uranus we find the extremes, as to how the entity at times becomes so moody.
19. Also in Saturn we find the changes of very definite natures - that have been an experience of the entity, and will be again.
20. We find in Jupiter, as well as in Venus, the abilities as a poet, as a student of music, a discerner of times; one interested in the occult, the mysterious, and the abilities to use same. Yet Saturn and Uranus both indicate how DEMANDING the entity is at times upon those he loves the most, how exacting!
21. Require not of others that you do not require of self. Excuses do not change the law, and because thou art made in the image of man gives thee no right to denounce woman - for she is of thee also!
22. As to the appearances in the earth, - these, as may be indicated, we find quite varied, and quite oft. Hence much of that confusion, spiritual, mental and material. But to those that are looking for material things, tie in with this individual! for he will make money where everyone else fails!
23. Before this the entity was in the land of the present sojourn, not of the nativity, during those periods of the American Revolution.
24. The entity came with the leaders of his own land, and was closely associated with Rochambeau; being a non-commissioned officer, as would now be termed. And, through the abilities to observe and to take note, the entity rose to a position of trust, especially in those periods of activity about Yorktown, and the entity was sent upon many a mission.
25. Hence in the present the entity would find much of special interest in that restored in Williamsburg. You would do well to write a story about thine own experiences in Yorktown, Williamsburg and Jamestown, as well as Norfolk and Suffolk, even during those periods.
26. The name then was Rhoul Elsnheuser [See 3063-1, Par. R4]. The entity gained in mental, in material. In spiritual, you will have the opportunity to apply in the present those things neglected there. Don't take advantage of others because you happen to know a little better what is going to take place. But remember, as ye treat thy fellow man, ye treat thy Maker, whose Face ye should seek.
27. Before that the entity was in the land of the present nativity, during those early periods when there were those activities of venturing into other lands, especially into the Mediterranean and the coasts of England, Ireland and Norway, and parts of the coasts of the central and southern portion of Africa.
28. Through the experience then the entity was a soldier of fortune, as might be called; but the entity gained in the experience. For, the necessity's sake, as the mother of invention (some might say), brought the entity into acquaintance with activities in many lands, under many conditions, in many tongues. As to whether or not there was gain through such experiences will depend upon how well the entity in the present uses that knowledge, based upon the spiritual premise and not upon material forces.
29. Then the name was Leonarde Feucher.
30. From that sojourn we find in the present experience things having to do with water, and especially with products of the land, and especially in utilities. If you would gamble, gamble in these! You are a very good gambler, but a very bad loser at times!
31. Before that the entity was in the Holy Land, during those periods when there were those centers established where the collection of customs was to be carried on.
32. The entity was of those peoples being taxed, that sought - and obtained - and acted in the capacity of a collector of customs.
33. Hence those things having to do with tax, with politics, with the supply of products for other lands, as well as the land wherever the entity may seek activity, become of interest.
34. It may be said that the entity then, as Chawn, made a very good tax gatherer, and was honest in his dealings with both his own peoples and those of the country or groups he represented.
35. The abilities to make moneys, to be the politician, to be the smooth talker - whether these are used for material, mental or spiritual unfoldment - come from those experiences of the entity, when it came in close associations with activities during that sojourn.
36. Before that the entity was in the land where the activities were carried on, when the children of Promise passed through the lands that they were forbidden to pass through, save with permission.
37. For, the entity was among the descendents of Esau. Thus one that looked to the products of the field, and the abilities to use the mountainside in the interest of those things pertaining to mining, herding; though then as a leader.
38. The name was Jared. The entity took advantage of a group. Hence expect a group to take advantage of thee! For what ye measure, it must be, it will be measured to thee. For ye must pay every whit that ye measure to others. And this applies in the future as well as in the past. Do you wonder that your life is in such a mess!
39. From same in the present, then, ye will find things pertaining to spirituality, a search for truth, coming nigh unto thee, even as then. Do not disregard same in the present. Lay hold on same. Seek Him while He may be found.
40. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, during those periods when there were the reconstructions following the recall of the Priest.
41. The entity in the first portion of its activity attempted to carry all groups as its own special favorites. But, as indicated in its own experience there, while many may become as sheep without a shepherd, decisions must be individual in their concept, and then applied as a unit - and not just because someone else said so.
42. The name then was Ar-el-nauk.
43. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, that to which it may attain, and how:
44. First, study thyself. Know thy own mind, thine own body, thine own spiritual idea. And unless it be founded - thy ideal - in that which is eternal, the end of whatever you undertake must be distressing.
45. The abilities are many. In any field of finance, of writing, of speaking, the entity may succeed. Choose that which seemeth in keeping with thy spiritual ideal, and ye may build from thy many experiences in the earth into a material, a mental and spiritual success.
46. Ye are on trial, to be sure; not necessarily more than others, but ye become so sad and ye become so joyous. Find the happy medium. Find joy even in sorrow, and find sorrow in joy. For the Lord is one God, one Lord.
47. Ready for questions.
48. (Q) In my previous incarnation did I die a violent death?
    (A) Go down to Williamsburg and look and see! You'll find it wasn't very pleasant. But you shouldn't cry over spilt milk. Each day is an opportunity - make it such - to the glory of God, and it'll be to the honor of self.
49. (Q) Have I progressed or not, in that previous incarnation, and during this present life time?
    (A) Depends upon who is the judge! Judge not that ye be not judged. Know thy ideal, and check it with that. Not merely in mind, but put it on paper - see what it looks like! In some instances you'll be ashamed, in others it will open much good for thee.
50. (Q) In which incarnations have I made the greatest progress?
    (A) Are you judging from the material, the mental or the spiritual? Judge these by that ye accomplished in the varied experiences, and parallel them with thine ideal.
51. (Q) What are my real urges, inclinations, talents or capacities?
    (A) As indicated, the capacities to act in most any direction. The deep urge is too much of self. Get rid of self. Do not be so dictatorial. Do not demand of others that you do not demand of thyself.
52. (Q) In what line of occupations could I be of greatest help to others?
    (A) In lecturing or writing.
53. (Q) Did I ever meet my present wife in another passage on earth, and in what capacity? [See 5265-1, Par. 27-Q, 5/29/44.]
    (A) In those periods when there was an activity in the land of the present nativity, - yes, you made life pretty hard for her then at times. Are you doing better now?
54. (Q) Was my twin brother near me in my previous incarnation, or any other?
    (A) In Egypt, as well as in Persia, as well as in the Holy land.
55. (Q) Did I meet [3027] in another life, and in what capacity? [See 5265-1, Par. 30-Q, 5/29/44.]
    (A) This should be paralleled, according to each one's own experience.
56. (Q) Did I meet in another life Frederick [...]?
    (A) Several times.
57. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 6/21/43 [3063]'s ltr. to EC:
   Association for Research & Enlightenment Virginia Beach, Virginia
   Dear Mr. Cayce:-
   Supplementing my letter of June 18, I wish to inform you that on the day my Life reading is to take place, that is, on Saturday the 26th of June, between 10.30 and 11.30 A.M. EWT, I shall be in my bedroom, in my apartment in New York, at the ... My bedroom gives on ... Street.
   My name is [3063]; I was born November 5, 1886, between three and five o'clock P.M., in Lyons, France. I am a Roman Catholic. My parents, who are both dead, were very religious, and I was myself very religious until my marriage which took place on December 14, 1914. To-day, I do not practice my religion with the same faith I had when I was young, but I keep very deep in me a great reverence for God, the Father of all souls, and all things, reverence which would gladly melt into unbound love if I knew God better, or had a better faith. I believe in Reincarnation, and believe in it as if it was a natural law on this earth. I have the strong conviction that my real self will never die, but that my evolution towards God is my own responsibility, and that I can retard or advance my evolution at my own will.
   After reading "There is a River" I have been most interested in having a Life Reading, and would like if possible, to make the following questions:
   1 - Was my previous reincarnation rather recent - approximately 150 to 200 years ago? Who was I and what was I doing? In what country did it take place, and how did I die? Did I die of violent death?
   2 - Have I progressed or not, in that previous reincarnation, and during this present life time?
   3 - Please mention the reincarnations during which I made the greatest progress, and what were my occupations?
   4 - What are my real urges, inclinations, talents or capacities? In what line of occupations could I be of greatest help to others?
   5 - Did I ever meet my present wife [5265] in another passage on earth, and in what capacity? Was my twin brother near me in my previous reincarnation, or any other? Did I meet [3027] in another life, and in what capacity? Did I meet in another life, Mr. Frederick [...] living at ...? Was Miss Plagne ever near me and in what capacity in another Life? 6 - If I have gone backwards as regards my evolution during this present life time, what can I do to correct this error, and can I still gain for my evolution during the rest of my present Life?
   Also, I wish to ask you again to please send all correspondence to me in the care of Miss [3027] [my secretary].
   I shall be eagerly awaiting the Reading, and remain
   Yours very sincerely,

REPORTS

1. 7/20/43 [3027]'s letter: "...Both [3063] and I wish to thank you very much for our respective readings which interested us very much and we certainly are going to try to make good use of the help given for a better living - life - I should say..."
2. 8/14/43 Letter: "...Miss [3027] has transmitted you my thanks for my Life Reading, but I take this opportunity to renew them, and am anxious to be able to go soon to Williamsburg as suggested..."
3. 8/20/43 He obtained a Physical Reading - See 3063-2.
4. 4/30/58 In my opinion this name from Williamsburg incarnation [3063-1, Par. 26] should be spelled Raoul Elsenheuser. Margret Gammon

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