This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 24th day of August, 1943, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [3178], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Miss [2898].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) Born September 20, 1896, in Potsdam, 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: ( - " - '41 - changes - supplementary activities - '39 - '34 - changes - '33 - " etc., on back to birth date.)
3. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as [3178].
4. For the entity to understand much of that as may be given, in analyzing this particular experience, do master numerology. For this is rather significant; that the entity's birth in the last three experiences in the earth was on the twentieth of what we call September.
5. Hence, as this would be an analysis of the entity [3178], it is also an experience of the entity as Charles Carroll and as Duem Markel.
6. In analyzing the experiences of the entity in the earth, and the urges that arise from these various experiences, these we choose from same with the desire and purpose that this be a helpful experience for the entity; enabling the entity to better apply those virtues within self to better fulfill the purposes for which it entered.
7. For, a general tendency or trend of the entity (which may not be said to be a virtue) is to hope or wait for something to happen; always expecting. Hence by some it is termed indolence, by others shiftlessness, and by others plain laziness. These are not the intentions of the entity, but those environs are created that makes a disturbing to the entity oft, in whatever form of activity it may choose.
8. While not wholly political, we find that activity having to do with the directing of affairs of groups, or of small cities or townships, or as a clerk in court or the like, the entity might find the channel through which to apply itself in the better way in this experience - as will be seen from the sojourns of the entity in the earth.
9. The entity, however, is one upon whom all may depend as to his sincerity of purpose, as to his integrity of purpose, or as to his honesty. In fact, to some he may appear to become too honest for himself; yet this is a virtue. But virtues too, can be misplaced, misused.
10. Astrologically, then, we find Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter; with Venus as a part of the urges latent and manifested in the astrological chart or view of the entity.
11. High mental abilities then, yet these tending to be towards activities in relationships to orders, rules, or regulations, that may be made by others; and the entity's adhering to or carrying out or administering these in the association of groups or other individuals. These should become active for the better advantage of the entity in the present.
12. In Venus we find a strong attachment for friends; and, as given, one may count self very lucky to have this entity as a friend. Though differences may arise in the experience these alter not the sincerity of the entity; though it is at times misjudged.
13. We find in Jupiter the benevolent forces, softheartedness; and yet (in that variation indicated in Saturn) the entity may become very hardminded, so as to be quarrelsome in effect to others at times. These may be easily retarded or removed from the experience of the entity, if it is the application of self in the purpose for which it entered. For the body is indeed the Temple of the Living God. Hence it must be used as the means for manifesting those purposes in the earth. For, as ye do it unto the least ye do it unto thyself and to thy God.
14. As to the appearances in the earth:
15. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity when there were turmoils and even the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
16. Then entity was the last to sign; not because of its lack of conviction but lack of that innate purpose, and the feeling "Well, something will turn up yet that will prevent the dissolving or the announcing of the divisions."
17. This is not intended to indicate a weak character; rather that the indecisions may become very great stumbling-blocks to the experience of the entity.
18. In that experience the entity gained but failed in some of those changes in which the activities had to do with many of the basic principles for which this country as a government stands; not from that same experience as Chase [Charles?, Samuel?] or those with whom the entity was acquainted, those activities of commercializing and expending as a unit to include the good in the mind and the heart of all.
19. Some of those experiences, even necessitating organization requiring study or effort would be channels, and are ever channels for the entity to apply itself in its relationships to others.
20. Before that the entity was in England, as a leader or director of various groups; though almost - as some have said - tagging along to the end before making final decisions.
21. The entity lost and gained; gained through those periods making application in its relationships to others.
22. Hence the experiences in which the entity directs the affairs of others, though in that experience not so delegated to others individuals or groups or masses.
23. Before that the entity was a soldier, in the Persian and Arabian land, when there arose the necessity for calling upon the home guard (as would be termed today); when there was the necessity for groups to organize in an effort to preserve the own land when there had been the attempt of the nomads to storm and take the city; even when there were those activities with the Grecian peoples at the time, and that treaty or agreement had been brought about between the two groups of people; yet we find the entity then defending the right and clinging to ritual.
24. Hence we will find in the entity's experience there will come those periods when there is a great deal of the use of the personal ritualistic influence - or as indicated the governing activity about the day of the birth. For, these are numerological influences to the entity; being in those periods as indicated of seven-ten, seven-twenty.
25. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land; aiding in the establishing of homes.
26. The entity was closely associated with those groups classed as the ones prompting the establishing of the home; though it first in something of an opposition to the Priest, later becoming a definite part of the Priest's purposes and ideals. However these appear to be changed from that as may be said about same at some varied periods of activity; though this offers, as through other experiences, a life pattern with and by and through which one may govern self.
27. Keep the faith.
28. As to the abilities of the entity:
29. Anything that has to do with the handling of campaigns, programs, or things having to do with others' financial status, or as a clerk of a town, community, county, or the like. These abilities are manifested in the manner in which those activities are outlined under the direction of a good numerologist.
30. In the activities, - let those choices be in keeping with things that fit in body and mind. Then study to show self approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth and keeping self unspotted from the world.
31. Ready for questions.
32. (Q) What work should I now be engaged in?
    (A) As indicated, small time politics, as would be called by some; as a clerk, as a crier, in organizations where individual activities become rather outstanding in that particular community.
33. (Q) Is the "FORCE" I am interested in, chemical, magnetic, electrical, or something else? Explain.
    (A) Vibratory; thus electrical in its vibration.
34. (Q) Who should I contact in connection with this?
    (A) Analyze and work this out first in self. Then there will be shown thee the manner in which to use these.
35. (Q) Can I rely on the method I have already used in getting information along this line?
    (A) You can always get information. As to how correct it will be, depends - but these, as we find, we would adhere to, for part of same at least.
36. (Q) What else should I do to help me understand it?
    (A) Study to show thyself approved unto Creative Forces. THERE is help.
37. We are through with this Reading.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 6/22/43 He obtained a Physical Reading for his wife, Mrs. [3054].
2. 7/22/43 He submitted these questions for his Life Reading:
   Dear Mr. Cayce:
   I have been given Aug. 24, 1943, as a date for a Life Reading, and would like to send the following questions:
   What work should I now be engaged in?
   Is the "FORCE" I am interested in, chemical, magnetic, electrical, or something else? Explain.
   Who should I contact in connection with this?
   Can I rely on the method I have already used in getting information along this line?
   What else should I do to help me understand it?
   Do I personally really have any connection with it?
   Why am I handicapped in this life by a sense of fear?
   Tell me of my life in Greece. My name.
   Tell me of my life in Atlantis.
   Did I live in America during the American Revolution?

REPORTS

1. 9/04/43 [3178]'s letter:
   Mr. Edgar Cayce Virginia Beach, Va.
   Dear Sir:
   I want to thank you for the "Life Reading" which came so promptly. It is very interesting. I have secured books on the life of the Signer, and am looking into things.
   Will you book me for a further reading on the Revolutionary War period? I feel that it would be well to have one.
   I shall send the questions and the check a little later as I understand you are booked up for about half of 1944 already.
2. 2/02/44 [3178]'s letter:
   I have been intending to write you about my Life Reading for some time. I found it very interesting and though I have not been able to remember anything which might lead me to FEEL that in a former life I had been Charles Carroll of Carrollton, yet I find I have a warm feeling for the scenes of his life and for the particular period in our country's growth when he lived.
   For some time prior to my "Life Reading," on Aug. 24, 1943, I had been thinking about the similarity between the problems of this Country now and then, I had even thought quite a bit about the place the "Founding Fathers" have in our present day life, so you can imagine my feelings when my "Life Reading" came.
   Since I feel that to have been one of those brave men, who formed the band of Fifty-Six Souls, whose signatures stand on a document so wonderful as to be a guide not only to our own people, but humanity as well, Charles Carroll would necessarily have been a developed soul at that time. I am therefore faced with the problem of trying to determine what particular thing was intended in this life, especially as the Reading said that this was the third incarnation on the SAME BIRTHDATE.
   I have read biographies of Charles Carroll, since August 24. I am ashamed to say that I knew nothing whatever about him prior to that date and very little about the Declaration. I have also studied the Revolutionary War period. My wife also reads along this line and since she has more leisure at the moment than I has made "notes" on some of the books. I find that Charles Carroll was a great reader, I confess that I am not, but I find the books concerning him somewhat exciting. I have visited the scenes of his life, at Annapolis, Baltimore, and Dourghregan Manor, just north of Washington. I have gone to Mount Vernon, with a different attitude than ever before. I have tried to familiarize myself with the details of his life, and think it is most interesting that I should be living so close to the scenes of his life as to make such trips and such a study so easy.
   The Life Reading said to "master numerology". There again I have taken up that study, but find it so inexact a matter that I am at a loss to know what particular thing could be gained by it. I keep at it though, from time to time, as I think that no doubt it is the STUDY of it and not some particular way of signing my name, for instance, which would help me most.
   Do you know of any particular Numerology Course which I could take up, or any particular books on the subject?
   Now my particular case does not hold as far as I can see a physical check, as in the case of the lady harpist [275], which you mentioned in one of the bulletins, but it nevertheless holds great possibilities, if any memory could come to me. I must say that I cannot wholly yet, accept the fact that I may have been the Signer, nor do I reject the idea. I believe in reincarnation in a general way, and am but waiting confirmation.
   There are a number of questions which have come to me which I intend to ask when I have my check reading on the Revolutionary War period in July. I am looking forward to my wife's reading on February 16, as it may throw some light.
   Naturally I am interested in knowing whether any other Signers of the Declaration or other great men of that period are in the body now. Does an analysis of the readings you have had show any others? Could you tell me if so, what such men are doing now? It seems if I am to do anything particular in this life, all up to now, must be but preparation, for I have certainly accomplished very little that satisfies me as yet. Nor am I satisfied to take it out in "just resting" as a friend I have talked to has suggested.
   I know this is a long letter, but I am in earnest about this matter and would appreciate a reply when you can give it.
   Most sincerely
3. 7/15/44 See 3178-2.
4. See Source File Key #3178 for Encyclopaedia Britannica biography of Charles Carroll, re 3178-1.

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