This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 4th day of January, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [3488], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by article in Coronet.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Harmon Bro.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you the entity [3488], born August 13, 1910, in St. Louis, Mo., now at ..., Chicago, Ill., who seeks a Mental and Spiritual Reading with suggestions for improvement.
2. EC: Yes, we have the entity here, [3488] the enquiring mind, with the abilities latent and manifested in the personality of the present entity.
3. In giving that which as we find may be helpful for this entity - the entity in itself reasons well. For it is indicated that there are many fields of activity in which the entity might excel, yet abilities in one line are more definitely indicated than in others.
4. Thus it is well that the premise be given from which such counsel would be outlined for this entity, and that the entity analyze this well within its own consciousness. If there is that which responds to the spiritual within, then do something about it.
5. By nature the entity is tending towards a religious purpose. But there is a vast difference in the word religion and in a conviction within the innate self as to what constitutes religious principles.
6. Who and what is the author, then, of thy religious purpose? Is it that ye may be well-spoken of, because in the society or group which ye associate with this is considered rather the proper thing to do? Or is it rather basically as that of old, "Others may do as they will or may, but as for me, I will - within my soul, mind and purpose - serve a living God"?
7. It is rather from that premise, then, that we would give that which may be applied in the activities of the entity for greater soul development - which brings greater harmony and peace within self.
8. The body finds itself, then, a body, a mind, a soul; a body with physical attributes, physical desires that may be answered or supplied as appetites of the physical being; a mind with its hopes and purposes; a soul with its beliefs or tenets. These are one, even as the Lord thy God is one - creative in nature, yes, ever - and supplying in its every effort that which is contributory to body, mind and purpose; creative, life-giving, purposeful influences.
9. Then, ye have chosen well.
10. For, the Lord thy God is one Lord - and has promised that when ye are in doubt ye may approach His throne boldly and ask. And as He has promised, though ye may be far away, or though ye may be supplying daily those things that are creative and constructive, He will answer thee speedily.
11. Thus may ye have the assurance of those blessed promises that He will walk with thee daily - if ye purpose in thy soul to speak and apply in thy mind, and act in that manner that ye desire such in thy daily physical, mental and spiritual experience.
12. For thy body - beautiful as it is - is indeed the temple of the living God. There He has promised to meet thee.
13. Then keep the body-physical, keep the body-mental, keep the body-soul-spiritual, in such an order that ye would oft entertain thy Lord and thy Master.
14. As indicated, in many fields of activity ye may contribute much - in art, in music, yea in the art of writing ye may contribute much to the welfare of others; especially as ye are gifted in writing books, children's stories, stories that carry not merely their story but that may present activities and movements of characters that ye consciously or unconsciously bring the desire in the mind of the reader not merely to be good but to be good for something in the vineyard of the Lord - and that they can better do that by just being kind, patient, longsuffering, showing brotherly love to others.
15. In such a manner may the entity teach others. Whether it is in music or in storywriting or storytelling, or in the direct art of pedagogy, ye may find the outlet for the greater contribution that the entity, [3488] may make to its fellow men in the present.
16. Take time daily, then, to commune with thy better self, thy God.
17. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 10/19/43 [3488]'s letter: "I am paralyzed with fear and sense of defeatism. I have always wanted to marry but from fear and over-eagerness I have always spoiled every opportunity. I know I am too self-absorbed but I seem to meet a closed door in all my attempts to get out of myself. If I am ever to have another chance to marry, please help me meet it successfully and if I am to always go on alone, please help me to find the way and courage to do what God wants me to. I am not good enough to either get to God for guidance or to understand if he has given me signs. If this is too selfish a request, just tear up this letter. I also don't have the courage of suicide."
2. 12/17/43 [3488]'s letter: "I should like to ask God what he wants me to do.
   Should I go into the Naval Hospital Corps or would that be another unsuccessful attempt at escape. If I should stay at home, how can I make it happier?
   I would like to ask several other questions but I am afraid they are too greedy. Please, you decide whether they would spoil the rdg. and if so, ignore them.
   Is there any way I can win Bill again? Will I ever marry and if not, is there any way I can raise a child?
   I shall be at work on Jan. 4th at ... St., Chicago, but shall take my luncheon hour at 9:30 and go to the rest room on the 10th floor for that hour.
   Thank you very much. I realize I am neither worthy nor needy enough so I shall feel no criticism if the rdg. doesn't work."

REPORTS

1. 1/07/44 EC wrote [3488]: "In reply to your letter of Dec. 17th, I am in hopes that you have found real help in the information given in the Reading. I am sure that you, like practically everyone else, may have to read the data over many times to get just what it is trying to tell you. But if you will read it and lay it aside, and then after a few days read it again, lay it aside and in a few days read it again, I believe that you will, as most people, grow to understand what it is telling you and see something helpful, or something that you can use to every advantage.
   "Hoping then, to have been the means of helping you..."

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