This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 20th day of February 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [3685], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the article in Coronet.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gladys Davis, Conductor and Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) [3685] and Mary Wirsing. Born June 10, 1914, in Beloit, Wisconsin.

TEXT

1. GD: 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: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as [3685].
3. In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them, there is much from which to choose. For there are great abilities in the personality and individuality of this entity.
4. Hence we would choose these as that information which if applied in the experience of the entity will enable the entity to better fulfill the purpose for which it chose to enter this sojourn.
5. To be sure, from the individuality of the entity, much that may be given will be questioned by the entity. For the entity is, in itself, a student. But study rather SELF in relationships to that the entity chooses as its ideal, and we will find a great deal of harmony where confusion in the present has existed. For, as indicated oft, each entity has within itself the possibilities of the universal consciousness. These may be obtained by the analysis of the body with its emotions, its limitations, its desires, its hopes, its fears; and by an analysis of the mind-body and of the soul-body. For as the entity finds, it is in a three-dimensional plane of experience. While the mind is capable of exploring many dimensions, the physical being has not attained - as indicated in that one we would point as the ideal pattern for the entity. True, there are many teachers, there are many signs, there are many symbols - in body, in mind and in the studies of man. Yet none of these may equal the abilities of the entity in itself, if the entity sets its ideals in the promises that are the entity's.
6. First, as seen or presented well in Exodus 19:5, there must be the desire for spiritual light, for spiritual insight, for spiritual purpose; that the body, the mind may be in accord or attuned to the infinite - as manifested in the soul of the entity.
7. Then, as expressed by the lawgiver, it is in self and not without self that the consciousness must come. As given, "My spirit (God's spirit as manifested in the Christ) bears witness with thy purpose."
8. Thus the ideal set in Christ, as manifested in the individual entity called Jesus, is the way, is the only way that true light, the truth in light, may be experienced in mind, in body.
9. For as in the Godhead, we find the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, so the mind of the entity is the way - as Jesus. The body is the whole, the one. The spirit, that ye entertain, is that which may coordinate with the mind of the Christ and not the mind of self for material desires. For He, the Father-God, will not withhold any good thing - physical, emotional, mental - that is held in the consciousness of the entity who seeks His face.
10. And thy body is indeed the temple of the living God. There He has promised to meet thee.
11. Then, in mind, in body, so prepare self as to be in accord or in keeping with that thou would prepare for thy Lord, thy Master.
12. For, He has much work for thee to do.
13. Through the signs and the symbols of the entity's experiences in the earth, and through the sojourn in the realms of consciousness indicated from the birth, the period and those activities:
14. First be conscious of this - that the Lord hath need of thee with thy faults, with thy virtues. For without the consciousness that thou art His and He is thine, ye may not claim that birthright, ye may not pass this way without sorrow or without condemnation. But with that consciousness He healeth thy diseases, He instructeth thy mind, He pointeth the way that ye will choose.
15. In Mercury with Mars we find the high mental abilities, the entity being one who takes all emotions, all conditions and activities very seriously. Yet the entity has within itself the appreciation of humor, seeing the optimistic side as well as the pessimistic side of any experience. Hold to that. For the ability expressed by the Master in such periods is indeed the way that makes every cross easy and every burden light. Hold, then, to that ability to be witty, to show proper wisdom. Quit being too serious. Laugh it off. He did, even the Cross in Calvary.
16. In Venus with Mercury and Mars we find the ability as well as the activities in which the entity may apply itself in writing, in that which may be most advantageous - especially for children, children in the teen-age years. Not blood and thunder stories, not mysteries that are to be unsolved, but the mystery of unfolding knowledge, of how and why that when one sows the seed of the spirit the harvest in that life must be beautiful, must be bountiful. And the seeds of the spirit are: kindness, gentleness, longsuffering, patience, brotherly love, fellowship - and just being and keeping the smile, not the sneer.
17. These types of stories, this type of writing may the entity do well.
18. In Venus also we find the deep, sincere love emotions, and at least two to three - yea more - real love affairs will be a part of the entity's experience, and will be seen from the sojourns in the earth. Be not overhasty in the selection, and let the companionship be that which answers as from heart to heart, not from body to body, not from emotion to emotion, but purpose, desire as of Creative Forces.
19. That should be the experience - and thy children will call thee blessed.
20. All of the experiences in the earth are not indicated but those that are a portion of the experience in the present cycle. For as the body changes through each cycle, so do the urges change. For some are applied, some are retained, some are discarded. But the gentle and general urges, those indicated from the composite of the latent or manifested urges from sojourns and the interims between these, are predominant.
21. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity in those periods when there were the settlings about what is now Chicago.
22. Thus the city, the environ has an attraction, has also a repellant experience for the entity. For the entity was among those who were driven from the environ during that period when Dearborn was burned.
23. Yet the ability to analyze people, the ability to draw conclusions quickly, arises from the associations of the entity through that experience with the varied types - Indians, Frenchmen, Englishmen, Norsemen; as all of these were a portion of the entity's associations and activities through that sojourn.
24. The country, nature, periods to be alone and periods to hunt for great companionship - these are a part of the present experience from that sojourn.
25. The name then was Claire Inchworth. The entity gained, and yet kept in self those urges for the greater expression.
26. And this is latent in the present. Learn, as indicated, that ye are limited only by thyself and thy purposes. But let thy pleasure ever be "Thy will, O God - thy will let it be."
27. Before that the entity was in the Holy Land following those periods when the Master walked in the earth.
28. The entity then was among those of the household of faith, for the entity then was the offspring of one chosen as the minister and teacher in the church at Laodicea.
29. There the entity was the bone of contention between some of those of the church and some of those peoples, in that period of disturbance between Paul, Barnabas, Lucius and his household. For the entity then was of the household of Lucius; knowing of and yet not wholly aware of those contentions that arose.
30. And the questioning of the purpose of men arose from that experience. For the way of a man with a maid, as the preacher gave, is not understood by others; only by the individual, according to the purpose within.
31. The name then was Susana.
32. Before that the entity was in what is now known as the Grecian, Persian and Arabian land. For the entity was among the Grecians, beautiful in body, purposeful in activities, being an entertainer who could use the wiles to influence men as well as its own associates and companions; being among those sent to the 'city in the hills.'
33. There the entity came in contact with the associates and the companion of Uhjltd, that brought about changes in its experiences in the earth. For the entity accepted the tenets and teachings of the healer, the teacher there.
34. There the entity met and became associated with the companion who should be the companion in this experience. May it be so. For the entity brought the teachings, the instructions, the abilities to write, from those experiences.
35. For the entity then was the keeper of the records for what became the Zoroastrian religious purposes.
36. The entity gained, and the entity should use those religious purposes as comparative experiences in the present - but know that these also from that same one who gave, "I am the way, the truth and the light."
37. The name then was Elclara.
38. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land during those periods when there were the preparations for individuals in the regeneration of the race, the expressions through which there were to be changes in those activities.
39. The entity then was dedicated in the Temple of Sacrifice, and occupied a positive station in the Temple Beautiful.
40. Thus those activities in the present may ever be of the positive, never the negative expressions, in its choice of means and manners through which to attain its activities.
41. Its service in the present may be through secretarial work, as well as home building activities. For the entity, as indicated, should have the ideal home, and write for the teen-age boys and girls - as to their demeanor one with another through that period.
42. The name then was Is-ors-en.
43. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, that to which it may attain and how:
44. As indicated, know thy ideal - spiritual, mental, material. Realize that each - the physical, the mental, the spiritual - needs to be manifested. They each need the supplying of fuel, just as the body does.
45. Then study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly stressing each phase of the experience, keeping self from condemnation; not condemning self, not condemning others.
46. Put thy whole trust in Him. For He may come to thee with those blessed words; "Be not afraid, it is I."
47. Ready for questions.
48. (Q) For what purpose did I come into the earth at this time?
    (A) To lead and direct others.
49. (Q) What is my work with the Association for Research and Enlightenment?
    (A) This should be a choice. But do write - for the young.
50. (Q) Through what channels may I find an outlet for my writing?
    (A) What have you just asked! In any of those ways in which there may be the spreading, the giving of activity and instruction to others.
51. (Q) Where should I live?
    (A) Wherever ye choose. Virginia Beach is a very good place.
52. (Q) What have been my past associations with the following, and how can I best help them in the present: My sister, [...]?
    (A) In the experience before this you both loved the same man. You know the troubles that such usually brings. You found them there. Yet you have much to do, much to give to one another in the present; not so much in words as in wishes and in the life you live.
53. (Q) My niece, [...]?
    (A) In the 'city in the hills and the plains' as well as in Egypt. You worked well together.
54. (Q) My brother-in-law, [...]?
    (A) We don't find [...].
    There's not an indifference, but there are those feelings, "Well, I don't understand."
55. (Q) Edgar Cayce?
    (A) The father in the Holy Land experience.
56. (Q) Is there an element of homosexuality about me, as someone suggested?
    (A) No. Only as ye entertain such, does it become a part of thy consciousness. Apply self in kindness, gentleness. But such is not a part of thee.
    Keep those ways that have been indicated. Ye have much to do, much to give. Show thyself approved unto God, thy ideal - the way, the manner, as shown in the Son, in the purpose. Speak often with Him within thine own temple.
57. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 9/09/43 [3685]'s letter: "Please believe me, with at least 26 jobs behind me, my present position to be taken from me, a 27th failure, facing 30 with no idea what to do next, it is necessary for me to find out why I was put here, what work I'm to do and to do it quickly. If it is true that we are all placed here for a reason, perhaps you can discover that for me. I will not quit until it is done, but I should hate to die leaving an unfinished task behind me, simply because it isn't cricket and I shouldn't rest easy."

REPORTS

1. 9/01/44 [3685] submitted questions for a Physical Reading to be given on July 7, 1945 but was cancelled due to EC's death:
   "Gladys, ... If you can think of anything more, please add same, but the one concerning mental illness and the other concerning hypersensitivity are important to me. What do you think about them? Frankly I think the mental illness is some sort of persecution complex but I'm dinged if I know why.
   "1. The entity has reason to believe that it is suffering from mental illness, due to excess fear emotions without apparent cause. Is this illness from physical causes and if so what are the physical and spiritual cures for same? "2. The entity has a strong physical sex urge. How can this surplus energy be put into constructive acts until such time as the entity is married? "3. What are the physical and spiritual causes and cures of the digestive trouble the entity has been having for years? "4. What injuries were suffered in the accident some years ago that haven't been cleared up and how can they be cleared up? "5. The entity has reason to believe that it is suffering from the following ailments and wishes to know the physical and spiritual causes and cures for same: low blood pressure, anemia, low thyroid gland excretion, poor hearing, eye trouble, poor circulation, upset of the pineal gland (hope that spelling is right). "6. The entity is a highstrung, hypersensitive person. What are the physical and spiritual causes and cures for same? "7. What are the physical and spiritual causes and cures for the lack of calcium assimilated by the entity's body? "8. How is it possible to straighten the bones of the entity's legs?"
2. GD's note: Miss [3685] worked in Norfolk and visited A.R.E. often during those hectic last few months of EC's life. After EC died she went back to Illinois and news reached us of her delving into the work of every so-called 'psychic' who came along. We later heard that she had suffered a nervous breakdown.
3. 3/16/47 [3685]'s letter to GD:
   "Since learning that Edgar Cayce was a fraud, and having gone to great lengths to recuperate from the shock - and it was a shock, the letters you sent have meant, for a long time, nothing to me.
   "It does not mean that I did not and do not appreciate the fine people involved, but it does mean that it is silly for you to continue to send me letters containing much information that I KNOW TO BE FALSE. "Sorry to have to put it this way, but I have learned that the truth, no matter how it hurts, is the best way after all.
   "By the way, did you ever get rid of Dr. Bidwell? I understand I could have sued and won.
   "As I said before, I am sincerely sorry this had to happen..."
4. 3/20/47 GD's letter to [3685]:
   "For ages I have intended writing you, and I have thought about you hundreds of times and wondered how you were getting along.
   "It grieves me to think that you must have been going through many trials about which I knew nothing and was not able to help.
   "I can't imagine what it is that has convinced you that Edgar Cayce was a fraud, but whatever it is I'm hoping that you will tell me about it in detail. For, although I was closely associated with him for twenty-two years and did not discover any fraud, I am still open to the truth - even as he was - no matter what it may be.
   "If we are working in the dark, and you have some light which we do not have, I implore you to let us in on it. Darkness always disappears when the light is present. I know you are sincere in your convictions, and I'm sure that you believe that I am. Many of the Norfolk people keep asking if we have heard from you and how you are. You made quite an impression down here, you see, just as you would do no matter where you went. I was hoping that you had a kindly feeling toward all of us but that your life was so full these days that you had no time to write. That's why I kept sending you the literature, feeling that you'd be interested in reading it even if you didn't write us about it.
   "But now knowing how you actually feel, we're taking your name off the list. I feel as if I'm performing a major operation on you OR the Association, I don't know which.
   "Please, [3685], write me the details about all this, if you can possibly bring yourself to do it. I think it will help both of us, as you say, to get things out in the open so that we can both see clearly just what the bugaboo is.
   "Regardless of what happens, I want you to know that I love you and appreciate all that you did to help us during such trying times. If you have any hidden light to shed on our activities, you can still help us further by revealing it. Hugh Lynn has been anxious to meet you, because he has heard so many nice things about you. We both will listen with an open mind to anything you have to say.
   "Even if you should not care about Edgar Cayce's work, I hope that you will come back sometime to visit us in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, where you have a great many friends.
   "Do write me when you can..."

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