This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the home of David E. Kahn, 44 West 77th St., Apt. 14-W, New York City, this 18th day of April, 1936, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mr. [261], Mr. [914], Hugh Lynn Cayce, Mildred Raible, and Lucian Warner.

TEXT

1. GC: You will have before you members of the Economic Research Committee of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., some of whom are present in this room. It is their desire periodically to secure information through this channel pertaining to general economic conditions and trends of mass thought and action both here and abroad, with particular reference to the effects of such conditions and mass thought and action on individuals in this country. It is their further desire to give the information received such publicity as will make its use generally beneficial. You will advise and direct them as to how best to conduct such a series of readings, what types of information should prove most beneficial and how best to make the information available. You will answer questions.
2. EC: Yes, we have the desires of those present relative to conditions general and specific.
3. In considering such a subject and in the approach to same, seeking through such a channel, this should be done with first the nature or the approach of such information and as to how helpful same may be in the experience of individuals.
4. It is, then, with a great deal of forethought that such would be attempted, not only from the viewpoint of the characters that may be presented in such information from period to period; but each individual as an individual must assume a great obligation upon his own part.
5. For to know and not to do, to him it becomes sin.
6. Hence in such an approach, they each should weigh well in the balance as to whether there are ulterior motives or whether they are of the nature that is rather just wonderment, and with little thought or idea of what such information might put upon them as individuals. And again as to whether such would be used for that of personal gain, or is it to be given to all who would in themselves seek?
7. For, as has ever been given from old, they that set themselves in array must either choose to serve those in high places or to serve mankind as a whole.
8. These questions, these considerations, should first be determined, then, in the mind, in the heart of each that may seek.
9. Then there comes the how, or in what manner may these be given that would be of a helpful, hopeful nature to the seeker, as well as to what would such a seeker do with that as may be given AS information that is affecting and will affect not only themselves but their fellowman.
10. Through those channels of that organization, then, or through ANY that in sincerity seek by their own equipment or enquirement, or their sincerity, such information should be given to those that ASK for same. But with those same warnings that he that uses same for his own personal aggrandizement DOES so to his OWN undoing.
11. Ready for questions.
12. (Q) Explain from what sources this information may be obtained.
    (A) Conditions, thoughts, activities of men in EVERY clime are things; as thoughts are things. They make their impressions upon the skein of time and space. Thus, as they make for their activity, they become as records that may be read by those in accord or ATTUNED to such a condition. This may be illustrated in the wave length of the radio or of such an activity. They (the activities, etc.) go upon the waves of light, upon that of space. And those instruments that are ATTUNED to same may hear, may experience, that which is being transmitted.
    Hence do not in seeking CONFUSE thyself that there may not be variations as to the interpretations of economic influences or forces that are being enacted in the thought and activity of varied groups. Just as either [ether?] program may be sent from any given activity. The outer world is only an activity of the shadow world.
13. (Q) Give the proper suggestion for establishing the highest possible contacts for each reading.
    (A) This depends upon that source, that station, that activity that is to be interpreted. For each influence is set as has been given; as a consciousness of this, that or the other land. And those in authority or the greater influence of that group or nation are then as a unit, as a station. And these then would be merely the contact of that which is the UNIVERSAL consciousness of America, Canada, Britain, Italy, France, Japan, the East, the West, or what not.
14. (Q) How frequently should readings be given?
    (A) If such a GROUP USES same PROPERLY, they may only be altered by how well that as may be given is applied in the experience of the seeker.
    For to have, to know and not do, not to make practical, not to make active, becomes (such information) as stumblingblocks.
    What read ye, how interpret ye that which prompted this land in its separating itself or binding itself for a functioning in the affairs, the experiences of man? What prompted that? What prompted that binding of themselves in an activity?
    THESE become the basic forces in the economic relations of a peoples of any nation.
    There has arisen and there is arising in the affairs and the experiences of man everywhere the necessity of there being not so much the consideration of a land as of all lands as a unit. For MANKIND is his brother, and thou ART thy brother's keeper.
    The closest there has come [to] the laying of an IDEAL was when those nations, those representatives of many nations sat as in council. And yet man's greed, man's fear of his own self, so entered in that it became as a stumblingblock for the world.
    And there has arisen from same those influences, those forces that have become crystallized in the minds of individuals that have gathered about themselves and crystallized into activity such an influence that soon there must be a reckoning. For again has the Prince of Peace been CRUCIFIED upon the ALTAR, the cross of greed!
15. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Mr. [261]
    Copy to [914]
    Copy to [641]
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 11/07/35 HLC's letter to Mr. [914]: [Mr. [914] and Mr. [261] were interested in forming an Economic Research Committee of A.R.E. to secure periodically general readings from EC on world economic conditions.]
   Dear Mr. [914]:
   With reference to the Committee for Economic Research of the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., I am furnishing you herewith the names and addresses of a few individuals who, I am sure, will be glad to assist you in getting together the questions for the first survey reading to be given in the early part of December. There will, of course, be others who may desire to assist in this work, but I believe that it will be better to begin with a few and increase this number as the interest grows in this special phase of the work.
   Mr. [849] ..., Mr. [270] ..., Mr. [165] ...
   I am sure these gentlemen, all of whom have been interested in the work for many years will respond favorably to a brief letter of explanation from you.
   Yours very truly, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Manager HLC/a
2. 11/20/35 Mr. [849]'s letter to Mr. [914]:
   In answer to your communications regarding a set of questions to be used in an economic survey reading by Mr. Cayce, it seems to me that I am somewhat poorly fitted to be of assistance. My job is reporting and writing; naturally I am interested in economics, but know little about them. I would like to know whether capitalism will endure, what form of government and economic system will take the place of the present one, and at what time. Since the readings have indicated change in these systems in the near future, and since a sane observation of the scene at the present time indicates the same thing, I would suggest that some information be requested as to the trends that are in motion and an attempt to be made to elicit from the readings some advice as to how to proceed.
   The above may sound as if I had leftist leanings. Quite the contrary. I am a rightist definitely, but I also have observed people and talked with them all over the country of late, and here now in New York, and there is going to be a lot of change in the next decade in thought and in our system of government and economics. I would like to know what way the wind is blowing. It seems to me that such a general subject as a theme, with more definite suggestions to guide the information along desired lines, would produce very interesting results. Thank you for asking me. I am sorry that I cannot be of more help, but it's out of my sphere of knowledge entirely.
3. 11/24/35 Mr. [165]'s letter to Mr. [914]:
   Your favors of the 14th and 18th received. Absence from Atlanta on my part is responsible for delay in replying.
   I am a little at sea as to the meaning of the word 'economic' as used by yourself and Hugh Lynn. If I can learn that, I will be more than glad to send such suggestions as seem pertinent.
   Yours very truly, [165]
4. 12/02/35 Mr. [270]'s letter to Mr. [914]:
   Assuming your letters of Nov. 14 and 16 constitute the institution of a plan whereby periodic readings will be obtained on economic conditions, then I am agreeable to participate in the submission of a series of comprehensive questions, providing proper arrangements can be made.
   Obviously, questions you may ask involving avenues of thought which you desire to promote may not appeal to me; conversely, questions I may ask would not meet your requirements. Hence the necessity for a co-ordinator familiar with and in close touch with the association and its work.
   The personal membership of this group should be designated. The number of readings annually to be agreed to, cost and the prorate to each member determined before the undertaking is definitely formulated.
   It is therefore suggested that Mr. H. L. Cayce be asked to act as co-ordinator for the first year, schedule for readings developed, each member advised, it then becoming his obligation to submit desired material to Mr. Cayce for arrangements and inclusion on the questions.
   Personally I think a reading each sixty days ample; however others may wish them at more frequent intervals, and for the present I doubt the wisdom of issuing this information through the association monthly bulletin, because it seems to me the idea requires development and at least during the first year it would be better to confine the information to the member sponsoring it. Each member should of course receive a complete copy of each reading.
   Assuming this group is made up of ten men, each submitting 1 or 2 questions per reading, some of which will be so correlated as to permit consolidation, thus providing about 15 questions per reading, and for this information I am willing to contribute $25.00 for the first year. In writing you thus, please don't misunderstand the motive as I have no desire to dictate but my long and gratifying experience with Mr. Cayce and the association teaches me that formulation and presentation of the questions is very important and to obtain best results, I think, all questions should be formulated by one individual.
5. 1/07/36 HLC's letter to [914]:
   I have your letter of December 9, before me along with copies of the letters from Messrs. [165], [849] and [270]. I regret that I have not been able to take this matter up with you before this time.
   With reference to the question asked by [165] as to our use of the word economic, my feeling in the matter is that our readings should not be devoted strictly to subjects under the dictionary definition of this term. I feel that the readings do interpret with remarkable accuracy the thought and trends of feelings of masses of people and that such information relative to our own nation and the effect on our policies of foreign mass thinking would be most interesting and helpful. It is possible also that such readings might give some insight into the laws governing disturbances in natural laws, such as storms, earthquakes, draughts, etc., as they influence economic conditions. (There is every indication from many psychic sources that 1936 will be a most eventful year in this respect.) We might also consider discourses on human relations relative to war - its causes and remedies - approaching if necessary from the strictly economic factors. Racial, social and political factors involved in the coming world changes should not be neglected. Perhaps in simpler words my idea would involve a series of readings interpreting the unsettled conditions as approached from different angles and discussions of the possible trends in the changes that are definitely in progress the world over. I feel that each reading should be limited to some particular angle of approach and that questions be as definite and concrete as possible.
   As already indicated in my discussion with you and Mr. [261], I feel that you would be more capable of working up the questions for the readings than I. We can, I am sure, explain to Mr. [270] this situation. I will gladly go over the questions for each reading carefully and add such follow up questions as may seem desirable during the course of any reading.
   As regards Mr. [270]'s discussion of the method of handling the readings, I would like to suggest that our arrangements include if possible the arrangements for making some practical application of the information obtained. Copies of the readings should of course go to each member, but I would like to see material from these readings collected and presented, if necessary in carefully disguised form, not only for members of the Association to discuss and think about, but also to the public through popular magazines. It might of course be necessary to cut much of the material received, but I am sure much of it would be constructive and that the committee should include in its plans means of getting its findings before the public. The name of Edgar Cayce, the Association, or member of the committee need not, of course, be connected with such publication.
   Members of the committee should, I believe, consider contributing sufficient to meet the expenses of the readings and also the slight increase in offices expenses involved in the distribution of the readings. This would be governed by the number of readings obtained over the period of a year. I would consider four or six readings for the first year to be about the proper number.
   As you will understand I differ with Mr. [270] in the purpose of these readings. There will certainly be no need for them unless they can be used to advantage to improve either general or individual conditions. I consider the contribution to better general thinking along such lines - to be induced through publication of the material contained - as being as important, or perhaps more important than the benefits derived by the individual members of the committee for personal understanding of conditions or practical application.
   I am writing to Mr. [270] regarding your work as compiler of the questions and also regarding the purpose of the readings as a whole. A copy of this letter is inclosed.
   I hope that our first reading will take place at an early date. It will be necessary to "feel" our way in the presentation of subjects and questions for the first reading or so. A question in the first reading as to the best approach might bring out something helpful, if the purpose of these readings has been sufficiently agreed upon.
   I am personally very interested in this phase of the work and promise you that your correspondence will hereafter receive more prompt attention.
   Very truly yours, Hugh Lynn Cayce
6. Questions prepared that did not get asked: "In what other ways besides those mentioned may this information be made of value to individuals, groups and masses for constructive purposes? Will you comment briefly on the general economic conditions in each of the following countries and the trends of mass thinking therein particularly as related to the existing form of government of each such country: England, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Japan. Is the public sentiment in any of these countries such that further wars are likely in the near future? Is it probably that the League of Nations can survive after its failure to prevent or control the Italian Ethiopian conflict? Will the trend toward nationalism in these countries continue or has it approached its peak? Do these countries generally favor increased international trade and if so are they willing to take the necessary steps, monetary and otherwise to make such trade possible? In the United States is the Democratic or the Republican party gaining in followers? Which party now stands the best chance of winning the November election? Do the masses favor increased centralization of government or decentralization? Do the masses favor increased or decreased public spending? Do the masses favor a balancing of the Federal budget? What is the ruling opinion concerning the government's expenditures for the unemployed? Is it probable that industry will gradually absorb all present unemployed, or will there be a continuing unemployment problem that must be met? Has the public generally any realization of the ultimate effects of government deficits? Do the masses favor amendments to the Constitution that would give increased power to the Federal Government? Do the masses favor any curtailment of the present powers of the Supreme Court? Is the labor union movement gaining in force and if so to what extent? Has Communism reached or is it likely to reach a dangerous stage in this country? Are there any other trends in mass thinking that may have an important bearing on the economic conditions in this country? Have you any further suggestions? What about the new trends in modern ideas or movements - Socialism, Communism, International Cooperative movements, etc.? Most of the best minds of the world in all fields are coming to the conclusion that we must have socialistic cooperation not only within each nation, but between the nations and the peoples within the different nations, before we can have any substantial advancement in the human race. What information, if any, can the Association for Research and Enlightenment give on these questions? Are any of the twelve disciples on earth today? If so, which disciples are they and in which countries are they to be found? Are we at the present entering into the "last days" as described by Jesus Christ when he said... "There will be wars and rumors of wars, etc...therefore know ye that the Kingdom of God is at hand"? Why are we visited with pests...such as flies, mosquitoes, boll weevils, etc., that seem to do no earthly good? Is America's destiny within the next few years to be that of war? Despite much propaganda to the contrary, Hitler seems to have done much to revive the hopes and aspirations of the German People. Regardless of what our personal views may be today, how will history regard him?"
7. 4/18/36 Mr. [914] and Mr. [261], members of the Economic Research Committee of A.R.E., were present for 3976-16.

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