Edgar Cayce Readings, 4651-1

Time and Place: 11:00 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. ..., Ala.

TEXT

GC: You will have before you the body and the enquiring mind of [4651], in the office of the [...] Lumber & Mfg. Co., ..., Ala., and her business associations and relations. You will answer the questions regarding these that I will ask you.
EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [4651]. [In undertone] Much the father would say!
In the physical forces of the body, these we find very good in most respects.
In the business and financial relations, these we find cause some troubles, wonderings and speculations. Yet with the abilities of the body itself - and those intuitive forces that may manifest through the mental attributes of the body - these may be brought to a financial and business success, as well as a development for the abilities of the entity as a whole. Much of the intuitive force (as has been termed, and as is felt by the body often) may be DEVELOPED and ATTUNED to the point where the abilities of the father would be manifested through that counsel BY the body, to the development of the business. While there were periods when the father expressed the desire to be rid of, or to have a change in the business relations, yet the business of the company was such that it remained, and remains, near to the inmost being of the body. So the same conditions exist in the mind and inmost elements of this body, [4651], that this should go on much in the way and manner as was fostered so by the father.
Those of the relations with the other members of the firm may be trusted, and are trustworthy. There is not ALWAYS good judgement shown, as is indicated in the troubles that arise occasionally with deliveries or policies as are followed by those in charge. This is rather [from] the lack of the counsel as was often given in such by the father of this body, [4651]. Yet these conditions once set in order, by the knowledge that there is to be the CONTINUATION OF the efforts of those so associated, there will be seen soon the improvement in these minor conditions that arise. True, there is seen that there is not wholly the confidence or the ability of the firm - without that relation of [the father] to spread out, broaden out, take hold, as there was with that counsel. Yet this, TOO, will be seen to be overcome by those who would or should be put in charge of the expansion of these relations.
No, we do not find the will, for this, [4651], was MADE, destroyed, and the intent was to build another, yet it was NOT completed.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Is it best for my sister and me to stay in the business or to sell our part?
(A) If the body [4651] would give itself to the development of the business, as is now the intent in the mind, well and good. If the body would THINK of, or make other associations or relations that would prevent self from being and giving the counsel as may be gained or attained through the channels that are open FOR body, then well that same be changed. For there are those who have made proposals for the sale of the interest that could be made to be a substantial income or holding for the self and sister. Yet, if the body were to remain WITH same, with the company, then retain the interest!
(Q) How would it be best to operate the business?
(A) Well that it be put in the way and manner of being COOPERATIVE in its activity. The brother, yes, should remain as one in active charge of a portion of operations. Others in the office and ABOUT the plant should be retained. Some should not.
(Q) Which should not be retained?
(A) Those in the yards!
(Q) Is my brother capable of taking Papa's place in the business, and would he look out for my interest and that of my sister?
(A) Not in the full capacity, yet, as the father, but he is in that position where he may build TO that ability to handle the situation. Yes, capable, and with the proper counsel and cooperation FROM self [4651] he may be made or builded to be a very CAPABLE and SUCCESSFUL business man.
(Q) Would it be wise for me to live with my brother, or best that I live somewhere else for harmony sake?
(A) NEVER well that there be discord when each interest is TO be looked out for and looked after. Well that the body [4651] live alone, or in another place than with the brother, for harmony and for best interest. For, a house divided can not stand.
(Q) What disposition of property that may come to us is best?
(A) This must be handled as conditions arise. There are interests that had best be disposed of. There are others that would be well to hold. These, as given, had best be met as conditions arise.
(Q) Which should be disposed of and which held?
(A) These, as given, MUST be met as the conditions arise. These are NOT in hand as yet, but represent various conditions in the business that are to be taken in, or an interest held IN, for the settling up of conditions as exist with the business.
(Q) What investments would be safe for us in case we have money to invest?
(A) First, as given, there must be made that decision within self as to whether the body is to remain with the interest, and the interest be made one, or whether these will be separate. See? As the INTERESTS are set, then the investments would be in that line, see? Look out for the sister's interest, though, and self's interest also, until there is the settling up of the full interests.
(Q) Is it safer for me to manage my sister's business affairs rather than let her husband who does not seem capable of taking care of anything?
(A) For the best interest, as given, look out personally FOR the sister's interests.
(Q) Will it be to my interest to remain in the business rather than get a position outside to economize in overhead expense?
(A) Remain in the business, if the body would retain interest. If the body would be away from the interest, then seek OTHER conditions, see? but for the interest to be divided, by the body physically being away from the interest or business, would be to lose that touch, and that intuitive counsel and judgement as may be gained and attained by the body through the channels that have been indicated.
(Q) Of what value is the business, and if advisable to sell to whom could it be sold profitably?
(A) As has been indicated, these are answered. If the body would retain interest and give counsel itself, and guide and assist the brother, then remain. If the body would seek to change self's position in ANY relation, then sell to those who have made or who will make offers. These decisions MUST BE MADE IN SELF!
We are through.

BACKGROUND

6/22/28 She wrote: "On 6/10/28 my father died. He did not leave a will and my sister and I are not sure just what business steps to take for our best interests. We do not know who to trust and who not to trust. I wonder if it is in your line of work to get into communication with the spirit of my father and find out for us just what his judgement and wishes would be for my sister and me in our business affairs...is it best for my sister and me to sell our interests or to remain in the business, and is it best for me to retain my present job with the company?"
7/17/28 EC wrote following her 2nd ltr. in re appointment: "While I believe a rdg. would offer you suggestions that would be helpful to you in handling the proposition, I would hesitate to say definitely that it would solve your problem for you. Just as I would hesitate to say to anyone that it would help in a physical condition. We never know what we will get until afterwards, and we can only judge by the results others have gotten."
7/21/28 She submitted questions, including: "Did my father leave a will, if so where is it? Can the men connected in our business be trusted?"

REPORTS

7/27/28 She wrote: Thank you so much for your prompt reading. I hope that it will be of benefit to me in the long run. Much of the information is my judgement anyway. Or, rather it is that intuitive something that tells me to remain in the business by hook or crook or else sell. The question that was not answered to my full satisfaction was whether or not it would be best for my sister and I to remain connected with the business. You did tell what to do in case of either a decision to stay or remain but my GREAT DESIRE is to know which would be best for us. Is it possible for you to tell me that without going to any further expense at this time? I also wish you had told me just what it was Papa would say. You know you said "much the Father would say". And I would surely like to know Papa's judgement of what I should do at this time. Your information of the trustworthiness of the office force was much to my surprise for I had the idea that neither two of the men or the partner could be trusted. However, I am glad to hear that in your judgement they are. You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the YARD as being the place to get rid of the men. That has been the auditor's idea for the past two years as he said the biggest leak in the business could be there. The thing that puzzles me tho is just who is meant that should be gotten rid of.
Mr. Cayce, I thank you for your kindness and promptness in this matter and I sincerely hope I will be able to carry out the idea your information conveys for it is really my judgement exactly. However, I do want to know which course, as I have said before, would be best for my sister and I to take. I thought my question read that way is why I am asking you to tell me what you think.
8/01/28 EC's letter: I have yours of the 27th. I'm glad to know that much of the information was in keeping with your own judgement, for if it is not plain common sense - and in keeping with good judgement and good business - it won't be worth much. The mere fact that this information is consistent - practically ALWAYS consistent - is what has been mystifying to most everyone, and I know I haven't any more judgement and sense than most people - unless it is when I'm asleep.
Now, regarding your great desire - as I understand from the reading, Miss [4651], it was simply this: If you were not going to get married and wanted to make business your career, then stay with the business. If you desired to make home your career, then get rid of the business. That's the way I read it. Maybe you think that's reading between the lines, but that's the way I understood it.
I understand, from experiences that we have had, that there is much your father would say. Most of this will be given to you personally in your dreams. That's the experience we have had with a great many people. These may be emblematical, or they may be direct. Now the exact time you have such (for I'm sure you do have them), send it to us and we will see if we can get the interpretation DIRECTLY for you from your father. Now please don't misunderstand me, Miss [4651], and think that I understand I'm talking with spirits, or anything of the kind - but there MUST be communication, and the communication is to you; not to me - only may come THROUGH me. Try that! Let's see if it won't work out.
I think the handling of the yard and much of the business may be presented to you through this same channel. Don't think I'm trying to get you to spend a whole lot with us to see what we will get, because I'm just as anxious to know what you will get as you are. When it has been made worth while to you, THEN you contribute!
Let us hear from you whenever you have the opportunity. I've tried to answer the question frankly and just as I see it from the reading. Let us hear from you, and with kindest personal regards, I am
Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:GD
11/03/28 Miss [4651] congratulated EC on the opening of the Cayce Hospital, saying: "The work is intensely interesting to me and I will always be glad to know it's progress and, if possible, be able to assist in it at some time in the future."