This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 9th day of April, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [5001], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Miss Esther Wynne.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. (Notes read to and transcribed by Jeanette Fitch.) [5001], Esther Wynne, Helen and Marsden Godfrey. Born September 7, 1911, in Norfolk County, in what is now South Norfolk, Va.

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: Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [5001].
3. In giving the interpretations of the records some of these will appear to be, to the entity, unusual. Yet the entity may see itself in these if it will analyze especially the two experiences in the earth that are having, in the present, the greater bearing on the activities and urges latent and manifested in the entity's experience.
4. As Croesus he was a hard-hearted guy, with more power than he used properly. Do you use your authority in the present correctly? Who is to judge but self?
5. In analyzing the urges latent, we find here more in the appearances in the earth than the astrological aspects, though these are a part of the consciousness - yet are too often denied in the physical reactions.
6. For, as just indicated, the entity is one who has allowed so oft the authority vested in self to be abused by self, when it comes to relationships with those with whom the entity is closely associated or identified.
7. Astrologically we find Venus and Neptune as parts of the experience.
8. Venus is that which brings into the experience the consciousness of spiritual things, yet there is the lack of that within self to overcome those tendencies to become dictatorial. When there is the opportunity or when there are the activities that are averse to that experienced by the entity, or when the authority of the entity is questioned, he doesn't say nice words at times, which doesn't speak well for self or of self.
9. Know, as has so oft been indicated, no individual is worth much without a temper but he who cannot control it is worth much less.
10. As for those experiences in the earth, these are those through which the entity has the most to meet in self in the present:
11. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity during those periods when companions were gathered for individuals in the new land from other lands.
12. The entity then was a planter but more in authority as to a large plantation for others, though the entity was entirely in authority.
13. In the name then Nelson Drake the entity's material activities brought the entity in the position as one whose word was not questioned by large numbers of men.
14. From the groups coming from England the entity chose a companion for making the home and to produce a family. Through the experience the entity found disturbance because of the lack of the companion bearing children. There were disputations that brought about separation. These made hardships for the entity, for when there were children with the companion in other environs, the entity took its own self rather seriously, rather too seriously for the entity's own good.
15. These are problems you are meeting in self in the present. For ye had the same companion through that experience. Thus let that of duty from the spiritual self be the guiding influence. For the entity finds self with a body which it can get along with very well! It can use its own judgments, its own appetites, its own activities. The mind becomes something else! and these influences should be governed by spiritual import, spiritual purpose. Know that what is first conceived is in spirit. In mind does it grow to an activity which becomes either creative or self-satisfying, self-gratifying.
16. These do not always become creative. These will make for activities, but in what manner? For the law of the Lord is perfect, and whatsoever an entity, an individual sows, that must he reap. That as law cannot be changed. As to whether one meets it in the letter of the law or in mercy, in grace, becomes the choice of the entity. If one would have mercy, grace, love, friends, one must show self in such a manner to those with whom one becomes associated. For like begets like.
17. There are barriers builded, yes. These may be taken away in Him, who has paid the price for thee; not of thyself but in faith, in love, in patience, in kindness, in gentleness may it be met.
18. That these have been the experience may appear to the entity as rather unfair. Is it? The law of the Lord is perfect. His grace is sufficient, if thy patience will be sufficient also.
19. In that experience the entity did not gain, did lose and did gain in the latter portion of the experience - but at what a price!
20. Before that the entity was in the English land when there were the Crusades, when the activities carried the entity to other lands by the mere force of the activities of others.
21. These were not wholly builded as principles but because others did, the entity did.
22. In the name then Carlton the entity gained in the latter portion of its activity in a French land, and in a different environ. But there was never entirely the keeping or completing of the entity's abilities as a director, as a guide to others.
23. If these abilities will be kept as a part of the experience, we will find that the entity may yet find harmony and peace in the experience.
24. Before that the entity was in the Persian land as indicated, when the entity was then a king - one in authority - and one who abused authority. For with the repressions that came about through the activities of individuals warring in the desert, the entity was in the office and the activities of the second Croesus.
25. The entity was among those who had power, wealth, fame, but abused most of these.
26. Hence these ye meet in thy association, in thy companionship in the present, in the associations where there were turmoils and strifes.
27. Yet with the activities brought about by others who came into the experience of the entity as intermediators there came understanding; when the entity made efforts for being just itself for the creating of harmonious experience in the filial relationships during those activities.
28. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land during those periods when there were activities having to do with the preparation of individuals and groups for service in other lands.
29. The entity was purified first in the Temple of Sacrifice, later becoming what today would be termed a diplomat in the Temple Beautiful, and the entity was active in the Persian land to which the entity came in the next incarnation; gaining through the greater portion yet allowing authority to become the stumblingstone.
30. As to the abilities of the entity that to which it may attain and how:
31. Begin with the first things first. Learn spirituality as it applies to the individual. Put the trust in the powers that are really in authority. For, as indicated by the pattern of the entity, one who has been put in the position of controlling groups of individuals, of activities through the experiences in the earth, when these are used at home as well as abroad as a constructive experience they bring harmony, they bring results for the greater development. When these are abused they bring their own activity.
32. Ready for questions.
33. (Q) Am I doing the work intended for me to do? If not, what should I do?
    (A) Wherever the entity is in authority of groups of individuals, as overseer, as a director, these are the channels of work for the entity.
34. (Q) How may my wife [2468] and I become reconciled? Give specific conditions and suggestions for making this a permanent happy union. [GD's note: Later they were divorced and both remarried.]
    (A) It must begin first within self. Is there the desire on the part of self for such? It is needed in thyself, because there are mental conditions, there are those associations that will hinder in its abilities to serve in other directions. Yes, these can be - if there is even the offering to forgive and forget. Don't forgive and say "I'll remember it - I forgive you but I'll keep on remembering it." If you do, you'd better not try it!
35. (Q) What can I do to make our marriage happier and harmonious?
    (A) Act toward the wife, or thine own activities, as ye would like her or others to act toward thee. Ask no more than ye give. Demand no more than ye allowed, or allow, to be demanded of thee. Marriage, such an association, is a oneness of purpose. Unless there is the oneness of purpose, there can be no harmony. This can be accomplished, not of self alone - for remember, you made a mighty mess in the experience before this - ye suffered for it! Better make it up now or it'll be ten times worse the next time!
36. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. 12/19/37 See 262-116, Par. 15-A Christmas message to [5001].
2. 3/20/41 See wife's Life Reading, 2468-1.
3. 4/09/44 Questions orally submitted to GD besides those which were asked in the Reading: "If it is not best for both of us to remain married, give definite information as to what I may do? Should I sell our home? Should I leave town? If so, where should I go? Who should have custody of our child? What can I do to enable our child to have a happy and useful life under these conditions? What urges in previous incarnations have we to work out in present and how can this be done?... Peace of mind? Incidents with son?..."

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