This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 5th day of May, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Mrs. [5055], Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, J. Fitch, Stenos. Born November 16, 1899, in Pocahontas, Arkansas.

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: Pocahontas, Arkansas - not a bad place! Yes we are given the records here of that entity now known as or called [5055].
3. In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them, these we choose with the desire and purpose that this information may be a helpful experience for the entity; enabling the entity to use its abilities and shun the environs which may lead to temptation; and to apply self as a channel to the glory of thy Maker, that thy purpose in the earth may find fruitage and that ye may indeed bring forth fruit in thy labors worthy of that ye innately feel and outwardly express in thy experience.
4. For the entity has great abilities. While we would magnify the virtues, we would minimize the faults, we find that what is error to one individual may be help for others, while that which is expressed at times, that which is food for one, may be poison for another.
5. In the urges which are latent and manifest, we find the entity having, as might be called, the combination of urges from material sojourns and from the activities in realms of other consciousnesses; being an entity gifted with great imagination, one given to giving detail, as of picturization of mind and purposes through illustrations which may be drawn from life as well as from the imaginative system.
6. Thus the entity would be found to be one well gifted to write, to speak on the children's life. Do not attempt in such to combine the various stages and yet it would be well to follow through with the stories first for preparation by those who would make of themselves channels that souls might find expression in a material world. The preparations for motherhood, the periods of gestation, the periods for the formative years or the six to eight to ten to twelve years, and then as the mind and body expand to the expressions of the physical attributes and the growth itself to being a channel for regeneration. These should be the characters of preparation for that to which the entity may give itself in greater measure in its activity in the earth, and it will be seen from sojourns in the earth how these as patterns, may be drawn.
7. The entity is oft quite lonely, for few individuals fully comprehend the depth of thought that the entity finds in even the conversation with others. For the mind of the entity moves on much faster than even words or activities can give expression to.
8. Nature and communing with nature is well for the body. But there must be particular choices of those with whom such communions would be had or made. Not everyone would be agreeable or helpful as companions for the entity under such environs.
9. Nature and its activities are the storehouse, though, for observation and for the manner in which thought and its expression or finding expression may be illustrated in that the entity chooses to prepare for others.
10. In Mercury, in Venus, in Mars, in Jupiter, are the greater urges of the entity.
11. High mental abilities, beauty, love and love life are very necessary in the entity. It must have its expression and yet here we would find an entity who would have quite a varied idea as to the moral activities that would be criterion to others. For the entity it would be merely a means or outlet for expression, and thus, as has been indicated, who is to judge becomes dependent upon the standards which are set.
12. Be true to thy standards.
13. As to the appearances in the earth, these have been quite varied and yet these indicate a pattern through the experiences of the entity.
14. Before this the entity was among those who were the early settlers in what is now portions of central and western Alabama. Then, the changes which came about, when there were the exchanges made such that the natives chose to go into the land of the entity's present nativity.
15. The entity chose to go with those peoples, this indicating something of the nature of associations for purposes, associations for activities, the study of nature and the keeping of records.
16. For as the entity was one who had to learn to keep agreements which were a part of the changes wrought, the entity was entrusted with these and thus was a companion to that entity who became chief of the tribe in the Arkansas area, or that changed to Arkansas by law.
17. In the experience the entity gained throughout, in the union of purposes, the oneness of ideals, and yet giving expression to same in manners determined by many as of a lowly way.
18. In the experience the entity was known as Mary Clark.
19. Before that the entity was in the Holy Land when the young were in the throng and groups which came to Jerusalem upon the day of Pentecost, when there were those experiences of great throngs of peoples hearing and seeing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as the Disciples spoke to the throngs and were silenced by the very happenings of all the doubts which had been a part of many of the people's experiences.
20. The entity seeing these unusual things carried them away in her mind to a different land, a different clime. For the entity lived in the land beyond to the east of Damascus.
21. Thus we find the entity becoming as it were, a teacher, an emissary, an instructor in the manners in which there were the communications with the varied groups, and we find that in the environs were some of the Disciples taken care of when there were those persecutions which began in Jerusalem.
22. Thus we find those separations as being parts of the persecution, as in its own household, as being separate and apart in the present experience. In the name Lydia, the entity gained throughout those periods, and in same, there were associations with many who are a part of the own experience in the present. As with the sons, as well as with the companion, the father of the children of the entity.
23. Before that the entity was in the land now known as the Egyptian.
24. The entity was among those who were the teachers in the activities in the Temple Beautiful, and thus the abilities of the entity to compose, as well as be active in music, and activities in which the various grades or groups of individuals may grow.
25. The entity was then in the name Aulda.
26. As to the abilities of the entity then, in the present, that to which it may attain and how:
27. As indicated the channels of expression are in speaking and teaching for the very young. Assisting mothers in how to express to their young the basis and principles of life, and of the necessity of keeping body clean, of learning things from nature itself. For the laws of nature are changed only by man's imprint upon same, for it is the law of survival and of evolution in its real state.
28. In the activities keep true to self and to that which is the ideal and principle. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth and keeping self unspotted from condemnation or of judgment of others.
29. Ready for questions.
30. (Q) What should be the first steps in getting into this kind of work?
    (A) Commence where you are.
31. (Q) Should it be alone or with someone?
    (A) As has been indicated, these must be alone. That there may be the companions or co-author, as there is the study, may be well, but it will be hard to find.
32. (Q) Could I succeed as an artist's agent or writing children's books?
    (A) You may do both, but writing of the children's books may be the greater opportunity for the abilities of the entity.
33. (Q) Would it be better for me to have both my boys with me and not try to do any outside work?
    (A) When these have reached, as they have, that stage in which they may contribute the more by advice and counsel, they must stand on those principles. You may instill in their minds separately.
34. (Q) In what place should we live?
    (A) In the environs where there were the activities. Arkansas is not bad. Texas may be better.
35. (Q) In what manner could I be of help to Association for Research and Enlightenment?
    (A) These activities must come later. Ye may be active with same as you were with Andrew in the Persian land.
36. We are through for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file

BACKGROUND

1. She read EC article Sept. 1943 in Coronet Magazine.
2. 11/23/43 Letter to EC: "I wrote you some time in September suggesting my coming to Virginia Beach on my way from Tenn. to Boston. Since then, I have read 'There Is A River' with much pleasure and appreciation. I am writing asking for a reading for my son [5000]... If you will be good enough to let me know if you will be in Virginia Beach at that time, I shall make my plans accordingly..."
3. 1/06/44 Letter to GD: "...I wish I were able to tell you how much I appreciate my visit with all of you. You are such a normal, well-balanced family, that what you are doing must be very real. I was pleased with each and every one of you. I am looking forward to the time when I can spend some time with you for my own benefit and pleasure, and I hope for the benefit of the organization or association... I have enjoyed the literature which I brought with me... I love the description of 'The Last Supper'. It is really a gem. His picture of Christ is lovely - it always rather incensed me to have him pictured as pale and anemic. That was the only objection I had to Sholem Asch's 'The Nazarene'. He pictured Him as pale and weak and almost sickly... I have not yet found anything but a temporary place to live...and rents are so high. I have taken a house, but it is so far out, and without a car, I find it very inconvenient. In the meantime, I am annoyed with myself for being such an unsatisfactory person. I can't seem to settle down mentally until I am settled physically..."
4. 1/06/44 Letter to EC: "I am so glad that I came to Virginia Beach. Now I can write feeling that I am writing to a friend and can be myself entirely... Mr. Cayce, when you have time to sit down and write me, I want you to give me some Bible references on reincarnation. As I told you, I have never given it any thought until now, and I am very anxious to read more about it. I would like you to tell me also how I can be of service to the Association other than to tell people in need, about you, which will be of more benefit to them of course, than to you. Right now, I have 10 such people on my mind. Some of them will not be impressed until I get my son's reading and have something personally concrete to show them. It is going to be a real pleasure to acquaint them with your work..."
5. 1/25/44 EC's ltr.: "Thank you for yours of the 6th. We get very, very far behind with our correspondence, as you know. My desk gets so piled up with letters until we just don't know which way we are going.
   "I am glad, too, that you came by the Beach and that we had the opportunity of knowing you. I trust that when we get to the period for your appointment that we will be the means of being a real help. "We had quite a time here Christmas, as usual, but this one was so unusual it made it different - Nobody at home. It is the first time, I believe, in forty years, that my wife and I went to the restaurant for Christmas dinner. We couldn't think of taking it at home with our boys in camp somewhere overseas. Everybody else, of course, had their own crowd to think about. Glad that you had some of the folks home with you anyway.
   "Yes, I don't know how we would get along without Tommy and the other little fellow [Evans]. Tommy is getting to be so cute.
   "I wish I did have time to sit down and write to try to give you some Bible references on reincarnation, but if you started with the third verse of the first chapter of Genesis you will find there are references to it several hundreds of times. Of course the last chapter of Malachi and the first chapter of St. John are very distinct. If you will read the transfiguration as quoted by Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, it is very definite that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah.
   "I think that each of us will find an opportunity to be of service to others through the Association. Don't try to sell the Association or its work until you are thoroughly convinced in yourself. It is only when it has become a personal thing that it is worth very much.
   "Have you got the appointment for your son [5000]? What day is it?
   "Thank you a lot for your letter, and hoping that we may indeed be the means of a real service, I am" Sincerely, Edgar Cayce
6. 3/26/44 Letter: "...I jotted the appointment dates down on the back of a check book, as you gave them to me... The first date I have here is for my son [5000]... May 5 for my son R. O. D.'s Life Reading... My children are so entirely different... You don't know how much I am counting on your help, or how grateful I will be. Thank you for these appointments. I am sure that we will get a lasting benefit from them... [Son R. O. D.'s appointment cancelled due to EC's illness.]
   "Being an idealist, I am asking only material questions. Since I must work or earn or manage differently, I should like to ask what kind of work or business I can do best in - what place to start, and whether alone or with someone. Mr. Cayce, I realize this is a tremendous amount of information to seek - choose whatever questions you care to ask from this list... Whatever help I receive I shall be grateful for..." [Additional questions submitted are at the end of 5055-1.]
7. 4/16/44 EC gave Life Rdg. 5000-1 for her son.
8. 4/27/44 Letter: "This is just a note to thank you for the reading for my son [5000], and to tell you how pleased we both are. Remember me to your family and thank GD for me... In 30 minutes it will be time for [5000]'s Physical Reading. Seeing him well again and as well-balanced as he was before he became ill, would be the most wonderful thing to me... When you give my reading, do advise me about what business I should go into. I have to work, as I have not found a substitute for money."
9. 5/01/44 EC gave Physical Reading 5000-2 for her son.

REPORTS

1. 5/08/44 Letter: "...If you are having any difficulty getting my reading, I'll write to my mother for more definite information as to the exact place I was born. We lived in town part of the time, and on the farm part of the time, but it wouldn't be but a few miles difference... GD dear, please use the air mail special delivery stamp I sent you on my reading. It will arrive days sooner..."
2. 8/07/44 Second class test mailing. Whereabouts unknown.
3. 1/03/45 Letter: "I wish to give you my change of address ..., Tex. I was completely out of touch with the Association since last June, when I left... I have greatly missed not receiving the excellent literature. I especially was looking forward to the report of the last Congress, and would appreciate your sending me a copy."
4. 1/18/45 Letter to GD: "Your card came in the afternoon mail. My heart is so heavy I can hardly think. His death will be such a personal loss to so many, many people. It is a personal loss and more to me. I am full of regrets. There were so many things I wanted to tell Mr. Cayce. So often this last summer, I felt the need of visiting with him, but because I was living under adverse conditions and was both unhappy and unwell, I neglected the things I wanted most to do... I haven't made enough progress that I can reconcile myself to the loss of one so worth while... Give my love and deepest sympathy to Mrs. Cayce..."
5. 2/24/49 First class test mailing. Whereabouts unknown.
6. 7/17/50 Test mailing to son, [5000]. Whereabouts unknown.
7. 1/12/51 Questionnaire sent. Whereabouts unknown.
8. 12/15/69 She wrote: "I should like to renew my membership in A.R.E. after so many years - 1943. A enclosing ck. for $25...
   "I phoned Mr. Cayce from Boston to ask if I might come by Va. Beach on my way to Tenn. and Tex. He said 'Yes, if you will promise not to ask for a rdg. now'... I wouldn't take anything for that visit. Mr. Cayce not only introduced me to the idea of reincarnation, but to a number of other livable ideas.
   "I was greatly impressed by the atmosphere of, perhaps, good will and good living at the house on Arctic Crescent, and by the hospitality, and the genuine and wholesome appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Cayce, Gladys Davis, and the others with you at that time - Harmon Bro, and Sally and little Tommy. You [GD] gave me appointments for my Life Rdg., and son [5000]'s Physical and Life Rdg. [See reports on 5000-1 and 5000-2.]... "Now, at the age of 70, and after so many yrs., I am studying my rdg. and hoping to apply it. I might add that now is the first time in my life that my time is my own, and I am planning as though I were not 70...
   "I was so afraid after Mr. Cayce went on that all the wonderful things he had brought us might not be preserved and carried on. I am so happy that it is being done, and in such a high and intelligent manner. More people are being reached every day. Was there ever a time when it was needed more? I feel that Mr. Cayce is very pleased with the work that Hugh Lynn and all of you are doing... I shall be happy to be a member of A.R.E. again."
9. 11/03/71 GD's note: She visited A.R.E. and stayed to study, hoping to be able to do some writing along the lines her reading suggested. She told us that for many years beginning in the early 1950's she had been an art dealer, having a gallery of her own, as she had always had a special love and feeling for good art. She finally set up a travelling gallery and made only scheduled shows with advance notice for public or private showing.
   Mrs. [5055] spoke especially of her enjoyment of living in New Mexico and of the dignity and inherent fineness of the Taos Indians, many of whom she counted among her good friends. She liked to dress in the native Navajo costume and to wear the beautiful Indian jewelry, and started a collection of native jewelry done with great care and appreciation. She told of an Indian Counsel Meeting she was invited to attend while in New Mexico, with governors from nine pueblos meeting with their white friends to discuss some Indian problems. "With what grace and dignity of bearing and of language the Indians conducted their meeting!"
   I think this report is most interesting, considering that her Life Reading spoke of her choosing to go from Alabama to Arkansas with the Indians in her incarnation just previous to the present one, and that she became a companion to the chief of the tribe in the Arkansas area (place of her present birth).
10. 10/75 She wrote: "I am always benefited in a number of ways by reading the files of readings - the books written from the readings. A part of my everyday reading is A.R.E. material. It is always fresh and new, and exciting. It helps to interpret the Bible for me, and answers so many things. The readings not only help me but completely fascinate me.
    "I appreciate all the work that has gone into the indexing, etc., etc., and the people; Gladys, and the many others who have made the readings available to us. Thank you all." [5055]
11. 9/28/82 Mrs. [5055] wrote GD: "Gladys Dear - Bless you. While I have been engulfed in restoring my health - and trying to get back to a normal way of living - you have been having all sorts of losses - your husband Les, Hugh Lynn, old friends, and changes at A.R.E. If I didn't know how strong and how wonderful you are I would be very concerned. I am sorry Les went on so early. I am sorry, too, that I didn't get to meet and know him. I liked his face in the lovely photograph of the two of you in the Oct. A.R.E. NEWS. I know I would have liked him.
    Hugh Lynn will be missed by all of you (at A.R.E. and the membership). I think it is so wonderful that he and you have carried on and kept things going forward in the Cayce manner. I can imagine Mr. [Edgar] Cayce being very pleased with what has been done - and keeping things as they were meant to be. No one really could have taken your place, Gladys. You have not only done a superb job in putting the readings - and the material from the readings - into forms that we can get the most from (I am not expressing myself well) but you well know what I am trying to say. I, with many others, thank you - and appreciate you.
    Is the move of Dr. Puryear and Meredith a good one for A.R.E.? I think of them as being a definite part of A.R.E. at Virginia Beach. I enjoyed reading (in the Oct. A.R.E. News) about Dr. James Windsor. He sounds like a good addition.
    I have wanted so much to come back - maybe in another go around.
    Now about myself. Thank you for your prayers - prayers help. Last late summer I went to have new glasses fitted - they thought I might have diabetes and said my optic nerve was damaged. I went to a medical man in Midland who verified the diagnosis and put me on Tolinase - an insulin substitute he said - and a sugar free diet. The diet was easy, as most of the things I had been eating were included in the diet. I immediately quit anything with sugar. However, I do not notice any improvement. I no longer drive, since May.
    [R. O. D.], my son, knew that I was having eye trouble. He telephoned me the first week in May to say that he had found an apartment for me and would be up to pack and move me the last week in May. I had begun to sell books and paintings, and other things, several months before. Had sold eighteen paintings, many books - first editions out of print historical - rare - to the Historical Library (Haley) there. Sold paintings to Midland Art Museum and Midland College - was very pleased with my luck, as I was placing things where they belonged. Friends bought too, but still so many things to dispose of. Of course I started packing as soon as I saw that I must move. Friends helped in bringing boxes, markers, tape, etc. Everyone was wonderful - but my body began to rebel. Trouble with the legs - but not sciatica - until after I got to Portland. [R. O. D.] and his wife (S.) and their younger son (R.) spent a day packing and loading an immense motored van - and we started out about noon on the third day, (S.) driving her car in which they had come, [R. O. D.] driving me and my car, and (R.) the van. Everything went well until the truck ran out of gas - 13 mi. to the next town. We soon learned that 3 mi. to a gallon was its limit. It was heavily loaded. The trip had many amusing things. Everybody, in spite of being dead tired, kept in a good humor and the trip was unmarred by things that could have happened.
    One of my big jobs was dismantling my yard - having lived there ten years - I had a beautiful established yard. The original planting in the complex was lovely, beautiful magnolia trees, holly that was filled with red berries, beautiful trees. I gave only what I knew would die if left behind - as I was the only one who gardened. Beds of chrysanthemum plants - geraniums - yarrow - ferns - Jerusalem artichokes. Small mimosa shrubs, mint - on and on - I gave to eleven families (I have heard from all - and everything grew and I hope will be lovely for them this fall - gooseberries, too. A friend gave me a generous start of gooseberries several years ago - after I moved into that apt. They multiply so prolifically that all my friends have some now. I wish I could have given you a start of a number of things. I enjoyed so your beautiful camellias when I was there. The only other time I have had camellias was when I lived in Houston - one of many pleasant memories of Houston.
    A week or so after I came to Portland [TX] I had sciatica in one leg. It had just begun to improve when the other one went bad. It was almost the most painful thing I ever had. I had allowed myself to get terribly upset - knowing better - I hope I never do that again. Spent the whole month of June in bed - the longest in my life. I was really in need of prayer. I have been so blessed with good health - being mainly of a placid, serene disposition, and leading a continuous life of prayer and gratefulness, I have - in spite of a very hard life - felt especially blessed. One of my special blessings has always been my friends - and of course members of my family.
    I remember a reading saying we seldom meet people by chance. I have known so many I would like to keep on knowing.
    Gladys, I would love having a letter from you, but I know how very much you have to do. I would like to know exactly how your health is - and what your activities are. I cannot see to really read or write, but enough to have an idea of things. Do not take a newspaper now. Do take the large print Reader's Digest and their large print books. I don't know if A.R.E. has started using the large print. I want to write the proper person there soon - to ask if I could have the names of some study group members here - Portland, Arkansas Pass, Rockport or Corpus Christi.
    Gladys, do take care of yourself. You are a very valuable person and I love you. [5055]
12. 10/08/82 GD's letter:
    OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF EDGAR CAYCE FOUNDATION AND ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC.
    Atlantic Avenue at 67th Street Cable:CAYCE P.O. Box 595 Telephone:(804) 428-3588 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
    Dear, dear [5055] -
    What a joy it was to have such a long letter from you giving details of what has happened since you phoned me saying you were moving and would let me hear later. I prayed that you would be o.k. but I wished I could phone you or find out some way just how you were doing. My! What a busy time you had getting ready to move! No wonder you had such physical difficulties - such as the sciatica, etc., etc. Of course, as you say, the mental upset only added to the strain in your body.
    I, too, share your concern about your eyesight since I have the beginning of glaucoma but so far it is kept under control with eyedrops. My brother went too long without discovering his and thus has lost a lot of his sight, so that he has had to stop driving, etc., etc., finding it hard to read - just as you do.
    My activities now are limited to things only I can do (that is, because of my memories and knowledge of the history of the work and the people involved). Hugh Lynn helped to arrange this during the last two or three years of his life, as he, too, was trying to concentrate on accomplishing things only he could do. Bless his heart! His son Charles Thomas (Tommy) is doing a tremendous job, and we have a dedicated WORKING Board to make sure that we keep in line with the purposes that have been set. My chief priorities right now are: making available in date sequence Edgar Cayce's correspondence, which will give a history of the man and his work. (At the same time now I am including Hugh Lynn's correspondence and helping the man chosen by Hugh Lynn to do his biography [Hugh Lynn's biography]. All of Edgar Cayce's and Hugh Lynn's lectures, too, will be made available.) I am also working with the medical Circulating Files to make them more complete, and with the physicians and pharmaceutical recommendations in the readings which need to be available. It is very satisfying to me to be allowed to concentrate in these areas.
    I'm enclosing copy of a letter to Louise Drew in Study Groups and Alma Crovatt in the Library asking them to answer your questions about a local group for you and the large print books or tapes. Please keep on keeping in touch with us (and the A.R.E. members in your area); it means so much.
    Love and blessings, [signed] Gladys
13. 10/08/82 GD's letter to A.R.E. Staff members:
    OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF EDGAR CAYCE FOUNDATION AND ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC.
    Atlantic Avenue at 67th Street Cable:CAYCE P.O. Box 595 Telephone:(804) 428-3588 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
    Dear Louise Drew in Study Groups (or whoever is concerned) w/copy to Alma Crovatt in Library (or whoever is concerned):
    Our dear Mrs. [5055] - ..., Texas
    who will be 83 years old on 11/16/82, and who has been a Sponsoring Member of A.R.E. since 1943, has written me a long letter at the end of which she says:
    "Gladys, I would love having a letter from you, but I know how very much you have to do. I would like to know exactly how your health is - and what your activities are. I cannot see to really read or write, but enough to have an idea of things. Do not take a newspaper now. Do take the large print Reader's Digest and their large print books. I don't know if A.R.E. has started using the large print. I want to write the proper person there soon - to ask if I could have the names of some study group members here - PORTLAND, ARANSAS PASS, ROCKPORT or CORPUS CHRISTI."
    She has been living in the Austin area and Midland for years, and attended regularly the Palestine conferences (and has visited us here a few years ago spending several weeks in the Marshall Hotel's apt.). She has been active in a study group for years, but has now moved to Portland, TX where she can be near her son and his family.
    I'm telling her I have asked you to answer her question about a study group in her area and also about the large print books and/or tapes, etc. Thank you.
    Love, [signed] Gladys
    P.S. If possible I'd like a copy from each of you of what you tell her, so that I can put it in her vault folder, along with her letter to me giving details of her life and how the readings have helped her. She only had a Life Reading but had a Physical Reading for her son (& Life) when he was quite young.

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