This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 17th day of May, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [5122], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Jeanette Fitch, Stenos. Born December 19, 1899, in Detroit, Michigan.

TEXT

1. GC: You will give the relations of this entity and the universe, and the universal forces, giving the conditions that are as personalities, latent and exhibited, in the present life; also 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, and that to which it may attain, and how. You will answer the questions, as I ask them.
2. EC: Yes, a very lovely person! In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them, while we would magnify the virtues and minimize the faults, this is not in any way an attempt to so minimize the faults that the things wherein corrections are needed would not be advised the entity.
3. But in choosing from the records here, both from the astrological and the material sojourns, there is so much of the good compared to the bad that there is little use in the attempt to minimize the faults too much.
4. Those activities of the entity should be in or around flowers. For this entity has so oft been the music and the flower lady, until it becomes second nature to work in or with those either in arranging bouquets or corsages, or even the very foolish way of sending to those who have passed on. They need the flowers when they are here, not when they are in God's other room!
5. In this manner, though, and in this work, may the entity not only minister to others, but it may do so in such a way and manner as for the beauty and the color, even the voice and tone of flowers to come to mean so much to people whom the entity would and could interest in such.
6. Music and flowers, then, should be the entity's work through this experience. These have not altogether been, and yet do work with such. For flowers will love the entity, as the entity loves flowers. Very few would ever find it in themselves to wither while about or on this body.
7. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find from Venus and Jupiter, and Venus with Uranus and Saturn (and the astrological environs, not aspects), beauty, harmony, flowers and music are those things in which, through which, by which, the entity may attain to whatever it may set its desires, provided that desire is: "EVER LET ME BE HELPFUL TO OTHERS, LORD, TO OTHERS. LET ME HELP THEM FIND MORE LOVE, MORE BEAUTY, MORE JOY."
8. May we indeed inculcate in the lives of others that like the rose, that like the baby breath, like every flower that blooms. For it does its best with what has been given it by man, to glorify its Maker with all its beauty, its color, with all of its love for the appreciation of spring, of the rain, the sunshine, the shadows. And so the man in like manner, with the worries, the troubles, heartaches, the disappointments, may draw closer and closer to God, knowing that this may be done as in the Son. He gave Himself that man might know that appreciation, that love, and how that in meting it to others we come to learn, to know the meaning of disappointments, of little hates, little jealousies, and of how they may grow by entertaining them, and how that the joys may grow also just by entertaining them, as do the flowers that God hath given, that man might see His face in the beautiful flowers. Consider the color, the beauty of the lily as it grows from its ugly muck, or the shrinking violet as it sends out its color, its odor to enrich even the very heart of God. Consider the rose as to how it unfolds with the color of the day, and with the opening itself to the sunshine, into the rain.
9. To the toils that come with same, then, may the entity find greater outlet, for it loves and appreciates beauty. And in these may this entity find that manner in which it may give to others an appreciation of so much beauty, so much loveliness as may come from muck and mud. And the spoilings of things make beauty in life, as it does in flowers, if they are used in the manner as the flower uses same, in giving its thanks to its Maker for the opportunity of giving glory to the Creator.
10. As to the appearances in the earth:
11. Before this we find the entity was in the land when there were those first preparations made, in the land of the entity's present nativity, for the study of flowers, of the activity of same.
12. The entity was then in the name of Maggie Vaughn and was one of those who loved flowers so much as to cause even the government to prepare greater and greater places in the capitol for the various types of study and the growth and the development of same.
13. Thus the entity should in this present experience give some portion of its time to the culture and preparation and the putting together of such. The flowers will love it, and so will you! And what they may bring to those who are sick or "shut in" or those who are happy! That they are to see their loved ones that day, that evening.
14. For it is in such occasions that flowers should be the companionship of those who are lonely. For they may speak to the "shut in." They may bring color again to the cheeks of those who are ill. They may bring to the bride the hope of love, of beauty, of a home. For flowers love the places where there is peace and rest. Sunshine and shadows, yes. There are the varied variety from those open fields to those which grow in the bog, but they grow.
15. Why won't people learn the lesson from them and grow, in love and in beauty, in whatever may be their environ? Learn also from the flower that where thou art, ye, too, may make that place more beautiful for your being there, whether it is in this or that or whatever place. Whether in the hovel or in the home of the mighty, make it beautiful as do the flowers.
16. Before that we find the entity was in those periods when the holy women brought spices and those things to anoint the body. The entity was not able to bring spices because of the value, so brought flowers of the field which were just as acceptable as was the widow's mite, she of whom the Lord said, "She hath given more than them all."
17. So in thy ministry to others through the beauties of nature, and that for God's companionship to those who love, those who are sick, to those who are happy, work thou with those things to bring new life and hope to the many. In the name then Tilda.
18. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land when individuals were being prepared for the various activities. The entity it was who chose the two-toned flowers which grew in the mire and bog of the Nile Valley, for their beauty. Thus came the entity, first. But, because of unkind things said, the entity brought those disturbing factors in that experience.
19. But lose not the opportunity now to again set flowers, yes, all flowers in their proper relationship to man in the various phases of his moods and his tenses in the experience with his fellow man.
20. As to the abilities, then: These are limited only by the sincerity and the application, and the preparation. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly divining the words of truth, keeping self from condemning any. Like as the orchid we crushed underfoot, or by hand, or worn upon the breast of the fair lady, it finds and gives the best that it has. Do thou likewise.
21. We are through.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
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BACKGROUND

1. 7/20/43 Letter: "I am extremely interested in your wonderful work of which I have heard indirectly this last summer. I have read 'There Is A River', and was much interested in getting to know more about you and your contribution to the world, yet it is indeed a wonderful gift. I have come to a crossroad in my life again, and am writing to ask you if there is any possibility in your giving me a Physical and Life Reading... I would consider myself fortunate if I could have a little of your time. I am working here [Pa.], but anticipate a change before long..."
2. 8/13/43 Letter: "Your letter and the booklets have been received and I have read them with much interest. I was disappointed to hear that it would not be possible for me to have a Life Reading for so many months ahead, as it is now I feel the need of some guidance... I shall be very grateful to have you give me an appointment when it is possible. I shall be very anxious to hear..."
3. 5/11/44 Letter: "The appointment for my Life Reading is for 5/17... Am looking forward with sincere faith in the guidance I know will come... I submit here again my dates and information for your convenience... I believe the hour of my birth to be between 5 and 7 A.M., but I am not absolutely certain of it. Since my mother's passing on several years ago, I have been in quite a quandary as to just what type of work I should pursue, and just how to go about finding it. (I'm working at present in the Gift Shop here, but cannot feel that this is the ultimate.) I am entirely dependent upon my own earnings. I would so much like to be financially able to help others as I have been helped in the past, as well as provide for myself. I have been rather depleted physically, and any suggestions on maintaining good health would be most welcome. I am also interested to know if the locality (where) would have any bearing on one's succeeding in work, etc., when planning out one's life. With my sincere appreciation for your wonderful help..."

REPORTS

1. 3/14/50 Questionnaire sent. No reply.
2. 5/51 Test mailing. Whereabouts unknown.
3. 6/09/52 No record of verbal or written contact on this case since date of reading.

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