This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 31st day of May, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [5159], new Active Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Jeanette Fitch, Stenos. Born August 9, 1889 in Winterschneidbach, Bavaria, Germany.

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's 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 indicated as or called [5159].
3. In giving the interpretations of the records here, there is much that may be emulated that is good. There are those applications of knowledge used in such ways in which large question marks might be asked, and these in themselves at times cause confusion in the body-mind.
4. Now the entity finds itself a body, a mind, a soul, or with a soul-body, a mental-body and a physical-body. These are one in those relations relatively to a universal consciousness. These are expressed in the three-dimensional interpretation of the Godhead; Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The experiences in the earth have fitted the body in such measures or manners in which, whatever may be the choice of the entity in its relationships to others, it can make a decided material success. While materiality is to be considered, it answers not all the principles of the entity in the present which are a part of the physical and spiritual consciousness of the entity. Thus, we find, there are urges latent and manifested from not only experiences in the earth, but a consciousness in other dimensional consciousnesses. We identify them in what might be interpreted as the astrological aspects as a part of the entity's experience in a relative manner.
5. Thus, we find therein a measure (the experiences) were changed from a composite of the sojourns in the realm of this particular environment, and of what the entity did about it when in the three-dimensional experience or consciousness.
6. Thus, we find the entity inclined to be what would be called religious, but not any too orthodox.
7. Music, abilities as a good speaker, not a bad scribe, all are parts of the consciousnesses of the entity.
8. In the urges this brings, then: One never quite satisfied with the present environs, and this may change every 2 or 3 years or half an arc of a cycle or period or time in the earth.
9. As to the appearances of the entity in the earth, these have been quite varied. While all will not be given, these indicate the pattern and how the mind may be and is at times confused as to the correct choices to be made in material activities. These should be judged from, or the pattern be drawn from, the spiritual ideals, spiritual aspirations and purposes. For only the spirit and soul are eternal but they are as much a body in the eternal realms as the physical body is a body in the material realm.
10. Before this we find the entity was in those periods of the early settling in the country. The entity was among those who settled about what is now Philadelphia, and was a member of those groups called "Friends", of those having a universal consciousness, who were enabled through their leader to make peace with the natives.
11. Thus, we find the entity when it sets itself to an activity can either nominally, or through the sensitiveness of the entity inveigle itself into the good graces of those in authority. These are well, if used properly. These are bad if used improperly.
12. Thus, as indicated, the urges should be prompted by spiritual ideals as there would be peace and harmony in the experience of the entity.
13. In the name then Aubrey Hartsdale, the entity gained.
14. Before that the entity was in the land of the present nativity when there were those varied groups gathered for study of the truths or tenets which were the study in determining factors or truths in those things which had been reported in Rome, as well as in and from the Holy Land.
15. Thus, we find the entity, not exactly a recluse, and yet a greater portion of time is spent in what today one would call a retreat or a monastery for those activities to give a spiritual insight.
16. These are felt necessary, even from that experience, for the present. Best, then, that thine inner judgment be followed and that these administrations in these should become as a part of the experience of the entity.
17. Then, let it be so, whether it has to do with groups or group organizations or with individual activities in encouragement to others because of thine own spiritual insight and application. Not that you just might have more, but be willing to give self for more understanding or perfect interpretation of truths and tenets.
18. In the name then Handel Heifertz. As to the abilities from these, we find that music, musical instruments are not too far-fetched for for the entity to use and apply, nor are those abilities to instruct, edify those who seek to know what they would do with their talents or abilities.
19. Before that we find the entity was in the land of the high hill, but much different than is presented by that name alone in the present. For the entity was among those who aided, studied, disputed with Moses when he had had his vision that he must return to Egypt for the relieving of the pressure upon the chosen people. Not because of any particular thing, save their desire, their search, their one ideal in the fact of a living God that might be touched with the infirmities of the human experience.
20. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land when there were turmoils owing to the banishment of the Priest. Here we find the entity was among those choosing to follow the Priest, and thus in those administrations to those who were set in authority did the entity make for those closer associations with same and bringing to itself a seeking for understanding.
21. Marital relationships then prevented the greater expression. Why let them prevent the experiences in the present and that may make the life the more complete?
22. As to the abilities of the entity, then: Choose first to understand and know self by analysis of ideals and purposes. Then study to show forth thy faith through understanding, keeping self unspotted from judgments on others but giving self wholly to the study of principles.
23. Keep the abilities in those ways where ye may add day by day, for ye grow in grace, in knowledge, in understanding; and use the principles in whatever phases of material manifestations ye choose to act in.
24. Ready for questions.
25. (Q) How may I live so as not to shorten but to round out beneficially the cycle of life allotted to me?
    (A) As has been indicated, by preparing self, then so live as to deserve, as to demand the greater respect of all ye contact.
26. (Q) Did I ever live in a medieval monastery?
    (A) Compare to what has been indicated. Yes!
27. (Q) How may I attain greater harmony and not feel inhibited by my own critical intellect and by a heterogeneous environment?
    (A) Find it first within self, that ye cannot create in others that which is not first in self; while, to be sure, ye may arouse a greater power in others than exists in self, for all are upon the rung of experience and learn most and better by same.
28. We are through with this reading for the present.

    Copy to Self
    Copy to Ass'n file
    Copy for indexing

BACKGROUND

1. For complete background on this case, see [5159]'s Physical Reading given in the morning of 5/31/44.
2. 5/15/44 Letter: "My inborn psychological make-up is so that I live by and communicate with the outside world largely by emotions and their values. Yet I feel inhibited by my own critical intellect and by a heterogeneous environment. (1) How to attain greater harmony? I always saw my image in Shakespeare's 'I to the world am like a drop of water, that in the ocean seeks another drop, who falling there to find his fellow forth unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself.' (2) Confounds himself in social seeking, adjustment, escape, whither? (3) Is life at 54 too advanced, too set, too deficient and declining for marital fulfillment? (4) What needs for greater harmony of personality, work and living, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, socially? Applicant does not know how to formulate questions for a reading. Please make your own changes, omissions, additions. Thank you."

REPORTS

1. 6/24/44 Letter: "Of your enclosed publications please send me a copy of those I marked red... I have received my Physical and Life Readings. They are of penetrating insight and will be followed as suggested. They do not provide a magic formula. The inquirer is expected to make personal decisions and take moral responsibility..."
2. 7/20/44 Letter: For my Mental and Spiritual Reading, due 7/26/44, I have sent you a somewhat condensed question together with those for my Readings of May 31. May I add this: Is my longing for rural life with its activity upon the soil, its life in the open, its serenity of mind, tranquility and solitude with the fear of loneliness and a few other negatives - is such a longing true to my nature? I would make such a change for greater harmony. My nature would have to stand the break from the authority of an organization where personal will has little room. I am very glad to have my first two Readings and am still studying them.
3. 5/30/45 Letter: "My Active Membership expiring 5/31/45, I wish to be continued for the Weekly Readings Extract and the Diary Letter for one year... I also wish to be on your mailing list for all announcements of your publications so that I can order at any time... When my third Reading had to be postponed, the thought entered my mind that it would never take place. God rest the soul that was Edgar Cayce, in peace. His utterances will always have an authority no one else's can have. His super-mundane consciousness, his personal love for and knowledge of, the Bible and his excellent Christian character. May that never become submerged as your research goes on. May you and your work always prosper."
4. 2/29/52 Questionnaire-letter sent. Whereabouts unknown.

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