This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 13th day of June, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Miss [5214], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by the book, THERE IS A RIVER, and Mr. [641].

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, J. Fitch, Stenos. Born February 9, 1905, in Nampa, Idaho.

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 are given the records here of that entity now known as or called [5214].
3. In giving the interpretations of the records, there are those which we would choose, that this may be a helpful experience for the entity; enabling it to better fulfill the purposes for which it entered this sojourn.
4. There are faults; there are virtues. Magnify in thy life and thy experience all the virtues, as love, hope, brotherly kindness, gentleness, patience. This ye need to guard closely as a teacher, as an instructor, and that ye need to use, particularly in that in which ye may do the best, in thy writing. While you may never set the world on fire, you may change the opinions of masses.
5. These then, applied in thy writing, ye may make the greater contribution.
6. Do not break away from teaching until much later, but begin now to write. Write, set aside a special time each day, and whether it's a line or a page or many pages, write something. Keep in that continuity of thought of its being creative, in the formations of the experiences of self, yea in thine own studies; for character analysis may be gained the best in this manner. Weave it all into the stories which may become even classics, much later, in the experiences of man.
7. As to the urges which are latent, these we find in Mercury, in Jupiter, in Venus and in Saturn. Thus the confusion which has come at times as to what to do, as to which way to turn, as to directions to be taken.
8. But if ye will turn continuously to the within, and with that prayer constantly upon thy lips, "Lord, here am I, thy handmaid, use me, O God, in thy service among my fellow man," ye will not wander far away.
9. As to the appearances in the earth, we find these quite varied. While all are not given, these indicate the pattern:
10. Before this we find the entity was among those who were from portions of what is now West Virginia. The entity started with those who would seek fortunes in the west, when there were rumors of gold. These were against the principles of the entity. It wished to stay where it was, and thus the whole of the experience was a hardship, as will be seen from a pattern, why. Yet the entity throughout its experience, and through the hardships, learned much of the great outdoors, of nature. And know that nature is that from which man may take his lesson to learn of the Creative Forces or God, who is the spirit and seeks such to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Not as a Lord, for He gave himself as a brother, as a savior, as a servant. Hence look upon Christ-Jesus as thy brother, as thy friend, as thy Savior, who paid the price for thee.
11. In the name then Nora Avery.
12. Before that we find the entity was in the Danish land when there were those peoples who were desirous of acquainting themselves with those new found lands, America. Here the entity sought for the coming to same, with its companion as a new adventure.
13. Thus the entity has been, and is still, somewhat of an adventuress, venturing into communications, associations, activities where others warn, or others are fearful of the outcome.
14. In the experience, though the entity gained; for it succeeded materially and spiritually, where others failed. The entity settled in what is now known as portions of Delaware. The name which was taken there was Swapshaw and, as the name would imply, was swapped for an experience with other men and other peoples in that land.
15. The entity gained, for it builded well in the changing experiences which came about.
16. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land when there were those peoples who were chosen for home building through the offices of the Temple Beautiful. The entity was among those who kept the records for varied groups, and thus its ability as a compiler, its ability as a teacher, its ability to make everything interesting to others in conversation or in activities.
17. Thus in applying self, and that to which it may attain, as given: Study throughout all to show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth and keeping self unspotted from the world.
18. Ready for questions.
19. (Q) Should I continue teaching in ... or elsewhere?
    (A) As has been indicated - for some time, but begin writing. ... is well.
20. (Q) What steps should I take to fulfill the purpose for which I entered the earth at this time?
    (A) As has been indicated.
21. (Q) Please help me to understand my own possibilities and limitations.
    (A) These we have pointed out in the experiences in the earth, as well as counsel as to the urges from consciousness in other sojourns.
22. (Q) Where is it best for me to live?
    (A) In the present where you are. Later, there will be given other experiences.
23. (Q) Should I marry in this incarnation? If so, please advise me as to choice of a mate.
    (A) There should be the answer to the consciousness within. It will be well to make this a home, as it were, a part of thy experience, when ye set about to compose, to write, to gather data.
24. We are through with this reading.

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

BACKGROUND

1. Born Idaho 2/09/05; resides in Va.; single.
2. 7/10/43 Letter: "I have just finished reading the book of your life and work, and have become interested...send me additional information as to how I could get a life reading."
3. 1/03/44 Letter: "...I am most interested in what I can and should do about my career. If you can help me to understand my own possibilities and limitations, I shall be grateful."
4. 2/05/44 Letter: "I am very much upset by your letter of February 3 [appointment postponed]. I understood that life readings were largely about previous lives, and that few questions were answered concerning the future. However, about a month ago, I wrote you about the thing that is foremost in my mind: Shall I change my position or career, and if so, what steps should I take? Ten days ago I lost my mother, and for the first time in my life, am free to move. June 13 will probably be too late to be of help to me; however, if there is no other time, I shall have to accept this time..."

REPORTS

1. 6/13/44 GD's note to [5214]: "I hope you didn't mind my formulating the questions that were asked in this reading. You hadn't submitted any, and it is so unusual for a person not to. Usually one seeking a Life Reading is full of them. I didn't mean to 'stick my neck out' but I was trying to bring out more detail for you. I do hope the reading will be helpful to you, as mine has been to me."
2. 10/28/49 Reply to questionnaire: "I still have a copy of my Life Rdg. which I have read several times, the last time being 3 weeks ago. It was interesting, but inadequate as far as influencing me or making me feel it was very personal. I do believe in the theory of reincarnation, yet I do not have a clear concept of karma. As a result of my reading, I have not felt the compulsion to set up any systematic routine for self-analysis. I have done nothing about writing, as suggested in my Life Reading."
3. 3/24/52 Notation by IMG: No record of verbal or written contact on this case since 10/28/49. Test mailing 5/51. Whereabouts unknown.

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