This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 2nd day of June, 1944, in accordance with request made by self - [5253], new Associate Member of the Ass'n for Research and Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by article in Coronet Magazine.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis and Jeanette Fitch, Stenos. Born May 2, 1919, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

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 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, new cycle, not a bad one! May 2, 1919, [5253].
3. Yes, we have those records here of that entity now known as or called [5253].
4. In giving an interpretation of the records as we find, there is much to be commended. There are those wherein we would give counsel, there are those wherein corrections should be attempted in self. There are many abilities and these come in rather contradictory manners.
5. For, when the urges are considered which are latent from appearances in the earth and urges from the interims in those consciousnesses recorded upon the akashic records, we find the entity:
6. One who should never have to do menial work, and yet one who must either be regimented or must regiment itself. Things cannot go "hit and miss" for the entity. There is a great deal of sociability about the entity, and yet he is inclined to be self-centered. These are rather from fear and yet, as we find, when there are those changes in its environ, do make of self an orchestra leader. Music, and the activities about same will make for the undoing of that self-consciousness and will give the outlet for the abilities of the entity, in not only playing good music but in creating better music in many conditions and activities. For the entity can compose if it will set its mind and make for answering of the urges of loneliness, of happiness, of emotions, of sadness, which [are] a part of the latent consciousness of the entity.
7. Remember, as ye study, as ye prepare yourself, music is the one element which may span the distance between the sublime and the ridiculous. That which may arouse violent passion, which may soothe the beast of passion, as that which may make for thoughts of home, of heaven, of loved ones, the laugh of a baby, the tears of a beautiful woman, the arms of a loved one, the jeers of the crowd; and the entity is capable of depicting these in manners in which they would become unusual and give the opportunity for the entity to not only give out, but to find in helping others, in bringing more and more of the thoughts of good, thoughts of home, thoughts of heaven, thoughts of mother, thoughts of those things which bring at times sadness, at times joy, but always helpful influences into the experiences of individuals. For as ye pour out self, in a way to be of help to others, ye are the greater help to thyself.
8. Urges then in Jupiter, in Mercury, in Venus. There will be little fear of this turning the entity's head, but don't let some women turn it before you have completely arrived.
9. As to the activities in the earth, while not all of the appearances may be given, these are given to indicate the pattern in which the entity finds self.
10. Before this we find the entity was in the land of the present nativity, when there were the turmoils for the freeing of the land from oppression. When the activities in the land brought oppressions from groups, the entity was one who sounded the clarion call for those who would follow through with that idea of "for God and country."
11. Do, then, keep the first things first.
12. In the name then Harry Wortham, the entity gained, the entity lost, the entity gained in the setting of the ideal and lost in the trying to impose same upon the others.
13. Be all ye should to everyone but impose not upon any. Rather be imposed upon than to impose. For this is well in self.
14. Before that we find the entity was in the activities of the Roman land as a representative in other lands, in the land now known as North Africa or in Algeria.
15. Here the entity, as we find, made for those surveys as to what might be accomplished by activities of certain rules, certain orders, certain groups, engaged in certain activities that would supply the needs to an empire just being builded.
16. The music as of the tribesman became a study to the entity, and as to whether these were to arouse people for rebellion or the sounding of the clarion for a united effort against a common foe, or those had for sadness, for joy, social activities or for the urges.
17. These were the combinations and the abilities of the entity, and thus the reed and the wind instruments become of special interest to the entity, but the greater success may be made as a leader in such.
18. Use, as we find, that name under which the entity was then active in the activities in the present: Mort Montgomery or Mort Norton.
19. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land when there were the activities in the Temple Beautiful for preparations of individuals for given service. Here the harp, the reeded musical instruments were a portion of the practice of the entity, both for good and for bad were these in the experience and yet keeping the ideals which are the consciousness of every individual. Not merely as what you may say, but write them down: Body, mind, soul. What is thy spiritual ideal? One God, or many gods? A full belief in faith and in trust, in oneness of all force as manifested in an individual or just nature or just chance, but write it down. As thy experiences cause thee to change, change them.
20. So in the mental, what is thy mental ideal? That ye should or can cultivate the mind in given directions or that which arises from one source without, or arises from a source within or a combination of same? If so, from whence does it come? From the material impressions or the spiritual insight? What spirit do ye entertain consciously? That of Creative Forces as of God manifested in Christ, or that of a physical evolution of self? But write it down, change it as ye find the growth comes to thee.
21. Then the ideal in the material: An opportunity to serve all, or opportunity to rule someone else? Remembering, he who would be the greater will be the servant of them all.
22. The ideal, then, of the material: Is it plenty of money, or position? Or the opportunity to use that thou hast in hand for the glory of the God, for the benefit of thy brother, for making the world where ye are a better place to live? For, if ye are a "taker" and never a "giver", what have ye accomplished?
23. But write it down. Change it from day to day, and ye should eventually find Jesus, the Christ as the head of body, mind and soul.
24. Ready for questions.
25. (Q) How can I better my relations with others in friendship and work?
    (A) Show thyself approved unto God, a workman not ashamed, rightly dividing the words of truth, keeping self unspotted from the world.
26. (Q) What instrument if any, should the body play?
    (A) As has been indicated, either the reed or the horn. This, as we find, is well. Ye may accomplish much. Keep sweet!
27. We are through with this reading.

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

BACKGROUND

1. Born 5/02/19 in Canada; single.
2. 11/22/43 Letter: "Sending a registered letter may be an unnecessary precaution, but the letter I wrote before this must have been lost in the mail, as I received no reply. I have read of your psychic powers, and I'm sure that you can help me. Ever since I've been old enough to work, I've wondered and pondered at knowing just what I was best fitted for in life. To my mind nothing is more pathetic than seeing or being a man who is a misfit. I've seen too many misfits in the army. I am 24, and by this time I should have some idea of a vocation, but unfortunately I haven't. While in the army, I have an opportunity to take college or trade courses through the Army Institute, an educational system for service men. All that is lacking is the subject I should take in accordance with my post war vocation. My problem may not be as pertinent as others you receive, but I believe it merits your consideration. My educational background has been varied: First, 4 years of high school, in which I took a college preparatory course, then 1 year of accounting at which I was not exceptionally proficient. Prior to the war, I took a course in aircraft riveting and almost finished a course in gas welding... My jobs as a civilian have been almost as varied. Started as a stock boy, then became a shoe salesman in a department store. Followed by 1 1/2 years as bookkeeper for a small plant. Before being drafted, I was working as a riveter in an aircraft factory. At present, I am an armorer in the Army Air Force. I'd be extremely grateful if you would help me with my problem. I want more than anything to work at what I'm best suited for after the war, and to prepare myself as best I can now..."
3. 1/29/44 Questions submitted in addition to those at the end of 5253-1: "(1) What vocation should I follow that will make me most useful to society? (2) Do I possess any latent musical ability?... If I cannot give you my exact address, I will keep my allotted hour in quiet and prayer, because believe me, my vocation in life is a matter of great importance to me..."
4. 5/20/44 Letter: "Please send a copy of my June 2nd reading to the above address. I realize that 'somewhere in England' is a rather vague idea of my whereabouts, but it's the best I can do. I'm looking forward to the results of my reading, because I know that you will help me..."

REPORTS

1. 2/20/52 Comment by IMG: "No record of verbal or written contact from [5253] since date of the reading."

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