This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 20th day of July, 1944, in accordance with request made by self - through mother - Mrs. [...], new Associate 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 March 13, 1908, in Secompton, Kansas.

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 have the records here of that entity now known as [5383].
3. In giving the interpretations of these, there is much from which to choose. There are virtues; there are faults; there are activities which may bring disturbing influences; there are activities in which the entity may excel and make a material success and a mental and spiritual failure. Yet here is an entity who may make a material and mental and a spiritual success out of politics, which is about as hard as may be had.
4. The physical body has brought disturbing conditions, but if the entity will offer itself, if it will prepare itself from the various associations, as to how it has contributed to welfare work in the land, offer itself as a county court clerk or a circuit clerk or a recorder, we will find the entity with its abilities, with its ease, may contribute to the welfare of that county, that community, in a way and manner which will do honor to self, to God, and to its fellow man.
5. These are the channels through which the entity may best serve, not as a socialite, but study sociology, psychology; study those activities which deal with all phases of social-political economy, and we will find these will open the way for the entity, contributing much to its nation, its county, its family.
6. As to the appearances in the earth, these have been quite varied, not all are given, by any means, but these merely as a shadow or pattern through which and how and when and wherein the appearances.
7. Before this we find the entity was in the land much farther east, during those periods when there were preparations for others to look after western lands. The entity was among those who would not go itself, but sent others to look over the land, and later sent others; thus giving to the period the advantage of the entity's study and knowledge of how growth and unfoldment in all cycles of activity should progress.
8. The entity was in the name then of William Cowper. In the experience the entity gained those abilities which may be manifested in making friends, in making speeches, in oratorical activities.
9. For the entity, if it will use its abilities, may be a real factor in its own community, even rising to state representative and even more, even in national undertakings.
10. Before that we find the entity was in the Roman land, and thus the entity loves to read of the Roman period, of the activities of the people of that day. For the entity kept the records between individuals as representatives in other lands and those in the land where such records were kept, in the name then Basone.
11. In the experience the entity contributed much to the general help and welfare and was among those who, if there had been the harkening to the advice, might have made greater strides in the spiritual forces of that period.
12. Before that we find the entity was in the Holy Land when there was the first choice of those who were to act in the capacity as judges in the Holy Land. The entity was among those who were chosen of the tribe of Ephraim, and in the name then Arbathel.
13. Thus the entity was a judge; thus the entity was active in a reckoning of conditions between its fellow men; thus setting the entity as it might be termed for the abilities in the present.
14. As to the abilities of the entity and that to which it may attain, follow through in the use of voice but do it in politics. Do so as county court or circuit court or state official. For the entity may rise to fame.
15. Ready for questions.
16. (Q) Should I continue taking university courses until I get my degree in the field of social studies?
    (A) Turn it to political economy.
17. (Q) What are the principal things I am to learn and accomplish during my life?
    (A) As has been indicated, to serve thy fellow man in such a manner as to make the land better for thou being in same.
18. (Q) What are my principal handicaps and how can I overcome them?
    (A) These are the harder - just don't get too large for your trousers!
19. (Q) How may I develop my personality so that I may have satisfactory relations with others?
    (A) These ye have - apply them! But know their source and it is spiritual, not material.
20. We are through.

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

BACKGROUND

1. 8/01/43 Letter from mother: "He was always cheerful and patient until a few years ago; he had an accident, his knee was broken and one eye injured - we were afraid it would be blind but he has now a little vision in it; but it changed his disposition, he is very easily irritated and very nervous; he wasn't satisfied with his work, he wanted to be in something that would make the world a better place, and he spent hours on the beach alone asking for guidance. He felt he was led into his present Juvenile work - helping boys who are arrested to get on the right path again. Most of them come from broken, unChristian homes. He is married, has 2 lovely children but isn't making enough and his wife works - he feels badly about that and it worries him, but now he is ill - he always seems to be so tired and can hardly keep going, but he is worse lately. He is ambitious but wonders if he is in the right work, if so why does God not give him the energy he needs so badly... He is the kind of man and father that the world needs."

REPORTS

1. 10/10/47 Report requested by GD from the mother and [5383].
2. 10/16/47 [5383]'s mother's letter: "My son was so happy with the reading and eager to try the instructions but soon after receiving it the reading got in the wrong pile of papers and along with some other things he wanted to keep, was burned. So all he has had has been just what he could remember. He has so wanted a copy but we didn't feel free to bother Mr. Cayce, so didn't. He has recently entered County Government work and feels he is on the path, but not real sure how it checks with the reading. He has had some rough places as he felt he should finish his education, and leaving a family was not easy, but he finally did and now he is embarked on what he hopes is the path. P.S. It is difficult to understand why anyone doing so much good as Edgar Cayce should be taken."
3. 11/06/47 GD sent a copy of his reading and asked for a more detailed report.
4. 8/21/63 Mr. [5383]'s cousin visited A.R.E. and obtained another copy of the reading, via his mother's request, saying: "[5383] did not recall the reading until recent years, but he has done outstanding work as a probation officer in ..., Calif."
5. 8/22/68 Mother requested another copy of rdg., saying: "He would like so much to have a copy of it. As we remember it a change is probably due, and there were instructions which would be so helpful. Edgar Cayce was so kind and wonderful to give the rdg. when it was so needed and seemed impossible... May the help you give to others go on, for it is not just 'human' but divine inspiration, I believe."

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