Edgar Cayce Readings, 5749-8

Time: 4:15 to 4:50 P. M.

TEXT

GC: You will have before you the entity, Thomas Sugrue, present in this room. You will now continue with the information on the life and history of the Master, beginning now with detail information on the group which was preparing for the coming of the Christ, giving name of group, names of members who figured prominently in the active preparation; relating the signs, symbols and visions which indicated to this group that the time was at hand. You will then answer the questions that may be asked:
EC: Yes, we have the entity here, Thomas Sugrue, with the desire and the purpose for the understanding and knowledge of the physical experience of the Master's in the earth.
In those days when there had been more and more of the leaders of the peoples in Carmel - the original place where the school of prophets was established during Elijah's time, Samuel - these were called then Essenes; and those that were students of what ye would call astrology, numerology, phrenology, and those phases of that study of the return of individuals - or incarnation.
These were then the reasons that there had been a proclaiming that certain periods were a cycle; and these had been the studies then of Arestole, Enos, Mathias, Judas, and those that were in the care or supervision of the school - as you would term.
These having been persecuted by those of the leaders, this first caused that as ye have an interpretation of as the Sadducees, or "There is no resurrection," or there is no incarnation, which is what it meant in those periods.
In the lead of these, with those changes that had been as the promptings from the positions of the stars - that stand as it were in the dividing of the ways between the universal, that is the common vision of the solar system of the sun, and those from without the spheres - or as the common name, the North Star, as its variation made for those cycles that would be incoordinant with those changes that had been determined by some - this began the preparation - for the three hundred years, as has been given, in this period.
Those in charge at the time were Mathias, Enos, Judas.
In these signs then was the new cycle, that as was then - as we have in the astrological - the beginning of the Piscean age, or that position of the Polar Star or North Star as related to the southern clouds. These made for the signs, these made for the symbols; as would be the sign as used, the manner of the sign's approach and the like.
These then were the beginnings, and these were those that were made a part of the studies during that period.
Then there were again those soundings - that is, the approach of that which had been handed down and had been the experiences from the sages of old - that an angel was to speak. As this occurred when there was the choosing of the mate that had - as in only the thought of those so close - been immaculately conceived, these brought to the focal point the preparation of the mother.
Then when there were those periods when there was the dumbness to the priest and he, Zacharias, was slain for his repeating of same in the hearing of those of his own school, these made for those fears that made the necessary preparations for the wedding, the preparations for the birth, the preparations for those activities for the preservation (physically) of the child; or the flight into Egypt.
Ready for questions.
(Q) Is the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church that Mary was without original sin from the moment of her conception in the womb of Ann, correct?
(A) It would be correct in ANY case. Correct more in this. For, as for the material teachings of that just referred to, you see: In the beginning Mary was the twin-soul of the Master in the entrance into the earth!
(Q) Was Ann prepared for her part in the drama as mother of Mary?
(A) Only as in the general, not as specific as Mary after Mary being pointed out.
See, there was no belief in the fact that Ann proclaimed that the child was without father. It's like many proclaiming today that the Master was immaculately conceived; they say "Impossible!" They say that it isn't in compliance with the natural law. It IS a natural law, as has been indicated by the projection of mind into matter and thus making of itself a separation to become encased in same - as man did.
Then, that there has been an encasement was a beginning. Then there must be an end when this must be or may be broken; and this began at that particular period. Not the only - this particular period with Ann and then the Master AS the son; but the ONLY begotten of the Father in the flesh AS a son OF an immaculately conceived daughter! [See 5749-8, Par. R1.]
(Q) Neither Mary nor Jesus, then, had a human father?
(A) Neither Mary nor Jesus had a human father. They were one SOUL so far as the earth is concerned; because [else] she would not be incarnated in flesh, you see. [See 2067-11, Par. 9-A.]
(Q) How were the maidens selected and by whom?
(A) By all of those who chose to give those that were perfect in body and in mind for the service; and as Ann - or Anna - gave the same, and in the presentation could not be refused because of the perfectness of body, though many questioned and produced a division because she proclaimed it had been conceived without knowing a man.
Thus came the division, yet the others were chosen - each as a representative of the twelve in the various phases that had been or that had made up Israel - or man.
(Q) How old was Mary at the time she was chosen?
(A) Four; and, as ye would call, between twelve and thirteen when designated as the one chosen by the angel on the stair.
(Q) Describe the training and preparation of the group of maidens.
(A) Trained as to physical exercise first, trained as to mental exercises as related to chastity, purity, love, patience, endurance. All of these by what would be termed by many in the present as persecutions, but as tests for physical and mental strength; and this under the supervision of those that cared for the nourishments by the protection in the food values. These were the manners and the way they were trained, directed, protected.
(Q) Were they put on special diet?
(A) No wine, no fermented drink ever given. Special foods, yes. These were kept balanced according to that which had been first set by Aran [Aaron? See Leviticus 10:9 and 11:1--47] and Ra Ta.
(Q) In what manner was Joseph informed of his part in the birth of Jesus?
(A) First by Mathias or Judah. Then as this did not coincide with his own feelings, first in a dream and then the direct voice.
And whenever the voice, this always is accompanied with odors as well as lights; and oft the description of the lights is the vision, see?
(Q) Why was he disturbed when Mary became with child while yet a virgin?
(A) Owing to his natural surroundings and because of his advanced age to that of the virgin when she was given; or as would be termed in the present, because of what people say. Yet when assured, you see, that this was the divine, not only by his brethren but by the voice and by those experiences, he knew. For you see there was from the time of the first promise, while she was still yet in training from the choice, there was a period of some three to four years; yet when he went to claim her as the bride, at the period of - or between sixteen and seventeen, she was found with child.
(Q) How old was Joseph at the time of the marriage?
(A) Thirty-six.
(Q) How old was Mary at the time of the marriage?
(A) Sixteen.
(Q) At what time after the birth of Jesus did Mary and Joseph take up the normal life of a married couple, and bring forth the issue called James?
(A) Ten years. Then they came in succession; James, the daughter, Jude.
(Q) Give a detailed description for literary purposes, of the choosing of Mary on the temple steps.
(A) The temple steps - or those that led to the altar, these were called the temple steps. These were those upon which the sun shone as it arose of a morning when there were the first periods of the chosen maidens going to the altar for prayer; as well as for the burning of the incense.
On this day, as they mounted the steps all were bathed in the morning sun; which not only made a beautiful picture but clothed all as in purple and gold.
As Mary reached the top step, then, then there were the thunder and lightning, and the angel led the way, taking the child by the hand before the altar. This was the manner of choice, this was the showing of the way; for she led the others on THIS particular day.
(Q) Was this the orthodox Jewish temple or the Essene temple?
(A) The Essenes, to be sure. Because of the adherence to those visions as proclaimed by Zacharias in the orthodox temple, he (Zacharias) was slain even with his hands upon the horns of the altar.
Hence these as were being here protected were in Carmel, while Zacharias was in the temple of Jerusalem.
(Q) Was Mary REQUIRED to wait ten years before knowing Joseph?
(A) Only, you see, until Jesus went to be taught by others did the normal or natural associations come; not required - it was a choice of them both because of their OWN feelings.
But when He was from without the roof and under the protection of those who were the guides (that is, the priests), these associations began then as normal experiences.
(Q) Were the parents of John the messenger members of the band which prepared for Jesus?
(A) As has just been indicated, Zacharias at first was a member of what you would term the orthodox priesthood. Mary and Elizabeth were members of the Essenes, you see; and for this very reason Zacharias kept Elizabeth in the mountains and in the hills. Yet when there was the announcing of the birth and Zacharias proclaimed his belief, the murder, the death took place.
(Q) Where was the wedding performed? of Mary and Joseph?
(A) In the temple there at Carmel.
(Q) Where did the couple live during the pregnancy?
(A) Mary spent the most of the time in the hills of Judea, portion of the time with Joseph in Nazareth. From there they went to Bethlehem to be taxed, or to register - as ye would term.
(Q) Who assisted as midwife?
(A) This has been touched upon through these sources; and as the daughter of the Innkeeper and those about assisted and aided, these have seen the glory, much, in their experiences.
(Q) Do we celebrate Christmas at approximately the right time?
(A) Not a great variation, for there having been the many changes in the accounting of time, or accounting for the periods from the various times when time is counted - not far wrong - twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth of December, as ye have your time now.
(Q) Who were the parents of Joseph?
(A) That as recorded by Matthew, as is given, you see; one side recorded by Matthew, the other by Luke - these on various sides but of the house of David, as was also Mary of the house of David.
(Q) Were Mary and Joseph known to each other socially before the choosing for them to be man and wife?
(A) As would be chosen in a lodge, not as ye would term of visitations; neither as only chosen by the sect or the families. In those periods most of the Jewish families, the arrangements were made by the parents of the contracting parties, you see; while in this - these were not as contracting parties from their families. For Ann and her daughter were questioned as to belonging to any, you see! Then it was not a choice altogether as that they were appointed by the leaders of the sect or of the group or of the lodge or of the church; for this is the church that is called the Catholic now - and is the closest.
These were kept then in that way of choice between them, and choice as pointed out by the divine forces.
We are through for the present.
Copy to Self
Copy to Ass'n file

REPORTS

2/16/69 Sunday, article appearing in The Virginian-Pilot:
VIRGIN BIRTH
SUPPORT FROM SCIENCE
By DR. ALFRED BYRNE Times/Post News Service
LONDON - The possibility of virgin birth has been given scientific support by the strange behavior of a single cell involved in the Cambridge University experiments in test-tube fertilization of human eggs.
One ovum (egg) which was not fertilized was found to respond in the same way as some of the ova which were treated with male spermatozoa.
The earliest changes also were seen in seven of 17 eggs cultured without the addition of spermatozoa. Until recently, parthenogenesis (the technical term for virgin birth) has been regarded as impossible, though it does occur quite commonly in insects and other lower animals.
The incredulity of scientists, however, has been shaken by the discovery that if the ova of rabbits are "activated" by exposure to cold and then returned to the womb they need no help from the buck.
See Source File Key #5749 for following articles, letters, and literature re 5749-8:
2/24/70 Tuesday, The Houston Post:
ISRAELI FINDS PRE-CHRIST CITY
Descending a few feet below the bustling Arab market of Old Jerusalem, an Israeli archaeologist Monday displayed a lifeless city 2,000 years old...
11/01/71 The New York Times:
FRANCISCANS SEEKS SITES OF JESUS' LIFE
The digs they are embarked upon here beside the Sea of Galilee may be carrying modern man closer than any work so far to the life and activity of Jesus of Nazareth.
A handful of scholars of the Franciscan order are conducting one of the least publicized but most controversial archaeological efforts under way in Palestine. Working here in the Galilee and in Jerusalem, they are almost alone in archeogical study of Jesus' life and works... 2/13/72 Sunday, The New York Times:
NEW EVIDENCE ON JESUS' LIFE REPORTED
Jerusalem, Feb. 12 - Two Israeli scholars believe they have unraveled an elusive mystery of early Christianity - an apparently forged description of Jesus attributed to the Jewish-Roman historian Flavius Josephus...
TWO VIEWS OF JESUS
...Two controversial passages about Jesus in "The Antiquities of the Jews," a first-century history by Flavius Josephus...
1/25/74 Letter to Stephen Goranson from John Allegro
2/26/75 Research by Stephen Goranson:
I. Here are some correlations in the Dead Sea Scrolls to the statement in 5749-8, p. 1, par. 2 [Par. 3] that the Essenes studied "astrology, numerology, phrenology, and those phases of that study of the return of individuals - or incarnation."...
II. Possible supporting evidence for the readings' assertion that some of the Essenes lived on Mt. Carmel:...