This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 24th day of October, 1933, in accordance with request made by those present.

Present: Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis, L. B. and Hugh Lynn Cayce.

TEXT

1. GC: If the "forces" Lamech, Confucius, Tamah, Halaliel, Hebe, Ra, Ra-Ta, John are present, we seek the answer to the following question, as given: How did the influence known as Spirit move upon the various matters that came into existence? And how did the influence manifest itself upon the beings that separated into the varied kingdoms that inhabit such as the earth? You will please also give the next question.
2. EC: Yes. That there may be as little confusion as possible in the minds of those present, as to the source of that which may be given through the answering of the question that has been proposed, let each present accept THIS as a fact for the present, and as each period is given for the development of force and power in and through the spiritual guidance each individual present may fit in his own concept of how, why, when there was a change in the spiritual (or spirit) influence in the earth; for this, with its environs, is that sphere that we are to deal with:
3. The individuals named were known as individuals and personalities in the earth's sphere, and had (and have) an influence upon the thoughts of man; hence they (the influence they represent) are capable of guiding the information in such a manner as may be comprehendable to those that would seek to know the truth; that may be presented, and that may be demonstrable (that's a very good word!) in individual lives. Hence we each may be assured, by the presence of the beloved disciple, that our own Christian concept will have its place throughout the discussion.
4. The question: How did spirit move upon matter as to bring into existence that which POSSESSES a body and a spirit? This we see in the elementals, as we consider matter in its gaseous form with all the powers of the divisions to which it (the gas) is subject under the varied conditions that may exist. For, the matter (in its elemental form) was moved upon by the Spirit of God and became that which partook (and partakes) of all force and influence in the sphere of activity to which IT (the element) had been (and has been) delegated by the Infinite Spirit that possesses all those forces or influences that may be seen in all realms of activity, from the lowest unto infinitum. Hence we see all become impregnated with the spirit of the Creator; hence are of the one source or power.
5. Why, then, did there come that which is known in the earth as a three-dimensional phase of existence with a five-consciousness of its existence? that there in spirit possesses body, form and activity, in spirit, and moving upon the activity of self brings into being that which was to be the companionship with that spirit?
6. For, all laws (loves) that are applicable in a material world must find their inception, their beginning, in the source of the BEGINNINGS of activity in a given sphere.
7. Among those spirits that include all that ever was, that ever will be, were those that in spirit rebelled against that law of love; hence turned in self upon self, hence separating self from that first companionship.
8. Hence that all in this form might return, or that there might not be continual warfare in this realm of peace, happiness, glory (Words are inadequate to describe the presence of the Most High. For as given, the most glorious in the finite mind is but a SHADOW; and it doth not appear as to what manner or form or bodies with which we do appear before, or in the presence of, His glory sublime - divine), but in order that there might be the return of every soul bearing the imprint of his image in Spirit (and body), there came first those in the earth as thought forms that were able to partake of that about them; and so absorb them, much as we see in the lower forms of material manifestations in life, and MOVED by the spirit to become that they found or absorbed in their being. Hence we see how that the entering of the spirit into matter in the earth was both good and bad. And we find that, as given in the records, each soul became conscious of a relationship to an outside influence or spirit as it, individually, personally, applied those influences in the activities that were about it. How could there become, then, other than sun worshippers? But rather some became worshippers of that the sun produced, rather than of that which produced the sun: There's a difference! THAT'S the difference between Spiritualism and Spiritism; Spirit-u-u-u-al-ism, and Spiritism.
9. Spiritism, then, is that which acknowledges, that acts, that comprehends, the source of the activity.
10. Spiritualism is that which comprehends rather only the result, than the source.
11. The forces of spirit activity, then, become all those that are recognized as the elemental laws, or what?
12. First, self-perpetuation or preservation; perpetuation through the second law of its creation, through its elements that partake of the life spirit that creates or forms the body itself. Hence we have the first three laws in the activity of spirit in matter in the earth:
13. Preservation of self; perseverance in perpetuation of self, by impregnation of matter to become a reproduction of itself; and - the like begets like!
14. We are through for the present. [EC said on waking that he would like to always feel surrounded by as helpful influences as he did this time.]

BACKGROUND

1. See 5756-9 and 5756-10.
2. 5756-11 is a continuation of 5756-10.

REPORTS

1. 5/18/34 See continuation in 5756-12.

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