Reading 1861-19

TEXT OF READING 1861-19 M 38

Text

Date: 8/22/1944 Sex: M Age: 38 ReadingID: 8270

This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 22nd day of August, 1944, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1861], Active Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc.

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Grace Premo, Stenos.]

Time of Reading Set. bet. 3:30 to 4:30 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. …, Va.

1. GC: You will give the physical condition of this body at the present time with suggestions for further corrective measures, answering the questions, as I ask them:

2. EC: Yes, we have the body here [1861]; this we have had before.

3. Ready for questions.

4. (Q) Should oil massages be continued and how often? (A) All massages are well for the body, though the use of Glyco-Thymoline or Lavoris, at times, at the base of the neck and at the area from the brachial center to the base of the neck, will be found to be well to aid in diminishing the tendencies for accumulation of acids through body from activities in physical, material activities, see? The oil rubs, we would have at least twice a week.

5. (Q) Should vitamin tablets be continued? (A) We would keep the vitamins.

6. (Q) What would be a good weight for this body to maintain? (A) Set it yourself, and then so live, and so act, you can keep it. About 155 to 165 should be about normal at the present age and activities.

7. (Q) If the weight is too great at present what should be done to reduce it? (A) Change it by your own activities, diet and exercise.

8. (Q) What progress has been made toward absorption and elimination of the cataracts? (A) These, as we find, are slow, yet sure, if there will be kept, not only the corrections made occasionally, once a month or such - might be the more often but the meditation; and in the meditation, don’t meditate UPON, but listen to the voice within. For prayer is supplication for direction, for understanding. Meditation is listening to the Divine within.

9. (Q) Would the neck exercises for the eyes be beneficial for the body? (A) Be beneficial, though these will keep, as was indicated, much better would there be the use of Glyco-Thymoline or Lavoris Packs. These would be just along the edge of spine, see? extending to, from that of the 1st cervical to the 4th dorsal.

10. (Q) Would the eye condition be hereditary to a child of this entity? (A) No.

11. (Q) In view of having been cautioned that my work at the Theatre might change my vibrations, how am I doing? (A) You are doing very well - very well!

12. (Q) Why is 2 A.M. the best time to meditate? (A) For the body-mind, as we find, (if it has slept), the activities - of the physical body are as it were, in that vibration where it is between the physical, the mental, and spiritual activities of the body. If it is kept awake, it isn’t a good time to meditate, but sleep, and then arise, and purposefully - for in prayer, so in meditation, let it be purposefully, and then don’t abuse it - use it. Life is the manifestation of God - of the Creative Forces. So in prayer and in meditation. Prayer - He knoweth what ye have need of, but it is that love, that hope within self, knowing, feeling the desire to approach, thankful, prayerful, and then listen for direction.

13. We are through.

Copy to Self ” ” Ass’n file ” for Indexing

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 3/18/45 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to GD:

…, Va. Box …

Dear Dorothy Gladys:

We received the copy of AURAS yesterday and have read it with much interest. Of course, it brings back memories of how Mr. Cayce used to talk about these things and it was almost like hearing him tell about these experiences. It is good to have these things in a more permanent form.

And while I very much dislike to have to differ about the relationship of each color to a musical note, as given in the booklet; however, it does not appear exactly consistent to state that each color applies to Do, Re, Mi, etc., since these terms apply to the notes of any given scale, regardless of its key signature. Don’t you think what was meant by Mr. Cayce was the red corresponds to C, orange or yellow to D, and so on up each notes of the scale in the key of C, or, a chromatic scale, beginning on C? You can readily understand that Do does not imply any given fundamental vibration or upper partials, therefore, would not be specific enough to use the terms commonly employed in sight singing in application to color relationships.

Mother had what appears to have been a slight stroke 2 weeks ago, losing the feeling in her right side. However she refused to go to bed and is improving now, tho I don’t think she has fully recovered the use of her right fingers yet and the right side of her face is still not right. Of course, this has caused all of us some little concern, but I hope she will continue to improve.

[2072] and I are enjoying your Diary Letters very much and these are proving, as I thought they would, a most valuable phase of the work, as they lend that more intimate contact that was supplied by Mr. Cayce. Keep up the good work.

Enclosed is a check, for which, please have sent to me 6 copies of A SEARCH FOR GOD and 6 of AURAS. Use the balance not needed for the books in any way you like. [2072] joins me in sending love to you and all the others who are carrying on so nobly down there.

As ever, [1861]

P.S. Of course we are so sorry to hear thru yours and Lydia’s letters this morning (Monday) of Mrs. Cayce’s condition. Let us hope the trouble can be found and remedied, tho it does sound pretty serious to me. I certainly hope that Hugh Lynn can be brought home, for he is needed so very much now. Indeed, if he could have been here, we would still probably have Mr. Cayce here in his physical body.

Give our love to Mrs. Cayce and tell her that we will be praying and thinking about her.

[Lydia, give letter back to me when filed - want to use it in DL.

Used in DL 3/23/45. GD.]

R2. 4/28/45 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to GD:

Dear Gladys:

I have read with interest the communication from Gina Cerminara.

I remember when her book of Italian for Singers was published and it is receive favorable reviews in the music magazines and the New York Times, as it filled a long-felt need for such a volume.

It would appear that Miss Cerminara certainly has enough background to discern what is and is not ethical in the literary field and I do not believe she would violate the ethics of the Association in writing her projected book. Of course, tho, I should be perfectly willing to accept Tom Sugrue’s advice in this matter, as he is in a far better position to know what is what than I am. If my opinion would be of any value, you may submit it to Mr. Sugrue or to the Executive Committee for whatever it is worth.

It is certainly most gratifying to see the progress you and all of your helpers have been making down there in the past few weeks. It does seem that you are getting organized now and are in a position to carry on in a business-like fashion. In short, you are getting things done on schedule, besides beginning to enlarge the publications list. Well, I never thought any of you would stand idly by!

We think Mother is showing some improvement, but it is hard to hold her down.

Use the enclosed check for whatever purpose it might be needed.

Love to you all,

R3. 9/17/45 Gina Cerminara’s letter:

Dear [1861]

I am now completing the preliminary booklet on the life readings and want very much to make use of your experience with the records in Henrico County.

I’ve written it up as I understand the facts of the case; but I may have made some mistakes or omitted some important or interesting detail.

So I’m enclosing a copy of my version of the story, and asking you to be so kind as to correct it or amplify it in any way that the facts require. I’ve double spaced so you can indicate changes between the lines if you want - or else add anything at the end.

I’d very much appreciate having this as soon as you can get it back to me - and will be very grateful to you for your cooperation in the matter!

Thanks ever so much. [signed] Gina

R4. 9/20/45 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to Gina Cerminara:

Dear Gina:

I am very glad you sent me a copy of what you propose to put in your booklet, for it seems that you have somewhat of a confused idea about the records involved.

You see, the Masonic record, referred to in my first Life Reading [1861-2], is quite distinct from the record of my birth in Henrico County, Virginia. The Masonic record is supposed to be in Kentucky.

If you will refer back thru my readings [See 1861-2, 1861-12, 1861-13, 1861-14.] you will note that I asked a question about where the Masonic record could be found, etc., and was referred to someone in Kentucky. I wrote out there, but was told that the person to whom I had written was unknown and the letter was returned. Therefore, I have been unable to verify this record up to the present time. [6/9/98 JT’s note this has now been historically documented. See 1861-2, R11] However, you might be interested in knowing that upon joining the Masonic Lodge in my present life, I was able to learn all of the work in a very short time and have been the only person in my lodge to ask and answer his own questions in all three degrees of the Blue Lodge.

I did find the record of my birth and also some other Civil War records in the Virginia State Library, as well as in Henrico County Court, which happens to be in the county in which the city of Richmond is located.

I hope I have clarified this matter, but, if there is any further assistance I can give you, just let me know.

[2072] is very much pleased with the results she is getting from Dr. Bidwell [Wm. T. Bidwell, D.C.] and expects to come home some time next week.

With kindest regards to you and all down there and asking you to please over-look these hasty typing mistakes,

Sincerely, [1861]

R5. 9/24/45 Gina Cerminara’s ltr. to Mr. [1861]:

Dear [1861]

Thanks so much for your kind letter of September 20th.

Yes, it’s a good thing I did submit my confused idea of the situation to you before letting it go to press! You see, Gladys herself wasn’t familiar with all the details and I was relying on what I could make out of the questions in your readings. I built up a good enough story - the only defect of it being it didn’t quite correspond to reality. I see I have unsuspected gifts for being a successful writer of travel books.

I’m afraid that even now I don’t understand the exact sequence of things. Do you suppose you could recall the whole thing as it happened, and sit down and write an account of it? Nothing literary is necessary; just an outline of what the reading said, what you did, what the reading said next, etc., etc. This would be a very valuable document for future research workers in the files, as well as for use in the present booklet.

It’s disappointing, of course, that you never found that Masonic record; but if the finding of the other one is as evidential as I think it is, it’s a marvellous story and a first-rate demonstration of the validity of the information.

Glad to hear that [2072] is getting along so well. Please remember me to her when she gets back which, I’m sure you are hoping will be soon.

Thanks ever so much for your indulgence in this matter. I know you understand that it is for the good of the cause, and that I can depend on your cooperation without question.

Sincerely, Gina Cerminara

R6. 10/1/45 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to Gina Cerminara:

Dear Gina:

I am very sorry not to have answered your letter before now, as know you are anxious to get your material together for your booklet. However, a cold hit me right between the eyes and I have been unable to do very much reading until this time, as had to go thru so many of my readings to find the information you desired.

I don’t know that I can dress things up any better than you can, as the readings that I am quoting from will speak for themselves. The only thing that I might add is that the court record was substantiated.

The following is taken from my second Life Reading [1861-12], dated June 22nd, 1942:

21. (Q) Where can records of B. A. Seay be found in Virginia? (A) In the records in Henrico County.

In reading [1861-13], which was my eighth Physical Reading, dated July 22nd, 1942, we find the following:

18. (Q) Henrico County Clerk says he has no records of Barney A. Seay. Can you clarify this matter? (A) We find that they may be found among the records of the births there.

19. (Q) In what book and page may the records be found? (A) In the Births, 557.

Perhaps one reason for your having difficulty in getting this data together from my readings, is due to the fact that I often asked questions in physical readings that did not pertain to them directly, tho it would seem that one’s birth could be classified as being of a physical nature, don’t you think?

Hoping that this information is what you are looking for and if I can be of further help, let me know.

Sincerely, [1861]

R7. 9/10/46 Appeared in issue of Astrology Guide Horoscope of Edgar Cayce also included in article]:

EDGAR CAYCE AND THE BLIND MAN

By Gina Cerminara

He is a violinist and professor of music in a small southern college, and he was born blind.

When I met him for the first time last July, I found him to be modest, unassuming, well-read, intelligent. Only the heavy-lensed glasses and a very slight hesitancy in his step, typical of the blind, betrayed the fact that he was any different from anyone else. We discussed the movie A SONG TO REMEMBER which both of us had liked, and the talk flowed on for a good half hour, through Chopin, Liszt, Cesar Frank.

But this was all mere conversational prelude. The true purpose of the interview was to satisfy my curiosity on something far more important than his musical tastes, interesting and cultivated though they be.

In part I was interested in the amazing story of how he had regained 10% vision in his left eye, but primarily I was interested in the still more amazing story of WHY HE HAD BEEN BORN BLIND. This would almost seem like an indelicate topic to discuss. But neither of us felt any indelicacy about it, because it had nothing to do with the kind of disease people usually associate with congenital blindness; in fact it had nothing whatsoever to do even with heredity.

But let me tell the first part of his story first.

From the time of his birth to the age of four - he told me

• he had been totally blind. During his boyhood he underwent a series of operations by noted specialists, who needled away small portions of his cataracts. But finally the doctors said that they had done all that was possible, and that his only hope for continued dim vision was through the use of corrective glasses.

At the age of 33 - he had become a musician and professor in the meanwhile, despite his handicap - he heard of the hypnotic clairvoyance of Edgar Cayce, the “Miracle Man of Virginia Beach.” Those who have read his biography, THERE IS A RIVER, by Thomas Sugrue will be familiar with the story of Edgar Cayce.

For those who have not read that amazing life story, the following parenthetic explanation may be necessary. Edgar Cayce, an uneducated, simple man who made his living as a photographer, knew nothing about medicine in his waking state. Yet when he lay down on his studio couch and received a hypnotic suggestion from his wife, he became suddenly clairvoyant and was able to give thorough medical diagnoses and plans for treatment which, when faithfully followed, resulted in an extraordinary number of well authenticated and evidential cures. When Cayce awakened from trance, he had no idea of what he had said while asleep; and only the carefully transcribed shorthand notes of the stenographer remained as evidence to him of the fact that his voice had been speaking in the meanwhile.

The account which the blind professor heard of Edgar Cayce was convincing. He decided to obtained a reading, and wrote for an appointment. The reading - given while the professor was sitting in his studio at the college, some 100 miles away from the scene of the hypnotic trance - gave a brief and accurate history of the eye trouble, and then gave detailed suggestions for treatment. It stated that certain pressures in the spine were causing an impingement upon the optic nerve, shortening the vision and emaciating some of the matter of the eye itself. It suggested that he go to two doctors in New York for osteopathic and electric treatments.

The professor followed these suggestions, went to New York and had the treatments. Almost immediately afterwards he found that he had gained the use of his left eye for reading purposes, to the extent of 10% vision. Until then he had to depend entirely upon his right eye for reading. Continued treatments from a local osteopath, the use of violet ray, massage, and vitamins as suggested in later readings assisted the improvement, such that now the control of the eye muscles has become almost normal, and his general physical health and immunity to colds has improved 100%. It is also worth noting that X-ray photographs, taken after the first reading had been received, exactly verified the trouble in the spinal column.

So startling a demonstration as this naturally led the young professor to have implicit faith in the validity of Cayce’s strange power. And so, when he heard about the “life readings” that Cayce also gave, he determined to have one.

It was by accident that Cayce discovered that he could give “life readings” as well as physical readings. In 1923 a man by the name of Arthur Lammers had asked him for a horoscope analysis. Cayce - in trance state - gave a brief horoscope, but said that astrology was a much misunderstood field, and could never be properly understood without a knowledge of reincarnation. The reading concluded by telling Lammers that in his last incarnation on earth he had been a monk. More and more readings were taken along these same lines, until now there are about 2,500 of them on the past lives of living persons, in the files at Virginia Beach.

The blind professor heard of these readings. He had always wondered why he should have been born blind. Perhaps, he thought, the reason for his affliction would become clear through an account of his past lives on earth. Having made a study of comparative religions, he was familiar with the Hindu ideas of reincarnation. He knew that reincarnation does NOT mean coming back into the body of an animal death - that this is only a vulgar misconception of the idea - but that it really means the growth or evolution of the soul over a period of many lifetimes.

He had read, too, about the Hindu idea of KARMA, the law of cause and effect, which determines a man’s destiny in this life by the good or bad conduct of previous lives. The idea had always struck him as being a reasonable one, though he had never taken it very seriously until he heard of Cayce’s life readings. If Cayce’s hypnotic clairvoyance was so phenomenally accurate in the physical readings, how or why could it be wrong when it came to talking about past lives? Since the source of that never-ending flow of accurate medical information had from the beginning showed itself benevolent, helpful, religious-minded - with constant references to Christ, the law of love, and the need for the transformation of character according to Christian principles - why should it now deliberately seek to mislead or misinform?

Suppose, then, that the theory were really true? Suppose Cayce could tell him what his past lives on earth had been like? Suppose Cayce’s clairvoyance could look back onto the cinematographic record of the past, and see in the remote history of his soul’s experiences on earth what he had done to deserve to be born blind?

So once again he wrote for a reading, and got word from Mr. Cayce’s secretary that an appointment had been set. Once again he sat alone in his little studio at the college, observing the half-hour period in silence, while 100 miles away Edgar Cayce was lying on his studio couch, unconscious, but talking sense. Impatiently he waited the several days necessary for the stenographic report to be typed and sent to him through the mails.

Finally the five typewritten pages, stapled twice together on top, arrived. His students of harmony wondered that day why their favorite professor - usually so prompt - was late to class. They might have tittered if they knew he was eagerly reading about what had happened to him before he was born.

The reading began, as all life readings did, with these words: “Yes, we have the records here of that entity now know as or called […].” After several paragraphs of character analysis, the reading outlined four previous incarnations on earth; one in the United States at the time of the Civil War, one in France at the time of the Crusades, one in Persia in 1000 B.C. and one in Atlantis after the second upheaval of that doomed continent.

A brief, high-lighted description of each life was given.

Each one of these life-experiences accounted for the development of some trait in his present character, or for some aspect of his present life pattern. But the one that interested him most was the one in Persia. For there,

the reading told him, he had been a member of a barbaric tribe whose custom it was to blind their enemies with red hot irons. AND IT HAD BEEN HIS OFFICE TO DO THE BLINDING.

The professor knew Newton’s third law of motion, that EVERY ACTION HAS ITS REACTION, WHICH IS EQUAL AND OPPOSITE. Was there not in his blindness a perfect example of action and reaction in the moral world? Was not his physical handicap the fitting consequence for the physical cruelty he had shown in blinding others? Emerson had called the law “compensation.” Christ had said: “As ye sow, ye reap”; and “As you judge, so shall you be judged; as you measure, so shall it be measured unto you again.” The Hindus called it KARMA. But it seemed all to be the same basic law, which acted not out of mere mechanical retribution, but out of the beneficent provision of a Wisdom that wished perfection of spirit, through growth, of all its creatures.

So far I had found the professor’s story intensely interesting, though it was more or less similar to hundreds of others I had been studying in the Cayce files for months. I had seen the working out of karmic law in many hundreds of cases, and each time was struck anew with the psychological plausibility, the scientific reasonableness, the ethical excellence of the consequences people were suffering - or enjoying - of their conduct in the past. I began to comb out the elements of these cases into Cause and Consequence.

The social secretary in New York, for example, who had always been so alone in life - her life reading told her she had committed suicide in a fjord in Norway, five lifetimes ago

• and by her act had deprived her husband and two small children of the love, care, and affection they needed. This was the Cause. The Consequence - delayed until a time when she was strong enough to bear it - seemed reasonable and appropriate enough: this time she herself needed to suffer the absence of family ties and affections in order to pay her debt, and also in order to understand their worth and sacredness. She once caused loneliness; this time she suffered it. AS YOU MEASURE, SO SHALL IT BE MEASURED UNTO YOU.

Then there was the case of the brilliant young pianist. His life reading showed how his talent had been gradually acquired in life-times as a musician in Italy, Palestine, Egypt, and Atlantis. In cases like this, one saw how genius is the final flowering of lifetimes of effort and dedication. The Cause: effort over many lifetimes. The Consequence:

talent, capacity. AS YE SOW, SO SHALL YE REAP.

Another interesting story I found in the case of a crippled girl with a deformed hip joint. According to her life reading, she had been a beautiful aristocrat in Rome at the

time of Nero. She had urged the persecution of Christians in the arena, and laughed with her sophisticated friends as she saw them torn limb from limb. The Cause: physical cruelty. The Consequence: physical disfigurement. JUDGE NOT THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED.

All these cases had struck me as being fascinating and dramatic - but above all, appropriate and reasonable. They had been plausible psychologically. They satisfied the sense that human life, for all its apparent chaos, operates under definite, precise laws, and that these laws are essentially just. They explained individual differences in capacity and fortune among human beings in completer and profounder way than either psychology or psychiatry had ever done, with all their tests, measurements, typological theories, depth analyses, or theories of personality dynamics. They showed causation to go far deeper than either heredity or environment - and, in fact, showed both heredity and environment to be themselves the result of past merit or demerit.

But most important of all, from the point of view of research, these cases were highly evidential in that they ACCURATELY DESCRIBED the present traits of character or personality, the talents and deficiencies, the family or vocational problems of the subject - even though Mr. Cayce had never seen the person, and was giving the reading on them at a distance of hundreds of miles while his conscious mind lay asleep on his studio couch. I read scores of unsolicited letters in the files that convinced me of the accuracy of the life readings and character analyses, to say nothing of the dozens of men and women I met personally who vouched in no uncertain terms for the same uncanny accuracy.

But the case of the blind professor was especially interesting in that he was able himself TO FIND TRACES OF ONE OF HIS EARLIER INCARNATIONS! This is what he told me, in concluding his story - and this is perhaps the most amazing part of all.

One of his later readings, he related, becoming more specific and detailed, as “check readings” always did, told him that in the life just previous to the present he had been a soldier on the side of the South during the Civil War. His name had been Barnett Seay. (This reading spelled it out.) The information proceeded to tell him that the records of this previous personality could still be found in Henrico County, Virginia.

The professor had been interested from the very beginning. Now he was excited. Here was a way of checking on the truth or falsity of the the life readings! There certainly was no way of proving he had actually blinded his enemies in

ancient Persia; but if the reading went out on a limb so far as to give him his name in the Civil War period and tell him moreover where to find it - well, that was just a wide-open invitation. Here was a clear-cut way of discovering whether the life readings were nothing more than a vividly imaginative story-telling faculty of Mr. Cayce’s super-conscious mind, or whether they were genuine accounts of fact, verifiable against cold, tangible, seeable, demonstrable reality. Complete skepticism or complete conviction hung in the balance.

So the professor took a special trip to Henrico County to find the records. He did not find them. Disappointed, he returned home and wrote for another reading. This time the reading was more specific, and told him the record was to be found in the birth registry on page 557. The professor returned - and this time FOUND THE NAME, BARNETT SEAY, ON PAGE 557 OF THE REGISTRY INDICATED!

It is true that the incident does not constitute proof-positive of the fact of reincarnation. But it is certainly indicative of something very significant. Indirectly, at least, it contributes to the ever-growing body of scientific evidence for the validity of clairvoyance and the reality of reincarnation.

I have enjoyed the blind professor’s company several times since we first met last July. Each time I see him I am struck by the sweetness of his character, and by the intelligent redemption he is making of himself and of the element of cruelty that lay deep in his subconscious.

Of the many interesting personalities I have met while conducting my research in the Cayce life readings, he is to me one of the most interesting. For he exemplifies so well how scientific self-knowledge of the past can transform one’s life, and how the science of reincarnation in connection with the religion of love that Christ taught, can make of life an intelligible, just, and beautiful experience.

R8. 10/22/46 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to Gina Cerminara:

Dear Gina:

Since your article in Astrology Guide [see above], I have been looking more into the records of old Barnet A. Seay.

I have found in the Virginia State Library that he enlisted in Amelia County, Virginia, as a color bearer, at the age of 21, which shows that he was born in 1841.

I have never been able to get as clear a record as this from

the Henrico County clerk and I believe I would rather have you use this record from the library than the more obscure court record, since it seems to show the authenticity of the Readings more than any other facts I have been able to establish. That is, of course, if you have any future reference to my past incarnations in your writings.

Your various articles in the Bulletin, Mind Digest, etc., have been most interesting and you are performing a valuable service in using your talents and knowledge in presenting this side of things to the general public, as well as to the more specialized reader.

Remember me to all there,

As ever, [1861]

R9. 11/27/46 Gina Cerminara’s ltr. to Mr. [1861]:

Dear [1861]

Thank you so much for your letter of October 22nd, and for notifying me of your additional discoveries with regard to your past history.

I only wish that more people were as thoughtful about these things as you are, and that more people realized the importance of checking on authenticity of such references in the readings.

I am sorry to answer your letter at such a late date, but I have been away for a few weeks.

Thanks for your kind words of encouragement. The book is proceeding well, and I hope to have it completed by spring.

Please remember me to [2072], and with my very best wishes to both of you,

I am

Yours very sincerely, [signed] Gina Cerminara

R10. 2/22/47 Gina Cerminara’s ltr. to Mr. [1861]:

Dear [1861]

I hope you received my little note of thanks and farewell, left with your folders last Saturday night. I had originally thought I would be up till 11; I wanted to talk to Jane Williams and take leave of you. But as the evening wore on I found myself too sleepy!

I wish that I had known then of the stumbling block that would arise; it would have saved the trouble of this letter of explanation. I find myself still confused about that Henrico County record business. Please have patience with me!

Inasmuch as your case is so interesting both from the physical and karmic angle, and inasmuch as it contains some evidential material, I want to use it in the book. Tonight, on consulting the original readings again, I am confused by the fact that in July ‘42 you ask about the Henrico records, and you are told that they will be found “in the births, page 557,” and then in October, still ask about it!

Till now I was under the impression that you went there, and promptly found the record ON PAGE 557. But I see in your October ‘42 [1861-14] reading that you still are asking, as follows: “Have been unable to find records of B. A. Seay from either Henrico County Clerk or Va. Bureau of Vital Statistics. Will you give exact place, number of volume, and place under which this record may be found, spelling name?” And you are told: “As we find…there has been located the correct association of Barney A. Seay, or Barnett A. Seay, as a member in the army of the Potomac. You have the record. Get this - follow this through.”

The only way I can dope this out is that you went to page 557, and found the name “Barney Seay”, but thought this was not correct name. Then you got the reading, and it told you that this was identical with Barnett. IS THIS THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION???

It is important that I know whether you found on page 557 the record that he said you would find, because I don’t want to make any false statements.

Please let me hear from you as soon as you possibly can on this, and if you begin to lose your temper with me, let me ask you, as Mrs. Miller’s son asks her under similar circumstances, “Have you read your SEARCH FOR GOD lately?”

Yours, [signed] Gina

P.S. Try to make the whole thing as simple for me as if I were a 6 year old moron - step by step description, with diagrams, if necessary.

R11. 2/23/47 Gina Cerminara’s ltr. to [2072]:

Dear [2072]

We were all sorry you couldn’t come down with [1861] last week; it would have been nice to see you again.

I’m writing you for a bit of information on your reading. After your experience as the daughter of B. A. Seay, you made a comparatively quick return. I can’t figure out the exact number of years because the reading isn’t precise enough; if I knew how old you were when you knew Mr. Cayce as a child and you played with him, that might help. In any case, you no doubt figured it out with Mr. Cayce at some time, and perhaps you can tell me the exact, or the approximate, lapse of time between two incarnations.

I would also like to know the exact (or approximate) number of years elapsing between [1861]‘s present and past experience.

Just drop me a card on this, if you wish - and the sooner you can do it, the better! Many thanks.

Sincerely, [signed] Gina

R12. 2/26/47 Wife’s [2072]‘s letter:

Dear Gina,

Thank you. I would certainly have liked to have been able to have gone along with [1861] at the time of the Board meeting, but I didn’t want to leave Mother alone here, since [1861]‘s brother was also away at the time. Then, as [1861] probably explained to you, we were fortunate in getting a little apartment electric range, PLUS an electrician to install it on the Saturday that the Board meeting was called. Workmen and materials still being hard to get, one still cancels almost everything, even a trip to Heaven, to stay by an electrician till he’s through. And it was worth it for I have a dream of a little range! I love it!

Now about the dates: (I’ve kept all of Mr. Cayce’s letters, and also copied all that he told us about “Little Anna Seay” and “Mr. B. A.” into one place, so, according to Mr. Cayce, we have the following). Little Anna was one year older than Eddie, born in April of 1876. The “period of sojourn” according to the reading was “only twelve and two” (twelve years and two months) which ties in, I believe, with the death from pneumonia in February of 1888. These dates of birth and death, you understand, were given me by Mr. Cayce, not by the readings. Then I came back as [2072], March 25th 1910, being born in Indiana.

Mr. B. A. died not more than a month after Little Anna, having contracted pneumonia from caring for her, so he died in February or March of 1888 and then preceded me into incarnation by being born April 4th 1906 in Blackstone, Va.

So we have 22 years between death and birth in my case and 18 years in [1861]‘s case.

I hope this will be of some help. If not, write again - it’s always nice to have any kind of a note from you.

Love to you and Gladys. [2072]

[Handwritten note: Thank you note 2/28/47 - JC]

R13. 2/27/47 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to Gina Cerminara:

Dear Gina:

I don’t think it is so surprising that you should be all confused over my past incarnation, since it has been very difficult for me to get it all straight, in so far as actual records are concerned. Of course, Mr. Cayce did tell me many things about old B. A., as he knew him, but the Readings seem to have been most confusing.

I wrote to the clerk of the Henrico Court and he was unable to find out anything as to any records in his court. You will notice that I asked the Reading for the number of the volume, in hopes that we could get at it in that way, but even the Readings evaded this question.

The Henrico Court Clerk was good enough to forward my request to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, who sent it to the department of old records of the Virginia State Library. They had the record of Barnet A. Seay, who enlisted in Amelia County in Lee’s Army as a color bearer, in 1862, at the age of 21. This would show that I was born in 1841. Mr. Cayce told me that both Anna and B. A. passed out in 1889. Now, it has been a theory with some that children, when they die, come back more quickly than older people. However, such was not the case with [2072] and me, since I returned four years earlier than she.

Yes, I was sorry not to see you again, before leaving, but it was pretty late and you were wise in going on to bed. Of course, I appreciated your thoughtfulness in writing the note and enjoyed your company during the afternoon and evening.

If I can give you any further assistance in any way, don’t hesitate to call on me.

As ever, [1861]

R14. 1/26/58 Wife’s letter: “Thought you might like to have this article on [1861] which our correspondent did for the … paper.”

… CITIZEN

CHALLENGES KEEP HIM ACTIVE

By […], Jan. 21

[1861]‘s unofficial “consultant on civic and musical projects,” earned that title because he is a man who accepts a challenge.

And […] who has earned a reputation as a man possessed of a prodigious memory, regards many things as challenges. The reason, basically, is that he has only partial vision. Life becomes full of challenges in such a case, he says.

[1861] is not sensitive about his vision - “except when someone tells me I can’t handle a particular job.” Then it becomes a challenge, and he sets about proving the person wrong.

For instance, in 1956 town council wasn’t so sure that … citizens opposed fluoridation of the public water. [1861] who has an aversion for the enforced “medication” of water, drafted a petition, called a group of his friends together and had them canvass the petition.

After considering the petition, council held a referendum. The anti-fluoride faction won the voting and … water is devoid of sodium fluoride.

[1861]‘s remarkable memory was born of the necessity of his vision difficulty. He trained himself to remember the most detailed of information.

A railroad fan, he began storing away odd facts at the age of 10. He learned the principal schedules of all the east-west railroads’ main lines, for one thing. He admits that he gave up railroad schedules in the past few years, however, because there have been so many changes.

Before the advent of diesel locomotive power, [1861] could identify any train number in this area by the sound of its bells. Steam locomotives had beautifully toned bells, he said, and all were a shade different.

“People used to stop me on the street to test me. Present day bells don’t carry as far. I have to depend so much on sound I see through my ears.”

Now an assistant theater manager, [1861] taught music for 15 years as the head of the music department at … College for Girls. He plays the violin and carries “several hundred compositions in my head.”

[1861], who studied at Peabody Conservatory of Music and the Cincinnati Conservatory, is consulted in all things musical here. Organ builders incorporated, several of his recommendations when the pipe organ at … Church was installed three years ago. As a result the instrument possesses many many features more expensive organs don’t have, and it has required little maintenance.

Getting back to business of the “challenges,” [1861] was instrumental in having the town open a new street to the rail road station. And he figured in the decision of the town to purchase of two large USO club houses for community recreation centers.

One big challenge remain undisposed of - at least as far as he’s concerned. It is … parking meters.

“I want to see them removed,” he said.

“People like to come to busy places. A main street with car parked bumper to bumper in a good advertising media for any town.”

But [1861] hasn’t been able to budge council on this one. It’s still “just another challenge,” he says.

R15. 2/19/58 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to Albert E. Turner:

Dear Al:

I most certainly owe you and apology for not having at least acknowledged your letters before now. However, I was waiting until we could get our income tax figures straightened out and in shape to send along at the same time for you to check over… I believe [2072] has written you a note about this and I hope you will have no trouble in understanding what we have done.

You went to an awful lot of trouble in clearing up the United Fund matter and I am very sorry to have caused you all of this. We have decided to try to make out without an accumulative dividend for the time being, but will probably send them the form you sent before they pay another one, as we will need the ready cash more than the extra shares. Incidently, I have not deposited my paycheck from the theater for January yet, because this bad weather has hit us such a hard blow that we are struggling to stay in business. However, we have some good pictures booked that will do business if the weather will give us a break.

As you have probably heard thru Hugh Lynn, [2072] had somewhat of a recurrence of the psychic trouble right after I had written that she was doing all right. However, Hugh

Lynn seems to have finally straightened her out and she seems to be doing all right in that respect now. She is singing in our church choir again and is taking an interest in some things that she did not used to bother with. I am somewhat uneasy about a cough she has, but am hoping this will finally clear up with the Spring. I believe [2072] now realizes that her whole trouble came from a lack of understanding of how to protect herself against those evil entities. Of course, I am partly to blame for not knowing that she did not understand this, as I took it for granted that one of her experience knew these things. [See 2072-16.]

Now, Al, you need the money, as you must make a living, so please let me know what your fee is for fixing up our taxes. If you don’t, I will have to send you what I think you should charge. It’s all right to do these things gratis when you can afford it, but, you really can’t and that is why I am so insistent.

Hoping you and Gladys are keeping well in this cold weather and best love to the both of you,

Sincerely, [1861]

R16. 8/24/59 Letter: Dr. McPherson [McPherson Hospital, Durham, N.C.] told me that my eye [detached retina] had remained the same and wanted to put me back in the hospital, but agreed to wait abitger [longer than a?] month, upon hearing of [2072]‘s condition. This could mean another operation. Would appreciate your continued prayers for me, too.

R17. 1/6/60 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to GD:

Dear Gladys:

Thank you for your letter of yesterday.

If I can make the trip down there it would be better to come down for the February Conference, as you suggested. I would appreciate it if you would have them reserve the room and if I find it not practical to come will let you know in ample time.

As much as I dislike to admit it, these are the most difficult days I have ever faced. Of course, I know that [2072] is supremely happy and this ought to soften my grief. However, I always did miss her when she went away on the shortest trip and I knew she would be back. All of this is made more acute by my eye trouble and my faith is being sorely tried. I certainly do need all of the prayers and spiritual support that my friends can give me to tide me thru these days. You remember that even Jesus asked “My God, My God, hast Thou forsaken me!”

I am continuing to stay here at my house and taking most of my meals with Mother, tho I can fix coffee and such things as cereals and sandwiches down here when I need to. The people of … have certainly been loyal to me during the past year and I am most grateful for that.

I shall never forget you, Al, Lydia, Hugh Lynn and all of our other friends down there did for [2072] and this will always be remembered with grateful appreciation.

If I can’t make it to the Conference, I hope very much that you and Al will come up and spend a week end with me soon, as I know this would help me tremendously. Indeed, you might come regardless of whether I make the trip or not.

Sincerely,

R18. 2/5/63 Last half of letter to GD and Al [Turner] following mother’s death:

”…I feel that I was very much better prepared for Mother’s transition then I was [2072]‘s. I knew that Mother was living a longer life then we had any right to expect and that it was the fulfillment of natural laws, as it were that she should have to go on. However, with [2072] it was much more difficult to bring myself to realize that she was really going and I must admit that this, along with my eye trouble, caused me to feel the loss of [2072] much more keenly and that she was much more a test and trial for me then the passing of my mother. Then, too, the adjustments that I had to make were far greater with [2072] then with Mother, as I now have things set up so that I can handle them, whereas, I was almost helpless three years ago. Of course, the fact that I can read some now is of immeasurable benefit, even if I have to use a very bright light to do it. I can read the newspaper and other things enough to keep abreast of things and I am much more content here in my own home then I am any place else. So, I think it is just cause for us to be grateful to God for providing me with that which is needed thru my family, friends and things material, mental and spiritual to enable me to continue on. I am sure that both [2072] and Mother now realize these things and that they are better able to go with their work on the Other Side without having to worry about me.

”[…] comes into town every morning and has lunch with me here at my house, which gives us a daily opportunity to see each other and to talk things over. He is the executor of the estate and I don’t envy his job, either.

“Well, I hope I have given you some idea of how things are going and that you will continue to hold me in your thoughts and prayers, as I am sure that this is a very necessary help

that is enabling me to do as well as I am and which will help me to cope with those problems that do come up.

“It seems rather futile to try to thank such as you for anything that you do for me, as there are just no rhetorical or verbal terms that are adequate to do this. So, you will have to try to read my thoughts.

And so, may His Love and blessings be with you that you may know the joy of being at one with Him and having His will manifest in and thru you.

Affectionately, [1861]

R19. 11/28/63 Mr. [1861]‘s ltr. to GD and Al Turner:

Dear Gladys & Al:

I know I should have written before now, but things have been in such a state with me that I just couldn’t seem to get down to doing it.

Knowing that […] [Brother] would soon be going over, I prepared myself to make the necessary funeral arrangements if I had to do that, by thinking out these details, tho hoping that […] might have left some instructions, as he certainly has known for many months that he would be going on. Well, my planning served me in good steed [stead?], as my sisters not only took some time to get here from their homes, but, when they came, they seemed not to be able to get themselves together enough to make decisions without considerable prodding on my part.

They left it up to me as to what the actual service would consist of and I asked our rector to read Psalm 46 and certain prayers plus any others that he deemed appropriate and this resulted in a very simple but beautiful service. There was a very large crowd, including many from a distance.

I am still in the midst of acknowledging cards and letters. I received a very nice letter today from Hugh Lynn. It was nice of him to take the time to write.

As I told you some time ago, I will continue living here in my own home, tho I am the only one of my family left in … now. There just is nothing else for me to do, as I have a much greater measure of independence here then then I would anywhere else and I must go on doing what comes to hand. Even if I were inclined to give up and go to pieces, as it were, I could not do that, as this would cause that much more trouble on others and we have all of that that we want these days. And while there are those that I loved and wanted as my friends that have seemingly forsaken me; I not only have

dear friends, such as you, whom I know will not let me down, but, what is more important, I know that God will not forsake me, either.

I suppose you know that the 20-year death cycle was borne out again in the assassination of Kennedy. It has become so apparent that it was even published on the front page of the Times-Dispatch last Saturday. For this reason and because of the predicted assassination by a Washington psychic [Jeane Dixon], I was not in the least surprised at what happened.

I certainly would like to know the law behind the 20-year cycle tho.

Thank you again for all that you are.

Love, [1861]

R20. 12/14/81 Mr. [1861] died of a heart attack.

Background

Background

B1. See 1861-18.

B2. 8/22/44 Ques. submitted but not asked:

10. Can concentration and meditation on the absorption and elimination of the cataracts in the eyes cause them to be eventually absorbed and eliminated?

11. What is the significance of the high note which I hear in meditation?

12. Should any specific thing or center be meditated upon after hearing this note?

13. Should AUM be sounded on any specific pitch or note of the musical scale? If so, what note?

14. Is there a breathing exercise this entity should use for purposes of assisting its meditation and concentration?

15. If it is possible to answer this here, what will be the eventual disposition of Camp Pickett?

16. Any other physical, mental, or spiritual advice?

Mentioned Entities

Gina Cerminara, Meditation, Prayer, Records (Atlantean), Reincarnation, Gladys Davis, Incarnation, Visions, Astrology, Clairvoyance, Thomas Sugrue, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Karma, Law of Moses, New York City, Purpose, Arthur Lammers, Entity (Cayce Term), Gertrude Cayce, Persia

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 1861-19, ReadingID 8270.