Reading 2079-1

TEXT OF READING 2079-1 M 42 (Single, Theosophist, Writer,

Text

Date: 1/16/1940 Sex: M Age: 42 ReadingID: 8688

Renting Agent with Real Estate Company) This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 16th day of January, 1940, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [2079], new Associate Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mrs. [1602].

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno.]

Born July 10, 1897, in Richmond, Indiana. Time of Reading … Street, 10:50 to 11:25 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. New York, N.Y.

1. GC: You will give the relation 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 and 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, or called, [2079].

3. (In undertone: “These swell with self-assertiveness.”)

4. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, these are chosen with the desire that they may be a helpful experience for the entity. These are the interpretations of the records that have been made by the entity in its sojourn through materiality, as well as the astrological aspects; as the activities and studies, and much of the pompousness that is innate and manifested in the activity of the entity, would indicate.

5. Hence it might be well to give the premise from which THESE reckonings are taken, as they are quite at variance to those that are close to the entity’s own interpretations of same.

6. An entity, or soul, is a spark - or a portion - of the Whole, the First Cause; and thus is a co-worker with that First Cause, or Purpose, which is the creative influence or force that is manifested in materiality.

7. Each entity, each soul, is endowed with self-will; that which is the force that makes it able, or gives it the capacity, to be the law, and yet complying with a universal purpose.

8. Thus, whether the activities or consciousnesses are in the material expression or in the universal cosmic expression in the spirit, these are ever a part of the entity’s expression, - for either development or retardment.

9. As may be seen, then, the activities or entrances of an entity into materiality and out of materiality are not so much governed by the stars or planets as they are by what the entity has done respecting the law of its relationships to same!

10. Thus it may be said, as the entity or soul - a soul - is a part of the Creative Forces, the positions of the stars or planets do not influence the entity so much as the entity has influenced, and does influence, the affairs of a universal consciousness!

11. Thus we have a premise from which such reckoning, then, is given.

12. As we find here in the experience of this entity, the astrological aspects are as urges because of the sojourn, or the consciousness, of the individual entity or soul IN those environs. Thus the urges may oft be in opposition to those which have been accredited to the activities of certain astrological aspects.

13. Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, - these we find are those from which the entity’s urges, innate and manifested, become as the motivating forces.

14. The beauty of expression, the activities, the studies of universal consciousness and universal activities become naturally the latent and manifested influences, - not only because of the sojourns in materiality but because of the application of self through those sojourns experienced; as related to what the entity sets AS its ideal in its relationships to the Whole, or its (as everyone else’s) first cause.

15. If it is for self-expression, self-indulgence, self-glorification, self-gratification, the inclinations become in a direction away from, and not toward an at-onement with, the Whole.

16. Yet, being of the Whole, and with the Creative Forces manifesting in the entity, it gives expression in its own phase, own environs, own surroundings.

17. For, indeed each entity, each soul, is in the process of evolution towards the First Cause. Much becomes evolution, - much may become involution.

18. From these aspects mentioned, we find that the entity becomes the student, - one with the ability to give expression, to make pronouncements; and all too often there is the inclination, in the entity’s application - as will be seen, to feel or to give expression in such a manner as to carry the impression into the consciousness of others that the self is the last word, - in whatever activity the entity may be engaged, or in whatever purpose that may be chosen by the entity for giving its expression.

19. As to the appearances of the entity in the earth, - these, as we find, have been rather far afield as considered from the nature of the present environs, present activities.

20. Hence we find the lack of emotions arising from the consciousness of physical forces, and yet attuned oft to same by the great intuitive force, - from the often long sojourn in a UNIVERSAL consciousness or awareness.

21. Thus we find the entity oft losing itself in physical consciousness to the extent that it is termed by others as lacking in consistency, or as being impractical in its application in the material affairs of individuals.

22. Before this, then, the greater portion of the entity’s activity was in being an aid to those who directed sailing crafts, or as a director himself of sailing crafts that came to the land of the present nativity.

23. The entity was among those peoples who settled toward the North; and was a navigator, or one who gave directions, - taking its directions or reckonings from the position of planets, stars, and those reckonings that were a part of the such charting of experiences during that particular period.

24. Then the name was Laurensen Cen. In the experience the entity MENTALLY gained, - spiritually became as a materialist; and yet in a material application it became one through whom a great deal of power was gained, through the ability to cause others to depend upon much of the activity and individual choices of the entity.

25. Thus the entity was a landowner by the very right of personal possession, and contentions with various groups and various individuals arose through the experience.

26. In the present we find that oft there are a great many controversial subjects within the entity’s experience; also we find the ability of writing, especially that may be expressed in the way of guides for those who would seek through the accrediting of certain activities to individual experiences. These are very well, - but spiritualize self, that these may not take their course away from Creative Forces, but towards same; not to materiality alone, and it dependent upon same.

27. For, as the body finds itself as body, mind and soul, all phases, all experiences, all expressions should take this fact into consideration; and that the spirit or purpose alone is eternal.

28. GOOD lives on. The other becomes dross eventually in the experience of each soul.

29. For, His laws will not be mocked, and what any individual sows, that it eventually reaps.

30. Before that the entity was in the Abyssinian land; among the soothsayers, or the leaders in the reading of the activities through the sands, as well as the interpreting of records of the ancient ritualisms of a people, - whether of the East, the North or the South.

31. There the entity was dreaded by many, loved by many; for the entity within himself was almost as a sultan, and when he said “Go,” they went, and when he said “Come,” they came.

32. These abilities, or powers, are well within the experience of an individual, if there is the consideration of the purposes, the intents, the desires of Creative Forces, - so that the activities of self are in keeping with same, or God, and not for self-expression alone.

33. Hence in the present we find that all those things pertaining to the mysteries of alchemy, and those things bordering between the material and the spiritual, those things pertaining to the activity of the elements about the earth, and about the moon, and that become a part of same, are a part of the experience of the entity.

34. The name then was Ahbudah. In the experience the entity lost and gained; gained when there was the application of those forces and abilities towards bringing, or sowing, seeds of hope and faith and patience and longsuffering in the experiences of others; losing when such abilities were turned in the direction for the development or the aggrandizing of appetites, or material forces or sources in its own experience.

35. Before that we find the entity was in the Atlantean land, during those periods just before the second breaking up of the land, - or when there was the application of the destructive conditions, or when creative forces were turned into destructive elements.

36. For the entity was among those who were of the children of the Law of One, but applying much in its own experience to the latent and hidden forces of the children of the sons of Belial. These as we find brought an innate deeper sensing of the influences and forces, in the present, - yet most of these are often - too oft - accredited to the powers of concentration, of study, and of mental and material experience, and not to the sources of creative influences and forces.

37. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then, and that to which it may attain, and how:

38. Study to show thyself approved unto God, not to self but the God within self, and not self-asserting or self-indulging; but giving - giving - of strength and power to the bringing of creative forces through the hope, or the seed of the spirit of truth - which lies in brotherly love, and patience, and that of virtue for its own creative influence in the experiences of others.

39. In the field of writing the entity may find an outlet for its abilities, and yet these must be tempered with those forces which bring hope and not self-indulgence; else they will turn as that which would sap the soul of the entity itself.

40. Ready for questions.

41. (Q) If writing is my forte, what type of writing should I specialize in and where and to whom should I go for correct contacts in regard to publication? (A) Those influences or forces that bring about the understanding of the mysteries that have been accredited with a power or influence in the experiences or lives of men; but in such measures and manners, as we have indicated, that they are creative and not self-assertive.

When these are in such a way and manner as to bring the creative reaction, then through any of those channels through which such writings may be published as helpful forces, contacts may be made.

There are many that are given to just such a study and application. Holt is very well.

42. (Q) In regard to the Encyclopaedia of Astrology which I have completed, where should I go for the financial backing and where should it be published? (A) Is it worthy of being published, if you analyze thyself and what it purports to give into the experiences of others?

Rather, we would give, - study self more, in its relationships to the Creative Forces, and its influence among its fellow men, in the light of that which we have indicated here; and we will find there will be the necessity of compiling from another angle much of that which has been written.

THEN this may be published, and may be sought by ANYONE seeking to give information to a waiting world.

43. (Q) Is there any particular individual whom I should meet in regard to publishing the novels, stories and essays which I have written? (A) Such matters as these are a part of self’s choice, and are not to be directed from here - that ye might pick them as blossoms in a land of plenty.

When the writings are in a position that they are more of a helpful force, these may be easily sought - among those, any of those, who give themselves to the publishing of that which is a HELPFUL thing, because of its appeal to those who would better themselves and their fellow men.

44. (Q) Is there another name that I should use when signing myself as “author”? (A) Choose that as ye should. This also should be a matter of thine own self-expression and choice.

45. We are through for the present.

Copy to Self ” ” Ass’n file

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 1/20/40 Letter from Mrs. [1602] to EC: ”…[2079] received his reading and promptly sent it to me. I have only had a chance to glance at it but he is coming tomorrow to talk it over. Hope he can find a bit of ‘himself’ and his path thru the information. He has been rocking around for quite some time and I do think he needs anchoring in calmer waters…”

R2. 1/23/40 Letter from [2079] to EC: ”…Although I liked the reading, I found it quite vague in regard to my present problem which prompted my getting in touch with you. Having in mind your physical readings which gave specific directions as to cure, I thought perhaps in a Life reading that present problems would be regarded in the same manner. To me, it seemed that your contact had been through Mrs. [1602] and not direct, especially since your consciousness told you that whatever you sent would be shown to Mrs. [1602]. In the future, the entire procedure will be entre nous. That is, if you care to give another reading when I have saved the wherewithal…”

R3. 1/25/40 Letter from EC to [2079]: ”…Know I am glad to try and help at any and all times. You seem to think however the information was prompted by Mrs. [1602] or her thoughts. If so, I assure you I certainly was not aware of same, and think if you will study the information very carefully you will find it is much more to the point than you possibly thought at first. It is very true the information always insists one make haste very slowly - believe you can and will find the answer to present problems there…”

R4. 1/26/40 Letter from [2079] to EC: ”…Mrs. [1602] is so deucedly psychic that she is just as likely as not to say something that appears - a couple of days later - in a reading! Under separate cover I am sending you a peace offering. It is a cheese made by a Czechoslovakian here in New York - and the novelty is that it is smoked just as a Virginia ham would be. The rind is eatable and I hope that you like my discovery, the small Czech shop is near me on First Avenue.

“This present retreat of mine was needed more than I realized. And I am now much more my calm self, knowing that spirit will shine through the ego and illumine the lower bodies. It is amazing how the lower-mental will plan, plan, plan and the body will run, run, run. When you do come to this city, I would appreciate meeting you. Feeling at one with another is a great thing…”

R5. 1/29/40 Letter from Mrs. [1602] to EC: ”…I saw [2079]‘s reading and do think it was severe but I also feel it ‘hit the nail on the head’. I have been trying to do a little work with [2079] for some time, but there always has been that difficulty of ‘intellectuality’ and ‘self-assuredness’ to get by before we go very far. How deep the reading will go with him is a question. He did acknowledge that it did seem quite accurate (which it is) but how is he going to earn his livelihood, immediately, says he. Says I, there are many doors to this little mansion in which we abide and if we can just learn to ring the right bell, the right door will open

• after we have cleared out the debris of self, lying in the vestibule… He is a lonely boy and does need help, so I hope he will pay a little attention to the reading and then we can take up from there…”

R6. 1/29/40 Letter from EC to [2079]: ”…Thanks for yours of the 26th and it certainly was very lovely of you to send me the package of cheese. Am sure I will enjoy it very much and my friend Mr. Sugrue will also. Am sure you have heard Mrs. [1602] speak of him - or possibly you heard his Christmas poem, as they made a recording of same that was very very beautifully done.

“Yes, Mrs. [1602] is quite psychic, and her music is most amazing to me. As to whether she gets other things, I don’t know so much about that.

“Of course the illumination is ever within our own selves. Others may only arouse us to the need of that Illumination, then His spirit beareth witness with our own and the awakening comes. Much as the ability to reproduce lies within living matter…”

R7. 2/21/60 Letter from [2079] in answer to Vaughan Shelton’s request for a report on his reading: ”…At the time that I had a reading by Mr. Cayce, I knew a Mrs. [1602] who was a personal friend of that remarkable man. She knew that I was going through a difficult time in regard to selecting a vocation and suggested that I have Mr. Cayce analyse my situation. Although I was more than broke at that moment, I got together twenty-five dollars*, a fortune to me just then, and sent them, with definite questions, to Mr. Cayce.

“The reading which I received and which I cannot find at the present time was an impersonal dissertation on metaphysics, similar to many which I had in my library. It could have been written for someone else since not a statement applied to any of my personal problems or questions which I had sent.

“Should I read it again, Mr. Cayce’s understanding of my nature might appear differently to me now. I had always (at least since twenty years of age) turned to the - words are useless at times abstract, inner, or pure Consciousness part

• [GD’s note: His application with 20.00, not 25.00, was received on 12/29/39. We understood at the time that this was a gift to him from Mrs. [1602].]

of Being; and this I continue to do. Mr. Cayce might have been encouraging me to depend for any solution upon the Infinite Invisible - as Mr. Goldsmith puts it. The reading must be in the files at the Association for Research and Enlightenment…”

R8. 3/27/60 Letter from [2079]: ”…I received the reading Mr. Cayce did for me from Miss Gladys Davis Turner and I appreciate very much having this copy of the original.

“It is not an easy matter for me to give a conclusive statement in regard to the reading. Except for excerpts of other readings given in THERE IS A RIVER, I have not examined readings given to other individuals by Mr. Cayce. Furthermore, when I read this analysis sent to me to a friend, she remarked that it could easily have applied to her, in almost every detail. That, on the instant, seemed fair but, upon further reflection, it did not appear to be a sound criticism.

“Many of us are somewhat alike - we have been interested in the occult, astrology, have written articles or books and, at times, have been confused as to our correct vocation. Therefore, readings given by Mr. Cayce must, at times, seem a bit repetitious.

“On the other hand, having reread this analysis expressly made by Mr. Cayce for me several times, I have come to feel that it does apply to me, and only to me. However, I regret that I did not ask certain other questions, such as: How can I change my human characteristics so as to cooperate more fully with the patterns outlined for this individualization by Consciousness.

“Without having read, during a twenty year period, the analysis made by Mr. Cayce, I find that I have been carrying out the advice given. For instance, the reading suggested that I turn to the self within and then give outwardly through brotherly love. Also, the reading suggested that, even in the field of writing or work, all activity must be based upon the bringing of hope to others.

“As you know, I have continued writing and, at the moment, am making my living as a librarian for Recording for the Blind, an organization which is built upon service to others. As to turning to the self within, being interested in the teachings of Zen and Joel Goldsmith, my daily meditation is just that - a turning within and allowing all thoughts, relationships, substance et cetera to rest in the Infinite Invisible part of my own Consciousness.

“I hope that, in the future, I can follow the advice of the reading when it reads: ‘When the writings are in a position that they are more of a helpful force, these may be easily sought - among those, any of those, who give themselves to the publishing of that which is a HELPFUL thing, because of its appeal to those who would better themselves and their fellow men.’

“With many thanks for your cooperation…”

R9. 8/6/60 [2079]‘s ltr. to GD:

Miss Gladys Davis Turner Edgar Cayce Foundation, Inc. Post Office Box 595 Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dear Miss Turner: Re: [2079]

In regard to your letter of July 8, 1960 [7/8/60 Letter - See under 2791-1 Reports], I stopped at the New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, today and made inquires in the Genealogy Department concerning one of my former incarnations, as mentioned by Mr. Cayce in his reading of January 16, 1940.

The name given by Mr. Cayce for a former incarnation was Laurensen Cen.

I referred to a dictionary of American Genealogy and looked, first of all, for the name “Cen”.

The only name that came near was:

Laurence Cennolly 175? Kent County, Maryland In columns relating to this individual were mentioned two males over 16, one male under 16, and two females.

I thought I might find something about the family in the “Maryland Original Research Society of Baltimore Bulletin; Baltimore 1906., No. 1, pages 65-73” which gave Kent County Marriage Licenses, copied from the records at Chestertown, dating from 1796 to 1802 - the earliest available. But no name of Cennolly was given.

I then investigated “Laurensen”. The dictionary listed a John-Brinton. In the Brinton Genealogy by Janetta Wright Schoonover, Pages 449-450, the following was given:

Levi A. Gheen, son of William A. and Hetty Ann (Pierce) Gheen was born March 1, 1840. He married Josephine Laurensen, daughter of John and Carrie Laurensen, and resided at Hamilton, Nevada.

This did not seem, to me, to refer to the “Laurensen Cen.” given by Mr. Cayce.

The first reference appears to be the best - Laurence Cennolly.

Perhaps, sometime in the future, I may be able to spend my time investigating. Also, I may stop at the Genealogical Society here in New York and make enquiries. Whether I get results or not, I will let you know concerning the search.

With the kindest of wishes,

Background

Background

B1. 12/28/39 Questions submitted: “1. If writing is my forte, what type of writing should I specialize in and where and to whom should I go for correct contacts in regard to publication. 2. In regard to the Encyclopaedia of astrology which I have completed, where should I go for the financial backing and where should it be published. 3. Please specify completely my correct type of vocation and how I should go about fulfilling such life-destiny. 4. Is there any particular individual whom I should meet in regard to publishing the novels, stories, and essays which I have written. 5. Is it indicated that I should marry? If so, when and whether I now know the individual. 6. Is New York the center from which I should work?…”

B2. 12/29/39 Letter from Mrs. [1602] to EC: ”…Mr. [2079] wrote you for a reading yesterday. He is a nice boy and most anxious to find himself. Has talent somewhere…”

B3. 1/9/40 Letter from [2079] to EC: ”…P.S. Mr. Cayce, during this period, another question came to my mind in regard to my writing. I hesitate to add another to my already lengthy request but here it is: Is there another name that I should use when signing myself as ‘author?’ The only one that has ever appeared out of the blue sky is - Jonathan Terry. A change in this direction might place my writing before the right public…”

Mentioned Entities

Entity (Cayce Term), Soul, Creative Forces, Incarnation, Astrology, First Cause, New York City, Purpose, Initiation, Records (Atlantean), Gladys Davis, Universal Consciousness, Free Will, John (Apostle), Law of Moses, Law of One, Resurrection Appearances, Sons of Belial, Thomas Sugrue, Virginia Beach

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 2079-1, ReadingID 8688.