Reading 2340-1

TEXT OF READING 2340-1 M 16 (Student, Protestant)

Text

Date: 9/6/1940 Sex: M Age: 16 ReadingID: 9124

This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 6th day of September, 1940, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [2340], new Associate Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by his aunt, Mrs. [540].

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. [2340] and Mrs. [540].]

Born November 19, 1923, in Norfolk, Va. Time of Reading 11:30 to 11:55 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. …, Virginia.

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 [2340].

3. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them, these are chosen with the desire and purpose that this be a helpful experience; enabling the entity to magnify the virtues, minimize the vices, and fulfil that purpose for which it entered this material experience.

4. For, the entrance is not by chance, but as a pattern of life, by or through the activities - or application of the entity - in relationships to that real pattern which is set in Him.

5. In giving the aspects, urges latent and manifested, these as we find would indicate an entity with many abilities, many longings - if they were considered as a combination of latent and manifested urges through the astrological and material sojourns.

6. Oft the entity will be called by others a dreamer; one oft building air castles for self, with the desire to travel, to see many lands, especially such as the Swiss land, and the like; yet, as we find, with very DEFINITE purposes or abilities in given directions.

7. Astrologically, we find Mercury, Venus, Uranus and Jupiter become rather unusual in their relationships one to the other.

8. Thus we find one of high mental abilities, yet too often trusting others too freely.

9. The entity may never be said to be stingy of self, of abilities, of activities; and it will never be considered by any as being lazy - and this can be said of few!

10. In Venus we find the love for the beautiful, for the out of doors, rather than the aspects of the relationships with others; yet there will be periods when the entity must be carefully guided or counseled with, when he first falls in love - or else it will occupy all of the experience without feelings for any other!

11. The Uranian influence will make for the extremes. And, if the entity will succeed, it must be inclined more toward the saving or budgeting of its activities, its income, its prospects and its relationships.

12. These are all indicated from Jupiter, Uranus, Venus and Mercury.

13. These make for exceptional abilities, then, and yet not localized. We find that these may be localized either in water activities or as a lawyer, or as a politician; yet most of these will require those periods of the changing scenes as will be the natural activities of the body.

14. Get most of these, then, out of the system! That is, know that you will pass through those, and go through those periods first.

15. Then, we would suggest first an active force in the navy - or that the preparations be made in same for the life work as a lawyer; that is, while in the navy, study law; and there will be the greater successes in the material as well as the fulfilling of many of those things that will be a part of the experience through such an application of self.

16. As to the appearances in the earth, - these, as may be indicated from the number of influences, have been many, and quite varied in their activity.

17. Before this the entity was in the name Lee, - Fitzhugh Lee; being active in those environs much as in the present, and yet in the relationships as a teacher, a soldier, in those periods previous to and during a part of the struggle among the peoples of the entity’s own land.

18. The entity gained, and yet the timidity at times in the present arises from that sojourn - as well as the desire to be the dreamer.

19. Before that the entity was in the English land, during those early periods of settlings and the undertakings in other lands.

20. The entity was among those in the expeditions under Cabot, in the name of Joshua Cummings, and was a navigator, a seaman; not merely making voyages of discovery but as to making them paying propositions for those interested in the things in which the entity was interested.

21. These brought many varied experiences to the entity; and as the entity sails the seas, much of that which was the experience then will be a part of the entity’s awakening to the needs for the purifying of mind and body for a greater spiritual service.

22. The interest in things of mystery, stories of the sea, things pertaining to the voyages of those who acted in the capacity of aides or as fences for the pirates; all of these become a part of the entity’s vision or longing at times.

23. In the present we will find those latent urges may be manifested, or may be submerged. Yet as we find, such a period of three to four years in the navy would be MOST beneficial, most helpful for the entity; but study law when engaged in same!

24. Before that the entity was in the Roman land, though the entity was active most in that now called the Palestine or Promised land; for the entity was stationed in the garrisons of Caesarea, Jerusalem and Damascus, and the various places to which various groups were sent, - and called a centurion of no mean order!

25. The name then was Lermarn. In the experience the entity gained much of that pertaining to things regarding religious tolerance, or the beliefs of various peoples and their effect, and the activities as related to same.

26. Oft the entity acted as a counselor through the latter part of that sojourn, as there were the changes brought about.

27. Before that the entity was in the Persian and Arabian land, during those periods of the building of the ‘city in the hills and the plains.’

28. The entity then was among the nomad peoples, but not of that group of the leader Uhjltd; rather joining with those when there were the greater expansions to include those activities of a greater commercial nature in relation to other lands, - the entity then acting in the capacity of a buyer, or trader, or an adjudger of the values of the groups, or the provisions, or the commodities that were exchanged or applied.

29. Hence things pertaining to the field, the stream, the farm, - as well as the city activities, or the selling of same, - have their influence and appeal to the entity.

30. Yet we find that waterways as a training, rather than as a business, would be to the entity the channels through which the greater activity may be brought.

31. The name then was Esdraor.

32. Before that the entity was in the Egyptian land, though the entity came in with those from Atlantis; thus making for the high order of mechanical appliances as attempted to be developed, - though the religious forces and activities closer to nature were the greater portion of development in the Egyptian land.

33. Yet the entity attempted again and again to inject or to develop the greater mechanical things. Thus machinery of intrinsic workings, and those of detail, oft appeal to the entity in the activities of same.

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

35. First, analyze thyself, thy desires, thy hopes; and KNOW thy ideal, - spiritual, mental, material; not as to what you would like to have GIVEN thee, but what ye would desire to attain to. Set thy goal high. Use and apply self in beneficial and in helpful experiences.

36. Never be a condemner at law, or in law. Rather be as a DEFENDER [See 2340-1, Par. R1, R3] of that which is just and right; not a corporation lawyer, not a criminal lawyer, but rather one that would give advice and counsel as to how to keep FROM coming into or under the heavier forces of same - but DEFEND ever!

37. In self’s study, self’s analysis, keep the faith in thy Creator. Those of nature’s laws - as has been indicated, of the sea, of the ocean - will be a teacher to thee.

38. Then let thy yeas be yea; never in partnership with others, for ye would be too light, too easy with them; but as an individual entity, seeking to fill that place in which ye may make manifest His love in the earth.

39. Ready for questions.

40. (Q) In what section of the country will I eventually be able to make the greatest success? (A) In the western portion of the country will be the greater success, when eventually settling down; but make the voyages first.

41. (Q) Through what particular channels should I begin to establish contacts in order to fit myself for the type work suggested? (A) As outlined, join the Navy three years; but study law.

42. (Q) Are there any particular subjects that I should take in my senior year of high school? (A) Anything pertaining to law and order.

43. (Q) At what age would it be best for me to marry? (A) Twenty-six.

44. (Q) What influences caused me to come into this plane at this time? (A) Those of the general activity for the development of self. For, He hath not willed that any soul should perish, but gives each entity, each soul, the opportunity for manifestations of that for which they each are fitted in their particular sphere of development needed.

45. (Q) Have I been associated with my parents before; if so, where and what were the relationships? (A) As we find, in the Roman experience the relationships were in a family manner, though not in the same relation as in the present.

46. (Q) Am I associating with the right type of people for my social benefit? (A) Very well.

47. (Q) What is my seal and its interpretation? (A) The disc with the javelin in same spearing the dragon; as indicated in the world and that of nature, and the recognizing of sin and the destruction of evil in self’s experience.

48. We are through for the present.

Copy to Self ” ” Ass’n file

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 2/16/68 Mr. [2340] wrote HLC as follows (his letterhead indicated that he was Vice-Pres. and Treas. of … Defender Life Ins. Co. in N.C. [See 2340-1, Par. 36.]:

“My wife has recently been reading one of the publications regarding the life of Mr. Edgar Cayce and during a conversation I advised her that when I was a teenager, I had occasion to visit with Mr. Cayce and thought perhaps that you may maintain records and could possibly furnish me with a transcript of that interview.

“I was born in Norfolk and lived in that area until August of 1952. An aunt, Mrs. [540], was extremely interested in, and apparently very well acquainted with Mr. Edgar Cayce’s work. She was responsible for my going to Mr. Cayce’s home for the reading. She died several years ago and I have no idea as to the month or date of this interview, although I can see the house very clearly in my mind and can remember some of the statements made to us by Mr. Edgar Cayce. My age at that time would probably have been somewhere between thirteen and sixteen.

“I fully realize that I am not supplying very much information, but would appreciate your advising me as to whether or not you do have records dating back that far and if so, what would be the possibility of securing a copy if such a copy is in existence.

“Thank you very much for your cooperation.”

Sincerely, [2340]

R2. 2/22/68 GD wrote sending him a copy of his Life Reading:

“[2340], it is good to hear from you after all these years! We (Hugh Lynn and I) do indeed remember you, the day you came for the reading with Mrs. [540], and how excited we were afterward. We have completely lost touch with the entire family since Mrs. [540]‘s death.

“When you get a chance we’d appreciate hearing from you as to how your reading worked out in your life. Did you go into the Navy? Did you study law? In any case, we can see by your letterhead that you have made a success in your chosen career. Any details would be very welcome. Tell us about your brother [674] who also had readings, and your cousins [665] and [1346].

“Under separate cover we have sent introductory material about our activities here in attempting to make available the records left by Edgar Cayce. Why don’t you and your wife pay us a visit sometime? We’d be very glad to see you again and to meet your family.”

R3. 12/20/76 Mr. James Carrino, A.R.E. Member and Regional Representative for N.C., wrote his friend Edward Sloan, Jr. (past A.R.E. trustee and currently on the staff as A.R.E. Field Representative):

“Enclosed you will find the information that we discussed concerning [2340]. I have tried to keep the information as concise as possible, thereby allowing the facts to speak for themselves. As you suggested, I am forwarding this information to you to present to someone at the A.R.E. or the Edgar Cayce Foundation, who would be interested in such a story. If it is felt that such information is of value for future research let me know. There might be other ‘coincidences’ in the reading [2340-1] of which I am ignorant and only [2340] can substantiate. If it is thought of as important for a newsletter or journal article also let me know because it needs to be ‘dressed up’ a bit. If not, it has still been an interesting and exciting experience.

“I have purposely left out any personal conclusions. I would like Virginia Beach [A.R.E.-E.C.F.] to evaluate it as objectively as possible, and let me know their opinion. If any contact with [2340] is necessary I will be glad to supply the address, phone #, etc…”

“BACKGROUND - In 1970 I made a business call to an insurance company in Raleigh, N.C. and met with a gentleman named [2340]. He was then a Vice-President and Treasurer of the American Defender Life Insurance Company. This business call had, at that time, about a one in ten thousand chance of developing into a successful opportunity for me, and [2340] told me as much. However, something told me to disregard his ‘verbal’ message and this intuition later proved to be correct. Not quite two months later he signed a fine contract for the services I had offered on my first call to him. This was the beginning of a number of most coincidental and interesting experiences.

“STORY - Approximately two years later I was reading a book entitled “Edgar Cayce’s Story of Karma” by Mary Ann Woodward [Coward McCann, Inc., N.Y. (C) 1971 Edgar Cayce Foundation]. A passage on pages 96-99 [of the paperback copy] caught my eye. It described a man who in February 1968 had written to Hugh Lynn Cayce [of A.R.E.-E.C.F.] requesting a copy of his life reading (2340-1). His letterhead indicated that he was Vice-President and Treasurer of the … Defender Life Ins. Co. in …, N.C. The striking similarity of the company names and the dual function of this man in a N.C. based insurance company brought [2340] to my mind rather quickly.

“My curiosity got the best of me one day, and I called [2340] about what I had read. He confirmed that he had indeed had a reading from Edgar Cayce and was surprised that he had been written about in a book. [2340] then explained how the reading came to be. He lived in Norfolk and was called on by his aunt [Mrs. [540]], to drive her to the A.R.E. in Virginia Beach. During one of these trips [2340], (then age 16), secured his Life Reading.

“NOTE: [Mrs. [540]] might have been a member of the Glad Helpers Prayer Group of A.R.E. (certainly a member of a Search for God Study Group); at any rate Gladys Davis Turner remembers her well, says [2340].

“COMPARISON OF READING [2340-1] WITH EVENTS: (1) On page two [2340-1, Par. 15], the reading suggests activity in the Navy. [2340] eventually served in the Navy. (2) On page two [2340-1, Par. 13], the reading suggests that [2340]‘s life work be in law. He could not do this, because of finances, but he always had a strong desire to be an attorney. His position in the insurance field requires that he be involved in law on a frequent basis. (3) On page three, the source lists the previous incarnations. One of these was as an entity named Fitzhugh Lee [2340-1, Par. 17]. Lee was said to have been a soldier during the Civil War. I reasoned that there should be some record of him in Confederate files. This summer, while on business in Richmond, Virginia, I went to the State Library to research it. I quickly found the information for which I was looking. Not only did Fitzhugh Lee exist then, but a biography was written about him, including a picture. (This biography is enclosed.)”

“INTERESTING POINTS: (1) Both Fitzhugh Lee and [2340] were born on November 19th. Lee in 1835, in Fairfax, Va.; [2340] in 1923, in Norfolk, Va. (2) Cayce’s source said [2340-1, Par. 17] that Lee was a soldier and a teacher. His biography points out that he graduated from West Point and also taught there. (3) On page three [2340-1, Par. 20] the reading states that ‘Joshua Cummings’ was [2340]‘s name in another life, that the urge to go to sea in this life is a manifestation of that lifetime. [2340] has told me of a high fascination for the sea. (4) On page three [2340-1, Par. 24] the reading mentions a Roman incarnation in Palestine and that [2340] was stationed in a GARRISON [GD’s note: The proper name Garrison is a part of [2340]‘s present name] of Caesarea. (This brings to mind Edgar Cayce’s comment that names are not accidental!) (5) On page four [2340-1, Par. 36] the reading states that [2340] should always ‘Be a DEFENDER of what is just and right…’ and that he ‘should defend ever’. This is very interesting since, when I met him, he worked for a firm named American DEFENDER Life Insurance Company.”

R4. 12/20/76 BIOGRAPHY of Fitzhugh Lee as submitted by Mr. James Carrino, giving as his SOURCE: “Generals in Gray” by Ezra J. Warner Louisiana State Press copyright 1959 Library of Congress 58-7551

FITZHUGH LEE

A nephew of Gen. Robert E. Lee and, on his mother’s side, of Gen. Samuel Cooper.* He was born at “Clermont”, Fairfax County, Va., on Nov. 19, 1835. He was graduated 45th of 49 at West Point in 1856. He was wounded on frontier duty in an Indian fight, and was in 1861 at the Military Academy as an instructor of tactics. He resigned his 1st. Lt. commission in May 1861 to enter the Confederate service with the same rank. He was on the staff of Joseph E. Johnston at First Manassas, and became Lt. Col. of the 1st. Va. Cavalry in August 1861; Brigadier Gen. for services during the Peninsula campaign on July 24, 1862; and Major Gen. to rank from August 3, 1863, following the Pennsylvania invasion. He was an especial favorite of Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. Lee played a gallant part in all of the operations of the Cavalry Corps, particularly distinguishing himself at Spotsylvania Court House, where the stand of his division made it possible for the 1st. Corps to secure the strategic crossroads in advance of the arrival of Grant with the main Federal column. After Wade Hampton was ordered to N.C. in Jan. 1865, Lee commanded the remnant of the Cavalry Corps until Appomattox. After the war he engaged in farming in Stafford County, Va., was elected governor of the state in 1885, and after his defeat for the U.S. Senate in 1893, was appointed consul-general at Havana by President Cleveland. At the outbreak of the war with Spain he was commissioned a major general of the U.S. Volunteers. He retired with the rank of brigadier general in 1901. He died at Washington on April 28, 1905 and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Va.

*He was the son of Sidney Smith Lee, his mother being a sister of the wife of General Cooper. Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Cooper were sisters of U.S. Senator James M. Mason of Virginia, later one of the Putative Confederates to the Court of St. James.

R5. 12/28/76 Edward Sloan, Jr.’s memo to Gail Cayce in E.C.F.:

“Enclosed is the [2340] information that we discussed.”

R6. 6/17/77 Gail Cayce’s letter to [2340]:

“We received a letter from Mr. James Carrino the end of 1976 in re your reading with comments (copy enclosed). Mr. C. is an A.R.E. Regional Rep., came to our June Congress and, as I understand it, will be seeing you soon. I am having him take this letter - a letter I should have written you in 1976.

“One of the basic purposes of the Edgar Cayce Foundation is to preserve the readings and validate them when possible. Having had a reading we would appreciate any comments you could give us in re the validity, in your opinion, of the information Edgar Cayce gave in your reading. We would also appreciate your comments on Mr. Carrino’s story/comments (enclosed).

“If you are willing to give us feedback on the data given in your reading, we ask you to study it, particularly the characteristics mentioned and any predictions made, and comment on the correctness or incorrectness of such data. For example: p. 1, par. 3 - write comments on information given there, and so on.

“Any information you can give us will help us in updating our files and be greatly appreciated.”

R7. 8/30/77 GD’s note: Mr. [2340] and his wife visited the Edgar Cayce Foundation office this afternoon and talked at length with Gail Cayce and me. They verified the information in the reading and the report as presented by Mr. Carrino. They agreed to the use of the information in an article, with Mr. [2340]‘s name, provided they could see a rough draft of the article before being published. They also offered to get the addresses of Mr. [2340]‘s brother [674] and cousins [665] and [1346] for us so that we could write them for reports on their readings.

Background

Background

B1. 8/1/35 See personal message to [2340] and his mother in A.R.E. Group #2 reading 397-2, Par. 15-A, 16-A.

B2. 9/9/39 His older brother obtained Life Reading 674-3.

Mentioned Entities

Entity (Cayce Term), A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Incarnation, Egypt, Purpose, Rome, Gladys Davis, Hugh Lynn Cayce, Joshua, Palestine, Records (Atlantean), Resurrection Appearances, Soul, Virginia Beach, Air Shafts (Pyramid), Astrology, Atlantean Destruction, Atlantis, California, Dragon (Revelation)

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 2340-1, ReadingID 9124.