Reading 2576-1

TEXT OF READING 2576-1 M 56 (Writer, Widower, Protestant)

Text

Date: 8/22/1941 Sex: M Age: 56 ReadingID: 9588

This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Office of the Association, Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 22nd day of August, 1941, in accordance with request made by the self - Major [2576], new Associate Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Dr. [2067], Ph.D.

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

Born March 7, 1884, in Moreland, Arkansas. Time of Reading 3:30 to 4:00 P. M. Eastern Daylight Saving Time. …, N.H.

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, 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 [2576].

3. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them here, these are chosen with the desire and purpose that this may be a helpful experience for the entity; enabling the entity to better or further fulfil the purposes for which it entered this present sojourn; thus making for that growth which is the purpose of the entrance into each material sojourn.

4. These we find as a composite of the astrological aspects AND the material sojourns:

5. One who should have been a musician. The abilities in this direction could have made for an attunement and for an expression that would have been an outlet for the abilities latent and manifested.

6. The expressions from the mystical form a part of the experience of the entity from material sojourns.

7. The abilities and directing of activities are excellent. Hence the greater fault the entity may find to deal with is self and the appetites of the body. These must be overcome, or controlled. For, one without a sense of humor or the ability to get mad is not worth very much, yet one who cannot control same is even worse.

8. Astrologically we find Uranus with Venus, Jupiter, Saturn as portions of the experience.

9. Uranus makes for the extremes that have been and that are a part of the experience in the present sojourn; also the interest in the occult or the mystic, or organizations that proclaim or become a part of orders and their associations; as well as the tendencies for rule, regulations. All of these are a part of the entity’s latent or manifested urge. These are well, provided there is the ability for the activity in which self and self’s body-appetites are controlled. It is like being angry. He that cannot be angry is of little worth. He that cannot control his temper is of less worth.

10. In Venus we find the appreciation of music, of art, of all those things as may be termed of the higher or better expressions of individual entity or activity.

11. We find in Jupiter the universal activities, or the associations with movements or activities that would control groups rather than individuals. Thus a form of mob rule, or mob control, becomes a part of the entity’s experience. This is well, provided the activities are controlled by the spirit of truth and not for the aggrandizement or for the selfish motives of individuals or individual groups.

12. In the activities this should be remembered.

13. As to the sojourns in the earth, while all may not be given here, these indicate the natural tend and trend of the activities to which the entity may attain, or to which the entity has gained an activity in the present.

14. Before this the entity was in the land of the present nativity during the early activities, during those periods just preceding and during that known as the revolution.

15. Then the entity was among those close in activity with the great leaders of the land, and especially in the camp with General Washington. For the entity then at periods was an aide in the activities, especially in that period about Monmouth; then in the name Andrew Mason.

16. In the experience the entity gained, the entity lost, the entity gained. The activities in which individuals were controlled by group or by suggestion, or by others, became a part of the experience. When these were turned into activities for self, they brought material discouragement, mental aberrations and spiritual abandonments.

17. Hence these must be met in self. Thus the first injunction, that self must be controlled before you might even suggest that as would control others.

18. Before that the entity was in the Promised land, during the periods when there were the expectations and the preparations for the coming of the Prince of Peace.

19. However, the entity was among those who were disbelievers in the early portion of that activity; being a Roman soldier, - then in the name Arnueld.

20. In the experience the entity gained. Though of those who by the natural trend were doubters, with the experiences and the occasions for the associations with those who were of the holy women and the close followers with the activities of the master, there was brought in the experience of the entity a reckoning.

21. Hence when those to whom the entity gave its reports came under the direct influence of those teachings, the entity - too - became one who did much work in those activities through that experience, - both in the land about Antioch and among those in the city in the hills - or in Rome.

22. Before that the entity was in the holy city, or Jerusalem, during those periods when there was a great splendor indicated in the activities; during the reign of Solomon.

23. The entity was among the entertainers, - a musician, - in the royal palace.

24. The love of indolence, the love of quiet, the abilities as the musician as well as the love of the mystery and the splendor that goes with the dreaming of same, are all a part of the experience.

25. The entity gained, the entity lost, the entity gained throughout that period of activity.

26. Then the name was Rhouel.

27. Before that the entity was in the Atlantean land, during those periods when there was the breaking up and the journeying to the various lands.

28. The entity was among those who came to what is now the Yucatan land, later journeying with many of those peoples to the south and west - or in portions of Arizona, as now known.

29. Through the experience the entity was among those who made use of spiritual laws for material affectation; not so much in the abuse as in the negligence in supplying or in aiding others - that were of the groups of “things” - to attain to a greater awareness.

30. The name then was Esdo.

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

32. The abilities to think, the abilities to plan, the abilities to direct are apparent. But consistency must be the basis of all activities, and thus controlling self first; self’s appetites, self’s desires, and then applying self as one who may give to others that as will enable them to see, to know, to experience - as thou did - the activities of truth and loyalty in the live associations of others.

33. Write, organize - and DO play music.

34. Ready for questions.

35. (Q) Feeling future civilization will be built upon the Masonic bases, what will be my special contribution to the Order? Will it include lectures, writing, attendance at Peace Conferences? (A) Writing and lecturing should be the greater part of thy activities, but make thy life consistent with that ye preach to others.

36. (Q) Please trace my associations in past incarnations with Dr. [2067]. If the way is opened in the future, would you advise us to unite in marriage? Please explain why or why not. (A) Through paralleling those experiences in the earth, these may be traced the better. As may be seen from the activities of each in the earth, these associations should be MADE to be helpful influences - if there is the controlling of selves in their own indulgences.

37. (Q) In the future I expect to have a little money for the purchase of a small home. Considering the type of work I am to do, where should I make my future home? (A) This must be a choice of self, and dependent upon where and how the application is made of the united efforts in the associations as may be chosen.

38. (Q) I am doing an historian research study on military matters. Will the publication of the truths of this research endanger my life? (A) It should not.

39. (Q) What publisher would be the best for this historian research, “The American Soldier in Peace and War”? (A) Knopf.

40. (Q) Will it be possible or advisable for me to exchange Mother’s home in California, after her passing, for a home in a more desirable location in California or vicinity? (A) This will depend upon situations in which this is left at that time. There may be entanglements, as we find in the present.

41. (Q) What magazines would you suggest I submit my historical articles to where they would do the most good? (A) To the Forum or the Atlantic Monthly. Unless they are worthy of such consideration, they would not do a great deal of good.

42. (Q) From now on what do you consider my life work to be? What characteristics or handicaps do I now have that need to be eradicated in order that I may do my best work? (A) Study that as given and you will see yourself and those things needed to be corrected in self. DO NOT attempt to mete to others that ye would not have meted to thee! DO NOT attempt to overcome in others that ye do not first overcome in self.

These are the basis of thy activities; that ye should lecture, ye should write, ye should encourage those. For, as ye will see by the analysis of that indicated in thy associations, ye HAVE the abilities. Will ye apply them selfishly or unselfishly?

43. We are through for the present.

Copy to Self ” ” Ass’n file

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 8/30/41 [2576]‘s ltr. to EC:

Dr. Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach, Va.

Dear Dr. Cayce:-

I have taken a few days of time to peruse repeatedly your READING of August 22nd., inst, before replying. First I want to say that I am greatly indebted to you for your courtesy. I thank you, and shall remember you in a more substantial manner at another time. Be assured of my great appreciation of your attention to me. It meant very much, even if I did not say so.

Now for the record: your File 2576-1. The statements therein are interesting, to say the least. And, for such future purposes as you may have for checking the Readings with known characteristics and qualities in this present existence, I am taking the liberty of commenting more or less briefly upon what you said, and what I happen to know about myself.

This information may be of assistance to you in other ways.

First: You say I should have been a musician. That is absolutely true. I should have been a pianist. Music has ever been my solace and comfort. During the last thirty years I have heard almost all the great operas, some of them several times. The great opera “AIDA”, with its Egyptian background and mystical settings, has appealed to me most. Strange it may be or not, but when I start anywhere or am on the border of trouble, I always sing, whistle, hum, the solo aria “Den Abendstern” (the song of the weary Pilgrim to the evening star from “TANNHAUSER”. That song, with Cardinal Newmann’s hymn, “LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT”, has gone almost around the world with me. I have spent more money in amusing myself by listening to good music than in any other way. Yes, you are right: I should have been a musician.

Second: The placing me as an aide to Washington in the Revolution does not surprise me at all. That is exactly where I would have desired to be. It may also account for the great interest I have been taking of late in the writing of military history. Particularly bitter has been some of my comment on the importation of Prussian military methods and ideals by Steuben, then one of Washington’s generals. And, believe it or not, my critical condemnation of those Prussian principles will be the one thing most likely to cause some one to put a prompt end to my present existence, once my book is published.

But I just can’t get the idea behind “material discouragement, mental aberrations, and spiritual abandonments” (page 2-3) [Par. 16] for I can’t imagine myself being stopped from doing what I thought to be the right thing to do. By the way, you might keep that element in my nature to the fore, and see what action will be taken by some one to stop me: may I suggest an encounter with the modern entity of Steuben? Interesting possibilities?

Your placing me at Jerusalem at the beginning of the Christian era, again, is perfectly correct. Had I any choice in the matter, that is precisely where I would have liked most to be - in any capacity. In recent years I have made a careful and painstaking inspection of the various visible sections of various places in Palestine, and ever so often find myself looking at some place that in some unaccountable manner seemed familiar to me. The same feeling went with me when I went to a number of places in the eastern Mediterranean areas. You mention Atioch, Rome, and other places where I was active. Quite likely. I have walked over some of those Lebanon hills - toward Antioch, Aleppo, Homs, and in Baalbek above all other places - and sensed that I had seen all that before. I would not be surprised to learn that I was no small official in the land of HUR (remember Lew Wallace’s great story “Ben Hur”?). I walked out over the Appian Way, near Rome, past the “Quo Vadis” Church, and felt that I was on familiar territory. I spent much time in and around Rome, and environs, and wasn’t at all surprised. And you would not have surprised me at all had you told me I was a high commander in the Roman forces, for I can almost sense myself directing the construction of the defenses of DOURA, the farthest east outpost of the Roman empire.

Your placing me at the Court of King Solomon would be absolutely correct, for I haven’t the slightest doubt that I was just that. But I’m tempted to think I was more than just a “musician” (page 3) [Par. 22, 23] for I have been too deeply interested I Freemasonry, which was a most powerful influence in Solomon’s time, for me not to have been a high ranking member: just as I am today. For your records, not this well. A few years ago I received the very unusual distinction of sitting in the Grand East as a visiting Grand Lodge official, in the lineal descendant of King Solomon’s own lodge, in Jerusalem. I regard that incident as the high light of my present life.

The other experience, i.e., leaving Atlantis, and travelling to other western areas, to Arizona, etc., is not surprising either. I have travelled a great deal over this world, and certainly do like that great open southwest. Shall go there again some day.

I am greatly encouraged by your statements that have the “ability to think, to plan, and to direct”. Well, that is what I did in the World War, and still believe I can do a creditable job of it. But my best work in that catastrophic affair was along constructive lines, and, if I may say so, my work was one of the few creditable and sound activities that came out of that war. I led the American delegation of Masons in the formation of Liberation Number 8, Lodge of Masons, and that in due time developed into that great club at Geneva, by means of which some 30,000 of the intellectual people of central Europe were removed from the clutching hands of Hitler and Mussolini. That, dear Dr. Cayce, is my contribution to this present troubled world. Of those of us who started that work, in 1917, just two are now alive, so far as I know - myself, and Sir Arthur Nicholson. That organization is now driven underground, but, as my first question indicates, there is no doubt but that it will become effective again. I should be so pleased if I could again play a role in the re-birth - shall I say? - of that work.

I am in hearty agreement with you that “one who cannot get angry is of little worth”. Make no mistake about it, I can get mad, but not often do I let it be shown. That may be the phase of your statement that puzzles me. When I get real mad, it stays. But if by “control” you mean not let it be very noticeable, that I try to do. Being an old army Quartermaster the matter of control of temper is an absolute essential. But if you mean mad at some condition or phase of life, you bet I can get mad; in fact I stay mad a long, long time. For instance, I’ve been mad as blazes at Prussian military methods in the army for thirty years, and will stay mad about it. High army officials have shown sharp repressive measures under which I have been forced to bend and accede in some respects, but not in the least did that affect my hatred of the system.

In the matter of truth and loyalty (page 4) [Par. 32], that happens to be the phase of my life that I am proudest about, and have suffered the most for. Both those qualities have cost me terribly dear, but if I had to go back over life again, I’d do precisely the same. Were it not so, I never would have attained high Masonic degrees and honors. The records given you should have made mention of the very great many times I have given aid and assistance to others to the best of my ability, and many times never allowed the receiver to know where the aid came from. Those are things I never tell.

I shall soon be returning back to New York, and elsewhere, and shall hope to meet you in person sometime. I’ll write you later, give you an address where you may contact me, and shall hope we will find our ways crossing sometime. In the meantime, please accept my best personal regards, with many thanks.

Sincerely yours, [2576]

R2. 9/3/41 See Dr. [2067]‘s letter under 2067-8 Reports in re Major [2576].

R3. 1/20/42 EC’s letter to Mrs. Julia Chandler regarding several people who went to her with their readings to be interpreted [including Major [2576], who apparently had also visited EC while he was in N.Y. in November 1941]:

“Major [2576] - well, don’t know. Have a very unpleasant feeling there, though hope am all wrong about it all. Am sure I am too self-conscious about some people, and wonder why - think will have to try and take myself apart and psychoanalyze myself.”

R4. 1/23/42 Mrs. Julia Chandler’s reply: “At Dr. [2067]‘s request I gave an hour last Sunday to Major [2576]. I can quite understand your not feeling very much drawn to him. Neither do I. In fact, I am afraid I was rather bored by his visit. I could not seem to get my teeth into just what his concepts and purposes are. Confidentially, Dr. [2067] is thinking of marrying him. I say confidentially, although she wrote it to me and did not ask me not to repeat it. However, she may not want it known as she does not know when it can be. I have no knowledge of her except through her letters.”

Background

Background

B1. 7/21/41 [2576]‘s ltr. to EC:

…, New Hampshire

Dr. Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment Virginia Beach, Virginia

Dear Dr. Cayce:

Last winter I attended one of your meetings in New York and through Dr. [2067] became interested in your work. I am a student working for my Doctor’s Degree at Columbia University and not otherwise employed. I am a retired army officer long interested in world affairs, a Mason, a traveler, student and historian, and now greatly perplexed as to the course to pursue in the next few years. Owing to present circumstances I am unable at this time to pay for a much needed Life Reading or a Spiritual or Vocational Guidance Reading. There are decisions of great importance that I will have to make in the near future. If you can help me with the following questions, as part of a Life Reading, if possible, I shall always be grateful to you.

Questions

1. Feeling future civilization will be built upon the Masonic bases, what will be my special contribution to the Order? Will it include lectures, writing, attendance at Peace Conferences?

2. Please trace my associations in past incarnations with Dr. [2067]. If the way is opened in the future, would you advise us to unite in marriage? Please explain why or why not.

3. In the future I expect to have a little money for the purchase of a small home. Considering the type of work I am to do, where should I make my future home?

4. I am doing an historian research study on military matters. Will the publication of the truths of this research endanger my life?

5. What publisher would be the best for this historian research, “The American Soldier in Peace and War”?

6. Will it be possible or advisable for me to exchange Mother’s Home, in California, after her passing, for a home in a more desirable location in California or vicinity?

7. What magazines would you suggest I submit my historial articles to where they would do the most good?

8. From now on what do you consider my life work to be? What characteristics or handicaps do I now have that need to be eradicated in order that I may do my best work?

9. I am expecting to do my utmost to complete my academic work the early part of next year. Will I receive my Ph.D. degree as now planned?

10. In view of rising taxes, what would be the best thing to invest in if in the future I get a little money?

11. Is there other guidance you can give that is needed that I have not considered in these questions?

B2. 8/22/41 See 2576-1 - EC tried twice before without getting anything.

Mentioned Entities

Entity (Cayce Term), Incarnation, Rome, Solomon, Purpose, California, Jerusalem, Virginia Beach, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), Arizona, Atlantis, Free Will, New York City, Promised Land, Records (Atlantean), Astrology, Atlantic Ocean, Book of Job, Dreams, Egypt

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 2576-1, ReadingID 9588.