Reading 316-1

TEXT OF READING 316-1 F 25 (?) (Secretary, Protestant)

Text

Date: 4/21/1933 Sex: F Age: 25 ReadingID: 2398

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Va. Beach, Va., this 21st day of April, 1933, in accordance with request made by self - Miss [316], new Active Member of the Ass”n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., via Mrs. [959].

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Mildred Davis, H. L. and L. B. Cayce.]

Time of Reading 10:30 to 10:50 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. …, West Va.

1. GC: You will have before you the body and enquiring mind of [316], who is in the office of …, West Virginia, and who seeks information, advice and counsel, as to whether to keep on hoping things will come out right between herself and [“Speck”] or whether to simply begin her life all over again. In either case you will advise her just how she may bring about the best solution for herself and the young man, so as to make their lives more worth while to themselves and others. You will answer the questions which she has submitted, as I ask them.

2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the enquiring mind, [316]; and those conditions and circumstances that disturb the body respecting relationships with one whom the body has held - and does hold - in high esteem.

3. In considering the circumstances and conditions that are in the minds and experiences of those concerned, it would be well that each give and take - as it were; for, while the body [316] holds the present attitude there can be little that may be the more helpful in adjusting herself to the better conditions.

4. For, the resentment is within her own self toward herself; when the attitude should be rather that the conditions be weighed well in order for the activities in the present experience of each to be for the betterment of all concerned.

5. And in self at present there is that feeling as if there is little else to be sought, unless much that has been builded in the minds of each can be brought into reality; or into material experience for both.

6. Then, there should be rather that attitude NOT of self-condemnation; but that self will so live, so act within self, that all that has been promised may be in order to be fulfilled; if it is the will of the ruling influences in the lives of each.

7. Make only any movement toward reconciliation that is in accord with the dictates of the conscience, as related to that which may be the ideal relationship builded in the conscience of self.

8. And with this attitude of less self-condemnation there will be sent out that influence which will make for the creative and the better influences in the experience of the body; which is sought.

9. For, as we find, even with the life of partial dissipation and of resentment in the heart, there come those periods when there is the desire for reconciliation.

10. And in the early portion of this present or coming summer, there will be the opportunity for reconciliation.

11. However, let the greater move be made on the part of the man!

12. For, NOTHING in the activities of self deserves condemnation in self!

13. Ready for questions.

14. (Q) Is it best that a reaconciliation be effected that will culminate in marriage? (A) Provided that such reaconciliation is in order or accord with the ideals of self, that have been builded in the experience, as to the relationship.

15. (Q) Is there something more than my own feelings and convictions that cause me to think that he still cares for me? or the fact that it is the desire of my heart for it to be so? (A) It is a fact that, as we have given, there is the conviction in the heart of each that the BETTER relationships for the good of each may come through their being joined together in their efforts in this present experience.

Yet, as given, to CRUCIFY self’s ideals to the whims or fancies of any man is NOT development for the body!

16. (Q) Why do I feel responsible for the whole affair, and responsible for the future? (A) Because there has been a great deal of resentment builded by implication, by the body - or the man. Hence there are those periods when, with the thinking or meditating over the past, the resentment is turned towards self! DO NOT condemn self! Rather make self’s life one of service to an IDEAL, and leave the whole in the hands of the Creative Forces that rule the destinies of every soul!

Make self more and more in accord with that which is of His ways - the MASTER’S ways, and leave the results in His hands.

For, in Him - in HIM - we live and move and have our being!

Let thy prayer then be, rather:

NOT MY WAY, LORD. RATHER HAVE THINE OWN WAY WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF MYSELF, MY MIND, MY BODY, MY SOUL!

17. (Q) Is it true that he needs me, whether he realizes it or not? (A) As we have given, and as it is seen by each, it is better that their ways merge one with another.

However, should he choose otherwise; then leave the activities of self in the better hands.

18. (Q) Is it his stubbornness, false pride, also the fact that he has no job, keeping him from yielding to a reconciliation? (A) Something of both. And a resentment in self; and too stubborn to give in.

Let the force, then, rather of GOD’S way, work IN him; for God’s ways are the better ways!

19. We are through for the present.

Copy to Self ” ” File

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 4/25/33 EC’s letter:

Dear Miss [316]:

The information has already been sent to you, that was gotten at the appointment a few days ago. I hope you have found this very much worth while, and answering a great many questions that have been troubling you for some time. Possibly there may be within your own consciousness at present this fault to find with that given, that it is hardly as definite as you would have desired it to be. I’m sure, Miss [316], you realize this: The Creative Spirit, or God (if we choose to call it such), has given us Life, and and our friends, and our loved ones about us; yet He has not said to us, “Now, you can only do just this way and no other”, making us merely automatons, but He has rather said, “Now, there is set before you, this day, the right way and the wrong way. You must choose, yourself. In the choosing and in the acting that you bring from your choosing, you create that which comes to you - by the law of cause and effect, that YOU see in your material experience, in this, that or the other thing that happens in your life.” Consequently, to have said, “Now, this is going to happen” or “This is not going to happen” would not have been in accord with the divine law. Rather, there has been pointed out to you - not that you didn’t know already, no; for you have not been told anything that you didn’t know yourself, but - possibly, in a very definite way and manner, that which you may EXPECT, provided you act in this, that or the other way and manner. And in this I am hoping it will bring to you a great deal of contentment, if not satisfaction; for, as one of the injunctions that the good Master gave us, “In what- soever condition you find yourself, therein BE CONTENT” - not satisfied; no. For, when we are once satisfied, what else is there to strive for? But let us make ourselves happy, making ourselves know that He is ever present, He will not allow us (if we are His) to be tempted beyond that we are able to bear. We ARE His, unless we deny the faith. And this is not merely spoken in reference to our future life, our own future experiences or spiritual life; for, as our minds and bodies and spirits are one, so God is One.

Know that I’ll be very anxious to hear from you. I can appreciate how this experience has affected and influenced your life, but I believe that - with a very careful, prayerful study of the information given, there will gradually come to you a PEACE that can only come with His presence being ever near to you at all times.

And we must all come to this position, in our minds, hearts bodies - the very same position that was taken by those of old, whose acts and deeds are recorded in the Holy Word: “Let others do as they may, but as for me I will serve the living God.”

Let us hear from you. With all good wishes and kindest personal regards, hoping to have been of some service, I am

Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]

R2. 4/26/33 Her reply:

My dear Mr. Cayce:

I received the reading and have delayed replying so that I might read it very carefully and obtain the full meaning. I think now that I understand and can write you.

What you say is all true and I wonder, marvel - rather - at your gift. I feel much better after having received and read your communication and am very much more hopeful. As I think I told you at the offset, I have done everything I possibly could to straighten things out - have taken all the blame, when in reality it was not entirely my fault, for you know there are two sides to all questions, but because I felt that I started the ball rolling that led to such a momentous misunderstanding, I was willing to do anything at all to right matters. I have done all I can - and now can only wait, which is hard, but the only answer. I feel that if we can only straighten things out, that we each will have learned a valuable lesson from all that has occurred during the past year - I know that I have. I gather from your reading that it is your conviction that [“Speck”] still cares for me, and that I shall see him again, perhaps soon, and that at that time, we shall effect a reconciliation - Am I correct in this?

Your gift is an evidence of God’s kindness to us - a solace to wondering, desperate people. I only wish I might remunerate you as I would like, but as I can contribute only small sums now and then, I must find other means to show my gratitude and appreciation - the first that occurs to me is to tell others of your wonderful work. Is this in accordance with your wishes?

Thanking you again and with every possible good wish for you in the future,

I am,

Most Sincerely yours, [316]

R3. 4/28/33 EC’s letter:

I have yours of the 26th, and am indeed very glad that you feel somewhat better after having read and - possibly - digested the contents of the reading we were able to get for you.

Yes, it is my sincere conviction from the reading that in the near future, possibly in the next few months or earlier, you will see Mr. [“Speck”] again and at that time there may be the forming of the basis for a reconciliation of the nature that will be the most helpful, the most worth while, to you both. As to just what course this will take, of course, remains to be seen.

We do not always understand how it is that if God loves us He allows us to suffer so much. Often we realize, however, that it is only those whom we love or that love us who may hurt us in any way or manner. Then, if we can only reach the consciousness that our experiences from day to day, in our associations with our fellow man, are very much in the same order as our TRAINING in school, we will better understand; that is, they are FITTING us for the circumstances that will arise in our lives. Then, if we will allow the divine laws, the divine experiences that may be ours, to guide; through prayer, meditation on His words from day to day, everything will come right. Don’t understand from this that I am harking on this phase of individuals’ experiences; for I believe that the religion of Jesus Christ should make every individual the HAPPIEST person in the world! even as HE was happy, even in the garden of Gethsemane. For, as He said, while it is very hard, “For this purpose came I into the world.” May we just gain such a concept, “For this purpose, or for THY purposes, Lord, use us day by day!” THEN we will know that whatever comes, whatever arises in our experience, is for the best. We may not be able to see it, but I’m sure that you and [“Speck”] will be better individuals for having had this varied experience, even though we may feel that one or the other has been at a great fault. Did Christ condemn? Never, except for UNBELIEF in His promise! And He has promised to show us the way, to be with us, to tell us what to say - even - at all times.

I appreciate your comment as to what you think of the Work. If I may use whatever gift that may be mine in assisting my fellow man to know our Maker better, I trust that I may ever be used in such a way and manner. That is my hope; that is my desire.

The way this Work has spread from year to year, Miss [316], has been rather by word of mouth than by any proclamation from the housetops. It is hard often for individuals, without a personal experience in such matters, to understand how such a thing may be possible. Yet, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” You, I am hoping, will be able to judge in this same way and manner.

It is very wonderful of you to offer to interest someone else. We are sending to you, then, a few booklets with application blanks, that you may submit to any who might be interested. If there is any other data that you would like to have, we will be glad to send it, if you’ll just let us know.

Trusting that we may have been of a service, that we may at some time come to know you personally, and asking that His blessings may be with you always, I am

Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]

R4. 6/13/33

My dear Mr. Cayce:

Attached you will find a small contribution - I wish it could be more, and regret that even this small sum was so long in coming to you.

In May, I went to Charleston to see [“Speck”]. I called him, asked him to come where I was - he said he could not - although he easily could have - and suggested that I come to his address. Finally, I said that I would, but when I got there, he had left. I made no further effort to see him and later came on home. Some days after that, I wrote him, and have written again telling him I would begin all over again, and that the past could be forgotten if he would let it be, and that I’d be willing to start at the very bottom and live anywhere, anyhow. I have had no answer - then I had a letter from the head of the Pittsburgh office for which [“Speck”] formerly worked saying that if he would fill in his application, that in all probability he could get his old job back again, so I wrote again, simply telling him what Mr. […] had said. I’ve heard nothing in response to that letter either. He’s drinking and simply content, apparently, to laze around doing nothing - staying with friends and is not, or was not working at the time I was in Charleston. He is so fine and sweet, really, that I can’t bear to think of his being so changed. I believe it is mostly sham and pretense - simply to cover something else - and that really, he is most unhappy. Thinking that had a lot to do with my going to Charleston, but you see how that turned out. I have honestly done all I know to do to right things - he’s hurt me, humiliated me in every way, but even so, I’d still be willing to go ahead, but I can’t without the first move coming from him. I feel utterly discouraged and don’t know what to do. There’s nothing to do - I suppose - just wait. But waiting is very hard, especially when you have been for a year and things don’t get any better. I find that I am very tired. I’ve been working a long time now, and what I want is to be married - to have a home and family of my own, and to experience a little peace and security. In my present attitude, I’m afraid I’ll marry the first person who asks me, and that might not make for future happiness to either concerned. I have tried to get a job away from here, but that is difficult, and I certainly can’t give this one up until I know definitely that I’ve something else. I feel very much discouraged and uncertain as to the future.

Hoping that you are meeting with great success in your work and that all is well with you, I am

Sincerely yours, [316]

R5. 6/21/33 EC’s letter:

We have yours of the 13th, with your contribution, for which we want to thank you very much. I certainly wish that it might have been possible for you to have been here during our recent Congress. Our series of meetings, I’m sure, would have been very much worth while and possibly enlightening to to you, also very practical at this time when you are no doubt halting between two opinions.

Aren’t you going to have some little period this summer when you may spend a vacation at Virginia Beach? I’m sure that you, as most of us, are faced with the necessity of considering expense, but I feel too that you would find you could make it a very inexpensive trip, if you can get the time off from your work. If you could do that, and have the opportunity to talk over these things, possibly hear a reading or two, talk with Miss Davis - my secretary, who has had several years of experience with the Work and who knows just how the information has been presented to people from time to time who have been having just such troubles in their own lives, and how that it has assisted them to get hold of that which has helped them to find themselves, in such a way as to meet the conditions that were arising in their experience, with a satisfaction that possibly could not have been found in any other source - well, I feel that such a visit would be very valuable to you.

I know how disappointed you must have been, in going to the expense of subjugating your own thoughts for yourself and then have seemingly no response whatsoever from the one that to you means most of everything just at this time. But how little we realize that we are, from day to day, preparing ourselves, our minds, our hearts, and even our bodies, for many emergencies; when our beings will be at times, as it were, torn asunder and we will feel so discouraged and that our efforts are not worth while. Yet we must realize that we are so conducting our own minds, hearts, and lives as to not only merit but FIND that the Father, the great God of us all, has been appealed to such that He worketh with us - and we must arrive at that consciousness wherein we can truly say, “Not my will, not my way but Thine, O Lord, be done in me - and use me as a channel of blessing for someone, just now.” If we can only get ourselves to this point, where such a prayer may be constantly held, then there will come a contentment within that cannot be measured by material things nor circumstances.

This, I’m sure, at some times must sound very much like poor consolation, but it will answer - it will bring a contentment, a harmony, a peace within our inner selves such that we won’t fly off and do something that we will regret the rest of our natural days.

But you arrange to come down and see us, can’t you? And let us hear from you real often, won’t you?

Know that we are thinking about you, praying with you, and sending our kindest regards and best wishes. May the blessings of our merciful heavenly Father remain with you always.

Sincerely, Edgar Cayce [EC:GD]

R6. 12/4/68 GD’s note: We never heard from Miss [313] again.

Background

Background

B1. 4/8/33 “I was engaged to a young man for 9 yrs. [He is now 26 yrs.] After he finished college (we were both together in high school) it was impossible to get a job, so our marriage was prolonged further…the past few tense years magnified and distorted occasional rifts (because of being apart so much), until it resulted in a terrific word battle and his breaking the engagement. This was almost a yr. ago. I have done everything I could to prove that I care, have always cared, and did not do the things he accuses me of. He says he is through and there is no chance of reconciliation. But despite that I believe he still loves me.”

B2. 4/17/33 She submitted questions.

Mentioned Entities

Ideal, Book of Job, Prayer, Purpose, Gladys Davis, Jesus Christ, Meditation, Soul, Creative Forces, Crucifixion of Jesus, Destiny, Free Will, Gertrude Cayce, Law of Moses, Virginia Beach

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 316-1, ReadingID 2398.