Reading 341-16

TEXT OF READING 341-16 M 18 (Student, Protestant)

Text

Date: 11/14/1925 Sex: M Age: 18 ReadingID: 2655

This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 14th day of November, 1925, in accordance with request made by self - [341].

[Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. [341].]

Time of Reading 5:00 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. …, Va.

1. GC: You will have before you the body and enquiring mind of [341] present in this room, together with the Life Reading as given for this body on February 28, 1925, [341-8], in Dayton, Ohio, especially the appearance just previous to the present one. The entity at that time as one, Ericson Olif [Ericson, Olaf?]. [See 341-1 on 12/10/23 saying it was during the period of Alfred the Great - 848?-900.] As given in the Life Reading, well that the entity understands much of each sojourn in earth’s plane, that this may be weighed with the present development that lies within the sphere of mental forces of the entity. You will give such information concerning the appearance just before this one that may be of help in the developing of the entity along every line. You will also give any information concerning this appearance that will aid the entity, [341], in solving the question of his life’s work. You will give any other advice that may help the entity in deciding the life’s work and in better understanding the dreams and visions as come to the entity, and in maintaining the correct mental balance to keep away from that madness of Mars as warned of in the Life Reading. You will answer any questions that I ask you regarding any of this.

2. EC: Yes, we have the entity and the enquiring mind of same here, together with that information as given on February 28, 1925, [341-8] regarding appearances in earth’s plane of this entity, and that which the entity should study of the appearances, and that accomplished or lost in each earthly sojourn, that the mental abilities of the entity in the present earth’s plane may gather the better understanding of mental developments in the earth’s plane and how to apply same in the present earth’s plane, especially relating to present plane’s life’s work, together with dreams that come to entity regarding same - see?

3. Now, in giving such information, it will be seen at once, this covers at least three different phases, in questions asked, see?

4. As to the sojourn in the earth’s plane in the appearance before this, this covers in the physical plane the period of fifty-nine (59) years, see? Born in the Norse land, near Ojbuay [?], and reared there until age of sixteen (16), leaving with those peoples settling in the North country of now Scotland, see, coming with those peoples, in the seventh (7th) year of sojourn there, into the country now near the estate Major Castle England?]. In this connection, then, the entity as the soldier and warrior lost a portion of the hand, see? Watch marks as seen on the left hand, below the forefinger and thumb, that appear at times, see?

5. Then the entity’s life changed in the earth’s plane, seeking that counsel as given to the peoples through the Church as being established there by the brothers, then as known; becoming a member of same and taking up of the study of the religion as propagated by this group, becoming the recluse and making the study in the Castle, or in the Monkery (as might be called at that day), taking the cowl and the coarse cloth as the garb, mixing, as it were, the religion of the Orient, the Jew, the Christian - in that of the form rather than the spirit, yet entity in the writings as were made in this study and in these times, to his own peoples in the far country, shows, as given, some may yet be found among these ruins, see? near this Castle, and the spirit was gained by entity, for as given, entity developed much.

6. As this then turns from this to the present day, as given, entity should study the various sojourns, for by mental force has entity kept self in earth’s plane, and through the mentality of same should entity find - what it’s all about, and why these various developments are necessary to the forces as are manifest in the physical world.

7. Then, the phase as pertains to that of the life’s work in present plane, viewed from this sojourn and as given for those manifestations as are seen latent, and urges as are existent in the present plane to seek knowledge alone, and to write and build same, see - then, we would find from this would come that experience as is necessary for entity to make, in common parlance, “good” along this line. Rather as that of the lecturer, or of the writer, as pertains to REASONS rather than that of purely fictional writings, or same may be written in that vein, see.

8. As pertains to that phase of dreams, [See [341] series on dreams.] the entity, as seen, finds that dreams are of the nature of physical forces receiving through the subconscious (spiritual forces, see?) the impressions as gained by cosmic experiences (being of physical forces) manifested or builded for the spiritual force of the world, see? Then these are as (dreams we are speaking of) but those experiences for the use in the material world, for as given, the entity is mentally developed to the point where the experience of telepathic communication (a mental force active in spiritual and physical phenomena) may be developed by this entity. Ready for questions.

9. (Q) How can this body best develop these mental telepathic conditions? (A) By knowing first laws as pertains to same, especially as in relation to individual self, and this will be gained better by understanding the urges from each earthly appearance, correlated with urges in the present day experiences, see? for as the entity finds, telepathic forces as manifest at present are relative to those with whom entity has contacted in the sphere of some mental development in the material world. Find those all first.

10. We are through for the present.

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 12/10/25 He obtained Ck. Life 341-17 on his Crusades incarnation.

R2. 3/16/37 See 341-44 indicating that the material relationships as the monk produce the greater influence in the present in “the mental exuberance”, and the writing ability. [See attached letters [below] 11/43 from England while stationed there as an army sgt. during World War II.]

R3. 11/24/43 Letter from England while stationed there as army sgt. during World War II:

“My dear - [1505]:

“I begin the writing of this letter with some reluctance; not because there is not a wealth of subject material, but because it is not possible to do the subject justice. I am conceited enough to believe that I can not do justice either to the description, or my feelings brought on by this visit which I am going to try and picture for you.

“The macadam road to Glastonbury is built about six feet above the level of surrounding land. It is not hard to visualize the low marshy land covered by a great arm of the Bristol channel. Even in recorded history there are records of the tide washing the steps of the great Glastonbury Abbey. It was raining the day I visited the Glastonbury, and when one views the massive ruins and learns that the houses and the roads through the town were built of the walls of this monastery, it is easy to add to the rain a few tears. Perhaps, I should give you a brief description of this great monastery as it once stood; then you can weep with me over the ruins.

“Joseph of Arimathea landed on the island of Glastonbury with eleven men. It is said that he planted his thorn staff, and that is still growing in the church yard. There is a thorn tree almost ready to bloom for Christmas standing near the ruins. Certainly a civilized Christian community existed in Glastonbury as far back as the earliest records go - and the English records go a long way back. It is said of this monastery that if William the Conqueror, who landed in England in 1066, had founded it, today, the monastery would not be as old as it was when he made the blood-less conquest of the country. Early in the 12th Century it is recorded that the Abbot dug up the grave of King Arthur and his queen and had it moved to a beautiful tomb in front of the high altar. It was to this monastery that Arthur was brought when he was fatally injured. He visited Glastonbury many times during his travels through this part of the country, and it is certain that many of his men stopped there as they went forth on their many quests.

“I talked with H. E. Balch, famous archaeologist and he assured me that discoveries made in and near Glastonbury definitely proved the existence of a real King Arthur. How many times I have read Mallory’s ‘Death of Arthur’ and Tennyson’s more popular ‘Idylls’. How real they seem now!

“Glastonbury became famous under St. Dunstan, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury. There is no question that gradually Glastonbury became the center for culture for the whole south west of England. It was the largest and biggest of all the monasteries. At one time three-fourths of all the people in the county lived on church lands.

“The monks of Glastonbury were famous clock makers and one of them with a charming name (Peter Lightfoot) made the most famous clock in all England. It is now in the Wells Cathedral, and I will tell you about it later.

“At the height of its prosperity Kings and Queens were frequent visitors to the abbey. Edward, the first, and his bride Eleanor made a famous pilgrimage to the tomb of Arthur. Later other Kings were entertained in the finest style.

“When Henry, the Eighth, broke with Rome and began to look around for money to finance his marriages and wars, Glastonbury was the last of the great churches to fall. The Abbot Whiting held out against Henry and was thrown into the Tower of London for his opposition. Henry’s soldiers sacked the church of its riches and the people of the town were instructed to tear down the walls and use the stone in their buildings. It took many years to destroy this massive structure, but now only huge piles of stone remain.

“The church has purchased the land again and it is now a shrine, sacred as the birthplace of Christianity in England, the home of St. Patrick for a time, the burial place of England’s first King, famed in story, legend and history, greatest of the old medieval churches - this is Glastonbury.

“When I walked through the ruins a few days ago - stood before the tomb of King Arthur, touched the buds of the thorn tree that will bloom for Christmas, let my eye follow the outline of the most massive church ruins in all England - it was like stepping into another world. From Joseph’s grave, to that of King Arthur’s is but a few steps, and a few centuries.

“In one corner of the ruins is the old Abbot’s kitchen. It is a circular building with four great fire places. Whole pigs and half cows were roasted on the spits before the fires. A complicated system of vents for fresh air was built into the roof, showing great engineering skill. This kitchen is now used as a small museum and contains cases of various things found on the grounds - roman coins, old kitchen tools, bits of unusual carving tile paving blocks enscribed with coats of arms, old keys, some so large that they look like small axes. Connected with the kitchen is an archway that was the alms house. Here the weary traveler was fed at any time of day or night, before he was given a resting place in the monks quarters adjoining the church.

“One can not help but wonder how the great buildings were constructed without plans except those made by the builders themselves. The English are justly proud of the accomplishments of their medieval builders, their freemasons, who constructed edifices which cannot be equalled in all the world. Today even the remains of Glastonbury are awe inspiring in their very massiveness, grace and beauty.

“The grounds are beautifully kept today. The grass is like a carpet and is always green.

“When we left the ruins and followed the winding street through the little town it was possible to actually see stones taken from the walls of the church. [3605] and I found a quiet little inn and before an open fire had tea and cheese on toast, while we talked about the Abbey and its history.

“Like the man in the travelogue - it was with great reluctance that we took our leave.

Good night - dear,

I said a prayer for you and [2824] before the high altar, but I doubt if God really listened more intently than he does to those that go up each night from our neisen hut.

Love, [341]

P.S. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. We have so much to be thankful for, and I head my list with the names of those who are so dear to me there in …”

R4. 11/25/43 Letter to his parents, copy of which they allowed GD to use:

Dear Mother and Dad:

“Yesterday, I wrote [1505] about a trip I took recently. This letter is really a continuation of the one written her, for it is a continuation of the same trip.

“Not far from Glastonbury is a town called Wells. It is famous as the site of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in England. You have heard this before when I wrote about the Salisbury trip, but it is true again. I am surprised that these cathedrals, built in the same periods and in some respects much alike, are so different and offer a never ending source of beauty - yes, and inspiration.

“This great church at Wells is twice as broad as the Salisbury cathedral and covers more ground. The entire west front of the building was at one time finished in blue and gold. There are rows upon rows of figures set in niches in the front of this building. Today, the color has worn away, but even now on a clear day the sun seems to light and bring out hidden colors.

“On one side of the church is the famous clock made by one Peter Lightfoot (I like that name), a well known Glastonbury monk. Originally this clock was on the Glastonbury church, but was moved at the time of the destruction to Wells. The mechanism is still working though it is in a London museum. The old face of the clock is there with the knights who hit the bell and each hour unseat one another. I am enclosing a little leaflet on the clock which will interest you.

“On the inside the church is extremely beautiful, while not as high as the Salisbury building it contains some magnificent sections each with its altar and beautiful stained windows.

“Near the church is a great building known as the Bishop’s Palace. Here the Bishop lives in regal splendor, even today, though part of the building is used as a girl’s school. You reach this building over a draw bridge which crosses a wide moat. On this water ducks are swimming about with large white swans. When the swans get hungry they go to the castle gate, near the bridge, and pull a cord attached to a bell. Swans have been doing this for a couple of hundred years, so far as anyone can remember, and near the bell which they ring is a stone swan representing the first swan that learned to pull the rope and thus secure food. Inside the castle grounds is the remains of a medieval ‘great house’. Today it is in bad repair, but you can still see its possible splendor.

“Near the church is the famous Wells Museum. Here H. E. Balch has assembled his famous collection of early church antiquities and his findings from the world famous Wookey Hole Caves. I had heard the name of Mr. Balch for he is a well known archaeologist who has done much to assist the backward march of man’s history. It was a real thrill to hear him say that he had found excellently preserved remains of man’s civilization coinciding with the beasts which roamed the earth 12 and 14 thousand years ago. He showed me his notebooks which he is now keeping on his regular Saturday afternoon diggings in Wookey Hole. This cave is famous because it has been inhabited by man for such a long time.

When the Romans came they found an advanced tribe living there. He has a fine collection of Roman coins, dug up in the cave, for they mined there. The pottery, kitchen ware and table implements, are examples of a well developed people. These are found along with the bones of the great mammouths, sabre tooth tigers, and wooly rhino’s, positively dated back to ten and fifteen thousand years B.C.

“In the Wookey Hole Caves there is a great underground river. This river was responsible for a strange legend that grew up about the place. In the middle ages an old woman lived in the cave and was known as the Witch of Wookey. She was responsible, it was said for many of the difficulties that beset the people nearby, but most of all she was held responsible for the terrible noises that poured forth (and still do) from the cave mouth. Her bones are now in the museum and Balch has written her story. She was so famous that Clement of Alexandria, writing to prove the existence of supernatural phenomena, including her in his writings. The noises are caused by the rising of the river and the compression of the air caught in the tunnels.

“Balch has written a number of books. One of them I am now reading.

“[3605] [See Par. R5 below] and I are going back to Wells and Glastonbury when we do not have to rush through getting data for our tours. There is one more spot to tell you about, but I will save that for another letter.

“Get [1505] to show you the letter I wrote her about Glastonbury and let her see this one - perhaps then [487] would enjoy them both.”

Love, [341]

“P.S. Thanks for the socks and the package which I haven’t opened yet.”

R5. 12/21/43 Letter to EC: “[3605] was upset because [5328] got a much earlier date, though he wrote much later than [3605], whose appointment is for Oct. 1944.”

R6. 1/21/44 See 3605-1 indicating that [3605] was associated in the past with [341] in England.

R7. See subsequent notations under 341-8 Reports.

Background

Background

B1. Subject of Reading - “Questions on Life Reading - History of Appearance in previous sojourn, just before this one.”

B2. See Life Rdg. 341-8 on 2/28/25.

Mentioned Entities

Entity (Cayce Term), England, Incarnation, Dreams, Rome, Telepathy, Coffer (Pyramid), Joseph (Husband of Mary), Millennium, Peter (Apostle), Physical Body, Resurrection Appearances, Alexandria, Atlantean Destruction, Dayton Ohio, Gertrude Cayce, Gladys Davis, Grace, Ohio, Photography (Atlantean)

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 341-16, ReadingID 2655.