Reading 551-11

TEXT OF READING 551-11 M 28 (Stockbroker, Hebrew)

Text

Date: 3/19/1926 Sex: M Age: 28 ReadingID: 3890

This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his office, 115 West 35th Street, Virginia Beach, Va., this 19th day of March, 1926, in accordance with request made by self - Mr. [551].

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

Time of Reading 4:05 P. M. Eastern Standard Time. New York City.

1. GC: You will give the physical conditions of the body at the present time. You will also give suggestions for the improvement of his health, his business, and his social relations, giving that information that will be most helpful and beneficial for him.

2. EC: Yes, we have the body, the mind, the mental, the physical and the business relations of this body, [551]. These we have had here before. The general physical conditions of the body are, through the mental forces, now in that position of an almost NORMAL equilibrium; yet the physical forces show some retractions, from which the entity suffers headaches, nausea, some pains in the body. These are retractions, physical and mental, and with the change as is to come to the body, through those suggestions as will be given, we will find these will come to their NORMAL action in the body.

3. Then, for the physical health, we would give the change of the mental attitude toward SELF. There is seen, through the spiritual forces, the spiritual determination of the mental activity of this entity, that the mind is set in the way and manner in which would be brought the greater benefits to this body; yet, as has been given, the WILL of the entity is WEAK, and THE PHYSICAL MUST FORCE, THROUGH THIS INNER DETERMINATION, THAT THE ENTITY WILL SET SELF’S OWN HOUSE IN ORDER, and then applying through that channel in which the entity has labored - Smith [3/2/26 He mentioned a Mr. Marshall A. Smith “at J. P. Benkard & Co. offices, 61 B’way.”] - Berglemaster (?) - Humphrey - and others with whom the entity has had various dealings and negotiations, will accumulate sufficient of the worldly goods to begin again to build in a way and manner that will bring much goods to the entity’s handling. These then will lead, as we see, to others. As the physical, the spiritual, the mental, is builded in the body, we find, WITH the application of the will’s forces, IN that way and manner as has been set by self, and as will be seen by taking stock, as it were, of self, the entity, THROUGH ITS MORAL FORCES, will bring about those conditions in the social, in the friendships as are created, as are brought to bear on the conditions - existent at the present time, will bring those forces to the assistance and aid; for, as the entity sees, had these been followed in the way as was given - be a different condition; yet, as given, the spirit willing, the flesh is weak.

4. Then, for the better conditions physically, mentally, morally, financially, take stock of self, and apply, through the various channels of the associations as have been made, and through that accumulation, that necessary for the entity to begin and build in that way as has been determined in the inner self.

5. We are through for the present.

Reports

Reports & Follow-up

R1. 3/24/26 Letter in reply to your Reading 551-11 as of Mar. 19, 1926:

… Ave. Brooklyn, N.Y.

My dear Mr. Cayce,

I was kept in great suspense at your delay (for which I forgive you) upon not receiving your Reading. Since I now have it there overcame a great comfort and ease of mind. Upon receipt of same I have asked both [900] and [257] to interpret your message but still I am at a loss in not being able to comprehend your true meaning or expressions as I am not fully capable to get its true value. Perhaps that is why I failed in your former Reading of not following your advices as given.

I must now ask of you to please show me of how I can arrive at the truth directly. What suggestions can you offer of how I can interpret and read your advices without any guesswork, or the other fellows help; but know how I can by myself get it full 100% meaning?

Considering my mental condition under similar financial reverses as of in the past - I find that there has been a tremendous improvement because that fretfulness and fear of poverty was haunting me has now been overcome. The confidence I now feel that it is just a temporary set-back.

Physically, - Referring to headaches, nausea, etc: How can they be overcome?

In my market operations I have been under a tremendous strain watching the ticker, actively trading, coupled with the smash that followed sweeping away all that I had and more to cover up margins - and that going to naught; and added that to the disappointment to my sweetheart whom I have pledged marriage to for this spring has so carried me down in my physical that I now weigh about 115 pounds, when I should weigh normally 128 lbs. QUESTIONS? What shall I now do to tone up my body,

• increase it to its normal weight and vigor?

On your page #2 [See 551-11, Par. 3], what do you mean by - the WILL of the ENTITY is WEAK, and THE PHYSICAL MUST FORCE, THRU THIS INNER DETERMINATION, THAT THE ENTITY WILL SET SELF’S own house in order, and then apply thru that channel in which the entity has labored - Smith - Berglemaster (?) - Humphrey - and others with whom the entity has had various dealings & negotiations will accumulate - etc., etc. -

QUESTION - How can I strengthen my WILL? Please interpret the above paragraph? Considering Smith - He told me yesterday that he’s broke and dropped over four millions of dollars in the smash of his pool of NRS to - ABK - manipulation - the Ny. City papers have written up of this Mr. Smith considerably concerning his failure. My lot went with him in his stocks - it was either; or; And so we went by the Board (meaning overboard). He is out of the question for at least six-months.

The names of Bergelmaster (?) & Humphrey are unknown to me.

What channels I now have left is that I am now back with W. C. Moore of 35 Wall Str. who is a Market Expert - who trades in Munds & Winslow @ 25 Broad Str. in wheat - Cotton & Stocks.

I am at this moment trying to obtain accounts to operate same on a percentage basis in the same office and sit with Mr. Moore and try a comeback. At present, I am now living on borrowed money - just enough to pay my carfare & lunches - and there is nothing brought home to pay for my board what- ever. Two months ago I could write checks for thousands of dollars to-day I can’t sign for a dime. I’m financially broke - But, Spiritually, I have my Bible and read the Psalms, Hebrews, Romans, James and other inspiring passages that gives me the courage to carry on. And with your guidance I can surely win.

Believe me My dear Mr. Cayce, I shall not postpone any more times, (when I had the funds) to see you personally. Perhaps if I had done so I would not have been in my present plight; however it’s never too late to mend. I shall and must succeed. Please answer me soon and answer my questions as asked herewith. I assure you that your services are not in vain and you shall be rightfully rewarded. With my kindest regards.

I am yours sincerely,

[551] … Ave, Brooklyn, N.Y.

R2. 3/26/26 EC’s letter:

My dear Mr. [551]:

I have yours of the 24th. I certainly wish that it was possible for me to talk with you in person concerning the reading and conditions at the present time, for I am sure we all, or many of us at least, often find it very hard to express in writing that thought we wish to convey to the reader, or the person addressed; for it is so hard to know, consciously, without being in company with an individual, as to how they are responding to what is being said. However, I will do my best to give you my version (as I see it from the conscious) of what has been said, what has been implied, and HOW one may ALWAYS judge what is said by what is given in one of these readings. I’m sure you realize, or have realized long before this, that there are many various conditions to be considered when one is attempting to study one of these readings, and they are not always to be taken literally, from a physical standpoint, no more than the words that are given in the Scripture, by the inspired writer; yet, the basic truth must eternally be the same thing, and may never be misunderstood, if the individual will only make the application of what is said, from the viewpoint the information is given. Then, this necessarily means, how shall we judge this viewpoint? Now, to answer your questions you have asked concerning your reading, the physical, which must apply to the physical conditions in your body, that as is given concerning the headaches, the nausea, the debilitation, loss of flesh, and the like; as is given, much of this is produced by the MENTAL ATTITUDE of yourself TOWARD your own individual actions, producing THROUGH SAME this physical condition in your body. Now, how are you to change this? Simply by changing your attitude toward yourself! As you know, you HAVE gained much spiritually, meaning your conception of the manifestation of God’s Spirit in the material world, and your attitude towards the manifesting of that Spirit in your fellowman, then your relation to your fellowman, and your attitude towards him, has been changed. Now, don’t condemn yourself, because physical conditions have changed with you! It is not God that has changed, nor His Spirit manifestation - but your attitude towards same! You are broadminded, NOW, where you were narrow-minded in a spiritual sense, but your losses in a material way makes you condemn yourself for not having had a broader material view at this time. Hence, the reaction is a physical condition. Now, is that reasonable to you? Do you understand what I’m trying to say? for, if you do not, I want to try to explain it to you farther, that you may gain the full concept of THAT WHICH IS BEING SHOWN YOU from time to time through these readings, for, as you have correctly gathered, you must be able to gain this conception of the truths being shown you, of the information being given you, whether it refers to literal transactions in your daily routine, or whether it refers to physical actions towards your individual self, or your your attitude in a mental manner towards self, towards others, or towards the spiritual manifestations in the material world, or as to whether great spiritual truths are being presented; for, IT MUST BE YOUR conception and NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S EXPLANATION of same. It is true we all gain a broader view by the explanations, or the views that others have concerning individual circumstances, conditions and relations as may be given in the lessons that are found in the readings, for it gives us; that is, their viewpoint, something to compare conditions with, but the CONCLUSIONS we arrive at, Mr. [551], MUST BE OUR OWN! NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S.

Now, in the light of what I have just said, I believe now, if you will turn and read that as quoted from your reading, you will find this as the explanation: “The will of entity is weak,” and the physical must force, THROUGH THIS inner determination, that the entity will set self’s own house in order.” Do you not see immediately how this applies to just what I have said to you? Yet, as you can readily see, it is your OWN CONCLUSIONS you must arrive at, as to what must be changed in your life, or your attitude, and not what I would tell you to go and change, for no two people can EVER view the same thing in absolutely the same light. Neither can anyone else do it! We must make personal application! The inner determination, you know, means THAT CONCEPT you have gained of the infinite, or your conception of the Spirit Force operating in the physical world. The will is weak in the material sense, for it is the material that broke down, when material reverses came, and not the spiritual, for your INNER self knows that SERVICE, and a greater recognition of the divine, is necessary in every life.

Now, as to individual names as were given you, I do not think, Mr. [551], that this necessarily (and I don’t think I’m stretching the blanket) means ANY individual man in this case, but AS YOU HAVE LABORED WITH OTHERS, in the MANNER that you have with Smith, or might be forced to do under a Bergemaster, or with an Humphrey, these names representing, then, CONDITIONS and not INDIVIDUALS, and representing your attitude toward the expenditure NOW of self, in rebuilding WITHIN yourself, your concept of conditions as are being presented, mentally, materially, and guard it over all by your spiritual concept of how the whole thing’s operated!

Now, I hope that I have given you a small insight, at least, into how the readings are to be studied, and how you may apply same in what you have to do at the present time. Don’t ever forget the lesson as God gave Moses, when He called him to service. He said: “Take that thou hast in HAND and use THAT, and I will raise thee up to be a mighty man among thy brethren.”

Seemingly, to me, Mr. [551], for some reason, if I’m any judge at all, the readings have always indicated that there was some special service or work for you in this world, that you were peculiarly endowed or gifted from within of a mighty spirit, were it turned in the right channels, and I’m looking for great things from you; not for myself, no, never! but for the GOOD, the help, the aid, the assistance, that you are going to be able to give your fellowman. I’m SURE that when you arrive at that place where you feel that I may have been of some service, you will not forget. Then I’m going to suggest, in the light of what I have tried to tell you, begin now with your first reading, and study each and every one of them, YOURSELF, all the way through!

With kindest personal regards,

Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:GD

R3. 6/24/26 See 551-12, a dream interpretation rdg.

R4. 10/9/26 See 900-272, Par. 19-A in re newspaper article [551] gave to [900] about Egyptian sphinx or pyramid prediction of war, coming of Messiah.

R5. 11/4/26 Mr. [551]‘s letter:

Mr. Edgar Cayce Virginia Beach, Va.

My dear Mr. Cayce,

I have received your appeal [see under 4905-64, Par. R5] asking for my membership in your Hospital-Institution last week, but I waited for developments (money) that might turn up so that I would have the necessary amount in making my application with a contribution as a member. Unfortunately, I write with deep regret that I cannot do so at present, as much as I would love to in order to show my appreciation of your wonderful work and my great indebtedness to you personally.

My economic conditions for the past eleven months have been on the reverse (since the time I was cleaned out in that Foundation, Canners & Break-Shoe Stocks in the market while working with the pool-manager of the named stocks). I would be happy if I were able just to pay for the support of my home - but even that has been futile.

Since last December I have not earned any money to speak of - what little was made was used to pay off debts to friends who were kind to me to see me come thru.

If you recall I have had some readings from you since New Years and I have promised to compensate you for same, but was never really able to do so. However all what has been done for me has not been in vain; and I faithfully promise herewith that as soon as the corner turns I shall pay my bills in full and also pledge myself as a member of your Hospital with a handsome contribution. Many times I have longed for a trip to Virginia Beach to see you personally, and have a heart to heart talk with you but it was always the price that stood in the way.

The Fate of my life is rather a strange, erratic and extreme swinging pendulum. There are times when I have in my possession thousands of dollars acquired marketwise, then I can get whatever desire, material and otherwise, fulfilled; but other times as at present its just the opposite.

I am really in debt; my nine years of life-insurance savings has been passed up for non-payment - I cannot afford hospital-treatments for my sick mother - I cannot marry the girl I love - all these burdens are due to my economic conditions - but “Faith” is still “whole”. I shall keep up my fight for success. I know and feel that I will succeed - and clear up all of my indebtedness to my creditors and make those whom I love happy and put them in better circumstances, and also do my share in helping you with your work.

With such conditions I find myself now in, I went back to the man I once operated for in the market (He owes me money for past services but has not paid me yet as he promised to do so

• so that’s why I am back to him again) perhaps to try to catch up with the world - so far it has been futile. I now operate in the stock market for the account of Mr. Maxwell Cevic in Room 3362. @ 120 B’way N.Y.C.

Perhaps you can offer some suggestion or a Reading or tell me what is in store for me or perhaps if there is a way out. I shall anxiously await your reply, depending upon your kindness in my behalf.

With my best wishes for your success in your Greater work and may God give more power and strength to you as His instrument in the help and guidance of Humanity.

I am Yours sincerely, [551]

P.S. If you do write please address me at home. … Ave.

P.S. I see [900] most every day - he is very kind to me and I’m hoping now that when I make my comeback in the market I’m going to trade with his office, because he deserves it - for I believe that God’s Laws of Compensations always works out - Love begets Love, Kindness begets Kindness, etc. -

R6. 11/9/26 EC’s letter:

I have yours of the 4th. I appreciate your writing me and more and more your letters make me desire to know you personally and to talk with you personally. I am in hopes that things will yet break right for you. I am sure they will, if you only keep in that straight way as has been pointed out for you, and as I am sure you have already determined in your mind is the only right way to do. It has ever been that the greater trials come to those who have consecrated their lives, their bodies, the increase of same, to the good - for it was the same with the Master, yet through it all He overcame and has made the way such that we may do it also.

I have been and am passing through one of the saddest and hardest experiences of my whole life. A few weeks ago I was called to the bedside of my mother. Though she was seventy-one years old, and had lived a consecrated life, and though she had been a great sufferer in body, yet we were not ready nor willing to give her up - yet this we had to do, and I know that she is in Heaven, for if her life was not such as to gain such an abode, there is no such place. So I have been bowed in sorrow, and everything seems to tumble about me

• my head, and I know not which way to turn - yet I am sure if we are His, He will not suffer us to bear more than we are able to bear. I wish it were possible for me to offer some suggestion that would be of help to you at the present time. That I cannot do, only this: Be thou faithful unto the trust as has been put in thine hand, and you will yet see the Light in a way and manner that will bring joy, peace, happiness to yourself and to those loved ones about you.

I shall appreciate anything that you can do at any time towards assisting me to give better service to others. This I believe I will be able to do through the institution I am asking others to help me establish.

Let me hear from you whenever you have the opportunity. With kindest personal regards, I am

Sincerely, EC:GD

R7. 11/17/26 Mr. [551] wrote EC a note of sympathy.

R8. 12/24/26 He wired a small gift of money.

R9. 7/29/27, 8/6/27 He submitted a long list of questions for another reading, saying he was still “down and out,” etc.

R10. 8/16/27 EC’s letter:

I have contemplated writing you a good many times since I met you in New York, but things have been happening so thick and fast since then, it looks like I can never get to it. In the last two or three weeks we have been so busy that I haven’t had an opportunity to keep up with my correspondence even. Hence the delay in answering yours of the 29th, also of the 6th.

Since the meeting in June the work - as you possibly know - has been enlarged to include the work of the Association, and while it is not meant to hinder people from getting readings, it is intended to better classify and correlate the nature of the work we are trying to do. Mr. [900] can tell you more about this, possibly, than I can in a letter.

I would like very much to be of help - but, as you know, it’s my desire - and it’s the desire of the Association - to develop the work along physical and spiritual lines, rather than the material. While it’s true enough we must of necessity have material to transact the business, and possibly many will say we are putting it on a material basis, but this is not the intent and purpose - it’s rather to put it on a sound basis as regarding carrying on the research work; for, to expend ourselves in other directions is taking from our ability to assist others in the direction that is most worth while.

I have appreciated, Mr. [551], your kind thoughts of me at various seasons of the year. These I have taken as personal feelings, rather than as contributions. I am in hopes I have not been in error in my idea of what you tried - or did - express in those.

Talk this matter over with Mr. [900] when you have the opportunity - see what he thinks of it - arrange it so you will be a member of the Association, if it’s possible; for I feel sure you will want to be numbered with those that are members of the Association.

And let us hear from you whenever you have the opportunity. As I have said before, you should arrange to come and see us.

With kindest personal regards, I am

Sincerely, Edgar Cayce EC:GD

R11. 9/1/28 See 900-404 advising to discount Mr. [551]‘s information about panicky conditions imminent in stock market.

R12. 4/29/29, 7/2/29 He submitted a long list of questions, saying a Mrs. […] had died in Jan. ‘29 and willed him one million dollars - “Will I be able to get my allotted share, and when?”

R13. 6/1/33

Mr. [551] … Brooklyn, N.Y.

My dear Mr. [551]:

We haven’t heard from you for some time, but you once evinced a great deal of interest in our work and undertaking here. I haven’t met you, in fact, since our re-organization under the Association for Research and Enlightenment, Incorporated.

We are revising our membership list. I felt very sure that you would like to be counted among the members. There is a ruling that each member must make a personal application for membership. Therefore, we are enclosing an application (Active) and ask that you return this to us by the 15th, if possible, in order that we may report it at our Annual Congress, which convenes at that time. We should like very much to have you present at this meeting, which extends through the 18th. Announcements will be made shortly of the program, which we feel is going to prove very interesting and worth while, as we have several prominent out-of-town speakers.

The data and information that we are sending out to our membership from time to time we feel you will find interesting also.

This membership doesn’t require, now, any great amount of contribution, but something that indicates your interest in our work. Know we shall all be very glad to hear from you, and are in hopes even through these trying financial times you have been progressing with your work.

With all good wishes and kindest regards from all, I am

Sincerely, Edgar Cayce ASS’N. FOR RESEARCH AND ENLIGHTENMENT, INC. EC:GD

[GD’s note: Above ltr. was ret’d marked REMOVED - NO ADDRESS.]

R14. 5/15/34 He obtained another Mental-Spiritual Rdg. See 551-13.

Background

Background

B1. See 551-10 on 2/19/26.

B2. 3/17/26 He requested another reading “reference to my health, business condition, marriage prospects, etc.”

Mentioned Entities

Entity (Cayce Term), Free Will, A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment), New York City, Virginia Beach, Dreams, Egypt, Gertrude Cayce, Gladys Davis, Great Pyramid, Jesus Christ, Moses, Physical Body, Psalms, Purpose, Sphinx

Source: The Complete Edgar Cayce Readings, A.R.E. CD-ROM (2006). Reading 551-11, ReadingID 3890.