This psychic reading given by Edgar Cayce at the Edmonds'' home on Pennsylvania Avenue, Norfolk, Va., this 12th day of August, 1934, in accordance with request made by those present.
P R E S E N T
Edgar Cayce; Gertrude Cayce, Conductor; Gladys Davis, Steno. Esther Wynne, Florence and Edith Edmonds, Frances Y. Morrow, Mildred Davis, Helen Storey and Ruth LeNoir. Also Abbie Kemp, visitor.
R E A D I N G
Time of Reading 4:30 to 4:55 P. M.
1. GC: You will have before you Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present in this room, and their work on the lesson DESIRE, a copy of which I hold in my hand. Please give us that needed for completing this lesson, and for living it in our daily lives. You will answer the questions that may be asked.
2. EC: Yes, we have the Norfolk Study Group #1, members of which are present in this room. We have them as a group and as individuals, and their work on the lesson DESIRE.
3. As seen from that given again and again, if ye will apply that KNOWN of self then there may be given the next step in thine self making application of that thou knowest to do. Yet, if there is held doubt, fear, trembling, these only make for confusion in thine own experience. For it has been given that the desires of the heart that are of the spiritual forces in application are spiritual desires; while those that are for the comforts, or ease, or gratification of self's own interest, are born of the earth and do bring confusion to those that seek even the clarification in their own minds when meeting, contemplating those things that pertain to the spirit. For man looketh on the outward appearance, God looketh on the heart. What IS thy desire towards thy brethren? Let each of you gathered here meditate before Him, opening thy mind, thy heart, to the influences from without, surrounding thyself with the thought, the purpose of the Christ life, the Christ spirit as manifested in the earth among His brethren; and ask self: "What do I desire? What are the motivating purposes that prompt me to speak thus and so respecting my brother, respecting the activities in the life of the individual?" And then, "What is the desire of my heart as to the manner of life that I would live, as a channel of blessing, as one who has been called to a purpose?" In giving to thy brother those things that bespeak of the glories of a Christ-like
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life, who thought it not robbery to make Himself equal with God. Think it not robbery of thyself to make thyself equal to a god among thy brethren, but look upon the heart of self. Is it for the satisfying of the ego in self? Is it that self may be lauded, praised? Is it that self has been taken advantage of, and there is the desire that there be a reckoning in thine own heart and conscience and purposes? Or hast thou put on the whole armor of Christ? Hast thou looked into the face of the Christ, that thou surroundest thyself with, and said - as it has been given - "Here am I, Lord, use me, send me!" For the day of the Lord draweth nigh, and eternity is long with the soul! [See 262-70, Par. 7-A.] If ye will purpose in your hearts and seek out THESE things, my children, ye may know the truth that sets men free indeed! Ye may know how ye may live that which has been given thee! Ye may know to give to others that thou hast experienced; for His promises are sure, "If ye will keep my commandments, if ye will love one another, if ye will prefer thy neighbor, thy brother, thy friend before thyself, then ye may indeed know the Lord liveth and WILL guide, guard and keep thee!"
4. Ready for questions.
5. (Q) [993]: Please interpret and enlarge on the dream I had in July, regarding the marriage ceremony in which a big red apple was outstanding and had to be placed on the altar. (A) As fruit is emblematical, as the marriage is emblematical in the experience, then the vision is rather the change that will come to pass in the sacrifice that is to be made in much of those judgements, feelings prompted in the inner self, respecting individuals and groups and associations. So may there come through same the greater vision, as the purifying of the offering brings to the hearts, the souls of those that seek to make their calling and election sure in Him.
6. (Q) [585]: Please explain the vision I saw early Friday morning, July 20th, when I saw the sky open and the figures treading earthward, bowing as if before a king. (A) A vision whereunto there will be again opened to thee thine own interpretation through the experiences that thou wilt have in thine own self. For as the heavens, to the heart, the mind of man, declare the glory of the Infinite, and as the heart of man has been trained in and throughout the ages to look UP and OUT to those sources for the aid, for the strength, for the power, and for the unseen forces that may move in and through the hearts and minds and bodies of individuals, so - as the heavens open before thee, through thine own meditation and thine seeking - it is as
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that thine prayers have been heard, thine supplications have come before the Throne. Be not weary in thy turmoil or thy strife, for He has heard and will answer speedily.
7. (Q) [303]: Give me a message that will help me at this time. (A) As has been given thee, be not wary in thine doing; for THOU has purposed in thine heart to know thy Savior, and He draws near to thee oft in thine walks with thy fellow man. Be not unmindful, be not boastful, yet know, "As ye have done unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Just being kind, just being patient, is the whole duty of man. Let God have HIS way with thee. Rail not on circumstance, that seems to make body and soul even shiver in those things that tread upon thine conscience at times, for God is not mocked - and whatsoever a man soweth, that must he also reap. But ye have been called. Keep ye faithful
In patience will ye know that ye possess the soul that may be given, in the hours of trial, in the periods of testing, that He thy Savior would have thee do. Open the door of thy heart to Him. In thy prayer, in thy meditation, call on Him; for He is near. Hath He not chosen thy body for one of His companions in the earth? Then know that He will not leave thee comfortless, but will come to thee.
8. (Q) Is there a message for the group as a whole at this time? (A) Come! Sing and make a joyful noise unto the Lord, thy King; for thy elder brother, even Jesus the Christ, HAS a mission for each of you in the earth. Fulfill that THOU KNOWEST to do in thine mind, in thine heart, in thine body; for the LORD loveth whom He testeth, and will purge every one - that you may be His companions with Him. What IS a day of joy in the earth compared to an eternity of glory with thy brother, the Christ? For by Him all things were made, and even as He has loved you, so may ye love Him - if ye will do His biddings.
9. We are through.