TEXT OF READING 1603-1 M 48 (Merchant)

This Psychic Reading given by Edgar Cayce at his home on Arctic Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va., this 1st day of June, 1938, in accordance with request made by the self - Mr. [1603], new Associate Member of the Ass''n for Research & Enlightenment, Inc., recommended by Mr. [...].

P R E S E N T

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

R E A D I N G

Born November 28, 1889, in Vienna, Austria. Time of Reading 11:20 to 12:00 Noon - Eastern Standard Time. New York City. (Life Reading Suggestion)

1. EC: (This isn't all the name!) [See 1603-1, Par. R1.]

2. Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1603].

3. In giving the interpretations of the records as we find them for this entity, that are recorded upon the skein of time and space, we would give a warning for the entity to be very mindful of during the rest of this year especially; as to entering elevators or those things that are carriages of that nature, that haven't been well tested.

4. We shall see why, as we interpret the appearances in the earth, as well as correlative influences from astrological aspects.

5. In giving the interpretations of records, we enter in - as it were - within the records of an entity.

6. For as thoughts are things, and as deeds and acts make the impressions upon all influences about the entity, so are they written. So may there be confusion oft in the interpreting of such records.

7. Yet these as we find, or as we choose to give or interpret, are given with the desire and purpose to make the consciousness of that which is innate in the experience of the soul and mental self a helpful influence in the present sojourn.

8. For each soul enters not for the gratification of its own self, but for a growth, that it may be the more helpful, the more hopeful in its experience; that those things which are eternal may become more and more a part of the real or inner self.

9. Hence - though the entity has oft been through those periods of discouragement, turmoils and strifes of every nature; not only of a political but of an economic and a social nature, and of those natures arising from the relationships with those called relatives or relations in the flesh - the entity has experienced that all of these are

1603-1 Page 2

not to be just as nil, but are rather to be used for the expression or manifestation of those forces and influences that are Creative; and that the self may be used to the glory of that which is its ideal, from the spiritual manifested in the mental, to be glorified in the inner self.

10. And these, of course, find expressions in relationships with others whom the entity meets day by day. For the whole law is to love the Lord with all thy heart and soul and body, and THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF!

11. The more one grows to the understanding that he is indeed his brother's keeper, more and more is there the consciousness of the oneness with the influences that are Creative.

12. And who is thy brother? Not he that is thy kinsman only by the blood relations, but he that doeth the will of the Father-God, the same is thy brother, thy mother, thy sister!

13. We find that the astrological aspects come as those things that bring many changes into the experience of the entity; under Saturn, Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter - as may be indicated by the manner in which these become a part of the experience.

14. For the influence from Saturn is the continuous desire for change. There are those innate feelings that another try would be better. Yet there is the inclination to build upon those very forces of materiality that give an expression of place or position or affluence.

15. Trust not in those things that so easily take wings and fly away, or those things that may be so easily undermined by just an unkind word! But rather trust in those things that are eternal, giving good even for evil; giving that which is constructive even for that which is set to undermine thine OWN activities!

16. In Venus we find the abilities for making friendships, to be impressive in manner and mien and relationships to others.

17. Hence the channels in which the greater scope of activity or vision may be experienced by the entity are in activities wherein there are the dealings with individuals as in the commercial life, or wherein there is the ability to meet or to exchange ideas as a salesman; especially in those lines that would pertain to the manufacture or distribution of those things that are as material adornment for the body - whether these be in clothing or in jewelry or in those things that are of such natures.

18. For there is the very love of adornment, the very ability in self to wear clothes well.

19. For as has been or will be indicated in the earthly

1603-1 Page 3

sojourns of the entity, it has oft been in uniforms - and some that were very spectacular in their very nature!

20. From Mercury we find the high mental abilities, as may make for confusions - as they have at times, with that activity in Saturn as well as Venus. And in the present these make some confusions in the entity's choice of mental expansion, as it were, as in relationships to things pertaining to social activities or relations, or as to the morality of this or that influence or activity in the experience of those with whom the entity may be associated in one manner of another.

21. However, in the latter portion of the influences, we find Jupiter bringing the stability, the stamina as it were in the material as well as mental activities.

22. Mars, however, has been an influence wherein disputes have been a portion of the experiences.

23. But let not those things enter in wherein there may arise little contempts for an activity or association, whether a racial or social or a condition of other natures, that may produce those things that create hates. For these are of those things that bring contention.

24. As to the appearances or sojourns of the entity in the earth, we find these somewhat varied in their relationships to the very endeavors or activity of the entity in the present.

25. Before this we find the entity was in and about the native land of the entity in the present, during those periods called the American Revolution.

26. The entity was among those who were of the hired soldiery that came to America for the defense of what is now known as the English land, as then; and was active in and about Morristown and Trenton during those activities there.

27. The entity succeeded in going through those experiences, enduring many hardships, and then eventually returned to the home land; and again journeyed to the American land in the latter portion of its experience.

28. Then the name was what would be termed in the present, or comprehended as, Heston Wordenberough; and the experience there - as may be seen from the relationships and activities of the entity in the present - may be determined by factors as related to those who may be in authority here or there; whether in political authority as to state or nation or in religious authority as related to the activities of individuals. For these experiences come from the entity's sojourn there, as the gatherer of those things that made for the REMEMBERING of activities. For the entity's activity in the latter portion of that sojourn had to do with books and

1603-1 Page 4

clothing and things that had to do with the wearing apparel.

29. Before that we find the entity was in the land now known as the Grecian, during those periods when there was the educating rather of those who were the servants, of which the entity was one - or a companion of one very much in authority, in those periods of the expansions of what has since been called the cultural development.

30. For the entity then gave himself to activities in the writing of books and plays for the activities of individuals who would depict the characterizations of things for the enlightenment and strengthening of the peoples during that experience.

31. Hence we find the entity's interest in those things of many lands, or manners in which people of various lands draw upon activities of the ancients or of the old for comparisons as to their growth in the mental and material ways or manners.

32. The name then was Echela, and the entity gained and lost.

33. In the present application from that sojourn we find the abilities to make impressions upon others, the abilities to listen, the abilities to give an answer to that as may be the problem for the self or others, in its relationships to activities - in things pertaining to household as well as to state or nation's activities.

34. Before that we find the entity was in the land or city when there was the returning of the peoples of promise from bondage in the Persian land; and with and among the latter portion of those peoples under Nehemiah did the entity enter in and become a portion of the activity in the rebuilding of the walls of the Holy City.

35. There we find the entity was very active among those peoples who labored for a united service, a return to the activities of the peoples of old.

36. Hence we find an INNATE religious sentiment, a religious purpose, a desire to know more about the promptings of individuals and groups or nations, or those under various circumstances; and as to why such activities have been.

37. The name then was Ezekeon, and the entity gained. For the love of freedom arises from the experiences in that sojourn; and the love of those and the innate desire to help those oppressed in any and every way, in any and every land.

38. For the entity was closely associated with those in authority, yet it affiliated itself in the greater part with the activities of those who labored. For the entity may hold with the expression of the activity, that they who labor with a purpose in the service of the Lord labor not in

1603-1 Page 5

vain; they who labor for their own self-indulgence or self-gratification sow the seeds of strife that must eventually be reaped in the experiences of those who are entangled in same.

39. Before that we find the entity was in the Egyptian land and activity, when there were the reparation activities and the gathering for purposes by the Priest, the King and those of other nations and peoples.

40. The entity was one in authority pertaining to the making of fine linens and especially pertaining to those that were a part of the bindings about those who were prepared for burial, and also the characters of dress that indicated - by the manner of dress - the variations as to the position of individuals.

41. Hence we find those things pertaining to decorations and adornments in every phase of the experience of individuals becoming a part of the entity's experience in the present.

42. The name then was El-Kan-Der.

43. As to the abilities of the entity in the present, then:

44. Find the quiet and the peace of thine own conscience as related to the Creative Forces that are sought in thy experiences mentally AND spiritually.

45. And then - as ye make for those tenets that keep thee in attune as it were to these influences, in thine own experience - USE or APPLY them, then, in thy relationships to thy fellow man.

46. In the manner, the way ye attend, ye treat or ye hold - in thy mental self - thy brother's position, or thy neighbor's or thy friend's as thy own, THAT is the manner, the concept ye hold of thy Creator!

47. Ready for questions.

48. (Q) Considering my talents and abilities please survey my present field of activity, giving such information as may be of help at this time as to prospects for continuance, growth, direction of activity for greater productivity. (A) These have been taken into consideration, as has been given from the sources from which these impulses and urges arise. Then, as has been indicated, keep these impulses and influences in the way and manner that is not contradictory to thy concept of the manner in which thou would have thy Creator, thy Maker, deal with thee - and so deal with thy fellow man!

49. (Q) Considering my talents and abilities and their expression in this life for the greatest mental and spiritual development, please answer the following questions regarding my present activity, as asked: Should I continue

1603-1 Page 6

in my present work, if so for how long? (A) Until at least the sixtieth year, should those experiences through the activities of the warnings privilege thee to do so.

50. (Q) Should the business be moved, if so what better location considering all conditions? (A) We do not find that it would be the better in the present. Possibly in a year or two years, then it may be moved to the better advantage for all concerned.

51. (Q) What shall I do to protect my interests and to maintain or improve my present status? (A) Just in those ways and manners indicated, study to show thyself approved unto good works; not merely from the mental, the spiritual, but as in the APPLICATION of the mental and spiritual in relationship with those ye contact day by day!

52. (Q) Are my present business and social contacts and associations the right ones? If not, what shall I do to change and improve them? (A) This would depend much upon what is the desire or the purpose of thy associations and activities. That which IS is at least the starting point for thy expression. For how were the commands made of old to Moses? How have they been to all the patriarchs of old? How have they been to thee? USE THAT THOU HAST IN HAND! For all the power, all the activity is only lent to man through or for those opportunities to be the greater expression of that which is the Creative influence or force in the experiences of all!

53. (Q) Are my present methods, theories, philosophy and mode of life satisfactory for my development? If not, what shall I do to correct and control them? (A) There would not be those turmoils if these were entirely satisfactory. It is not well that any soul or mind should be SATISFIED, for that indicates staleness, lack of growth. BE CONTENT! But he that seeks shall find! Then KNOW, this is the whole law - to love God, eschew evil, and love thy neighbor as thyself!

54. (Q) Is there any specific direction or activity in my present business that would lead to greater productivity and outlet for my talents and abilities? (A) As ye would that others should do to you, do ye so to them. This is not merely a tale or an axiom, but this IN action creates greater actions that offer opportunities in business, in social, in the economic forces, in home relations and those of every nature.

55. (Q) There is one particular individual with whom I am

1603-1 Page 7

having special difficulty. How can I best work this out? (A) If the conditions were reversed, how would you have him treat YOU? These should answer, in thy concept of right and wrong.

56. We are through for the present. Copy to Self " " Ass'n file