The Essential Edgar Cayce (30 page)

EC:
Yes, we have the records here of that entity now known as or called [1723].

In giving the interpretation of the records as we find them, these are chosen with the desire and hope to make the experience a helpful one in the entity’s application of self in the present toward a mental and spiritual development with reference to the material—which should be the result of such application.

Then, in viewing the records generally—but without respect to what the entity has done or may do regarding the urges which arise—we find the inclination for the entity to oft be called material-minded, hard-hearted, stubborn, and without any thought of these things which bespeak of affections for affection’s sake.

These as given are inclinations. The entity has altered and may alter such inclinations—or they arise as conditions which may be magnified, and thus—though bringing material gains, even at times positions of importance—unless there is the development of the milk of human kindness within the experience it may be, it may become a very lonesome, a very disturbing experience throughout this sojourn.

In the interpreting of the astrological aspects, which are as reference to the interims of experiences, not all experiences are given but rather those which have the greater bearing upon the entity in this present period of activity in this sojourn.

And as first indicated, these are given with the desire that the warnings, the information may be made to be a helpful influence in the entity’s application of its dealings with its fellow man.

Jupiter we find as the greater ruling influence. Hence in any endeavor in which the entity’s activities are to serve the masses or groups of people, the entity will find a channel through which the greater material and mental as well as spiritual forces may arise.

Hence in those channels where there is the sale of products which are to have their effect or activity among the many—or the gathering of data as a statistician, or records of any nature. All of these become a part of the entity’s development, and channels through which the greater influence may come for greater helpful experiences; provided those characteristics as indicated become a part of their application.

In Mercury we find with the adverse influence in Venus, with Mars as well as Saturn, there are the influences which become a part of the entity’s environs or surroundings.

Hence of high mental abilities is the entity—with the liking for or desire for study—the liking or desire for knowledge. But such knowledge as statistics, such knowledge as of the natures where the influences or activities of individuals or groups are to be maintained, is not to be used wholly for self in self-aggrandizement or self-advantage taken over others.

To be sure, it may be used in such measures as to bring greater material opportunities, greater material successes, but at the behest—and not at the advantage taken over less fortunate ones or those who have not applied themselves.

In Venus we find the necessity for the cultivation of influences wherein not merely ideals or idealistic principles are held, but ideals to be adhered to—in mental, in material, but based upon spiritual attributes. These are to be cultivated. So, the doing and being virtuous for the very
nature
of that impelling influence which it brings into the experience of the entity is necessary for cultivation in the activities.

These in their first applications may bring some disturbing influences, yet to know that obligations are opportunities as well as duties, as well as privileges, is a lesson the entity should learn—and it will make for greater contentment, greater peace and happiness in its experiences as it deals with the changing influences and forces which arise.

Then know that while the life is in a changing world, with changing friendships, changing environs and changes of every nature—unless there is accomplished that which lives on and
on
in the heart and soul, little has been or may be accomplished by self in its dealings with its fellow man.

Be acquainted, then, with that home beyond. Take time not merely to be holy or good, but good for something—good in that ye bring each day some new hope, some new opportunity, some new experience in the life of someone—a boy, a child, a babe, an old person who has lost the way in one manner or another. Thus ye will gradually build those steps which may carry you beyond the vale of those who see only the material blessings. For ye will know of Whom, in Whom ye have heard that “His words passeth not away.”

So, though changes come, though the heavens may be in turmoil, though the earth and all the activities may be in riot, thy deeds done in such a way and manner will not change but live in the heart and the mind in such a manner as to bring that peace and harmony which comes only to those who take thought of just being kind to the other fellow!

Know that if you would be forgiven, if you would have friends, if you would know peace you must
make
friends, be kind, be joyous, be
content
—but
never
satisfied! For that longing which arises to better thyself is not merely that thy body may take ease, or that ye may gratify the appetites thereof! but it is rather that glory of the hope within for the greater knowledge of the spiritual life to
grow
and
bloom
in thy workaday life.

For only that character of spiritual thought that is a practical thing, that may be lived and experienced day by day, is worthy of thy acceptation.

And it is thy nature—but cultivate it! For this will bring greater opportunities physically, mentally, and open the door of thy consciousness to the unseen forces that make men
not
afraid!

THE SPIRIT OF NATIONS

Twenty-nine discourses between 1921 and 1944, the so-called World Affairs readings, contain some of Edgar Cayce’s most significant comments on the international scene, including clairvoyant perspectives on and prophecies for individual nations. In June 1944, just after D-day, came reading 3976-29, delivered at the annual gathering of the leaders of Cayce’s organization. It was prompted by the request for information about the
group vibrations
of specific nations—that is, the
spirit
of a nation and its people.

Compared to the familiar stereotypes—the reserved nature of the English, the French love of life, the Japanese work ethic—Cayce’s descriptions cut deeper, portraying national group consciousnesses in light of collective karmic fault and collective aspiration. As we study the reading, it’s important not to be overly judgmental about the faults of given nations, because we may have had a role in the making of those faults: For Cayce, reincarnation suggests that each of us has contributed to national group consciousness in some lifetime or another.

The reading opens with the
cosmic picture.
Before individual nations were established, souls faced a spiritual choice. On the one hand was companionship with God, his intentions for us; and on the other hand was the impulse to defy God. That spirit of defiance brought confusion to the world and out of that confusion emerged the nations.

As each nation’s consciousness evolved over time, so, too, a consensus slowly arose among its people. It’s what we might call the
spirit of a nation
—that is, what that nation aspires to and holds dear.

Cayce suggests America as a good illustration of this spirit. Although our national consciousness has had much less time to emerge than many other nations, one central value is clear: freedom. Inherent in freedom, however, is the possibility for error, since freedom so closely aligns with free will, and free will can be exercised improperly. So easily when helping another nation that
helping
becomes
coercion
of that nation and its people. This is something to which America has been especially vulnerable.

What’s more, free will can be misused in subtler ways. Edgar Cayce asks us to consider the words of Jesus: “He shall know the truth and the truth then shall make him free.” The key to freedom is to
live
and
apply
the truth in one’s own life. By implication, Cayce is saying that Americans often fail to live or apply the truth, especially the most important truth of all:
In God We Trust.

But why is America so at fault? People all over the world fail to trust in God. Why did Cayce single out America? Because it’s what the founders and leaders have aspired to. To hold up freedom as a national ideal makes America even more accountable to properly use free will, whether that means respecting the freedom of all people or just remembering that our nation was founded on the principle of trust in God.

Reading 3976-29 goes on to identify the shortcomings of nations other than America, although in less detail. The English would seem to hold up the idea that they are a little bit better than everybody else. The French err by overindulging the body. The Italians are given to dissension (for which Cayce even offers a prayer that “a few might just agree, that a few even might declare their oneness with the higher forces”). The Chinese are isolated and self-satisfied. And the East Indians apply what they know in an exclusively inward way.

This reading also includes two of Cayce’s most dramatic prophecies. First, Russia is depicted as the hope for the world, although not because of any merits of communism but because of its leadership and the opening up of friendly relations with America. With the collapse of the old Soviet Union and the establishment of more freedoms in the new Russia, it looks like Cayce’s prophecy may eventually be fulfilled. Perhaps he perceived a broader spiritual trend, one that will have several false starts before the collective will of Russia and America can make a new kind of relationship permanent.

Edgar Cayce’s second dramatic prediction is that China would one day be the cradle of Christianity, at least in the
application
of its doctrines if not the doctrines themselves. Is China’s opening up to the West and adopting its ideas and lifestyle a sign of this new role? Probably not. Even though the reading was given in 1944, and even though Cayce wasn’t specific, sixty years wouldn’t seem to qualify as “far off as man counts time,” as he intoned. So even more extraordinary changes may be in store for China in the twenty-first century and beyond.

THE READING

THIS PSYCHIC READING, 3976-29,
WAS GIVEN BY EDGAR CAYCE ON JUNE 22, 1944,
AT THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL ARE CONGRESS.
The conductor was Gertrude Cayce.

GC:
It has been indicated through this channel that much might be given regarding what the vibrations of nations, as individuals, might mean. You will give such information concerning these vibrations and their relations to the spirit of the various nations, particularly in connection with the seven sins and twelve virtues in the human family, which will be helpful to us as an organization and as individuals in our attempt to be channels of blessing to our fellow men. You will then answer the questions, which may be submitted, as I ask them.

EC:
When there came about the periods of man’s evolution in the earth, what was given then as to why man must be separated into tongues, into nations, into groups? “Lest they in their foolish wisdom defy God.” What is here then intimated? That man, seeking his own gratification of the lusts of the flesh, might even in the earth defy God. With what, then, has man been endowed by his Creator? All that would be necessary for each individual soul-entity to be a companion with God. And that is God’s desire toward man.

Thus when man began to defy God in the earth and the confusion arose which is represented in the Tower of Babel—these are representations of what was then the basis, the beginnings of nations. Nations were set up then in various portions of the land, and each group, one stronger than another, set about to seek their gratifications. Very few—yea, as ye will recall, it even became necessary that from one of these groups one individual, a man, be called. His ways were changed. His name was changed. Did it take sin away from the man, or was it only using that within the individual heart and purpose and desire even then, as man throughout the periods of unfoldment put—in his interpretation—that of material success first? It isn’t that God chose to reserve or save anything that was good from man, so long as man was, is, and will be one who uses that living soul as a companion with God. That’s God’s purpose. That should be man’s purpose.

In the application of this principle, then, in the present day what has come about? Each nation has set some standard of some activity of man as its idea, either of man’s keeping himself for himself or of those in such other nations as man’s preparation for that companionship with God. For remember, there are unchangeable laws. For God is law. Law is God. Love is law. Love is God. There are then in the hearts, the minds of man, various concepts of these laws and as to where and to what they are applicable. Then, just as in the days of old, the nature of the flesh, human flesh and its natures, has not changed, but the spirit maketh alive. The truth maketh one free. Just as man has done throughout the ages, so in the present, as one takes those of the various nations as have seen the light and have, through one form or another, sought to establish as the idea of that nation, of that people, some symbol that has and does represent those peoples in those days of the fathers of the present land called America.

What is the spirit of America? Most individuals proudly boast “freedom.” Freedom of what? When ye bind men’s hearts and minds through various ways and manners, does it give them freedom of speech? Freedom of worship? Freedom from want? Not unless those basic principles are applicable throughout the tenets and lines as has been set, but with that principle freedom. For God meant man to be free and thus gave man will, a will even to defy God.
God
has not willed that any soul should perish, but hath with every trial or temptation prepared a way of escape.