Post by WalksInSpirit on May 2, 2006 12:18:14 GMT -5
Astrology Chat: 05-01-06
ARE SEARCHLIGHT June 1957
LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS BETWEEN INCARNATIONS by Lydia J. Schrader Gray
On a large bulletin board at our Association Headquarters, there is a small card with these words written upon it: "A servant of God once lived here and his spirit lingers on."
That man, that servant of God, was Edgar Cayce: one of the world's greatest clairvoyants, or "clear see-ers." As Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines it: "Clairvoyance - the power of discerning objects not present to the senses, but regarded as having objective reality."
Edgar Cayce's soul was closely attuned to the infinite, as were the prophets of old; in evolutionary growth an old soul; and one who by his own efforts in past incarnations had earned the right to perceive the invisible worlds.
In Life Readings given by Edgar Cayce may be found a wealth of spiritual truths -universal and Cosmic Laws, as they affect and influence mankind. The Readings them-selves stated very emphatically: "These truths should be given ONLY TO THOSE WHO SEEK."
Not long ago, a young M.D. especially interested in heart disease spent three weeks at Headquarters, reading what was given in the Physical readings about this bodily ailment. He was astounded at the information he found and told me, "This man was a hundred years before his time!" Just so, the spiritual truths found in the Life Readings may be hundreds of years before their time; and even a hundred years hence, many will not be as skeptical of the source - the unusual powers of Edgar Cayce - as now. We who are seekers, in this day and time, are greatly blest by having spiritual truths available for our study. We can know that it is not by chance that we are permitted to learn and practice the knowledge revealed in the Readings about the Laws of the Spirit - the Laws of Balance, Attraction, Harmony and Evolution; of Cause and Effect, or Karma; of continuity of life and life after death. This brings us to our special subject, LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS BETWEEN INCARNATIONS, or as some call it, "Citizens of the Universe."
In what respect are we citizens of the universe ? Well, because we are citizens not only of the earth - but of the planets also - by reason of our govern and influence the planet sojourns there, between incarnations.
In the records left by Edgar Cayce, we find many statements describing the spiritual laws pertaining to the continuity of the soul; whether in the material plane or in other states of consciousness, or mental planes, among the planets.
Now, there must have been a FIRST CAUSE for souls entering the earth plane, or incarnating. The Readings often stated that the First Cause was that the created should become a companion of the Creator, as all souls were in the beginning. Their desire to become as Gods brought about a separation from the Creator; and sin entered because of rebellion in the souls' mental forces. By the Grace of God, all souls were given the gift of free will; then, through the application of that free will, souls must eventually find their way back to God, or the First Cause. So it is well for man to analyze and understand himself, that he may know whence he came and whither he is going.
To clarify this, let me quote from Reading No. 5755-2. "Remember, the earth is only a speck - a part of Creation - where souls projected themselves into matter. Thus they brought with them a conscious awareness of themselves; ENTERTAINING THE IDEA THAT THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO CREATED, WITHOUT THE FORCES OF THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
"Thus realms of systems came into being. We know them as the solar system, or planetary systems, which govern and influence the planet Earth.
"Earth, in this solar system, merely represents three dimensions. Then how many dimensions or levels of consciousness are in this solar system? Eight! What position does the Earth occupy? The third! What position do others occupy? That relative relationship, one to another." (The law of relativity undoubtedly applies here.)
"Who is the author and finisher of these systems? The Word - He who made Himself manifest in the flesh. Who is the beginning and the end? Jesus the Christ."
MENTAL URGES
Thus there are many levels of consciousness, or many mansions, symbolized by what we know as the planets. The soul lives on after death, in other realms of consciousness; making its record upon the soul memory, or in the soul mind of the entity. In all of the Life Readings astrological urges and innate influences were given for the individuals.
Mental urges or influences, the Readings gave, come from the experiences of the soul mind during the period BETWEEN incarnations in the earth plane. Emotional urges come from past lives in the earth.
These Life Readings present a beautiful system of spiritual evolution. The human soul is shown to have an important place in the scheme of the Universe.
The importance of astrological urges is explained by pointing out that each soul passes through planes of consciousness between appearances in the Earth. These planes, or levels of consciousness, are SYMBOLIZED by the planets of our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
In each of the environs governed by these planets, the soul takes on a form suitable to that level of consciousness, and continues its spiritual growth. The order, or sequence, of these experiences is governed by the action of the WILL of the soul during its earthly experience.
Reading No. 2132-L-l states: "Astrological urges are not existent just because of the position of the Sun, Moon or any of the planets at the time of birth; but rather because the soul of the entity is part of the universal consciousness, and HAS DWELT IN THOSE ENVIRONS."
The implications in this one statement reveal an insight into a cosmic plan. In this plan, souls are an integral part of the universe. Is this astrology? The Readings say that it would be more correct to term it occult astrology; for the positions of the planets - Sun and Moon, and planets - at the time of birth indicate where the soul has journeyed, or tarried.
In occult astrology, the planet nearest the mid-heaven is the one from which the soul took its flight.
The planet mentioned first in each Life Reading seems in many cases to have been the one nearest the midheaven - or the latest plane of consciousness where the entity sojourned before entering the Earth plane for its present experience. As such, it greatly influences the life. It also seems to indicate the general trend of activity, or tendencies to activity.
WHAT PART OF THE SELF MAKES THE JOURNEYS?
The superconscious mind becomes the mind of the soul, in those interim's between material manifestations. This is the mind which travels with the soul in all its journeys through many states of awareness, into realms beyond the physical.
''SUPER-CONSCIOUS MIND IS NOT OF THE EARTH FORCES AT ALL. It is awakened on Earth only with the spiritual indwelling, and it is acquired individually. How is it acquired-how may there be the spiritual indwelling? Through prayer and meditation by turning within and becoming aware, or conscious of, the attributes of the spirit - and by APPLYING them. These attributes of the spirit are love, hope, faith, charity, patience, cooperation and tolerance. And the will is absolutely necessary for the entity's application of these virtues." No. 900-21
Thus HERE AND NOW we may build higher levels of consciousness. If we are tuned to self-indulgence, hate, greed, intolerance, impatience, rebellion and pride, these become destructive forces in the soul's growth.
Now let us study some of the mental planes which are symbolized by our sojourns in the environs among the planets.
What happens after we pass through God's Other Door? Reading No. 3744 describes it thus: "Immediately after death, there is a period of unconsciousness, the duration of which is governed by the spiritual development of the entity. After death, the soul and spirit FEED UPON - AND IN A SENSE ARE POSSESSED BY - what was created by the mind during the recent Earth experience. Whatever has been gained in the physical plane must be used."
You may be wondering, "What about the millions who do not believe they are souls? Those who live only for self, who feed only upon their emotions, who have no understanding of the continuity of life?"
These remain in that state of un-consciousness for years and years, until eventually their souls are ready for the developing levels of consciousness, for the soul mind can choose. It can realize wherein it has failed, and goes to whatever planet it needs for further development.
One Life Reading described this dwelling in the in-between plane as a long rest - a meditating period for the soul, between earthly sojourns. We learn from the Readings that all souls need some rest, after the strenuousness of life on Earth. We also learn that many souls choose to return quickly, but others remain in other planes or dimensions for hundreds of years, as we count time. There is no time, however, in eternity: all time is one.
THE WILL OF THE ENTITY
This question was asked in Reading No. 900-24 "Explain how and why - in what manner - planets influence an individual at birth." The answer was: "As the entity is born into the Earth's plane, the relationship of that plane from which the spirit entity TOOK FLIGHT has the greater influence. In the same manner, its life in the Earth, plane directs the spirit - entity to whatever planet it must go for further development."
Summing up, then: the soul mind can choose, and can realize wherein it has failed. Therefore it goes to whatever planet it may need for its further development and training. Then when it incarnates again, these developments experienced by the soul mind during sojourns among the planets MUST BE BUILT into the life upon the physical plane. For soul growth must be made upon the Earth plane, by the use of our will. Again quoting from the Readings: "And remember, no urge from the position of the planets, or stars - or bars - surpasses the will of the entity!" No. 3654-L-l
And in the same reading, I found this statement which I like very :much: "The signs of the Zodiac are Karmic Patterns; the Planets are the Looms; the Will is the Weaver."
Over and over again, the Readings tell us that "Mind is the Builder." By the activities of the mind, we must BALANCE the various planetary influences - the nobleness of Jupiter with the driving force of Mars, the love influence of Venus with the tempering action of Mercury, and so on. Otherwise we would bring un-balance into our lives. With mind ever the builder, we must study our complex natures. We must try to balance our mental urges or planetary influences, through the will - our soul-will - by going within and listening to the voice of conscience.
The Earth plane is the place and the testing ground, where the soul must make its will one with the Father, or the Creative Force of the Universe. Each entry into the Earth plane is - or should be - purposeful. HERE AND NOW we must develop higher levels of consciousness; never losing sight of the fact that we must reconcile what we have built in the Earth plane with spiritual lessons learned during sojourns in other planes.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS
We are our brother's keeper. If we would have true understanding and loving tolerance for our fellow man, it is necessary to realize that we are viewing many degrees of developing souls here in the Earth plane. There are souls who have not assimilated the balancing factors of all their solar experiences, even as we. The varied combinations of mental urges from planetary experiences, with helpful or adverse influences, may be an enlightening and fascinating study. The study of our-selves is truly the study of our brother.
Anywhere along the path of development, the human will may use or misuse each opportunity present-ed to it. By its use or misuse, the entity may retrograde or it may go forward step by step. Realizing the power of the will to choose daily even - momentarily - we must ever be on guard. For upon the Earth plane, we find that man is flesh and blood; but upon the other planes, we find conditions of our own making, in preparation for our own development.
"Ye have before you Life and Death: Choose ye!". . . and "As the tree falls, so it lies." For each soul has made, and is making a definite record which is just as clear as that which may be written with pen and ink, or with any type, style or form of transmitting or recording.
These records are written upon what is known as time and space, defined by the Readings as: "Akashic Record - a vibratory record of all thought and action." The activities of energy expended leave an imprint upon the etheric wave that records between time and space.
A developed soul in evolutionary growth, such as Edgar Cayce, could read the Akashic records; and he has left these Readings for all of us who are seeking spiritual enlightenment and knowledge of Universal Laws.
NATURE OF THE URGES
Let us consider some of the mental urges which are transmitted to us from our planetary environs, because of the way in which we reacted during our sojourn there.
In the study of astrological urges, we find both positive and negative influences pertaining to each planet. From Mercury, we receive what we have built in mental activities, both positive and negative. Some of the positive qualities are mental agility, deductive power, reasoning, alertness of perception - the way in which the mind functions and examines things. Negative qualities would be over-criticalness, lazy-mindedness, intellectual arrogance.
In Mercury is wisdom, the Readings tell us. But wisdom not applied will become sin, for mind is the builder.
From Mars, we receive what we have built in energy, driving force, leadership, fire and ambition. Considering Mars negatively, we may have built temper, stubbornness, bull-headedness, irritability, fault-finding, a domineering or bossy disposition.
From Venus, we receive what we ourselves have built in appreciation for the beautiful, in all arts; and a capacity for love, either licentious or selfish or for mankind. We may have built a love for harmony - or for the purely material things of life. "Love" sums up the concept of Venus's influence: love on a higher or on a lower plane of experience. Will it be self love, or love turned toward others?
From Jupiter, as many Readings state, we have the ennobling force - concern for the masses, interest in international relationships and in harmonious relationships with larger groups. Jupiter has helped us build highness of purpose; or, on the other hand, a disinterest in the larger objectives of human society; or selfish disregard for the welfare of groups, small or large - the world as a whole, the nation as a whole, or our own neighborhood group. Jupiter means service to others; or the lack of it, causing
self-centered-ness.
From Saturn, we have built or experienced purification and cleansing. Through Saturn, we recognize that we have experienced growth from our suffering and our emotional difficulties. We have built patience, or its lack-impatience. Saturn thus brings changes, through growth and through suffering. Reading No. 949-L-4 states it this way: "From Saturn, we find the influences from which there is a new beginning - always there is present the constant desire to rub out and begin over again, with the constant changes which arise from such." For Saturn is the great taskmaster.
Sojourns with Uranus build an interest in the occult - a grasp of occult law which we seem to have innately. Uranus, on the negative side, means extremes, or urges toward the eccentric. One of the great positive qualities conferred by Uranus is the intuitive ability.
Reading No. 949-1.-4 states: "Uranian influences are toward the extremes: very high or very low in phases of human endeavor or human experience. In occult or mystical matters, individuals tend to give credence to numbers, days, seasons; or to become superstitious in regard to this or that. These are some manners of expression coming from this influence."
Strange to say, the influence of the planet Pluto was not described in any of the Readings, so far as can be determined at present; although it was listed among the planets several times. There is some evidence that the "Septimus" mentioned in some Readings referred to Pluto.
Then lastly, let us consider what sojourns with Neptune may have conferred upon the mental urges of the entity. Starting with negative qualities, we have: impracticability, the head-in-the-clouds type of thinking so familiar to many of us. But this great occult or transcendental planet can also bring our development towards interest in mysticism - the divine mysteries of the human soul, religion, Universal Laws and the Great Plan of the Universe. This could mean a very high type of spirituality, if the entity uses his will to build and keep building, according to the ideals he holds. Neptune seems to be connected with water - and water, as you may know, is a symbol of spirituality. So we should all try to live up to the urges built into our lives by the forces of Neptune.
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URGES BUILT INTO THE BODY
How and where are our sojourns in other planes of consciousness recorded? In the Akashic records, yes; but only Akasha? No; the mental urges from planetary sojourns are recorded in our very bodies, in portions of our glandular or endocrine systems which constitute the seven spiritual centers of the body. These centers are: the Pineal gland, which represents Mercury; the Pituitary, influenced by Jupiter, which is the center of the Spiritual Body and controls all the other glands; the Thyroid, influenced by Uranus; the Thymus, influenced by Venus; the, Adrenal glands, influenced by Mars; the Lyden or Cells of Leydig, influenced by Neptune; and the Gonads, male and female, influenced by Saturn.
A study of THE REVELATION (of St. John The Divine) is the study of self and self's relationship to the Universe and Universal Forces. The chart in front of the book shows the glandular or spiritual centers of the body, as well as the planet which influences each GLAND.
The Edgar Cayce Readings tell us that mind and memory are in every gland, as well as in the subconscious or soul memory. During prayer and meditation, the spiritual centers of the body are stimulated. Our glandular systems are also being stimulated by every positive or negative thought, attitude or emotion. Psychologists and psychiatrists, at long last, are realizing. the truth that our mental attitudes are the cause of many physical illnesses. It is our duty to cleanse these glands, through prayer and meditation. This means to go within, to study self, to acknowledge faults, to ask for help. Then day by day, step by step, we are to cleanse our minds of all negative attitudes. In their place, we must cultivate, consciously, the fruits of the spirit: more love, more faith, more tolerance, more patience . . . for ''the Law of the Lord is perfect; , it converteth the soul."
Let us not forget, as stated in Reading No. 195: "The WILL of the entity is the controlling factor in the life and destiny. The influences of the planets are only inclinations." Whatever comes to us, let us remember that we have built it ourselves and now we are "meeting self" - reaping what we have sown.
LIFE IS CONTINUOUS
Let me quote from a Reading on soul development:
"Q. Is it true that the memory sometimes reveals itself after death, to a spiritual-minded person? Not only as related to the earthly life, but also. . . as a soul unfoldment of all past experiences?"
"A. This is correct. For Life in its continuity is the experience of the soul, or entity; including its soul, its spirit, its superconscious, its subconscious and its physical consciousness or material consciousness.
"As it develops through the various experiences, the entity takes on more and more of the ability to know itself to be itself - yet a portion of the Great Whole - or the One Creative Energy. . . in and through all" No. 139-MS-l
Think this through. God is within each one. By the gift of free will, we can tune in, at will, and make our will one with the Creative Force or God.
As given in the Readings countless times, we have the words from Deut: 6 :4, and the words which Jesus gave two thousand years ago, as recorded in Matt. 22 :37-39 : "Hear, 0 Israel, The Lord Thy God is one Lord."
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS BETWEEN INCARNATIONS by Lydia J. Schrader Gray
On a large bulletin board at our Association Headquarters, there is a small card with these words written upon it: "A servant of God once lived here and his spirit lingers on."
That man, that servant of God, was Edgar Cayce: one of the world's greatest clairvoyants, or "clear see-ers." As Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines it: "Clairvoyance - the power of discerning objects not present to the senses, but regarded as having objective reality."
Edgar Cayce's soul was closely attuned to the infinite, as were the prophets of old; in evolutionary growth an old soul; and one who by his own efforts in past incarnations had earned the right to perceive the invisible worlds.
In Life Readings given by Edgar Cayce may be found a wealth of spiritual truths -universal and Cosmic Laws, as they affect and influence mankind. The Readings them-selves stated very emphatically: "These truths should be given ONLY TO THOSE WHO SEEK."
Not long ago, a young M.D. especially interested in heart disease spent three weeks at Headquarters, reading what was given in the Physical readings about this bodily ailment. He was astounded at the information he found and told me, "This man was a hundred years before his time!" Just so, the spiritual truths found in the Life Readings may be hundreds of years before their time; and even a hundred years hence, many will not be as skeptical of the source - the unusual powers of Edgar Cayce - as now. We who are seekers, in this day and time, are greatly blest by having spiritual truths available for our study. We can know that it is not by chance that we are permitted to learn and practice the knowledge revealed in the Readings about the Laws of the Spirit - the Laws of Balance, Attraction, Harmony and Evolution; of Cause and Effect, or Karma; of continuity of life and life after death. This brings us to our special subject, LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS BETWEEN INCARNATIONS, or as some call it, "Citizens of the Universe."
In what respect are we citizens of the universe ? Well, because we are citizens not only of the earth - but of the planets also - by reason of our govern and influence the planet sojourns there, between incarnations.
In the records left by Edgar Cayce, we find many statements describing the spiritual laws pertaining to the continuity of the soul; whether in the material plane or in other states of consciousness, or mental planes, among the planets.
Now, there must have been a FIRST CAUSE for souls entering the earth plane, or incarnating. The Readings often stated that the First Cause was that the created should become a companion of the Creator, as all souls were in the beginning. Their desire to become as Gods brought about a separation from the Creator; and sin entered because of rebellion in the souls' mental forces. By the Grace of God, all souls were given the gift of free will; then, through the application of that free will, souls must eventually find their way back to God, or the First Cause. So it is well for man to analyze and understand himself, that he may know whence he came and whither he is going.
To clarify this, let me quote from Reading No. 5755-2. "Remember, the earth is only a speck - a part of Creation - where souls projected themselves into matter. Thus they brought with them a conscious awareness of themselves; ENTERTAINING THE IDEA THAT THEY HAD THE ABILITY TO CREATED, WITHOUT THE FORCES OF THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
"Thus realms of systems came into being. We know them as the solar system, or planetary systems, which govern and influence the planet Earth.
"Earth, in this solar system, merely represents three dimensions. Then how many dimensions or levels of consciousness are in this solar system? Eight! What position does the Earth occupy? The third! What position do others occupy? That relative relationship, one to another." (The law of relativity undoubtedly applies here.)
"Who is the author and finisher of these systems? The Word - He who made Himself manifest in the flesh. Who is the beginning and the end? Jesus the Christ."
MENTAL URGES
Thus there are many levels of consciousness, or many mansions, symbolized by what we know as the planets. The soul lives on after death, in other realms of consciousness; making its record upon the soul memory, or in the soul mind of the entity. In all of the Life Readings astrological urges and innate influences were given for the individuals.
Mental urges or influences, the Readings gave, come from the experiences of the soul mind during the period BETWEEN incarnations in the earth plane. Emotional urges come from past lives in the earth.
These Life Readings present a beautiful system of spiritual evolution. The human soul is shown to have an important place in the scheme of the Universe.
The importance of astrological urges is explained by pointing out that each soul passes through planes of consciousness between appearances in the Earth. These planes, or levels of consciousness, are SYMBOLIZED by the planets of our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.
In each of the environs governed by these planets, the soul takes on a form suitable to that level of consciousness, and continues its spiritual growth. The order, or sequence, of these experiences is governed by the action of the WILL of the soul during its earthly experience.
Reading No. 2132-L-l states: "Astrological urges are not existent just because of the position of the Sun, Moon or any of the planets at the time of birth; but rather because the soul of the entity is part of the universal consciousness, and HAS DWELT IN THOSE ENVIRONS."
The implications in this one statement reveal an insight into a cosmic plan. In this plan, souls are an integral part of the universe. Is this astrology? The Readings say that it would be more correct to term it occult astrology; for the positions of the planets - Sun and Moon, and planets - at the time of birth indicate where the soul has journeyed, or tarried.
In occult astrology, the planet nearest the mid-heaven is the one from which the soul took its flight.
The planet mentioned first in each Life Reading seems in many cases to have been the one nearest the midheaven - or the latest plane of consciousness where the entity sojourned before entering the Earth plane for its present experience. As such, it greatly influences the life. It also seems to indicate the general trend of activity, or tendencies to activity.
WHAT PART OF THE SELF MAKES THE JOURNEYS?
The superconscious mind becomes the mind of the soul, in those interim's between material manifestations. This is the mind which travels with the soul in all its journeys through many states of awareness, into realms beyond the physical.
''SUPER-CONSCIOUS MIND IS NOT OF THE EARTH FORCES AT ALL. It is awakened on Earth only with the spiritual indwelling, and it is acquired individually. How is it acquired-how may there be the spiritual indwelling? Through prayer and meditation by turning within and becoming aware, or conscious of, the attributes of the spirit - and by APPLYING them. These attributes of the spirit are love, hope, faith, charity, patience, cooperation and tolerance. And the will is absolutely necessary for the entity's application of these virtues." No. 900-21
Thus HERE AND NOW we may build higher levels of consciousness. If we are tuned to self-indulgence, hate, greed, intolerance, impatience, rebellion and pride, these become destructive forces in the soul's growth.
Now let us study some of the mental planes which are symbolized by our sojourns in the environs among the planets.
What happens after we pass through God's Other Door? Reading No. 3744 describes it thus: "Immediately after death, there is a period of unconsciousness, the duration of which is governed by the spiritual development of the entity. After death, the soul and spirit FEED UPON - AND IN A SENSE ARE POSSESSED BY - what was created by the mind during the recent Earth experience. Whatever has been gained in the physical plane must be used."
You may be wondering, "What about the millions who do not believe they are souls? Those who live only for self, who feed only upon their emotions, who have no understanding of the continuity of life?"
These remain in that state of un-consciousness for years and years, until eventually their souls are ready for the developing levels of consciousness, for the soul mind can choose. It can realize wherein it has failed, and goes to whatever planet it needs for further development.
One Life Reading described this dwelling in the in-between plane as a long rest - a meditating period for the soul, between earthly sojourns. We learn from the Readings that all souls need some rest, after the strenuousness of life on Earth. We also learn that many souls choose to return quickly, but others remain in other planes or dimensions for hundreds of years, as we count time. There is no time, however, in eternity: all time is one.
THE WILL OF THE ENTITY
This question was asked in Reading No. 900-24 "Explain how and why - in what manner - planets influence an individual at birth." The answer was: "As the entity is born into the Earth's plane, the relationship of that plane from which the spirit entity TOOK FLIGHT has the greater influence. In the same manner, its life in the Earth, plane directs the spirit - entity to whatever planet it must go for further development."
Summing up, then: the soul mind can choose, and can realize wherein it has failed. Therefore it goes to whatever planet it may need for its further development and training. Then when it incarnates again, these developments experienced by the soul mind during sojourns among the planets MUST BE BUILT into the life upon the physical plane. For soul growth must be made upon the Earth plane, by the use of our will. Again quoting from the Readings: "And remember, no urge from the position of the planets, or stars - or bars - surpasses the will of the entity!" No. 3654-L-l
And in the same reading, I found this statement which I like very :much: "The signs of the Zodiac are Karmic Patterns; the Planets are the Looms; the Will is the Weaver."
Over and over again, the Readings tell us that "Mind is the Builder." By the activities of the mind, we must BALANCE the various planetary influences - the nobleness of Jupiter with the driving force of Mars, the love influence of Venus with the tempering action of Mercury, and so on. Otherwise we would bring un-balance into our lives. With mind ever the builder, we must study our complex natures. We must try to balance our mental urges or planetary influences, through the will - our soul-will - by going within and listening to the voice of conscience.
The Earth plane is the place and the testing ground, where the soul must make its will one with the Father, or the Creative Force of the Universe. Each entry into the Earth plane is - or should be - purposeful. HERE AND NOW we must develop higher levels of consciousness; never losing sight of the fact that we must reconcile what we have built in the Earth plane with spiritual lessons learned during sojourns in other planes.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR OTHERS
We are our brother's keeper. If we would have true understanding and loving tolerance for our fellow man, it is necessary to realize that we are viewing many degrees of developing souls here in the Earth plane. There are souls who have not assimilated the balancing factors of all their solar experiences, even as we. The varied combinations of mental urges from planetary experiences, with helpful or adverse influences, may be an enlightening and fascinating study. The study of our-selves is truly the study of our brother.
Anywhere along the path of development, the human will may use or misuse each opportunity present-ed to it. By its use or misuse, the entity may retrograde or it may go forward step by step. Realizing the power of the will to choose daily even - momentarily - we must ever be on guard. For upon the Earth plane, we find that man is flesh and blood; but upon the other planes, we find conditions of our own making, in preparation for our own development.
"Ye have before you Life and Death: Choose ye!". . . and "As the tree falls, so it lies." For each soul has made, and is making a definite record which is just as clear as that which may be written with pen and ink, or with any type, style or form of transmitting or recording.
These records are written upon what is known as time and space, defined by the Readings as: "Akashic Record - a vibratory record of all thought and action." The activities of energy expended leave an imprint upon the etheric wave that records between time and space.
A developed soul in evolutionary growth, such as Edgar Cayce, could read the Akashic records; and he has left these Readings for all of us who are seeking spiritual enlightenment and knowledge of Universal Laws.
NATURE OF THE URGES
Let us consider some of the mental urges which are transmitted to us from our planetary environs, because of the way in which we reacted during our sojourn there.
In the study of astrological urges, we find both positive and negative influences pertaining to each planet. From Mercury, we receive what we have built in mental activities, both positive and negative. Some of the positive qualities are mental agility, deductive power, reasoning, alertness of perception - the way in which the mind functions and examines things. Negative qualities would be over-criticalness, lazy-mindedness, intellectual arrogance.
In Mercury is wisdom, the Readings tell us. But wisdom not applied will become sin, for mind is the builder.
From Mars, we receive what we have built in energy, driving force, leadership, fire and ambition. Considering Mars negatively, we may have built temper, stubbornness, bull-headedness, irritability, fault-finding, a domineering or bossy disposition.
From Venus, we receive what we ourselves have built in appreciation for the beautiful, in all arts; and a capacity for love, either licentious or selfish or for mankind. We may have built a love for harmony - or for the purely material things of life. "Love" sums up the concept of Venus's influence: love on a higher or on a lower plane of experience. Will it be self love, or love turned toward others?
From Jupiter, as many Readings state, we have the ennobling force - concern for the masses, interest in international relationships and in harmonious relationships with larger groups. Jupiter has helped us build highness of purpose; or, on the other hand, a disinterest in the larger objectives of human society; or selfish disregard for the welfare of groups, small or large - the world as a whole, the nation as a whole, or our own neighborhood group. Jupiter means service to others; or the lack of it, causing
self-centered-ness.
From Saturn, we have built or experienced purification and cleansing. Through Saturn, we recognize that we have experienced growth from our suffering and our emotional difficulties. We have built patience, or its lack-impatience. Saturn thus brings changes, through growth and through suffering. Reading No. 949-L-4 states it this way: "From Saturn, we find the influences from which there is a new beginning - always there is present the constant desire to rub out and begin over again, with the constant changes which arise from such." For Saturn is the great taskmaster.
Sojourns with Uranus build an interest in the occult - a grasp of occult law which we seem to have innately. Uranus, on the negative side, means extremes, or urges toward the eccentric. One of the great positive qualities conferred by Uranus is the intuitive ability.
Reading No. 949-1.-4 states: "Uranian influences are toward the extremes: very high or very low in phases of human endeavor or human experience. In occult or mystical matters, individuals tend to give credence to numbers, days, seasons; or to become superstitious in regard to this or that. These are some manners of expression coming from this influence."
Strange to say, the influence of the planet Pluto was not described in any of the Readings, so far as can be determined at present; although it was listed among the planets several times. There is some evidence that the "Septimus" mentioned in some Readings referred to Pluto.
Then lastly, let us consider what sojourns with Neptune may have conferred upon the mental urges of the entity. Starting with negative qualities, we have: impracticability, the head-in-the-clouds type of thinking so familiar to many of us. But this great occult or transcendental planet can also bring our development towards interest in mysticism - the divine mysteries of the human soul, religion, Universal Laws and the Great Plan of the Universe. This could mean a very high type of spirituality, if the entity uses his will to build and keep building, according to the ideals he holds. Neptune seems to be connected with water - and water, as you may know, is a symbol of spirituality. So we should all try to live up to the urges built into our lives by the forces of Neptune.
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URGES BUILT INTO THE BODY
How and where are our sojourns in other planes of consciousness recorded? In the Akashic records, yes; but only Akasha? No; the mental urges from planetary sojourns are recorded in our very bodies, in portions of our glandular or endocrine systems which constitute the seven spiritual centers of the body. These centers are: the Pineal gland, which represents Mercury; the Pituitary, influenced by Jupiter, which is the center of the Spiritual Body and controls all the other glands; the Thyroid, influenced by Uranus; the Thymus, influenced by Venus; the, Adrenal glands, influenced by Mars; the Lyden or Cells of Leydig, influenced by Neptune; and the Gonads, male and female, influenced by Saturn.
A study of THE REVELATION (of St. John The Divine) is the study of self and self's relationship to the Universe and Universal Forces. The chart in front of the book shows the glandular or spiritual centers of the body, as well as the planet which influences each GLAND.
The Edgar Cayce Readings tell us that mind and memory are in every gland, as well as in the subconscious or soul memory. During prayer and meditation, the spiritual centers of the body are stimulated. Our glandular systems are also being stimulated by every positive or negative thought, attitude or emotion. Psychologists and psychiatrists, at long last, are realizing. the truth that our mental attitudes are the cause of many physical illnesses. It is our duty to cleanse these glands, through prayer and meditation. This means to go within, to study self, to acknowledge faults, to ask for help. Then day by day, step by step, we are to cleanse our minds of all negative attitudes. In their place, we must cultivate, consciously, the fruits of the spirit: more love, more faith, more tolerance, more patience . . . for ''the Law of the Lord is perfect; , it converteth the soul."
Let us not forget, as stated in Reading No. 195: "The WILL of the entity is the controlling factor in the life and destiny. The influences of the planets are only inclinations." Whatever comes to us, let us remember that we have built it ourselves and now we are "meeting self" - reaping what we have sown.
LIFE IS CONTINUOUS
Let me quote from a Reading on soul development:
"Q. Is it true that the memory sometimes reveals itself after death, to a spiritual-minded person? Not only as related to the earthly life, but also. . . as a soul unfoldment of all past experiences?"
"A. This is correct. For Life in its continuity is the experience of the soul, or entity; including its soul, its spirit, its superconscious, its subconscious and its physical consciousness or material consciousness.
"As it develops through the various experiences, the entity takes on more and more of the ability to know itself to be itself - yet a portion of the Great Whole - or the One Creative Energy. . . in and through all" No. 139-MS-l
Think this through. God is within each one. By the gift of free will, we can tune in, at will, and make our will one with the Creative Force or God.
As given in the Readings countless times, we have the words from Deut: 6 :4, and the words which Jesus gave two thousand years ago, as recorded in Matt. 22 :37-39 : "Hear, 0 Israel, The Lord Thy God is one Lord."
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
