Analysis and Explanation of Edgar Cayce Reading 487-17

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What Is the Soul?

Reading 487-17 begins with several important questions: What is a soul? What does it look like? Where does it live, and how can we recognise it? The reading explains that the soul cannot normally be separated from the physical body during earthly life. We do not see the soul as a separate physical object. Instead, the soul expresses itself through the body. It looks through the eyes, experiences the world through the senses, responds through emotions, and reveals itself through a person’s choices and actions.

The physical body grows through food, rest, movement, and other material influences. In a similar way, the soul grows through experience. Every thought, decision, relationship, temptation, act of kindness, and response to suffering becomes a form of “food” for the soul. The body is therefore more than a physical machine. It is a temporary home and instrument through which the soul learns, chooses, serves, and develops.

The Body Changes, but the Person Remains

The reading refers to a seven-year cycle in which the physical body is said to be altered or renewed. This should not necessarily be treated as a precise modern scientific statement that every cell is replaced within seven years. Different cells have very different lifespans. Spiritually, however, the reading uses this idea to make a deeper point: although the body changes throughout life, something within the person continues.

A person’s appearance, health, circumstances, and physical condition may change, but family and friends still recognise the same individual. According to the reading, this continuing identity is revealed through the activities of the soul. The soul is shown through character, values, love, selfishness, mercy, ambition, and the use of personal gifts. What makes someone truly the same person is not merely the physical body, but the deeper spiritual identity being expressed through it.

The Difference Between the “Soul-Entity” and the “Entity”

The reading makes a difficult distinction between the “soul-entity” and the complete “entity.” The soul-entity refers particularly to the spiritual self and its development beyond the limits of one physical lifetime. The entity is more complete: it includes the soul together with its mind, personality, experiences, relationships, and expression in the material world.

In simpler terms, the soul is the spiritual centre of the person, while the entity is the whole individual as that soul expresses itself through different levels of existence. The reading admits that ordinary human language cannot perfectly describe spiritual realities because words belong to a world limited by physical time and space.

Planetary Influences and Free Will

The references to Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn represent nonphysical environments or influences associated with the soul’s experiences. In Cayce’s spiritual framework, these planets are not merely physical places. They represent different patterns of consciousness and development. In this particular reading, Uranus appears connected with unusual abilities, extremes, independence, and powerful personal influence.

However, the reading does not teach that planetary influences control a person’s destiny. These influences may create certain tendencies, opportunities, strengths, or dangers, but the individual must decide how to use them. The same power can lead either to “soul development” or “soul retardment.” Free will remains central. Spiritual growth depends upon how a person applies universal spiritual laws, especially love, truth, mercy, humility, and service.

Most importantly, the reading places every planetary influence under the law of Christ Consciousness. This means that no astrological or spiritual influence is greater than the divine pattern revealed through Christ. The planets may describe tendencies, but Christ provides the standard by which those tendencies must be directed.

A Person With Great Power

The individual receiving this reading appears to possess a strong and unusual influence over other people. The statement that “many have blessed the coming and many have been glad when the entity has passed” suggests a person who produces strong reactions. Some people may welcome this individual, while others may feel relieved when the person leaves. This can happen when someone has a forceful personality, great intelligence, unusual abilities, authority, or emotional intensity.

The reading warns that this influence may be used in two very different ways. Joined with love and the Creative Forces expressed through Christ, it may produce something beautiful and helpful. Used selfishly, it may harm both the individual and many others. Power itself is not presented as evil. Its spiritual value depends upon the purpose, attitude, and actions of the person using it.

Gaining the World but Losing the Soul

The warning about gaining the whole world while losing one’s soul comes from the teaching of Christ:

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Mark 8:36

This is one of the central biblical ideas in the reading. A person may gain wealth, influence, recognition, knowledge, or authority and still become spiritually poor. External success cannot compensate for the loss of love, truth, mercy, or fellowship with God.

The reading says this individual has reached a point where a personal choice must be made. The decision cannot be made by circumstances, planetary influences, family members, or spiritual advisers. The individual must choose whether personal power will serve selfish ambition or the purposes of God.

The Golden Rule

The reading advises the individual to ground body, mind, and soul in the teaching of Christ:

“As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

This comes from Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. It is commonly called the Golden Rule. The reading presents it as more than polite behaviour. It is a spiritual law. How we treat another person affects what we are becoming within ourselves.

The passage then reflects Christ’s teaching in Luke 6:32–33: if we love only those who love us and help only those who help us, our love has not yet risen above ordinary self-interest. True spiritual growth appears when we act with patience, kindness, and mercy toward people who cannot repay us—and even toward those who have treated us badly.

Forgiveness and the Spiritual Record

The reading teaches that people are continually “writing their own record.” Every judgment, cruel word, loving act, and selfish decision leaves an effect upon the soul. This resembles the biblical principle:

“For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” — Galatians 6:7

The reading does not simply describe God as externally punishing people. Instead, it suggests that our thoughts, words, and actions create something within our own character. A person who constantly finds fault with others gradually strengthens criticism and bitterness within himself. Eventually, he must face the spiritual condition he has created.

Forgiving those who mistreat us interrupts this destructive pattern. The reading echoes Christ’s command to “pray for them which despitefully use you” in Luke 6:28. Forgiveness does not mean pretending that wrongdoing is acceptable. It means refusing to allow another person’s wrongdoing to turn our own soul toward hatred, revenge, or spiritual darkness.

The Image of God in Every Person

The final statement gives the deepest reason for treating others with kindness: every person bears the image of the Creator. This reflects Genesis 1:27, which says that humanity was created in the image of God. It also resembles Christ’s teaching in Matthew 25:40:

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Therefore, speaking cruelly to another person is not merely a social mistake. It is an offence against the divine image within that person. Loving another person honours God; harming or humiliating another person dishonours Him.

Central Message

Reading 487-17 teaches that the soul is revealed through the way a person lives. Physical appearance, intelligence, social position, wealth, and personal power are temporary. What remains spiritually important is how these things are used.

This individual appears to possess exceptional influence and therefore carries exceptional responsibility. The reading warns that great ability without love may become destructive, while the same ability directed by the spirit of Christ may become a blessing to many. Its central message is simple: the soul grows when power is guided by love, when selfishness gives way to service, when criticism becomes understanding, and when injury is answered with forgiveness.

The true measure of a life is therefore not how much a person possesses or controls, but how closely that person’s thoughts, purposes, and actions reflect the love of Christ.

Meaning of the Image

The image represents the soul’s journey and the central teaching of Reading 487-17: personal power can lead either toward selfishness and darkness or toward love and service.

The glowing person in the centre represents the complete individual—body, mind, and soul. The physical form is visible, but the strongest light comes from within. The light in the heart shows that the soul’s true life comes from God. The glowing eyes and hands show that the soul expresses itself through how we see others, how we respond emotionally, and what we do.

The figures at different ages behind the central person represent the changing physical body. A person passes through childhood, youth, adulthood, and old age, yet the same spiritual identity continues through every stage. This illustrates the reading’s distinction between the temporary body and the continuing soul.

The two paths represent free will. The dark side shows pride, selfish ambition, conflict, material power, and the desire to control others. The crown, money, city, and arguing figures represent worldly success that may become spiritually destructive. They recall Christ’s warning: “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

The bright side represents compassion, forgiveness, and service. The woman helping the seated man shows the Golden Rule: treating others as we would wish to be treated. Her assistance is gentle and respectful, representing power used to lift another person rather than dominate them.

The white-gold cross of light does not portray Christ physically. It represents the light, love, and consciousness of Christ guiding the soul. It shows that planetary influences and personal abilities remain beneath God’s higher spiritual law.

The planets represent the different influences and experiences mentioned in the reading. However, they remain in the background because they do not control the person’s final choice. The soul must decide how it will respond to those influences.

The central figure stands between both paths because every person must choose. Its attention is turned toward the light, suggesting an awakening recognition that true greatness is not found in wealth or control, but in love, forgiveness, humility, and service to others.

EDGAR CAYCE READING 487-17

What then, the entity asks, IS a soul? What does it look like? What is its plane of experience or activity? How may ye find one? It may not be separated in a material world from its own place of abode in the body-physical, yet the soul looks through the eyes of the body - it handles with the emotions of the sense of touch - it may be aware through the factors in every sense, and thus add to its body as much as the food of the material world has made for a growing physical body in which the soul may and does indeed dwell in its passage or activity in any individual phase of an experience in the earth.

What, then, are the experiences or appearances or activities of the body in the material world that have influenced, and are to influence, this entity in the coming age or cycle?

A cycle is seven years, known or called in the earth, and information may be given or records read as to the varying appearances or activities that may change in that period.

How has the scientist or the biologist arrived at the conclusions, that are glibly given, that a body is altered or renewed in such a space of time? By comparing the activities!

But what has still remained that makes those about the body aware that the same ENTITY (not body, but ENTITY) is manifesting or inhabiting - if you please - such an altered or changed body? That which shows through the activities of the soul of the body! The application that soul has made respecting that which is creative or constructive, or respecting the gifts of the Creator into the hearts and souls of individuals - or men.

In the inception of this body in the present there were those surroundings that made for different or altering conditions which brought to the physical an exceptional or unusual (in words of the earth) activity in the soul-entity. (Get the difference between the wording entity and soul-entity, for words are often very poor in describing infinity in finite space and time.) The soul-entity is a development outside of body in material form. The entity is all-inclusive of soul and that activity in its relationships to the material things known in earth.

(This aside, please:) Not that developments in environs about the earth are all soul development; yet when there are activities in Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn or the like, that are within the same realm of the earth's activity about its own sun, all these are - yea - subject to that law known as the Christ Consciousness, but not physical activity nor physical concern.

But this entity, entering under such auspices or conditions, brought with same - as we have indicated from the sojourn in the Uranian influences - that which might make for soul development or soul retardment, by its activity or by its application of the laws that are universal - or from the God-Consciousness in the realm of activity. For, as given, oft would it be said - oft HAS it been seen in the activity of the entity thus far, even in the material things and material associations - MANY have blessed the coming and many have been glad when the entity has passed from, or body has passed from, that environ or that experience.

Hence the entity or soul here wields in the earth in the present a place of POWER - yea, more than power. One that may be made into those things that may be beautiful, if they are enjoined with the love that is seen in the Creative Forces activated by the Christ Consciousness, or made in such measures that there may be warnings to many that though they gain the whole world and lose their own soul what has been gained?

From an experience, then, in the present there are the activities mentally that must be weighed in the balance; and if they are found wanting in the associations of the entity in the material things, in the mental things, woe be to many! Yet the entity has arrived at that place in this experience in the earth when it must choose for itself.

Let self, body, mind and soul, then, be grounded in that as was given by Him who is the life and the light of the world; "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." For, if ye do good alone to those who do good to you, what reward has thy soul? What recompense is in thine own heart of hearts? For, even do those that would make for the aggrandizements of selfish interests, or that they may be well spoken of by many. For, if the purposes, the desires, the aims, do not take hold upon something far beyond those things that partake of the earth-earthy, then indeed does the soul become impoverished and the time and space grow weary - and those things that make for turmoils and strife, that make the heart and soul weary, come into the experience of all. But if the heart and mind forgive those who despitefully use them, those that speak evil in divers places, those that find fault with others will find fault in themselves; for they are writing their own record - they must meet, every one, that which they have said about another; for so is the image, the soul of the Creator in each body, and when ye speak evil of or unkindly to thy brother, thou hast done it unto thy God.

Reading 315-4: The Soul, the Planets, and the Power of Thought

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Reading 315-4 describes a person with strong mental and spiritual influence. On the outside, he may seem to have a “mediocre position” or to be “such an obscure individual.” In simple terms, he may look like an ordinary person who is not famous or powerful. However, the reading says that people are deeply affected by meeting and speaking with him. It even says that “no soul” will be the same after speaking with him about mental or physical matters. His words, ideas, and presence can change the way other people think.

This ability can be used in a good or harmful way. He can use it to awaken, teach, encourage, and help others. However, he may also be tempted to control or manipulate people. The main lesson is not how powerful his mind is. The real question is whether he uses his power with truth, love, humility, and respect for God.

The reading suggests that his ordinary place in life may help his soul grow. Although he has “brought so much to others,” he still needs the experience of “giving out—giving out.” This means sharing his knowledge and abilities without always seeking fame, authority, money, or praise. The reading says that this is needed for “the growth...in the inner man.” His main work is inner spiritual growth, not becoming important in the eyes of the world.

The reading says that “God is in His holy temple” and that the earth should be silent when God speaks. This is similar to Habakkuk 2:20: “The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.” God’s temple may mean the whole creation, but it may also mean the spiritual centre within a person. The soul needs inner silence so it can hear God’s guidance instead of following pride, excitement, or personal desire.

The reading also warns people not to worship “the event, the happening” instead of understanding its purpose. A vision, miracle, psychic experience, or unusual planetary influence may be interesting, but it is not the final goal. Its true purpose should be to lead a person closer to God and produce greater love, wisdom, humility, and service. The reading therefore does not tell us to worship the planets or surrender our choices to them.

Planetary Sojourns and the Soul

Reading 315-4 does not describe the planets in the same way as simple fortune-telling astrology. It speaks about the soul’s “sojourn” in a planet’s atmosphere or “emanations.” A sojourn means a period of experience or stay. In Cayce’s teaching, this does not have to mean that the soul lived physically on the surface of Neptune, Jupiter, Venus, or Mercury. It may mean that the soul experienced a nonphysical state of consciousness connected with the qualities represented by that planet.

The soul may bring the results of these experiences into earthly life. They may appear as natural interests, abilities, strengths, or weaknesses. Reading 315-4 says that the entity has a desire to study “the mysteries of nature,” “mysteries of the mind,” and the hidden laws that influence human experience.

These planetary influences do not completely control the person. They may create strong tendencies, but the soul still has free will. The planets do not replace God, create the soul, or decide its final destiny. The soul remains responsible for how it uses its abilities.

Neptune: Mysteries and Hidden Knowledge

Neptune is the strongest planetary influence described in this reading. The soul’s experience with Neptune gives it a strong interest in hidden knowledge, spiritual mysteries, intuition, and the deeper workings of the mind. The reading calls Neptune’s realm “the key to the mysteries of ages.” This suggests an ability to sense things that are not obvious to ordinary physical sight.

This sensitivity may become a spiritual gift. The person may understand hidden motives, recognise deeper connections, study dreams and spiritual laws, or help people find meaning in their experiences. Neptune encourages the soul to look beyond outward events and ask what spiritual purpose may be behind them.

However, Neptune can also become “a stumblingblock.” The reading warns that mysteries become dangerous when they are made “the basis alone” and are not used in a practical way to help souls develop. A person may become proud because he believes he knows secrets that others do not know. He may become lost in unusual ideas and forget ordinary responsibilities.

Hidden knowledge can also be used to gain money, fame, position, or power. The reading connects this danger with “dictators or rulers” who use their abilities to control others. A person who understands the mind may know how to inspire people, but he may also know how to use their fears and weaknesses against them. The gift itself is not evil. Its purpose and use decide whether it helps or harms.

The reading says that Neptune is “a ruling factor” for this entity. This does not mean that Neptune is his ruler or that he has no freedom. It means that the search for mysteries and hidden knowledge is very strong within him. If it is not balanced by truth, humility, and practical judgment, it may make his personality unbalanced.

The Wheel of Life and the Need for Balance

The reading compares the soul’s life to a wheel. It says that “the wheel of life” may become “lopsided or heavy” when a person gives too much attention to physical desire, power, or knowledge that is not used according to “the will and desire of the Creator.” A lopsided wheel cannot move smoothly. In the same way, an unbalanced person may lose calmness, good judgment, and spiritual direction.

Each planetary influence needs to be balanced. Neptune’s intuition may become fantasy if it is not joined with practical thinking. Jupiter’s desire to expand may become pride if it is not joined with humility. Venusian attraction may become unhealthy emotional dependence if it is not guided by love and respect. Mercury’s intelligence may become clever manipulation if it is not guided by kindness.

The goal is not to remove the planetary influences. The goal is to bring them into harmony under the soul’s highest spiritual ideal. The reading tells the entity to keep his feet “LITERALLY, mentally and—most of all—soully, on a firm foundation of truth and purpose.” The more interested a person becomes in invisible or spiritual forces, the more important it is to remain honest, practical, responsible, and respectful toward others.

Jupiter: Wider Vision and Greater Influence

Jupiter broadens the entity’s vision. The reading says it produces “great expansions of vision” beyond the study of mysteries. It helps the person see the larger picture, meet many kinds of people, and develop “the great breadth of acquaintanceships.” In simple terms, he may know many people and influence them through even short meetings.

The reading suggests that many of these people will only pass through his life. This may still be helpful. A short conversation may give someone a new idea, awaken a question, or change the direction of that person’s life. The entity does not need a long friendship with everyone in order to influence them.

However, close relationships reveal the true quality of his influence. It is easy to impress people from a distance. The harder spiritual test is how he treats those who know him well. Does he respect their freedom, listen to them, and serve them? Or does he try to control them?

Jupiter can expand either good or bad qualities. If the person wants to serve, Jupiter may increase his ability to help. If he seeks status, fame, or control, Jupiter may also increase those desires. Growth is not always spiritual growth. What matters is what is growing and why.

Venus and Mercury: Feelings and Communication

The reading says that Venus creates difficulties because it is “adverse with Mercury.” Venus is connected with love, attraction, beauty, feelings, and relationships. Mercury is connected with thought, speech, learning, and communication. Their difficult relationship suggests a conflict between what the entity feels and how he thinks or speaks.

This may explain why some people think his ideas are “weird and out of place, senseless even at times.” He may understand something inwardly but have difficulty explaining it clearly. His ideas may come through intuition and feeling rather than ordinary logic. People may not understand his words, yet they may still be affected by his presence and manner.

This mixture of mental power and emotional attraction may also cause problems in close relationships. The person may influence others without them fully understanding why. The reading especially warns about relationships with “the opposite sex.” Mental or spiritual influence could become emotional control, unhealthy dependence, or possessiveness.

Venus and Mercury are not bad influences. Venus can express faithful love, kindness, and beauty. Mercury can express intelligence, clear speech, and helpful teaching. Problems begin when emotional desire and mental power are used without respect for another soul’s freedom.

The Danger of Controlling Other Minds

The reading says that the entity could “subjugate even the minds of others.” To subjugate someone means to bring that person under control. It therefore gives a clear warning: “never use those abilities” as a “hypnotic influence.” This is one of the strongest warnings in the reading.

Having the power to influence someone does not give a person the right to control them. Every soul needs freedom to choose, learn, make mistakes, and grow. Controlling another mind would interfere with that freedom and would also harm the spiritual development of the person using the power.

The reading says that the entity has not yet used these abilities “amiss,” meaning in a wrong or harmful way. Even so, the danger remains. Greater ability brings greater responsibility. The right use of mental influence is to teach, encourage, awaken, and help—not to force obedience.

The planetary influences may combine to give this person strong charisma. Neptune brings sensitivity to hidden mental forces. Jupiter increases the range of his influence. Mercury strengthens the mind and communication. Venus adds emotional attraction. Together, these gifts can make him powerful in his effect upon others. However, having powerful gifts is not the same as being spiritually mature. Spiritual maturity is shown by protecting the freedom and dignity of other people.

“Mind Is the Builder”

The reading says that “the Mind—which is of the earth earthy but of heaven heavenly, and divine—is the Builder.” The mind works through the earthly body and personality, but it can also receive spiritual understanding. It connects inner purpose with outward action.

Thoughts slowly build character, habits, relationships, and choices. This is why the reading says that thoughts may become “crimes or miracles depending upon how they are applied.” Knowledge may be used to understand and help people, or it may be used to manipulate them. Charisma may encourage others, or it may dominate them. Love may become faithful service, or it may become selfish possession. Political ability may serve the community, or it may create dictatorship.

The planets may provide different tendencies and abilities, but the mind decides how to organise and use them. Neptune brings spiritual sensitivity. Jupiter brings expansion and wider vision. Venus brings feelings and attraction. Mercury brings thought and communication. The soul uses mind and free will to decide what these gifts will become. The planets may influence the personality, but they do not make its moral choices.

“The Thought of a Soul Influences the Sun, the Moon, and All the Heavenly Hosts”

The most surprising sentence in the reading is: “know that the thought of a soul influences the sun, the moon, and all the heavenly hosts.” Cayce presents creation as a connected, living whole. God, souls, nature, planets, stars, and matter all belong to one divine order. Because the soul is part of this order, its inner life is not completely separate from everything else.

This does not have to mean that one human thought physically moves the Moon, changes the Sun, or alters the path of a planet. The reading is not giving a scientific explanation of astronomy. The Sun, Moon, and “heavenly hosts” represent the great cosmic order in which the soul lives. The sentence teaches that thought has spiritual importance because the soul is connected with God, humanity, and creation.

The reading first explains how Neptune, Jupiter, Venus, and Mercury influence the soul. It then suggests that the relationship is not only one way. The soul also takes part in the spiritual harmony of creation. Loving, truthful thoughts add to harmony. Selfish, hateful, and controlling thoughts add to disorder.

The soul is therefore not a helpless object controlled by planets. A planetary sojourn may give a person certain interests, strengths, and weaknesses, but the soul decides how to express them. The planets may show a pattern of influence, but they do not make the moral decision.

The phrase “all the heavenly hosts” may include the Sun, Moon, planets, stars, and spiritual beings connected with the heavens. In the Bible, the “host of heaven” can refer to the many objects or beings in the heavenly world. Cayce uses the words to show that every soul belongs to a spiritual system much greater than its earthly life. Even an “obscure individual” has meaning within God’s creation.

The reading then connects this great cosmic idea with a simple teaching of Christ: “as ye do unto the least of thy brethren ye do it unto the Creator.” This reflects Matthew 25:40, where Christ teaches that what we do for the least of His people, we do for Him. The reading does not tell the entity to prove his power by controlling planets or people. It tells him to examine how he thinks about and treats others.

It continues: “as ye think of those—even though they beguile thee, though they deride thee, though they tamper with thine own purpose—as ye do unto them, ye do it unto God.” This means that our thoughts matter even when other people deceive, insult, or oppose us. They are still souls created by God. Hatred, revenge, and the desire to dominate them disturb our relationship with God and with the rest of creation.

This does not mean allowing people to abuse us. We may set boundaries, correct wrongdoing, oppose injustice, or leave a harmful relationship. However, we should not let another person’s wrong actions fill us with hatred or a desire to control them. The entity must learn to use strength without domination and wisdom without cruel judgment.

Souls as “Living, Moving Atoms”

The reading says: “He is the Maker; He is Life; His Spirit moved and the earth and the fullness of same came into being.” This reminds us of Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God moves over the waters, and Psalm 24:1, which says that the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. God is the source of souls, planets, life, and creation.

The reading then says that “the SOULS took on matter” and became “LIVING, moving atoms.” This means that souls entered physical life and began working through material bodies. The word “atoms” gives us a picture of individual souls living within a much larger creation.

An atom is separate in one sense, but it also joins with other atoms and takes part in larger structures. In the same way, each soul is an individual, but no soul is completely alone. Its thoughts affect its character and actions, influence other people, and add either harmony or disorder to the whole.

The reading says that souls may express both what is divine and what is “filthy.” Human beings can show love, truth, mercy, patience, and creativity. They can also fall into greed, pride, cruelty, lust, and domination. The planets do not force these choices. They create conditions and tendencies, but the soul chooses what it will express.

The Main Planetary Lesson

Reading 315-4 describes four important planetary influences. Neptune opens the mind to spiritual mysteries and hidden knowledge. Jupiter expands vision and brings contact with many people. Venus brings feeling, attraction, and relationship needs. Mercury brings intelligence and communication. The difficult relationship between Venus and Mercury may cause problems between feelings and clear expression.

These planetary influences help explain the entity’s abilities, but they do not decide whether he will use them wisely. The soul’s thoughts, intentions, and choices remain most important. Planetary gifts become helpful only when they rest upon “truth and purpose” and follow “the will and desire of the Creator.”

The statement that thought influences “the sun, the moon, and all the heavenly hosts” gives the soul both dignity and responsibility. Even an ordinary person takes part in the life of God’s creation. However, this does not make the person the ruler of the universe. The soul’s proper role is to become a loving, responsible, and willing part of God’s order.

The planets may influence a soul’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses, but they do not control its choices. Through thought and free will, the soul decides whether its gifts will become “crimes or miracles.” Because all life belongs to one divine creation, our thoughts affect ourselves, other people, and the greater spiritual harmony represented by “the sun, the moon, and all the heavenly hosts.”

EDGAR CAYCE READING 315-4

That in the present sojourn there appears to be an entity, a body that may be termed in mediocre position, or such an obscure individual that had - or has at an advent into the earth - brought so much to others, is evidence that there needs be that experience oft for the giving out - giving out; for experiences are oft necessary where the growth might be in the inner man. And this very experience will bring into the awareness of this soul, this entity, a work, an experience, well done; in that UNDERSTANDING is coming into the experience of the entity, of the soul. And the awareness that, in whatever may be the experience of the body, that God is in His holy temple and that the earth and its beings must keep silent when He speaks or shows Himself in His glory to the sons of men, lest - as has oft been the experience of man in the earth - the event, the happening, be worshipped rather than the purpose for which the event, the advent of a manifested power came into being.

That this entity, now known as or called [315], has had and is to have an influence in the affairs of many is easily seen, if it will be noted by the student that in this entity particularly will no soul ever be the same after having spoken with the physical man in terms of any activity that relates to the mental or physical.

As to the relations with the influences about the earth and the entity's sojourn in same, that brings innately in the the experience of the entity those desires for seeking into the mysteries of nature, mysteries of the mind, into the mysteries of the formulas of the varied stages throughout the experience or sojourn of man into the earth to bring about certain activities in the experience of others:

These may be seen by the entity's sojourn in Neptune's atmosphere, or Neptune's emanations as an atmosphere in the place for indwelling of souls in that environ; for here - as has been accredited, or is innately experienced in those that delve into same - is found the realm of, or key to, the mysteries of ages. But if the mysteries are taken as the basis alone, and not that which is practical in the experience of souls along the path of their development, this too - as it has in the experience of the entity becomes a stumblingblock. For in materiality it may be found that it may be used, has been used by many, for the accumulation of that which becomes filthy in its expression of those things that bring power, position; yea, even fame, from the ability of accumulating such in their experience. And is often that which is seen used by those that are termed as the users of wealth, moneys, estates, lands or - more direct - those that use same in political ways, or the powers such as ye see manifested in the dictators or rulers in the varied ways.

In that sojourn the entity gained much of that which is innate in the expression of self in the present, and is as a ruling factor; yet, lest these be weighed well with those other influences, both in the earth and in the astrological sojourns, they become as that which unbalances. And when the wheel of life, that is given to each soul, becomes lopsided or heavy through carnal or too great seeking into those things that are not to be used other than in the will and desire of the Creator, it makes for the lack of that called in the earth poise, or temperament, such as to be the better for an inner or soul development.

Jupiter's influence also makes for the great expansions of vision in those things other than only the mysterious, or the occult forces that pertain to the mysterious influences in the experiences of self or others. Also the great breadth of acquaintanceships AS acquaintanceships to this entity; for the greater number are the passing, and well indeed is it for this soul development as well as for the good of the earth in the present that this is so. For, while these make for the opportunity to give off that which makes for the changes in the experiences of others, only when they have come to be in that realm of the earth known as the closer relationships with the entity may it be seen as to the kind of influence the entity wields upon others in their activity.

Also the influences from the sojourn in Venus make for hindrances, for these are adverse with Mercury. Hence so oft do those that come in contact with the mental abilities of the entity judge same as being weird and out of place, senseless even at times, yet are influenced irrespective of their expression by the very presence of, the very associations, the manner of expression of the entity itself. And it is to the credit of the entity in the present sojourn thus far that the abilities in this direction and its influences upon others have not been used as yet amiss. And the greater warnings might be given the entity in that direction, for there are the abilities to use such an influence even to the point of where the entity might subjugate even the minds of others. Then, never use those abilities of what is termed within the influence of self as hypnotic influence; for as to the opposite sex and as to its own relationships these would become stumblingblocks in the entity's experience. And keep the feet LITERALLY, mentally and - most of all - soully, on a firm foundation of truth and purpose in the earth, and in the present sojourn.

THESE be the mental inclinations, the mental temperaments that may be brought to bear on the present earth's experience; for, as has been given, the Mind - which is of the earth earthy but of heaven heavenly, and divine - is the Builder, and so the thoughts may become crimes or miracles depending upon how they are applied in the experience of each soul in its sojourn through any period of activity in the earth. But, as has been intimated, know that the thought of a soul influences the sun, the moon, and all the heavenly hosts; for as ye do unto the least of thy brethren ye do it unto the Creator. O that men would learn, would become conscious, that as ye think of those - even though they beguile thee, though they deride thee, though they tamper with thine own purpose - as ye do unto them, ye do it unto God. For, He is the Maker; He is Life; His Spirit moved and the earth and the fullness of same came into being - and the SOULS took on matter of that which was created and became LIVING, moving atoms, coordinating with the influences in the earth and in that realm of same, yet part and parcel and a portion of all that is divine, all that is of the filthy-filthy also.