It was given through this source that the entity Edgar Cayce, after the experience as Uhjltd, went to the system of Arcturus, and then returned to earth. Does this indicate a usual or an unusual step in soul evolution?
(A) As indicated, or as has been indicated in other sources besides this as respecting this very problem—Arcturus is that which may be called the center of this universe, through which individuals pass and at which period there comes the choice of the individual as to whether it is to return to complete there—that is, in this planetary system, our sun, the earth sun and its planetary system—or to pass on to others. This was an unusual step, and yet a usual one.
5749-14
And we find that the experience of the entity before that, as Uhjltd, was from even without the sphere of thine own orb; for the entity came from those centers about which thine own solar system moves—in Arcturus.
5755-1
As many of these readings make clear, Arcturus is definitely a “stargate” leading to other parts of the universe—even to its very center—and that it was actually used by Edgar Cayce himself! On a personal note, one of my wife’s brothers was a brilliant young college student in the pre-med program at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. In 1970, tragically David was killed by a drunken driver. Until we met, Sharon had little interest in or knowledge about the stars, her passion being mathematics and music. Yet she somehow instinctively or psychically knew that her dear brother had gone to Arcturus! Incidentally, David himself was an avid stargazer and very much into space and astronomy. Just a coincidence? I think not!
Before going on, it should be pointed out that Sirius (mentioned above) is indirectly referred to by Edgar Cayce as “the dog star,” which is its popular name due to its location in the constellation of Canis Major or the Big Dog. Other indirect references to stars in the readings are the “evening star” and especially the “morning star” (or “the bright and morning star” as he was fond of saying)—in both cases actually referring to the radiant planet Venus in its evening and morning appearances at dusk and dawn, respectively. Although Venus is a planet and not a star, these again are the popular names that have been given to it. And, while in fact the famed “Star of Bethlehem” (also called “His Star”) is mentioned in the readings, this pertains to no actual named star in the sky today. Many astronomers believe that this was actually a supernova explosion—the death-throes of a supermassive sun that lit up the heavens for many weeks around the time of Christ’s birth. (If this is indeed its true identity, the author finds it ironic that God would use the spectacular death of a star to announce the birth of the greatest King that ever lived.)
Personification of the Stars
There’s a long tradition of poets, writers, visionaries, and even some scientists referring to the stars as if they are living entities rather than just inanimate matter as is widely believed. Indeed, as will be discussed in the next chapter, there are even those astronomers who believe that we’re actually living in a “bio-cosmos” and that the universe itself is a colossal living “organism”! This idea has such profound implications if true that it’s well worth examining it further before looking at what Edgar Cayce had to say about it. Here are several of the author’s favorite literary references to what I personally believe to be an actual fact (based on communing with the stars for more than fifty years as a stargazer):
“But every night come out these envoys of beauty, and light the universe with their admonishing smile.”
(Ralph Waldo Emerson)
“I never behold the stars that I do not feel that I am looking into the face of God.”
(Abraham Lincoln)
“The stars we love best are the ones into whose faces we can look for an hour at a time, if our fancy so leads us.”
(Martha Evans Martin)
“A star looks down at me, and says: ‘Here I and you stand, each in our own degree: What do you mean to do?’”
(Thomas Hardy)
“More beautiful, the stars in the vault of heaven remain watching over mankind asleep.”
(Maria Valtorta)
“We have enjoyed knowing the stars. We are among the thousands who have found them old friends, to which we can turn time after time for refreshing thoughts and relief from the worries and troubles of every-day life.”
(Dorothy Bennett, Hubert Bernhard, and Hugh Rice)
“The stars bind together all men and all periods of the world’s history. As they have seen all from the beginning of time, so shall they see all that will come hereafter.”
(Alexander von Humboldt)
Over the years, the author has been told by a number of people that Edgar Cayce claimed that when we pass on we become stars. While I haven’t actually found a direct statement to that effect in the Cayce material, there are at least two indirect references to this in the readings (the italicized emphases being mine):
As to the astrological aspects for the entity, these are not influencing because the entity was born under this or that sign, this or that planet or star being in a certain or given position. It is true that there is a guide or guard for each and every entity or soul, or a developing influence that may be from the entity’s own activities as a new star in the universe. [Author’s emphasis]
1695-1
Ye can sow seeds and work them in self, but God gives the increase. He adds those that should be added from the activities of their own opportunities, such as are worthy of becoming stars, yea, even as blossoms in the garden of God, in the garden of love. [Author’s emphasis]
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In addition to the quotes above, which hauntingly hint at the astounding concept that the stars are living entities, another example is found in the poem Sparks by an unknown author:
Surely in the future
far Man himself will be a star,
Shining by eternal light
Guiding pilgrims through the night.
Music of the Spheres
In the many references to stars contained his readings, Cayce frequently talked about them singing and the “music of the spheres.” While this concept is apparently rooted in antiquity, it’s best known from this famous Bible passage found in Job 38: 1-3: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who laid the cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” A more recent example comes from the noted astronomer, astrologer, and mystic Johannes Kepler, who often talked about hearing
