“Seth material” search engine (Jane Roberts)

(The 51st envelope experiment was held during the session. The object was placed as usual between two pieces of Bristol and sealed in double envelopes. It was a newspaper article by Peggy Gallagher, published in the Elmira Star-Gazette and Advertiser on May 4,1966; today. The photo of Mrs. Bessie Berry was not included in the test envelopes. It appeared on the same page of the newspaper, just above the center column of the object itself, but was attched to another article about Mrs. Berry.

The whole self or identity is aware of the experiences of all the egos, and since one identity forms these egos there is bound to be some similarities between them, and characteristics. The material that I have given you on reincarnation in the past is quite valid, particularly for working purposes, but it is a highly simplified version of what actually occurs.

Obviously however this analogy only carries us so far. You will say, “The four egos belonging to Eve all belonged to one physical body, but in the reincarnational process we are faced with the issue of several bodies, each one discarded and experiencing physical death.”

But as the personalities alternated they took over the organic processes so completely that while the body appeared, generally speaking, to be the same, it was not the same.

It is interesting to note also that these personalities did alternate, and all were in existence at once, so to speak, even though only one was dominant at a given time. In the same way all so-called past personalities are present in your now, but not dominant. Obviously also any future reincarnations are present for those who have other lives still to live in your terms.

A connection with a death. Whether this is recent, or whether he is thinking of a dead friend I do not know. The death involved the feeling of strangulation. Not that someone was strangled, but the sensations were of strangling.

The number 23 in connection with this. Perhaps the person, a man, died at 23, or 23 years ago, but the number 23 is somehow connected. Also connected with the man is the initial J, though I do not know if this is the man’s initial. Perhaps the month of February also here, and cold damp weather. Or a damp climate, perhaps in another country. Maybe England, but someplace cold and foggy.

The object for tonight is some kind of ring, or perhaps two rings intertwined. Not the type of ring worn on a finger, but larger. Perhaps the size of very large ring earrings, though the object is not an earring. Two rings are connected in some way. I do not believe that the rings themselves are larger than a pencil—thicker, that is, but the circles inside are large. Nor do I know their purpose. I believe they belong to another object and have been removed.

Ten. A cross shape, or something canceled, or wiped out or done. It would seem to be of a dark color. This could signify a death connection but I do not know.

(Jane had of course seen the article used as object in this evening’s paper. We had discussed it at supper, and also noted that Peggy Gallagher had written it. As stated the photo of Mrs. Berry was not used in the experimental envelope. This photo was included in another article; the photo was centered above the middle column of the object. At the time I prepared the envelopes I thought of including the photo with Peggy’s article, but decided against it at the last minute.

(Once again we could not expect to know enough details about the envelope object to make all the connections. We made those we could, but did not ask Seth to clear up any after break. Instead I requested that he say something about the question I had raised during second break.

(“A square object, with something like a symbol on it, some markings.” Jane said that while giving this data she had a mental image of a box shape. It was multi-dimensional rather than flat, and she could tell there were symbols or markings on it. But we could make no connections.

(“A picture of a woman.” As stated a photo of Mrs. Berry was included in the other article about her, printed just above Peggy Gallagher’s story. I had considered enclosing the photo in the envelopes with the article but decided not to at the last moment. See the session’s opening notes.

(“A cross shape, or something canceled, or wiped out or done. it would seem to be of a dark color. This could signify a death connection but I do not know.” We think this also refers to the death of the priest whom Jane knew in her childhood. The photo of him that Jane received in the mail the other day is actually a halftone reproduction bearing the priest’s portrait and a heavy black border all around. It is a black and white photo. On the back are two crosses in black, one fairly large, plus a prayer and a quotation from St. Alphonsus.

(“Fairly small. Dark colors and white. Perhaps writing on the back.” This came through in answer to my second question, concerning the shape of the object. The data can fit either the envelope object itself, or the picture of the dead priest referred to above under “cross shape,” etc. I am inclined to think it refers to the latter. The envelope object was folded three times so that it measured about 4 3/4” x 3”. Even with this the photo of the priest measures 3 3/4” x 2 1/2”, or still smaller. Neither the object or the priest’s picture have writing on the back, but both contain printed type. The problem of semantics here, involving printing, writing and lettering, has arisen before.

Now we may possibly develop into a newer gestalt, for I cannot see all portions—underline all portions—of the spacious present. There are still veils before my eyes. This is a part of the present I do not perceive. If so, it will be one in which identities are completely retained, and there is no question of a dominancy, but of a smooth-working organization.

In the time framework within which you now exist I can help you, but you cannot help me except by allowing me to help you, you see. In the gestalt which could develop we would be in a position of helping each other more equally. Now through you I affect physical reality, and this is indeed one of my purposes.

I helped you then, before you knew me. You were quite literally waiting for Ruburt, and this is why you did not marry earlier. The connections between you, and your development from the same prime identity, made your union an excellent one. There is a constant maintenance of identity, and a search for stability, psychologically speaking. But then identity, sure of itself, seeks to enlarge its experience for it is no longer afraid that experience will swallow it.

You change because of any experience. You have, then, changed because of this one. You have become more than you were. I am speaking here to you both. I am not taking you over, so to speak. You are accepting as a part of your whole experience more and more of the reality of what I am. This in no way minimizes me, you see. I make much of my knowledge available to you, but it is still my knowledge, you see. The sharing of it however enlarges my own experience. Now then, I will let you rest. You may take a break or end the session as you prefer.

(“Well, it’s very interesting but we’ll have to end it.”)