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- Annual Ancient Mysteries Conference 2023
Annual Ancient Mysteries Conference 2023: Digging For the Greater Truth

Come and explore the uncovered mysteries of the past and wisdom of our earliest civilizations. Discover humanity’s origins and examine the influence of the ancient past on our current culture and destiny.
Discover mysterious Atlantis, mystical Egypt, Mayan Spiritual wisdom, prehistoric Europe, and Edgar Cayce’s readings on Ancient Egypt and the mystical account of the High Priest, Ra Ta.
Our soul was there! Within us are all the memories and skills your soul possesses from those ancient times—lost knowledge waiting to be found. This conference stimulates your deeper mind to recall all you have known and to awaken it to this incarnation.
Ancient Egyptian Wisdom for You Today & Mayan Spiritual Wisdom
John Van Auken
Using rare and beautiful full-color images from Egypt, John takes us on a journey through the body-mind-spirit teachings of these ancient mystics and artisans. Cayce’s readings say that our souls were there in the ancient times, helping to make these records that we now view today – they are messages to ourselves, from our ancient incarnations.
Beginning with the amazing creation story to the mythological tales of our early souls and spirits, John leads us to the resurrection of our immortal Akhu (ah-koo), that radiant, shining being that lives within us now and has lived before, and will live in the heavens forever. He weaves together the wisdom of Egyptians with insights from Edgar Cayce’s reading of the Akashic Records.
We’ll explore the secrets of the great temples and the hidden mysteries in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, recounting amazing stories that have meaning for us today. These past-life activities of our souls reveal the wisdom latent within us.
Come see the images found on temple wall paintings, stone stelas, and papyruses, while John interprets them. In addition to the beauty, art, metaphysics, and wisdom, we’ll learn how practical Egyptian spirituality is, the mystical parts of our bodies, and hidden messages to us today.
Edgar Cayce’s Story of Life: A Saga of Our Soul’s Journey
Adrian E Castillo, LMT
Who are we, and where do we come from? A question asked so frequently, and yet there is often a shared prompt by ancient civilizations and also, the Cayce readings: Study first, then, to know thyself and your relationships with your Maker and your relationships with your neighbor. (CCL 361-4)
Woven in the vastness of the Edgar Cayce Readings is a captivating story of our soul’s journey. From a time before time, the creation of the Universe, to soul’s exploring the earth and in-between lives.
Join us with Edgar Cayce student and teacher Adrian E. Castillo as we embark upon one of the most important and fascinating aspects of the Cayce readings, understanding ourselves.
Together we’ll demystify the spiritual nature of humanity, our etheric or celestial origins, and the beautiful connection between the spiritual body and the sacred temple that is the human body. And as we often find, in understanding our past, we gain a better understanding of the nature of the present, which helps guide our steps more clearly moving forward.
Edgar Cayce and the Hermetic Tradition
Adam Stokes
Much has been written about the Cayce readings and their implications for biblical history and studies. Less known is the connection between the readings and Greek religion particularly the Hermetic tradition. This tradition traced its origins to the Greek god Hermes (Mercury in Latin). Though depicted in popular literature and art primarily as a messenger/intermediary between the divine and human realms, Hermes was also known for his esoteric wisdom. In the readings, Cayce identifies Hermes as one of the past-life incarnations of Jesus. This presentation examines the unique features of the Hermetic tradition and how Cayce contributes to the understanding of Hermes in ancient Greek thought. It will also address the continued relevance and necessity for the Hermetica at the present time when so much chaos and division exists in our world.
Wisdom Temples of Ancient Egypt: Temple Sacrifice & Temple Beautiful
Alison Ray
Edgar Cayce’s readings on Ancient Egypt weave a mystical account of the High Priest, Ra Ta (an incarnation of Edgar) who brought the people together to create “one of the most momentous…periods in the world's history…” (900-275)
Working with the teachings of the Law of One or God is One, Ra Ta reminded humanity of their spiritual nature. Two Pyramid Temples, with technology far more advanced than ours today, were built to purify body, mind, and soul. Temple Sacrifice, like a hospital or health spa, utilized surgery and strange fires for cleansing the body. Initiates next entered Temple Beautiful, an educational center and school of the arts teaching spiritual truths and cosmic laws as well as vocation and service. Older bodies were physically regenerated with music, dance, and the elemental forces. A few early authors of the Egyptian Book of the Dead will be introduced.
Exploring Your Previous Lives
A Past-Life Regression
Ancient Mysteries of Egypt in the New Age
Marianne Splenda, MEd & Dr. Thomas G Allen
Description Coming Soon
Egyptian Alchemy: Becoming Your Greatest Self
JP Amonte, DC, BS, CMT
Are you looking for simple steps and practical tools to become the best possible version of yourself? Are you looking for a deeper understanding of universal laws and how to become more intuitive, healthier, and happier? Then you don't want to miss this seminar! Dr. Jean Paul (JP) Amonte will be presenting information and research from the Edgar Cayce Readings, Ancient Egyptian Alchemy, and Spiritual Traditions from around the world in this extremely unique, interactive seminar. You'll be able to immediately apply this knowledge to enhance your life and make the world a better place. You will gain a deeper understanding of your authentic self and how to use universal laws to manifest the life you desire. This seminar is one of a kind, so register now before space runs out.
People and Places: Ra Ta Comes to Hopkinsville
Panel Discussion
Moderated by M.K. Welsch
Speaker & Author Reception & Book Signing
Tuition
A.R.E. Member - $400
Non-Member - $450
Lodging
We recommend staying at the Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel. Located a little over 2 miles south of A.R.E. (6 minutes). Oceanfront rooms available. Restaurant. Complimentary WiFi.
Registration
Additional Info and Schedule
Date:
October 5 - 8, 2023
Venue:
Virginia Beach Headquarters
Edgar Cayce's A.R.E.
215 67th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Get Directions
Edgar Cayce's A.R.E.
215 67th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Get Directions
Contact:
Additional Info:
John Van Auken is an internationally renowned speaker, a long-time A.R.E. staff member, a current director at A.R.E, and a popular leader of A.R.E.’s tours to sacred sites around the world. He is the author of numerous bestselling books including Edgar Cayce on the Spiritual Forces Within You, Angels, Fairies, Demons, & the Elementals, and is co-author of his most recent, Edgar Cayce on the Mysterious Essenes: Lessons from Our Sacred Past. His extensive knowledge of the Edgar Cayce readings, the Bible, ancient Egypt mysticism, world religions, and Christ Consciousness make him a popular and authoritative teacher.
To view John's upcoming schedule of events, visit our events search page for "John Van Auken."
John Van Auken
Director, Legacy Education
Edgar Cayce Foundation
Adrian E. Castillo, LMT is an environmental scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey. He is also a licensed massage therapist, musician, and a student of the Edgar Cayce readings. He volunteers his time with the A.R.E. Southeast Region's Gold Coast Team and has lectured on programs with John Van Auken and others.
Adam Stokes has degrees in religion from Duke University and Yale Divinity School. He has published on a variety of topics including biblical studies, Mormon studies, Classical studies and ancient American history. His work has been featured in numerous journals and magazines including the Classical Outlook, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies and Ancient American magazine. He is the author of several books including From Egypt to Ohio: A Semitic Origin for the Giants of North America, Relics of Babel: A Re-Examination of the Michigan Relics, Perspectives on the Old Testament: Diverse Approaches from Ancient to Contemporary Times and The Latin Scrolls: Selections from the Five Megilloth Translated from the Latin Vulgate. He has also been a featured guest on numerous podcasts including Earth Ancients, Blurry Creatures, Expanded Perspectives and She’s All Over the Place with Katie Chonacas. He currently teaches high school Latin in New Jersey and a course on the Old Testament at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Alison Ray works in information management for Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. where she is responsible for maintaining association databases, software integrations, report generation, and so much more. A student of the Cayce material for more than a decade, she supported A.R.E.'s marketing and public information team prior to transitioning to IT. She moved to Virginia Beach from Chicago, where she had been the Assistant Vice President of Discover Home Loans, a Morgan Stanley program. An Egypt enthusiast and practitioner of Tai Chi, she can regularly be found helping lead A.R.E.'s weekday noon meditations.
Marianne Splenda, MEd has been a student of the Cayce information for forty years and is a lecturer on the Cayce information, meditation, and how to develop one’s intuition. She has served in various positions within the A.R.E. organization, most recently as the Area Team Coordinator of Northern California and as a member of the A.R.E. Board of Trustees. Marianne recently teamed up with Thomas G. Allen, Ph.D. and his Acoustical Pyramid, Inc. project, sharing how the Edgar Cayce information supports these unique sounds as a tool for healing and as a tool for deepening our meditations as we strive for attunement.
Thomas G. Allen received a PhD in Psychology from Texas A&M in 1984. He has been in private practice since 1985, and is currently a consulting forensic psychologist. Between 1970-1975, he was introduced to the Seth materials as well as the Edgar Cayce information. As a seeker investigating the nature of reality and the soul, he has continued a lifelong pursuit in the development of spiritual practices that would not only benefit himself, but also be of benefit to all of humanity. A dream in 1990 led him to begin his exploration of sound as a tool to heal and deepen the spiritual connection. This sound project is now known as the Acoustical Pyramid and the number and intensity of sounds (songs) are under continual development. These sounds assist the listener in reaching ever deeper states of consciousness and stronger connections with one's Higher Self and the Universal Forces. His website is www.AcousticalPyramid.com.
Dr. Jean Paul (JP) Amonte DC, CMT, CHt, currently serves as Lead Instructor & Clinician of the A.R.E., maintaining clinical practice at the A.R.E. Health Center & Spa and a classroom presence at the Cayce/Reilly School of Massage. Dr. Amonte grew up in Virginia Beach, and after completing High School, he attended Wake Forest University, earning a bachelor's in Psychology and Biochemistry. Pursuing a background in Holistic Healing, JP graduated from Cayce/Reilly School of Massage, earned a Hypnotherapy certificate with Dr. Allen Chips, then moved to California and earned a Doctorate of Chiropractic at Palmer College West. Dr. JP Amonte graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2011, served as President of the Student Government and also was selected for the Virgil V. Strang Philosophy Award for his Cayce-based approach. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Amonte has been a featured speaker on Holistic Healing and Edgar Cayce's approach to health, presenting across the country and internationally. Currently, Dr. Amonte has published over a dozen YouTube videos on the A.R.E. Channel entitled “Heal Thy Self,” writes for Venture Inward magazine, and hosts a weekly Wellness Wednesday live video stream on the A.R.E. Facebook page. He is a popular lecturer at Edgar Cayce's A.R.E., and appeared in the 2017 Japanese documentary “The Readings.” He is an international speaker and published author on “Heal Thy Self,” and enjoys sharing his passion with everyone he meets.
M.K. Welsch is a 40-year student of the Edgar Cayce information and accomplished writer who has spent the majority of her professional career in the not-for-profit world, helping dedicated people engender positive change in the world. Her extensive background ranges from working for a national environmental organization to the field of public television. A lifelong spiritual seeker, she has served on the Board of Trustees for the Association for Research and Enlightenment and written for its magazine, Venture Inward. Sacred Journey: Edgar Cayce, the Bible and the Path to Enlightenment is her first book.