Excalibur,
Good question. What we're finding from our cases and from careful study of Dr. Ian Stevenson's cases is that there are *no rules* about the interval. It's very personal. Some souls are impatient (or highly motivated, etc.) and come back immediately. Some take their time and wait many years (or have intervening lives we don't hear about).
In fact, there are a few cases where the interval is less than 9 months. It seems that the relationship between soul and fetus is quite fluid, with the soul moving in and out during fetal gestation, and the link might not be "permanent" until well into the pregnancy, even at birth.
In general, we're finding that most rigid rules about the afterlife are more an artificial attempt to codify the unknown, or a highly personal vision, than they are based in fact. From the cases, it seems to be much more organic, highly varied and complex. And, incidently, very much open to free will and personal choice. Carol's next book, which we're in the middle of writing right now, will shed light on many of these ideas.
Hope this helps,
Steve
------------------
Steve Bowman
Webmaster,
www.childpastlives.org
[This message has been edited by Steve (edited 03-06-2000).]
