June 2012 Snake Oil/Jim Ventura newsletter.
Snake Oil/Pretzel Logic
When I was about eleven years old, I remember jumping on my yellow banana seat bicycle and heading over to Pergaments department store for a treat. I had scraped up enough money to buy myself a hot pretzel at this Long Island department stores snack bar. It was a big thrill for me to be able to buy myself something so I was excited. The girl that worked behind the counter was about sixteen years old, and a miserable, pimple-faced, angry-at-the-world teenager. Not exactly a rarity in this world by any means. I ordered my big salty pretzel and she grumpily told me it would be thirty five cents. I started to carefully count out the pennies I had crammed in my pocket when she stopped me halfway through my count. With a disgusted look on her face she said, “I am not taking all pennies, give me REAL money or you are not getting this pretzel. I was mortified. I weakly told her I had no other money and she responded with “Well tough for you then, no pretzel.”
I slunk away from the snack-bar in despair. I had a difficult time holding back the tears as I rode my bike home. I hated that monster. She humiliated me for no reason. I struggled with my emotions as I rode home. Shame and abasement alternated with anger as I rehashed the incident in my mind. Later when I recounted the story of the “ugly bitch who wouldn’t give me a pretzel” to my friends, I used all kinds of colorful language to describe the nasty, bitter, evil troll who refused to serve me. Even throughout my tirade of angry recounting I never thought of mentioning her race as part of my despair. She was African American, it had nothing to do with why I hated her. I never made a connection in my mind between race and her bad behavior.
I grew up in the predominantly white suburbs of Long Island, New York, yet I saw people of all colors and nationalities around me. In my own home we never really heard racist language. My mom often had a few choice comments about many of the neighbors. She was not lacking in opinions. She wasn’t thrilled with the divorced mother of one of my friends and she didn’t approve of the way many of the neighbors parented their kids. She wasn’t fond of a lot of the neighbors and made her viewpoints known to us. Still, I never really heard my mother or father make “colorful” negative comments about Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, and anyone else who wasn’t like us. My siblings and I often followed suit and we also hated many of our neighbors, but it was never really racially motivated. Some of my friends parents were clearly prejudiced. I heard a few shocking comments from time to time. But I wasn’t around them enough to let them influence my beliefs. And, even if I did hear more of their ugly ideas, it simply never made any real sense to me to think this way. To me, people were either annoying or cool. Race had no bearing on whether I liked someone or not. Something inside of me never allowed me to get twisted into seeing people in such a perverse way.
I encountered racism more as an adult. I had friends who had boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, and wives that believed or said some horrible racially prejudiced things and actually meant the things they said. Usually these boyfriends and girlfriends had short shelf lives though. The people with whom I have socialized with, for the most part, have always thought the way I do. This is one of the reasons why I considered them to be my friends. I have even had a few occasions in my life where I was the victim of reverse racism. There were a few times when I got nasty looks when I have been in places where I was the only Caucasian guy. I even encountered a bit of this once when I was the only guy at an all Lesbian party. It seemed a few of the girls were blatantly disgusted by my presence there. Still, I can honestly count the number of times I noticeably experienced this type of thing on one hand. Since I’m extremely white with a fair complexion, I stand out like a sore thumb among darker races.Yet, I haven’t found that I suffered in any real way because of this. Even though I had a few times when I got some dirty looks, the disdain never really bothered me. I realized a long time ago that I have definitely gotten some extra privileges because of my skin color. It isn’t fair, but it is a reality. The world is not balanced and fair by any means. There are some real benefits that come from being a white male. I don’t blame some minorities for feeling uncomfortable about this imbalance. It does exist in the world. Many have experienced some really shitty things because of this kind of obnoxious prejudice. Hell, I might occasionally feel the same way If I had to walk in their shoes and deal with being mistreated because of my race.
While I have never been or will ever be a racist by any means, people who know me have often heard me say some of the worst racist comments of all! But my reasons for doing this are purely for getting laughs and to break the bubbles of protection that many people have around their racial wounds. I am also from NY and we are all wise-asses in some respects. It comes with the territory (add Uranus in the 5th house Astrologically for me). I have said some amazingly derogatory things about Gay people, Blacks, Asians and pretty much everyone else. This includes men, Germans, Italians, and homo’s, all groups and cultures that I belong to! But my terrible comments are always done with a smile and a shit-eating grin. Its the wise-ass, shock-the-audience, lover of words in me that just loves to shake up his audience from time to time. I enjoy pointing out the absurd. Racism is so painfully un-evolved that it gives comedians an endless supply of material to work with. My goal is to remind everyone that racism, sexism, homophobia, and every other idiotic “ism” is simply that, idiotic!
Racism and extreme prejudice have thankfully shrunk somewhat over time, yet they are still sadly alive and well. There are a number of reasons why I think this racism exists. People who have had bad experiences with someone from another race or culture will often form beliefs that are then myopically projected to everyone in that group or race. They get stuck in a lifelong lack of ability to break free from learned, limited perspectives even though evidence often later proves those beliefs to be invalid. Some people simply still buy into prejudiced thinking they learned from their family or communities. They seem to be missing the ability and maturity to make judgments of their own. They show their loyalty by following their families or religion’s beliefs!. Often these types of people are incapable of healthy empathy. In addition, they never evolve enough to throw away old beliefs and limited narrow prejudices. The majority who still think in racist terms are simply playing a projection game. They project their own hidden fears, weakness, and even ideals and assign them to a particular race or group “that is taking something they want or feel they deserve away from them.” This then becomes a game of love/hate toward members of these groups.
All of the people who actually think with hatred and prejudice use a kind of pretzel logic and twist themselves into something grotesque. Many spend entire lifetimes clinging tightly to their racist perceptions. Ultimately they remain stunted and lack spiritual, emotional, and analytical mutability. They will inevitably sign up for the karma of being born in another life as a member of the very groups that they mistreated. Everyone eventually evolves and reaches a healthy neutrality, but it may take lifetimes to get there. Racists inevitably choose to walk a difficult road. Carrying around hate and anger will take its toll on us physically and emotionally. In many cases this can be the seeds for cancer and other types of disease. They end up creating suffering and pain for others and themselves. Sadly, pretzel logic damages everyone it comes into contact with.
Jim Ventura 5-2012
Editors note:
Racism, sexism, homophobia, and any other judgmental and dark element that exist in the human population’s psyche have not gone away. I do believe that we are evolving and more people (especially enlightened older people and young people in general) are letting go of these toxic types of beliefs. Still, I remind my readers that when any dark element in society is in the process of being discharged it often gets uglier for a while before it leaves. Anyone who has ever read some of the internet posts on yahoo (and others like it) know how ugly some of the comments from people can really be.
I had an extremely lucky experience last month. In late April and early May I had a Jupiter return. Jupiter in our natal Astrology charts represents where we are optimistic, lucky, and where we are often able to create abundance. Jupiter returns only come around about every twelve years, and usually lasts for about a week or two. My last Jupiter return was also lucky so I thought I would take advantage of the this beneficial Astrological transit. I went on vacation to Vegas during the lucky transit and had a nearly free vacation because I won enough money to cover almost all of of my costs. This was followed by a local casino trip a week later where I was dealt four aces (on a 9 times multiplier) on a video poker machine for $720.00 on just a 36 cent bet. This was followed 5 minutes later with another $720.00 four ace deal (6 times multiplier) on a 48 cent bet. The probable mathematics of this occurring once is extremely rare, but for it to happen twice in 5 minutes is mind-boggling! While by no means is Astrology to be primarily used as a tool to track luck cycles or to win money, it is one of the many perks to understanding our personal Astrology!
I have rescheduled my Michael classes for late July. Check out some information (Michael quotes) in this newsletter about understanding soul-age. Learning to identify soul-age in ourselves and others is a tremendously powerful ability to be able to utilize. This will be the last time I run this series in 2012. If you have been thinking about taking these amazing classes, let me know. I may also get the series recorded on audio CD, but this will probably not be available until 2014.
Wishing everyone a happy June. May Jupiter (moves into Gemini on June 12th) give you a happy boost as well this month. Cheers. Jim V
Snake Oil Radio
Every Thursday at 3:30 pm (there will be three live broadcasts this month)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, June 7th, at 3:30 p.m. (MST). Every Thursday you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. Halfway though the show you can even ask me for a free 5 minute reading with your personal question. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on i-tunes (download my pod-casts there).
All you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura You may also access it by going to blogtalkradio.com. Type “Snake Oil” into the search option.
You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.
June extra:
Understanding Soul age (from the Michael teachings). Some of this information is quoted from Jose Stevens book The Michael Handbook.
Lots of people are asking me about some of the crazy stuff happening in the world. Baby souls (and some young souls) struggle with things like gay marriage, women's right etc...
I thought a short informative piece about soul ages would be helpful. There are five levels of soul age manifest on the physical plane. All people cycle through all of the soul-age stages and then finish their reincarnation cycles on Earth to rejoin the Tao (God). Infant souls, Baby souls, Young souls, Mature souls, Old souls. (physical age has nothing to do with soul age).
Infant souls are concerned with basic survival. They often don’t live very long lives and there are not many Infant souls left on Earth at this time. The average soul age on Earth is now First level Mature. This accounts for why so many younger souls are struggling right now. The world seems far more complicated and scary to Infant and Baby souls. The Michael classes I teach go into more depth about this subject. All soul ages are capable of love, kindness, as well as acts that might seem reprehensible. Mature and older souls are somewhat less inclined to commit cruelty simply because of the nature of the cycles, and the tendency to be more focused on resolving karma as opposed to creating more.
Baby Souls
“That’s the rule and that’s what we will do”
“I need someone ( or Bible, cultural rules, political party, etc...) to tell me where I fit in and what I should do.”
“If you don’t do what is RIGHT unbelievably nasty things could happen to you.”
“Do whats right, or not at all!”
Baby soul development is somewhat more sophisticated than infant soul experience.
“Typical Baby soul communities, everything runs like clockwork. Everything has its place: church on Sunday, softball for the men, quilting for the women, long traditional work hours for men, childrearing for the women, and so on...
Baby souls seek out higher authorities who can lay out firm clear rules. They like structure just as young children like structure, and find comfort in knowing what to expect. Tradition, rituals, and law and order provide an underlying sense of security. There is often a lack of real original thought.
Baby souls tend to be unshakable in their beliefs and if opposed with another point of view they may be confused and even hostile. They can fight and kill for their beliefs if they have been taught that this is acceptable by their culture. Historically Baby soul activities include the crusades, the Inquisition, religious campaigns, and missionary work.
Baby souls like to be solid citizens and community leaders - seen as righteous and as models, such as a highly orthodox minister or preacher, sheriff, mayor. They may zealously follow the rules and seek to force other members of society to do likewise. They are guardians of society and civilization, and oppose anything that seems to threaten the existing structure - even change itself!
Baby souls have a strong belief in dichotomy - including for example the belief in good and evil or that God is a male authority opposed by a wicked devil. They seek punishment for nonconformists - hence the origin of the notion that God will strike you down as punishment for a ‘bad deed.’ Around sexual matters there is often an uneasiness, with some degree of shame and guilt. At times the baby soul will decry sex altogether or simply tolerate it for procreation only.” Jose Stevens
Famous Examples of baby souls and baby soul organizations: Klu Klux Klan, most terrorists in any form, groups bombing Planned parenthood, Jerry Fallwell, Richard Nixon, Charlton Heston. Current and local example of Baby souls: Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, Sheriff J Arpio...
Young soul, Mature Soul and Old soul information to come in future newsletters.
“Love is a state of Being. Your love is not outside; it is deep within you. You can never lose it, and it cannot leave you.”
Eckhart Tolle
Spring/Summer classes (All at my home in Phoenix)
MICHAEL MATERIAL (5 class series)
* What is your soul age? The soul age of friends and family ?
* How do past lifetimes influence us in the present ?
* What does karma feel like, and how does it work ?
* How does your chief negative feature impact your life, and can it be changed?
* What happens when your partner is an idealist and you are a realist ?
* What is your life goal? Is it dominance, acceptance, flow or submission ?
*What is your essence, your soul mate’s essence ? Artisan, priest, king, server, sage, warrior or scholar ?
* What is a soul mate, task companion, heart link ?
* What do the higher centers feel like?
After this workshop you will understand all of these questions and many more, and more importantly have the answers.
There are no tests to pass, just some great information. 5 classes, 2 hours each.
What is the Michael teaching?
The main goal of the Michael teaching is agape or unconditional love. The teaching views life as a learning game in which fragments of the Tao - that essential part of each human being - set up lessons which continue over lifetimes. These lessons are learned via the personality which Essence chooses each lifetime. Michael teaches us what the components of the personality are so that we can learn to use and see these components in ourselves and in others. In that way we can learn to understand why human beings behave as they do. Michael is composed of 1,050 individual Essences who have lived on the physical plane and now teach from another plane. One of the most basic and important principles of the teaching is that it is not a religion or a belief system. Michael encourages their students to self validate all of the information they receive. The system was originally in print in over 12 volumes of information. “My studies of this material have been extensive and now I offer what I have learned to my students” Jim Ventura (Old Scholar). The classes will help you to use and understand the material without the need to read all the out of print books.
Sunday afternoons 12:30- 2:45 pm. July 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19th. $90.00 for all five classes ($80.00 pre-paid and for Regular clients). Maximum of eight students and minimum of four. $20.00 non-refundable deposit to hold a space in the classes.
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Something interesting to check out from Ron Baron: “I came up with some cool Mini-Meditations that come with a Free download App and intro on your smart phone.
Barons Miracle Meditations is the link on your smart phone.”
The website is www.baronsminimeds.com
“You cannot be someone you’re not. Stop trying.” Dick Sutphen
Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com or Venturawords@mac.com
Information about the different sessions and types of readings and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: http://web.mac.com/Venturawords
Blog column for 1 year of published columns: http://playingwithuranus.blogspot.com/
“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras!
All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices below.
All sessions/readings for 2011-2012 are: (70 minutes) $110.00; (40 minutes) $75.00; Extended (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each).
Mini $30.00 for 15 minute unrecorded phone sessions. Payments can be made by either cash, check, debit, and some credit cards. Gift certificates are always available for purchase.
