Snake Oil
Cut Off
For two days in early December my computer stopped working. Like many of us - the over 30 crowd - using a cell phone to surf the web, check emails, FaceBook, and conduct the many elements of business most of use a computer for, is not an appealing task. My clumsy fingers simply do not navigate as well as they normally do when I am forced to work on such a small keyboard and screen. I find myself making more mistakes, taken to the wrong screens, fumbling around and far less productive. I do not enjoying working this way. I know of a number of people who are twenty years and older than I am, who haven’t even learned how to comfortably work on a computer at all, never mind with a tiny cell phone. My 81 year old mother is an example. She is still very confused about how email actually works, and rarely even tries to connect with anyone that way. She even fought the “complexity” of an answering machine for quite some time. Younger people have grown up maneuvering comfortably and effectively on cell phones and their tiny screens, they even enjoy watching television and videos on those little things. That is not how this 50 year old man works though. There are so many things that I do on the computer each day that I felt lost, even ship-wrecked when my computer went out. I was more than frustrated with my lack of computer access, and I wondered how would I survive without it?
A week before this I drove to the gym, and planned to stop at the bank, get gas, and then hit the super-market on my way home. I usually do multiple errands when I go out into the world, probably something that I learned from being an efficient waiter. I felt a wave of panic and irritation toward myself when I pulled up to the gym and realized I left my cell phone charging at home. I was actually going to be out in the world without a phone! I almost turned around to drive back home to get it, instead I bravely worked out that day without it and started laughing to myself about how cut off, and less safe I felt because I was going to run errands without my absolutely-necessary-for-survival-device. The funny part is back in the eighties and nineties I did all the same things without a cell phone and believe it or not, I survived both decades!
There is no question that technology is extremely valuable. Answering machines, cell phones, computers and the lot, give us ease and benefits in many valuable ways. Being able to surf the internet for information, pay bills, and a million other useful things is awesome. Back when I was younger we had to do research at an actual library, but now we have a vast library at our fingertips in our own homes with computers and cell phones! The negative side of this is we are dependent on these things and when we don’t have access to them we often feel lost. So many elements of our day to day lives are based on using these technologies.
I remember reading a book in my early years of metaphysical studies - it was an actual book made with paper and bound, with pages that you could turn down to mark a really important passage - about the lost mythological civilization of Atlantis. The channeler who talked about it said that it was really not an actual lost civilization from our past, but a probable projection of a future society that drowns in its over-use of too much technology. It is less of an actual time or place and more of an archetypal warning about what could happen if we, as a society, develop too much of a dependency on technology. This made sense to me. Science fiction movies like 2001 A Space Odyssey which bring up the idea of computers turned “evil” also bring this dire message in another way to our awareness. To some extent we already have and are likely to get even more consumed with being dependent on technology. It is an issue we would be wise not to ignore.
Like any functioning person, I am not going to advocate throwing out all electronics, and running off to live a better-life “off the grid.” Realizing we can become too dependent or that something useful can be negative, does not necessarily mean we have to get rid of it. We can learn how to maneuver almost anything we can get excessive about. While some people will, and have run off to live “off the grid” (and I support their decision if this is what they want to do) I don’t feel a need to go to such extremes. While some of the dire predictions from these movies about technology run amok may be potentially true in some respects, I don’t think this is something we should get too fearful about. We can be aware of problems, and consider solution to them without getting caught in more fear motivations. God knows the television news already sells us plenty of fear, we don’t need more of this to motivate us. As a species we aren’t always wise, and seem to repeat negative patterns for too long, and too often. Yet, I do think we are also innovative and problem solvers. We do learn, and grow. We don’t HAVE to become the lost city of Atlantis.
It was tough for a few days without my computer. I worried about what was wrong with it and how much it would cost to repair. I fretted about how I couldn’t believe this was happening to me. I felt isolated and cut off. I brewed a little about the primitive conditions I had to endure. After a few hours of dramatic bullshit, I sat down to write my monthly column by hand on paper. The funny part is 85 percent of my columns are still initially written this way, so this wasn’t really that odd. I pulled out some pencil and charcoal and did some sketches for a book cover. I took a hot bath and read a book in the bathtub. I decided to accept the situation and it was okay. I was still able to get some work done, and I listened to music, watched television, and took a few extra naps, and it was just what I needed! My technically smart friend discovered the problem with my computer, and solved it, so I only went two days without a computer. I was trying to run it on a power grid that just blew out. I never had the smarts to simply try a different plug. There never was anything actually wrong with my computer. I got creative, worked a little less, and got a little better at working with my annoying little cell phone. I was proud of my “survival skills,” but honestly glad when I got my damn computer back. I know I can survive without it, but it also feels so damn good to be plugged in again.
Jim Ventura 12-2014
Editors Note:
2015 has arrived. It is hard to believe that it was 15 years ago when we made the transition from the twentieth century to the twenty-first, now we are 15 years in! The Numerology of 2015 is an “8,” while our birth date combined with the current year is more significant and personal than the Universal year for us as individuals, there is still some push from the number eight for everyone. The energy of 8 is all about decisiveness, confidence and a drive for success. The 8 is about mastery. We may feel more willing to work toward whatever areas of life we see as becoming more successful. The negatives can be impatience, wanting to control things and other people, and overreach. Tempered with understanding and patience the energy of the 8 year can be a prosperous one if we do the work required to get there.
Some of my Snake Oil Radio followers may have noticed that I didn’t do any shows in December and only one in November of 2014. I was debating whether I wanted to continue with the radio show; truly a proverbial seven year itch. I have decided to continue though, and shift its format a bit. I am only going to do 2-3 shows each month, but will introduce some new show ideas including the Michael Teachings one Thursday each month. These shows will be free classes that you don’t want to miss. The Michael material is as useful and enlightening as Astrology is, although it is actually a little easier to learn than Astrology. I sometimes hold Michael classes in my home also, and may be scheduling the next series for late Spring 2015.
Many people enjoy getting a New Year Reading in January. It can be an excellent time to get an overview of your life and to see some of the upcoming themes that the New Year has in store. All Snake Oil subscribers always get $5 off my listed prices, but I am upping this to $10 off my listed prices for all of January 2014. Local in office clients can also take advantage of the cash or check payment option for another $5 off! More information about how to get a great New year Reading later in the newsletter. Wishing everyone a happy New year! Cheers, Jim V
“Sometimes in order to be happy in the present moment you have to be willing to give up all hope for a better past.”
― Robert Holden
Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.
From Conversations with Seth by Sue Watkins: (Seth -channeled by Jane Roberts, Seth talk to his students about the nature of accidents)
“If you cut your finger, it is no accident. If you stub your toe, it is no accident. If you come down with the flu, or with a virus, it is no accident. if you have a chronic physical difficulty, it is no accident. If you are creative, it is no accident. If you get good news, it is no accident. if lovely things happen to you, it is no accident.
You form your reality, and this applies all the way down the scale, from your consciousness that you think of, to the tiniest molecule in your eye!...”
Seth reiterated his words on ‘accidents’ as class discussed a flood in East Pakistan, in which thousands had died.
“In nature, there are no accidents, he began. If you accept the possibility of the slightest, smallest, most insignificant accident, then indeed you open a Pandora’s Box, for logically, there cannot be simply one small accident, but a universe in which accidents are not the exception but the rule. A universe in which, therefore, following logically, your consciousness is a combination of an accidental conglomeration of atoms and molecules without reason or cause that will vanish into nonexistence forever even as, indeed, they would have come from nonexistence.
Once you accept, you see, that idea, then if you follow your thought completely enough, you must accept the idea of a random accidental universe, in which you are at the mercy of any accident, in which mind or purpose have little meaning, in which you are at the mercy of all random happenings, in which 300,000 human beings can be swept off the face of the planet without reason, without cause, simply at the whim of an accidental happening.
And if that universe in which you believe that you live in, then it is a dire and foreboding universe, indeed, Seth continued, his voice ponderously loud. In that universe, the individual has little hope, for he will return to the nonexistence that his random physical creation came from. Following that line of thought, then, if you follow this through, a group of atoms and molecules were accidentally sparked into consciousness and song and then will return to the chaos from which they came; and the individual has no control over his destiny, for it can be swept aside at any point by random fate, over which he has no recourse.
All of this can be related to ordinary life. Whenever you think that you have a headache, simply because you have a headache; or you bump into a door simply because you happen to be in a particular place at a particular time; whenever you feel powerless, then you think that accidents happen and that you have no control over them. The only answer is to realize that you form physical events, individually and en masse. And as I have said time and time gain, you form the physical reality that you know...”
January’s New Year Newsletter Special!
January is a natural month to have a New Year overview session to look at primary themes, challenges, and opportunities for the coming year. One symbol from each of the many different oracles I work with will be pulled to highlight 2015 for you. A New Year reading is a great way to start off your New year! Your new year reading will include:
Angel cards
Viking Rune stones
Druid animal totems
Lakota Indian cards
Egyptian Cartouche
Tarot Archetypes
This session can be a 45 minute (may have to choose only 3-4 of the oracles listed), 70 or 90 minute reading. Mention the January New Year Reading Special and you get $10 off of my listed prices (normally Snake Oil subscribers get $5 off) for booking this session in January of 2015 only. You can purchase one extra session at this rate for yourself to use later in the year or to give to a friend. Local in-office clients who pay for their session in cash get another $5 discount! Email or call to set up your appointment, Venturasag@yahoo.com
Classes for 2015
Getting Your Star On The Map And Making It Shine!
This class will focus on how you can successfully market your own business. If you already have a business or are contemplating launching one in the near future, this class will help you to do this successfully. You may be looking to create a side business in addition to your current job, or may be contemplating working completely for yourself. There are now many options for a creating a successful home based business! My self included, I know a number of people who have successfully done this.
Instructor Jim Ventura is a navigational consultant who started his own home based business twenty-two years ago. His background as an advertising art major, in addition to perseverance through many difficult types of marketing trial and errors has given him quite a bit of information that he will now share with his students in this class.
Nearly any type of business can become a successful one if you know what tools are available. We will also go deeper into looking at how to recognize and eliminate the internal blocks that may keep you from being a success. This class will help you to identify and remove these blocks permanently.
Some of the areas we will cover are:
Yelp and other review sites
Marketing with business cards, brochures, and building your own website.
Social media
Internet search engines
Radio and television
Practical business planning for establishing your own home based business.
Managing the practical details of home (or other locale) based businesses.
Students who already took my Prosperity classes in 2014 will get first chance to take the available spots. Because I am doing 2 different dates there will likely be some openings for others in this class. Ask to sign up early to reserve a spot. $25 on day of class, or $20 pre-paid before February 1st 2014. (Current Regular clients get a $5 discount). Maximum of 8 students (one call in) in each class. There will be 2 dates available for this class. Saturday February 7th at 10 am until 12:30 pm. Sunday March 8th noon until 2:30 pm. Email me to reserve a spot(s).
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” Dalai Lama XIV
Snake Oil Radio
Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcasts this month)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, January 8th at 3:30 p.m. (MST -AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time). This month’s second show will actually be on Wednesday the 26th at 3:30 pm. Most Thursdays 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 through some of the shows you can even ask me for a free 5 minute mini 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).
To hear a live show, 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.
Free Ride Volume One (first limited edition prints)
Introduction:
Is it possible to gamble for free? Can you gamble and actually win money every time? Are there tricks and systems that can help you beat the games? The answer to these questions for most of you is going to be no. It is nearly impossible to be able to gamble without spending money or to consistently win. The majority of people who gamble will lose and rarely have any big wins. Casino slot machines and table games have built-in formulas to make the casinos a consistent long term profit. Most “systems” to beat the house don’t work.
Now with that painful bit of reality out of the way we can get to the good stuff, You can still come out even or ahead fairly often if you learn how to play smarter. You can learn to be a savvy gambler who takes advantage of comps, gets free invitations to slot tournaments with huge prizes, spends very little money out-of-pocket, gets free rooms in Vegas and casinos all over the country, and receives brand new appliances, free money to gamble with, and a ton of other freebies. This is what Free Ride is all about. A wise and knowledgeable gambler can frequently take free rides!
$11 including tax. $15 total for shipping. Only seven will be printed each month. So there may be a month or two wait (but it is soo worth it...)
Send check or money order to Jim Ventura 2515 N 52nd St. #206 Phoenix Az 85008. You can also pay by charge or Debit thru Paypal. You can request to have your copy signed!
Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 text: (602)349-0746 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact)
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://JimVentura.com
“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates.
All sessions/readings for 2014 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $80.00; Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each). Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins.
All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments.
I accept cash, checks, debit cards, Master Card, Visa, and PayPal for payments on sessions and for books and classes in office. Phone session will need to be by check or thru Paypal.
Send me your birth month, day and year to get added to the yearly Birthday mailer promotion.
