Snake Oil
Seeing Owl’s
This summer I’ve happily taken advantage of a weekly offer I get for a free hotel room stay at the local Harrah’s casino resort. Three or four times each month I stay for a day and night and enjoy all the benefits that come with staying at a high end resort.* At around 7 pm on my last trip, I left the fun and noise of the casino for a bit to go relax in my room. I decided to sit on the back patio of my room and enjoy a calming look at the undeveloped land behind the casino. I immediately noticed there was a baby owl about 15 feet away from me. He seemed to be watching me with equal fascination. I felt blessed to see something that was so unusual. A few minutes later, two more owls landed about 8 feet from the other owl. I lit up a cigar and enjoyed hanging out with the owls for a bit. This experience was a great reminder that sometimes life can be magical if we simply allow it to be. This was definitely one of those times.
When we are open to seeing the animals that cross our path from another perspective we can benefit from the spiritual messages they share with us. I already knew what the message of seeing owls was from my studies of Druid teachings. Owl represents wisdom, detachment, and change. The Owl is the totem bird of clairvoyance and astral travel. The veil which surrounds the normal boundaries of space and time can be pierced if you allow the energy of Owl as ally. Owl is a sacred symbol of the Crone aspect and the Goddess of Death. Owl may trigger an ominous feeling for those who are not comfortable with the energy of death. It is similar to the interpretation of the Death archetype in the Tarot which often scares those who are unfamiliar with what this archetype actually means. It is a signal of change and transformation that is often a positive one. While it may signify a death or new birth coming, more often than not, this omen is not about physical death. For me, even if it were to signify physical death this would cause me no fear. I long ago released any fear of this inevitable time to come in my life. Partly because I know it is far off, and mostly because I know I will welcome it when the time comes. I see the death of my body as a natural progression that will occur when I am ready to leave this world and go back to a residence in the Otherworld. I knew this Owl signal had nothing to do with me leaving this world at this time. It was more of a reminder that the coming changes I was perceiving intuitively and in my dreams were beginning to happen.
One of the most important elements in understanding the Owl totem is the owls connection to turning a disadvantage into an advantage. Because of Owls exceptional hearing it is able to hunt at night and catch unsuspecting prey. Owl also reminds us of the wisdom of healthy detachment. Most of us get caught in the trap of taking things that the world and other people do to us personally. Often difficult events can trigger our sense of injury. Yet, in most cases what appears to be cruelty from others, our job, or any other area of life is rarely primarily about hurting us. Decisions that are made by others often have little to do with us. If we are willing to go to a more evolved place in how we see the world, we can also see when someone triggers a wound in us we have an opportunity to let go of these wounds or restrictive beliefs. They may be reflecting a shadow part of us in an exaggerated way. Owl is a good reminder to not take this world personally.
The idea of turning a disadvantage into an advantage has become much clearer to me as I approach the big 5-0. I recently had my first really bad public-scathing-review on a popular business review site. Rather than hide this review I posted it on Facebook. I figured since I have posted my many good reviews I should not be afraid of giving voice to one of my first really bad ones. The young Virgo woman who posted the negative review was really difficult to work with. She left my office a few months ago and I told a friend after she left that I wasn’t sure if I was able to help her. She left me feeling uncomfortable. I even burned some sage to clear my home afterwards. She was caught in a victim trap, overly critical with the people in her life and probably with herself as well. This was resulting in frequent rejections in her intimate relationships and friendships. The cards suggested this was going to happen again in the near future and she did not like this information. After her unfavorable review, I was temporarily knocked from the number one position to number two. Her negative review ended up prompting many other people to post good reviews on the site about me. Even if her review were to slow down my business in any way (which I doubt it will) I have been so busy lately that a slight lull would not be a bad thing. There are so many levels where turning a disadvantage into an advantage can apply that they are simply too numerous to begin to list. This is truly something that I am comfortably aware of now that I am older and wiser.
My increased ability to connect with the Otherworld has been notable over the years. The owls were reminding me of this. I was also reminded of the shadow side of Owl energy which reminds us that too much detachment can be negative as well. An ability to be discerning is truly an asset, unless it is used as a way of avoiding vulnerability. To be fully alive we need to be willing to be vulnerable, especially when it comes to relationships and the benefits and risks that can come from intimacy. Two of the owls got a bit amorous with each other while I was watching them. I found this to be kind of funny. I have been comfortably single for over a decade now. One of the signals of change I have been getting is in this area of my life. A change may be coming. I enjoy the many benefits of being single, but I am open to allowing a partnership again if it is a right fit. I have been getting glimpses of all kinds of changes coming my way. None of these probable changes worry me. Change from time to time is a good thing. There is a saying in Sussex that sums up the way I feel about Owls recent message to me: “When Owls whoop at night, expect a fair morrow.” When we can trust that any changes coming our way will be beneficial, this is exactly what we experience when they come...”
Jim Ventura 8-2014
*Because of my math skills and ability to use casino freebies and comps my average trip this summer has been $56 out-of-pocket for all of my trip expenses.
Editors Note:
We are getting close to the end of the summer. Overall, it was a fairly mild summer here in Phoenix. We had a good amount of monsoon storms and it never really got to the exhausting 117 degree highs. Of course I may be jinxing things a bit by writing this, since we still have a few weeks left...There were some really powerful monsoon storms that helped build up our water reserves. There was quite a bit of destruction as well during one storm in mid August. Most of the storms weren’t as brutal as that one, and like many Arizonian’s I enjoy the rain storms when they come. It is easy to use the trigger of rain to release any uncomfortable energy that occasionally clogs my flow!
I have two home classes this fall. Astrology 101 and Creating Prosperity. Check out the options in this newsletter and reserve a space before they fill. I will also be doing a November class called GETTING YOUR STAR ON THE MAP. This class will be practical tips on how to successfully launch your own business. Anyone who took my CREATING PROSPERITY class or current Regular clients will be invited to attend.
If you have spam blockers or frequently change email addresses without letting me know, you will end up being dropped from my mailing list. Just request being added again, and remember to let me know if you change your email address. Because I send the column out in bulk (about 80 at a time, with over 1300 people receiving my column now) often the link will be in your spam folders. I have gotten clients requesting sessions that I found in my spam folder, so don’t be too quick to throw away these messages.
I talked a bit about the totem of Owl in this month’s newsletter. One of the most interesting readings I offer is a look at your current animal totems. For the month of September 2014 all of my current Snake Oil subscribers will get $10 off (instead of the normal $5 off) their 45 minute or 70 minute session when specifically requesting this reading. Local clients who pay in cash or by check can also take an additional $5 off their session! Understanding the influence of your totem animals is an excellent way to increase your ability to feel and express empowerment.
DRUID ANIMAL ORACLE READING
The practice and ancient Druidic teachings of animal totems and animal power is being revived. Every aspect of the natural world is alive and capable of being our allies, guides, and teachers. In Druid culture, wearing animal skins, heads, and feathers was a way of identifying with certain Animals and becoming them for a while in order to partake in their powers and to receive divine inspiration. This session will show what power animals are now available to you, and how they may already be influencing you. This spread is a perfect vehicle to open you up to the wisdom in the natural world around and within you. Either a 45 minute or 70 minute session is a good plan for getting the most out of this reading.
“Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character; and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.” Schopenhauer
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.
“...Science delegates the world of nature as the realm of exterior natural events. Its view of nature is therefore mechanistic. The natural self, however, like the rest of nature, possesses a rich dimension of inside psychological depth, that science, because of its own definitions, cannot perceive. Telepathy and clairvoyance, for example, are a part of natural events, but they belong to a nature so much more expansive than science’s definitions that they have been made to appear as highly unnatural eccentricities of behavior, rather than as natural components of consciousness.
It is for that reason that they seem to fall outside of the realm of the s-a-n-e. Such characteristics are, however, basic properties of the natural person. They do not appear very well under the auspices of the scientific method, because the scientific method is itself programmed to perceive only information that fits into its preconceived patterns. Such abilities appear to be unpredictable, discontinuous, only because you are so relatively unaware of what is actually quite constant psychological behavior. That is, such abilities operate so smoothly, so continuously, and with such ease that you become aware of them only under certain conditions. You are aware of what seem to be isolated hints of odd characteristics.
The intellect is basically able to handle many kinds of information, and information systems. It is far more flexible than you presently allow it to be. It can handle several main world views at once, realizing that they are each methods of perceiving reality...”
Jane Roberts “The Magical Approach
Snake Oil Radio
Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be three live broadcasts this month)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, September 4th, at 3:30 p.m. (MST -AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time). Almost 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 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.
Join me on September 11th for a special interview with Alaric Hutchinson: After a half hour interview Alaric will be doing 5 minute mini readings on air for the last half hour of our 60 minute show.
"Alaric Hutchinson is a spiritual teacher and vibrational life coach who specializes in teaching practical spirituality for the modern world. Alaric’s emphasis is on expanding consciousness through the embodiment of peace and the transcendence of duality. As one of the leading voices in his generation, Alaric offers a fresh perspective on the soulful evolution that is taking place on our planet.
Alaric Hutchinson is author of the recently released book, Living Peace, which is the first of seven books that are part of the Luminous Living series. In this book, Alaric shares the Living Peace Code, nine tenets and practices that assist in raising one’s vibration and consciousness towards enlightenment. Alaric provides a rational and practical approach to spiritual lessons that allow humanity to rise above attachment, duality, and ego. You will learn how to master your thoughts, impulses, and emotions, promoting prosperity, harmony, and success in all areas of your life. As Alaric often expresses, 'There is never a reason good enough to be out of alignment with peace.'"
“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
Upcoming home classes:
Quite a few people have struggled with some financial difficulties in the last few years. The recession/depression that began in 2008 was a difficult period for many people. The economy has continued to improve, and this is a good thing. Yet, we always have the power and ability to tap into our potential to create prosperity, no matter what is happening around us!
Learning to open a doorway to living in abundance is possible. We can manifest prosperity in many different areas: career, finances, love life, personal happiness, etc...This class will focus on many different methods for generating personal wealth. Learn how to change beliefs and perspectives relating to finances as you uncover the blocks that currently keep you stuck. This is what creating prosperity is all about! The universe will support your decision to change your reality. Instructor Jim Ventura will discuss practical and metaphysical tools to show you how to create prosperity in your life. Sunday October 5th. noon- 2:30 pm. A maximum of 8 people for this home class (minimum of 4 to hold). $20.00 prepaid before August 25th or $25.00 on day of the class. Current Regular clients receive $5 off on the cost of this class.
ASTROLOGY-101 (beginner class)
This class will teach you the basics of Astrology. By the end of this class, you will be on the road to interpreting your own chart, as well as those of others. You will learn about the house placements, signs, symbols, angles, etc... We will explore how powerful the influence of astrology is in our lives. If you already have your own chart, please bring it to the class. If you need your chart done, I will give information about how to get a free one to bring with you. Understanding your unique astrological chart is an excellent way to get more clear about your life path. Saturday November 8th 10 am until 12:30 pm. A maximum of 8 people for this home class (minimum of 4 to hold). $20.00 prepaid before October 28th or $25.00 on day of the class. Current Regular clients receive $5 off on the cost of this class.
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” Diana Spencer
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. Send me your birth month, day and year to get added to the yearly Birthday mailer promotion.
