January 2016 Snake Oil/When Things Line Up

Snake Oil /When Things Line Up

I experienced an interesting phenomenon on my last drive back from Nevada. When I reached the intersection of the I-40 (Purple Heart Trail) and 93 south, something familiar began to line up internally. I could feel myself realigning, as if all the gear shifts that make up who I am were lining up perfectly. While it was happening it dawned on me immediately that on most of my drives (I do this drive 3-4 times a year and fly 2-3 times) through this area of about a 25 mile stretch, I often feel this familiar sensation. A combination of emotional memories about my childhood, twenties, and other periods of my life I had forgotten vividly emerge. They are mostly good memories, but even the difficult ones seemed charged in a way that feels right or like they were meant to be. I become acutely aware of patterns in my life and something clicks internally where everything in my life makes sense. A warmth that is difficult to put into words washes over me and I feel a contentment that reaches backwards into my past and forward into my future. Yet, the strongest part of the experience is feeling myself completely part of this world. I am connected to the road, the air and everything around me. I am a part of the landscape and the world would not be the same if I were not here. I feel a total comfort with who I am and the life that I am currently living. 

In my early years of metaphysical study I remember reading about physical places in the world that were called coordination points. It was initially part of the channeling studies that I honestly found kind of boring. Coordination points to me were less interesting parts of the teachings, mathematical “dryness.” They were not as interesting as most of the other material I was studying. In some ways this is what shifted me from an early focus on Astronomy. I had telescopes and books about Astronomy and studied quite a bit from about the ages of nine through fourteen. When I discovered Astrology while it was also still extremely mathematical, it had a richer more human approach to its wisdom. It was a much better fit for me than Astronomy was. I got hooked and began to study with even more drive.

The study of Astrology definitely does involve a lot of mathematics. Thankfully today modern computer programs alleviate much of the math work. Astrology requires understanding angles and coordination points as well. Astrologers look at the angles between Planets in a natal chart. In a nutshell, easy angles between planets like sextiles (60 degree) and trines (120 degree) create opportunities, natural talents, and ease. Whereas hard angles like squares (90 degree) and oppositions (180 degree) tend to create struggles, tests, and challenges. The same holds true for transits. Because like us, the planets in our solar system change position, these transits, or the movement of planets in the sky form easy and difficult angles to each other and to our original natal chart. We experience these nudges whether we “believe in them” or whether we are aware of their meaning. They push us sometimes with ease and sometimes with great difficulty.

I revisited the concept of coordination points in another way again in my early twenties when my interest in Sedona was part of my decision and pull to move to Arizona from New York. Sedona Arizona is one of many places in the world that have a number of noticeable coordination points. There are also places that could also be looked at as negative coordination points like the Bermuda Triangle. These are challenging places to live or even cross over. We often feel areas like this that are uncomfortable, and have practical reasons why we avoid them. In movies and film they are often seen as cursed or evil for dramatic effect. Yet, just like in Astrology a negative angle can have a good influence in the long run. We become stronger from the push and pulls of difficult astrology and life tests they bring our way. We can learn from adversity. A quote I recently posted on FaceBook sums this idea up nicely: 

“I’ve never met a strong person with an easy past”

There is no doubt that I am becoming more aware of coordination points in different locales and this will become a useful ability for me to share with my friends and clients. While positive angles and the use of coordination points are tremendously valuable, we still create our realities through our beliefs. Even a positive coordination point and easy astrological angles in our chart can be negated when we are compulsively fearful. When we feed a pessimistic nature, and constantly have thoughts or feelings of potential disaster we will find these things manifesting in our experience. Thankfully the opposite also holds true. If we believe in an abundant Universe, opportunity, and maintain a perspective of optimism and unusual luck this will be reproduced in our experience. 

The concept of coordination points and mathematical angels can be complicated. Yet, we all search for easy angles and learn from uncomfortable ones. We look for friends and mates with similar interests and vibrations. We vibe better with people with compatible astrological signs. We look for environments like homes, workplaces, gyms, bars, schools, etc... that feel comfortable to us. At the same time, the “mistakes” in our younger relationship experiences, jobs, living situations, social circles, etc... help us to become more clear about what is and isn’t compatible for us. “As we are tested we fund the power to avert blockages and defeat.”* When we get older and wiser we can more clearly see the usefulness of past challenge, but also hopefully become wiser about creating less if it! Coordination points are physical properties in this world as well as reflections of an energetic idea. I recently found or recognized this notable, positive coordination point because I have been shifting internally. With the help of some current really good Jupiter angles in my personal astrology, things are lining up nicely.

Jim Ventura 12-2015

* Quote from book of Runes: Eihwaz. 

Editors Note

2016 has arrived! The significance of the universal year in numerology is an aspect that relates to all of us as individuals and globally. In the larger picture it is the shape of the year. While our personal year in numerology (simple mathematical formula for getting this number) is more specific for us personally, we are all part of the universal year so we are touched by this as well. 2015 was an 8. Typical of the energy of the 8 vibration we saw many themes about personal power, money, decisiveness, authority, mastery, and confidence. The shadow side of the 8 can be exaggerated confidence (Donald Trump is one perfect example of this), tyranny, bossiness, and abuse of power which can also cause havoc. The universal year for 2016 is a 9. The themes are endings, completion, transformation, evolution, generosity and  a more compassionate approach to people and a more sensitive year in general.

While our birthdays are a good time to look at our solar return (the major astrological themes of our year ahead) it can be tremendously informative to celebrate the New Year by getting an natal astrological chart interpretation including a look at what the transits are in the coming year for you specifically. Another popular session for the new year is to get insight from each of the oracles I work with for themes of the coming year: Druid animal totems, Rune stones, Tarot archetypes, Angel messages, and Lakota Indian cards. A look at the feel of the year ahead is extremely useful and highly recommended. I am not running any specific specials for January, but if you currently receive my column each month it’s always $5 off my listed rates. I also take an additional $5 off for FaceBook friends, and fan page followers, and another $5 off my rates for local in office clients who pay by cash or check! If you have all three bases covered you get $15 off all of my listed rates and always have access to a special even when I am not running one.

I am in the process of writing a new book (early stages) about creating prosperity! Potential working title is: Money and success, getting your piece by making peace. I will likely publish a few of the essays from the book along the way here in future Snake Oil columns. While it is likely to be 2 years before the book is finished, remember if you want to create more prosperity and wealth now this is one of the many reason why I created Reality Change Sessions. The  issue of uncovering your ability to create personal wealth, success, and prosperity is addressed for most, or all of the clients in my Regular Client program. It is one of many good reasons for signing up for this program. Information about this program is available on my website or contact me for specifics. Wishing everyone a happy, prosperous 2016! Cheers, Jim V

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” William Arthur Ward

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. 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.

“There are points, therefore, of concentrated energy. The subordinate points are far more common, and practically speaking, affect your daily concerns. There are better places than others to build houses or structures-points where health and vitality are strengthened, where, other things being equal, plants will grow and flourish and where all beneficial conditions seem to meet.

Some people can sense such neighborhoods instinctively. They occur within certain angles made by coordinate points. The points obviously are not themselves physical-that is, they are not visible though they may be mathematically deduced. They are felt, however, as intensified energy.

In a given room, plants will grow more effectively in a particular area than in other areas, providing that both areas contain such necessary requirements as light. All of your space is permeated by these coordination points, so that certain invisible angles are formed...” Seth Speaks, Jane Roberts

“Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” Anne Frank

“If you could lick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.” Theodore Roosevelt

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 7th. at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific time). 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. 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.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Martin Luther

Spotlight on one of the unique sessions I offer:

REALITY CHANGE SESSIONS

Understand how our personal realities are formed, and develop the skill to change yours! Almost every area of your life can be changed for the better. This session will show you how to uncover the limiting beliefs that have blocked your progress. Instructions will be given in new methods and tools to create the present and future you truly want.

You can literally recreate yourself

Change your beliefs - Change your reality

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. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

You also may want to check out my posts on Tumblr.com: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/snake-oil-blog

All sessions/readings for 2016 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. 

December 2015 Snake Oil/Christmas gifts in the attic

Snake Oil

Christmas gifts in the attic

The magical window of my childhood belief in a Santa Claus was only a brief one. Even at the young age of six, I remember wondering how it was possible for all of the department stores and malls to have Santa Claus at their specific location at the very same time. I couldn’t imagine how one man, even if he had an army of supposed helper elves, could possibly deliver presents to children all over the world in one night. I also noticed how my wealthier friends often got more expensive gifts than our family did. Why did the poor kids end up with nothing at all? Was Santa only catering to the wealthy? Santa was supposed to come down your chimney and leave you your Christmas gifts. We had no fireplace in our house at all, yet we still got presents. And even if we did have a a chimney, how could such a fat man fit down one in the first place? These and similar thoughts started extremely early for me, and I wondered why other kids bought all of this malarky.

The observation that nailed the door closed on idealistic fantasies about Santa Claus and solidified my realist-cynic approach to Christmas was because my parents were not very good at hiding our presents. I would often see many of our gifts unwrapped at the bottom of Mom’s closet, or in the attic. I also saw Easter candy long before the “bunny” arrived, so that illusion was blown early as well. When I was seven years old I remember being awoken on Christmas eve by the sound of the attic stairs opening. My father built the pull down stairs to our attic facing the bedroom my brother and I shared. He had to open the door to our room to get up into the attic. I clearly heard my mother’s and father’s clumsy attempts at putting out our presents most years. They were often punctuated by their usual irritation with each other. “Frank don’t forget the ones for Kathy.” “Hurry it up, I want to get to bed already.” “ What are you trying to do, break my arms.” “Wait for me to put these down first!” I would have had to have been a complete imbecile to still buy the magic Santa Claus story after all of these theatrics.

While I was solidifying my recognition of the un-truths of Christmas, many of my dopey friends still believed in Santa Claus. Apparently they were not “blessed” with the mind of a detective and happily enjoyed their delusions. I found myself feeling it was my duty to burst their bubbles early on. When I told them the truth they would often disagree at first and be mad at me. Eventually they would realize I was right. Still, I often reminded them that it would be wise to play along with the charade. The benefits of pretending to believe in all of the Christmas crapola were numerous. A good, sweet, oblivious child performance could bring tremendous rewards. I had no issue with pretending to be a dumb, naive little kid for adults and I made sure my friends were smart enough to do the very same thing.

While my parents didn’t do an ideal job of giving us the illusions of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny when it came to the holidays, they did a great job in other ways. While a lot of the presents Mom (Santa) bought us were mediocre, lame stuff from church bizarres and clearance sales and not what we really wanted, she put in some real effort. She had seven children and that was a lot of presents to buy. She always got us at least one or two things that were on our Christmas lists. Opening our presents on Christmas morning was always really fun. Even when I knew what half of the gifts already were because I saw them or snooped around, I always enjoyed the process of opening the presents just the same. The excitement of opening gifts was really fun and my parents made a point to make sure we had the experience.

We had some wonderful Christmas traditions we always followed. For many years we got a real tree (until I was about 17 when they finally opted for a fake one). We baked cookies and decorated the house, and some years we made gingerbread houses. We decorated our tree together weeks before actual Christmas and sometimes made Christmas ornaments and even strung popcorn. We hung lights outside, listened to Christmas albums, watched Christmas specials like Mr. Magoo’s Christmas, A Year Without a Santa Claus, and A Christmas Story. We did Christmas up in a big way every year. There are still boxes of Christmas pictures and hundreds of great memories and funny stories associated with all of them. December was a really cold time in New York, but we had warm traditions in our home. 

While I missed out on believing in Santa Claus and many of the other holiday illusions, I got to experience elements of family and holidays that really mattered. The cohesiveness of a family and celebrated traditions were priceless. We learned about giving and receiving and developed a healthy sense of the importance of all of it. When I was a kid, and even into my teen years, I would often get up in the middle of the night and look at the presents under the tree (the Christmas eve gifts we bought for each other were often wrapped and left out weeks before). Some nights I would clear a space and lay underneath the tree for an hour or so. I would turn on the lights on the tree and feel the soft white sheet we placed underneath it. The smell of the tree, the twinkle of the lights and the excitement of things to come were only a part of why I loved doing this. Some wiser aspect of me knew I would only be a child for a short time and I wanted to fully allow myself to feel every moment of it. I was safe and loved in a family and I knew I was blessed. I sensed that I had lived other lives in different families, times, and places that were not as wonderful when it came to my experiences in this family. I also knew that there were people all over the world that did not get to experience many of the things I was so blessed to have. I had friends who would have killed for what I had. So I savored those moments underneath the colorful lights of our Christmas trees. I allowed myself to be happy and I completely immersed myself into childhood and the magic of Christmas. The great things connected with Christmas were never about believing or not believing in Santa Claus. They were all about honoring and enjoying one of the best parts of my childhood.

Jim Ventura 10-2011

Editors note:

I wrote this Christmas story almost 5 years ago.  I really do enjoy the month of December. Here in Phoenix the weather is often perfect. It is typically low seventies during the daytime and fifties to low forties at night. I especially love getting to wear some winter clothes for a few months-just a few months though! I allow myself to eat a bit more excessively than I normally do the rest of the year in December. Aside from the Christmas Eve lasagna that I make every year, (I make extra and eat it until New Years), I definitely allow myself extra cake candies and cookies in December. Putting on a few extra pounds (usually about 2-5) from Thanksgiving through the new year is worth it to me (Taurus Ascendant), and I am always eager to eat healthy again every January and drop the added weight! I have lost my interest in decorating the house and getting a Christmas tree. I haven’t done things like that in over a decade. I think if I had children, I would make a point to do more of these types of things though. I just enjoy the more decadent aspects (food!), and the good times with family and friends that we share during the Holiday  season. In that way the season is still magical for me. 

My gift to all of my current Snake Oil subscribers and new clients this month is Regular client rates for everyone this month! Quarterly Regulars get $15-25 off my listed rates and this month so do you! Up to three gift certificates for yourself or friends and family can also be purchased at this time. More information later in the newsletter. The special ends on December 31st 2015. 

If you have never had your Astrology chart interpreted or have and would like to go into more detail this is one of many excellent ways to take advantage of this month’s special. Giving the gift of an Astrology chart interpretation to anyone 13 or older is a great way to give them tremendous amounts of insight into who they really are and meant to become!  An Astrology chart session offers clear directional arrows for who we truly are (talents, challenges, and overall life purpose) and the direction our lives are meant to take in the larger picture. I learned all about Astrology by studying my own chart and others between the ages of 17-20 and it really made me more confident and helped me to embrace my life purpose early on!    

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season and a wonderful New year! Jim V

“I can’t imagine anything more worthwhile than doing what I most love. And they pay me for it.” Edgar Winter

Gift Certificates Snake Oil Subscriber Special for December 2015

December 1-31st 2015: ALL sessions booked for both new clients as well as returning clients, and anyone who currently receives my monthly Snake Oil column, will be at my QUARTERLY REGULAR CLIENT rates for the whole month! 

Clients enrolled in my Regular client program (information about program is available on my website or simply request it by email) always get $15-25 off my normal rates. Quarterly clients in the program pay $90 for full sessions. $65 for 45 minute sessions and $105 for extended 90 minute sessions. All appointments booked in December of 2015 will be at these rates. This special ends on December 31st 2015. No other discounts will apply at this time.

You may also purchase Gift Certificates at these rates for friends and family, and yourself to use anytime in the coming year ahead! A maximum of three gift certificates can be purchased at the discounted rates this month. Any of the many different types of sessions I offer are options for this special. You can get more information about the different sessions available on my website at JimVentura.com. 

Email me to book your session or purchase Gift certificates at these rates before the end of of the year Venturasag@yahoo.com

Check out this extremely useful product as well as 

Another great holiday gift idea:  http://www.precisionmuscletherapy.com

“To be at peace we must first learn to accept ourselves. Coming to peace with who we are, what we have, and what we do is the spiritual basis for the acceptance of others.” Joan Chittister

“Imagine what would happen if you treated everyone you meet like an angel. I mean really... treating every person who steps into your life as sent by Heaven! Everything you experience would change, and the entire world would change as well.”

James Twyman

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. 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 Spirit Speaks Magazine 1991 

From Caterpillar to butterfly

“Early one morning, two caterpillars met while drinking dew from a leaf. One caterpillar was green with orange speckles. The other caterpillar was white with several long horns.

The green caterpillar said, ‘How are you?’

The white caterpillar said, ‘As well as can be expected in this world.’

‘Yes, it is difficult sometimes,’ agreed the green caterpillar.

‘Difficult-I would say!’ said the white caterpillar. ‘Life is terribly difficult. We crawl on our bellies all day. My aunts and uncles have bumps all over their bodies. My grandmother has not been doing well. No...she hasn’t. A bumpy, hard crust has started to form around her, and she just hangs on the branch and won’t talk to anybody.’

The green caterpillar responded, ‘My wife has been a real sting-worm lately. She stung me twice this week. But the worst problem is the isolation-the little cocoons. Everyone keeps wrapping themselves in lumpy, bumpy cocoons. They can’t talk to each other, they don’t go outside. They just hang there. So you think we will be the same way?’

‘I’m sure of it,’ replied the white caterpillar. ‘Everyone follows the same path.’

‘There must be a reason for it,’ said the green caterpillar.

A butterfly that had been listening to the conversation lit upon the leaf from which the two caterpillars were drinking. The butterfly said, ‘Your destiny is greater than you think. Yes, you must enter the cocoon. Life may be different from what you think you wish it to be, but from the cocoon you will emerge a new creature. I was once in a cocoon. I once struggled just as you struggle.’

The caterpillars looked at the butterfly with amazement, ‘But, you...you are a winged creature.’

‘Yes, yes...I am a winged creature,’ said the butterfly, ‘but I once crawled just as you crawl. I once grew old, isolated myself, and wrapped myself in a cocoon and died. Then I came forth a new creature, resplendent and beautiful.’

The butterfly’s words gave the caterpillar hope, and they left rejoicing, for they believed they had a far greater destiny than they had perceived before.

You are like the caterpillars. Your families are like the caterpillar’s families. You and your families encounter many difficult and trying times. You isolate yourselves and wrap yourselves up in cocoons, engrossing yourselves in your lives. This creates trials and tests that bring spiritual development. From life you will expand to a greater destiny. You will become a divine being of light. Entering into your cocoon and aged worm, you will come forth a new creation-a butterfly of divine grace. 

Families provide the challenges that assist the spirit in allowing this ultimate development.” from the Externals 

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, December 5 th. at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific time). 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. 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.

“It has been said there are three kinds of awakening. There is the waking up that occurs when an individual wakes up from a long night's sleep.

There is the awakening that occurs when an individual makes his transition and discovers that there is no death. And then, there is the most important waking up, the waking up that occurs when an individual realizes that they have never been born and will never die, that they are an eternal, immortal being.” Michael Bernard Beckwith

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. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

You also may want to check out my posts on Tumblr.com: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/snake-oil-blog

All sessions/readings for 2015 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. 

November 2015 Snake Oil/Doctor Dolittle

November 2015 Snake Oil/Jim Ventura

Snake Oil 94/Dr. Dolittle

For the last few years I have made a point to post a specific message for my local clients to be aware of the possibility of a few cats on or under my stairway. There are six apartment ferals that some of the residents of my condominium complex feed on a regular basis. I have fed them consistently for about four years now. My stairs are definitely one of their favorite hangout spots. Even from personal experience, I know it can be unnerving to walk up the stairs and see a cat or two jump off the stairway running. It is sort of comical and probably gets a few of my new and more superstitious clients to feel even more nervous when a black cat is part of the introduction. The cats are all fixed and actually fairly friendly. A few of them even let some of the residents pet them. Almost all of them let me pet them, and a few of them want me to do it even when I am not handing out food. They, like all animals that were bred to be part of human families, just need affection and human touch. They swirl around my legs happily when I go outside at feeding time and show little or no fear of me at all. I have been called Doctor Dolittle by people a number of times in my life and take it as a compliment. Doctor Dolittle was a fictitious character from a movie with Rex Harrison in the sixties and also revamped in the late nineties and played by Eddie Murphy. He could talk to the animals. My mother and two of my six siblings have similar skills.

My ability to talk to animals, calm them, and earn their trust started at a very young age. Rather than fear most animals, my urge to communicate with them, pet them, and interact with them always far exceeded any fear of being bitten or hurt. Some of this was fueled by my mother. She was very good with animals, especially dogs. We adopted many pets from shelters and even took a few strays in along the way. My mother had a gentle touch with our dogs and cats. When my brother started collecting iguana’s, turtles, snakes, other reptiles, and an assortment of other odd pets, she had no fear of them either. Me and a few of my siblings followed suit. My other brothers and sisters weren’t as “into” animals or the family pets, as they had other things they were passionate about. At times they might have resented mom and believed she prioritized the pets over them.

I have surprised a number of people when I am in their homes for the first time when their dog or cat comes over to me without much hesitation. I have often heard things like this often: “She usually doesn’t trust men.” Wow he really likes you!” Many times they end up in my lap or sitting at my feet. Part of my ability to create this level of comfort in pets springs from knowing how to approach them by letting them come to me without any force. I will often take practical steps to calm them down if I feel they may be skittish. On the other hand an immediately friendly dog or cat will respond really well to prompts like “aren’t you a handsome boy,” or clapping your hands playfully. I am not uncomfortable if they jump on me or try to lick my face. My weird ability to sound like a cat makes all of them incredibly intrigued. Their ears perk up comically and they wonder where the sound is coming from. There are a lot of ways to make the situation flow and knowing what type of animal you are dealing with and responding to them from the perspective that they matter goes a long way.

The most important thing to recognize with animals is that while they may not understand words and their specific meanings they can read intention. They operate quite well at being able to pick up images and vibrational intentions. This isn’t as esoteric as it sounds. Human babies, small children, and animals read quite a bit this way. Telepathy is the basis of how we communicate and the bedrock of how language and communication operates. Often in sessions with clients I pick up on questions they are about to ask or begin to tell stories I have recently, or in the past, have gone through that resonates with what they are wanting to share. The reverse has also occurred when clients pick up on what I am trying to say without me even using clear words to express my thoughts. Their intuitive and telepathic abilities increase when they are around me. So much information is exchanged this way between both human to human interactions as well as with animals.

My Doctor Dolittle skills primarily come from a place of love and respect. I really love dogs and cats and pretty much animals in general. They are innocent creatures who benefit and assist us just as much as we benefit them. We are often healthier and happier when we have pets. A constant stream of unconditional love is not always achievable with other human beings, but animals do it effortlessly. The times in my life when I felt lost or fearful, especially during my childhood, were often healed by the presence of a dog or cat. My awareness of the influences of animals as totem have helped transform me and many of the people I have worked with. Just the process of watching animals can give us insight and clarity around our own challenges. 

I have always seen other things in this world as alive and having a form of consciousness. Whether they be trees, plants, bodies of water, stones, and just about everything else, I always knew that they have a type of awareness and perceive us just as much as we perceive them. Their vibrations may be slower or different and they may not think and process with the use of a brain the same the way we do, but that makes them no less conscious and aware. Some religious and scientific viewpoints have contributed to us thinking of ourselves and humankind as “the top of the ladder.” This belief limits us from connecting to other parts of this world. Now if I expected animals and plants to talk back to me with actual words I could be easily be accused of being a bit nuts. I don’t. My ability to communicate with animals, and many other parts of nature has helped me to navigate more effectively in my life. I never saw myself “above” them, I’ve always perceived them as different but equal to me in value. Having more allies and friends in the animal realm supporting us on our life journey makes the journey itself a more enlightened trip.

Jim Ventura 10-2015

Editors Note:

I have always seen November as one of the best months in my opinion for many different reasons,  I am a “big” (that word becomes physically accurate from late November thru late December...) fan of Thanksgiving! We have great weather here in Phoenix and it’s also my Birthday month. I have also extended my New Client promotional special until end of November. If you haven’t had a session yet, take advantage of the discount and you can also buy gift certificates for friends and family at these rates to give as gifts!

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving and great November. May the blessings you already have multiply! Cheers, Jim V

“Over and over I marvel at the blessings of my life: Each year has grown better than the last.” Lawrence Welk

“I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.” Jon Stewart

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. 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.

Seth on Early Man and the birth of language:

“...Data, you say, are stored in the chromosomes, strung together in a certain fashion. Now biologically that is direct cognition. The Inner Senses perceive directly in the same fashion. To you, language means words. Words are always symbols for emotions or feelings, intents, or desires. Direct cognition did not need the symbols. The first language, the initial language, did not involve images or words, but dealt with a free flow of directly cognitive material. A man, wondering what a tree was like, became one, and let his own consciousness flow into the tree. Man’s consciousness mixed and merged with other kinds of consciousness with the great curiosity of love. A child did not simply look at an animal, but let its consciousness merge with the animal’s, and so to some extent the animal looked out through the child’s eyes.

In ways most difficult to explain, man ‘absorbed’ an animal’s spirit before he killed it, so that the animal’s flesh, then, the hunter believed that he was giving the animal a new focus of existence. He could draw on the animal’s strength, and the animal could join in human consciousness. Nature and spirit therefore were one...” 

Jane Roberts Channeling Seth in The Nature of the Psyche.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that frightens us.” Marianne Williamson

New Client Special extended through November 30th 2015:

June 1st 2015 thru November 30th 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates  for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $80. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130.

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, November 5 th at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific time). 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. 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.

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).

“Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise.” Anonymous

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. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

You also may want to check out my posts on Tumblr.com: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/snake-oil-blog

All sessions/readings for 2015 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. 

October 2015 Snake Oil/A Truly Scary Halloween Story

A Truly Scary Halloween Story

It was the fall of 1977, Star Wars mania was everywhere you looked. Like most other kids, I thought that this movie was the greatest tale ever told. My creative wheels were turning as Halloween approached. I planted the seeds in all of my friends for a Halloween that would be awesome. We would all dress up as characters from the movie. I had everyone excited about this idea. Anyone who saw us that night would think we were brilliant, they would envy us, we would become legends in our neighborhood. I could barely sleep through most of October as I plotted the greatest idea ever conceived.

I decided I would go as C-3PO. This character was one of the robots in the movie. Looking back on this decision, it was strangely fitting in many ways. The robot was slightly sarcastic, fussy, funny, and a tiny bit more feminine than the other robot in the movie. For this queer child, this wasn’t exactly a part I would have to stretch myself to become. I began to sketch out the blueprint of my costume. I had very little money, but I figured with my artistic talents, I could make this brilliant creation for next to nothing.

All the while I continued to prod my friend’s and little sister, keeping them enthused about the plan. As Halloween grew closer, many of my friends interest in this idea began to wane. What was the matter with these fools? They were slipping back into boring old standbys: Clowns, witches, pirates, ghosts... Was it possible for every one of my friends to be more lame? Was I the only one who could see how important this was? However, my little sister hung in there. She was going to be a character from the movie, Princess Leia. She was excited. I appreciated that she was equally enthused, so as my generous reward, she had far few big brother verbal beatings that October.

I purchased gold wrapping paper for my creation and collected cardboard pieces for weeks. A few days before Halloween I began to wrap my cardboard costume in gold paper. C-3PO was solid gold in the movie, so I wanted everything to be perfect. The problem was that things were not exactly coming together the way I expected them to. Measuring cardboard pieces to fit one’s body was far more complicated than I imagined. The mask looked lousy and it was difficult to breath with a cardboard box over my head. I tried on pieces of the costume and it felt awkward. It was difficult to move in this monstrosity. The vision was not translating into reality very well. I began to panic.

I put on what I had created and walked outside my room for the first time. My mother and little sister waited patiently with the camera. They were ready to mark this phenomenal moment in time with a snapshot to cherish forever. In reality they did it because I asked them to. My mother’s usual lack of enthusiasm was typical, but she held the camera and patiently prepared to take the shot. I stepped out of my bedroom and began my uncomfortable walk down the hallway toward them. The cardboard stuck into me in places I would not have expected. It was difficult to walk in this piece of crap. The costume ripped in some places as I painstakingly worked my way forward. The gold wrapping paper tore and fell off as I clumsily tried to move forward in this pile of shit.

Mom snapped the picture of what she called my “tin-man outfit.” The costume was falling apart and crumbling just as I was emotionally. I was grateful for the ugly mask, because it hid my pain. The situation was horrible; it was a major letdown. I couldn’t go out trick or treating in this, I would not get anywhere. My little sister howled with laughter at the sight of me, years of my tormenting her had finally been paid back. I turned around and ran back into my room as gold foil wrapping paper trails were left behind.

I spent the rest of the day hating myself, life, my family, friends, and everyone else on the planet. What would I do now? Maybe I would just skip Halloween this year. Maybe I would never come out of my room again. I was so angry at my mother. Why couldn’t she be the generous, creative mother who made costumes? She didn’t care, nobody cared. I sulked for a while, then began to think about all of the candy I was going to miss if I didn’t get over this. I reached into my closet and pulled out my rattiest looking clothes. I would go out trick or treating as a bum, an old standby, barren of any creativity.

We all went trick or treating the next day and night. My little sister was the only one who stuck with the Star Wars theme. Her costume was actually pretty good, yet no one knew who she was. A few people asked her who she was supposed to be. She tried to explain it to them, but was frustrated by their lack of awareness. Her misery made me feel a little better just the same. Still to this day we remind each other about how foolish we were back then and laugh our asses off at my disastrous plan. I learned that life sometimes doesn’t go the way you expect it to. It wasn’t the first or the last time I would be disappointed in my life. I also learned that when something doesn’t work out, then you find a new way to reach the goal. In this case it was for the fun of trick-0r-treating and piles of candy. I ate myself sick that Halloween. It felt damn good.

Jim Ventura 6-2003

Editors Note:

I believe I first ran this story here about 7 years ago. It’s from my first book Dirty Little Secrets. I published DLS back in 2004. A number of the stories in the book are humorous essays. I think one of the most fun, and inexpensive healing arts available is humor! When we can genuinely laugh at ourselves and the world we are often in a really good place. This is one of many stories I told friends for years in my twenties that finally was written and put in a book! I still have copies available of Dirty Little Secrets. I am running a special for the month on this book and a really discounted special for my CD recording of the book. I had the entire book professionally recorded, it can be played on your computer. Check out how to order a copy of either in this newsletter, or you can pick up a copy if you are here in person for a session and avoid the shipping charges.

We had some interesting retrograde motion of planets this summer and currently Mercury is retrograde in Libra until the 9th of this month. I never thought that a Venus retrogrades could cause so much trouble, but as Venus moved retrograde in Leo for the last few months I felt it, and so did almost everyone of my clients and friends! A mix of good and challenging realizations came to the surface. I had to let go of a 12 year friendship. I am typically painfully loyal but I realized that there was an uncomfortable imbalance in the friendship that had been bothering me for a long time. She is someone that I was often a bit uncomfortable with when it came to her ethics (Greed Dragon) in business and other areas of life. It never directly affected me, but really hit me hard a very personal way in early August. I can’t say I didn’t struggle with it for a bit, but I know that she needs to be walking a different path in her life and it is not good for me to be part of this path. I know that the Universe often creates a vacuum effect before it fills what is lost with something far more in alignment with our evolving vibrations. I went thru a similar thing about 15 years ago that resulted in a very intimate new relationship that emerged a few months after the change...

The lion (Leo) part of me wanted to roar and attack from the mistreatment, yet the wiser part of me was wise enough to forgive and recognize why I was co-creating this experience. This Venus retrograde was all about looking at our giving and receiving ration and becoming more empowered in seeing our self worth. Now that it is moving forward again we can all find more opportunities to be more comfortable allowing our inner Queen or King to emerge!

If you want more frequent updates for astrology and other subjects follow me on my Fan page on Face Book. I am definitely keeping this column to just monthly for awhile.

The weather is finally becoming a little cooler here in Phoenix and my favorite season of fall is about to happen! Wishing everyone a happy Fall. Cheers, Jim V

“I’ve never known anyone yet who doesn’t suffer a certain restlessness when autumn rolls around... We’re all eight years old again and anything is possible.” Sue Grafton

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. 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.

“Youth, as your will grant, is the stretch of years between childhood and adulthood. There is thus no juncture, or cusp, that is so wrenching to the psyche. The child exists in a mental and physical world all its own, which the adult may glimpse only rarely and crudely. To push toward successful entry into adulthood requires that the psyche literally  be unraveled and rebuilt from scratch. All the learning, the security and mastery of childhood are incorporated into an entirely new structure, allowing the assumption of full status as an adult in your society. The cusp of youth then, at age fourteen, is so fraught with trauma because there is no life point where the psyche is so rest asunder, restructured from the ground up.

You may thus find wild mood swings, sudden growth spurts, snarling disobedience, foul language to embarrass a sailor, experimentation with drugs, and rejection of the toys of childhood and the strictures of childhood. 

The early adolescent is a gangly, uncoordinated creature. The body always reflects the inner condition. The psyche is literally unraveling, sorting itself out into new configurations, and this activity finds a reflection in the physical awkwardness of early youth...”

Whatever Happened To Divine Grace by Ramon Stevens

New Client Special extended through November 30th 2015:

June 1st 2015 thru November 30th 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates  for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $80. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130.

“You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past.” Richard Bach

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, October 8th at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific time). 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. 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.

“We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” William Arthur Ward

Dirty Little Secrets 

(available in print and audio CD, or kindle) Storyteller and professional oracle reader Jim Ventura takes his readers on a wild literary ride. Dirty Little Secrets is a collection of short essays. The book explores some of society’s perceptions about what people often consider to be dirty little secrets best kept to oneself. The book tackles subjects with unflinching honesty: drug use, sexual addiction, unrequited love, revenge, childhood weirdness, homosexuality, and the old souls quest to experience magic and miracles in everyday life. The author holds little back in expressing his quest for enlightenment. Dirty Little Secrets illustrates how meaning, spirituality and humor can be found to be embedded in every experience.

Excerpts from Dirty Little Secrets:

Light as a feather, stiff as a board “...Childhood for me was a time of experimentation. I was attracted to the occult, there was something about its danger and mystery that was compelling...”

What’s wrong in this world? “...My belief has always been this: life is meaningful and safe, and people are basically good by nature...”

Criminal “...My nightmare with the bad-boy showed me parts of myself that were not honorable. While I never even came close to the type of thievery Jim was involved in, I had still been a thief when we met. I tried to manipulate this young man, by making him need me, and he manipulated me right back, tenfold...”

The Raven “...I began to remember every violation done to me in past relationships, every client who was loving and kind in relationships and was treated like garbage ran through my head. Every piece of slime who walked all over my brothers and sisters, and close friends passed through my head. I felt rage, someone needed to take a stand, someone needed to fight back. I appointed myself, through an imaginary election, to the position of righter of all wrongs...”

Another queen singing I’m coming out! “...Everyone who knew me was comfortably aware that I was gay, except my parents, After they went back home it nagged at me for days. I could not carry this anymore, it no longer mattered that they might be upset. It was the truth; it was who I was and the last part of me still in hiding...”

To order a CD audio recording of the book (this is a dvd audio and will play on most computers and dvd players) read by the author, or a soft cover print version of Dirty Little Secrets, contact the author directly at Venturasag@yahoo.com

Print version $11.00 including sales tax. Please include $4.00 for shipping ($15.00 total). 

Special for month of October 2015 $6 for CD (audio) version. Also $4 for shipping $10 total.

Or send check or money order to Jim Ventura 2515 N 52nd St. #206 Phoenix AZ 85008. I can also be contacted my e mail if you want to use a debit card via pay pal to order.

Dirty Little Secrets is also available at Amazon.com

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. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

You also may want to check out my posts on Tumblr.com: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/snake-oil-blog

All sessions/readings for 2015 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.