Snake Oil
When I was in my mid twenties I had a roommate named Brett. We were close friends even though our philosophies differed. He was skeptical of the work I did, yet he was a pragmatist and was impressed that I made a living from doing readings. He doubted whether my oracles (Tarot, Numerology, Astrology, Runes) really worked at all. Even though I offered to read for him, he never allowed me to read his cards. I suspected that, like many people, he was more afraid that some of his dirty little secrets might leak out. He wore a shield of indifference and practicality, his mask of protection. It might rock his world if all that “metaphysical mumbo jumbo” really worked.
One night we went to a party and someone asked me what I did for a living. At that time I was in my twenties, insecure and fearful that people would think I was a fraud when I told them I was what many people would call a “psychic,” and didn’t actually have a ‘real job.” Brett jumped into the conversation and said that “Jim is a snake oil salesman,” which preyed on my insecurities. At first I was annoyed at his rude comment, but after a little while I realized it was funny. Snake oil salesmen have been the traveling hucksters, the “shysters” who sold potions and magical cures for various ailments. They were often seen as miraculous healers, and charlatans at the same time. They were praised and rewarded for their “gifts,” and alternately tarred and feathered. Usually the snake oil was actually part alcohol which simply allowed people living in puritanical times to feel good and help them to rest. This is not too far from how in “modern times” we use things like Nyquil. Many “snake oil salesmen” simply are changers of beliefs. They convince us out of our illness, and allow our bodies to heal naturally. The magic potions they sold offered the possibility of love, prosperity, or the healing of physical and emotional ailments. In many cases the elixirs actually did work.
Throughout all of our recorded history and even in what we would call “primitive societies,” healers, witch doctors, and other therapists used suggestion and hypnosis to shift their patient’s energy toward concentrating on changing illness to health. The theatrics that were part of their therapies, like dances, chants, burning of herbs, and even loud commands were meant to startle the patients. Their purpose was to shock them out of their previous beliefs and perspectives and bring them back to a belief that they were healthy. Now, in our current western medical model we consider ourselves to be more evolved and our methods far more scientific and sophisticated, yet we still use forms of hypnosis in similar ways. Highly skilled, educated doctors will scoff, or even react with disgust at the idea of a bird or chicken being ceremonially sacrificed by primitive, untrained witch doctors. At the same time, they use the “reality of science” to explain why a man may need to lose part of his throat or a woman may have to lose a breast to cancer. Our modern day physicians will hold firmly to the statistics they believe to be true and will often see no other viable solutions and neither will their patients.
It is easy to laugh at all the “silly cultures” that believe in curses, voodoo practitioners, and influences of evil spirits. At the same time we are bombarded by endless advertisements and commercials that tell is we will get the flu if we don’t get a flu shot. You will get cancer if you don’t eat the right food. You need to be medicated if you feel depressed. Have we really advanced, or have we just exchanged our old demons for more modern devils? Have we really progressed in our world physically, psychologically and emotionally or have we arrogantly convinced ourselves that every other culture’s healing arts have been wrong?
I have studied and used many different types of healing therapies from herbs to acupuncture to hands on Reiki healing, and found that quite practically, many of these things do really work. I understand the usefulness of modern medicine, psychology, psychiatry, and other forms of healing, yet also know that there are alternative ways to approach healing. My work with oracles and metaphysical concepts have been repeatedly tested. Doing readings with oracles like selling snake oil, is unconventional, raises suspicion, yet without question works. Rune stones, Astrology, Tarot, and Numerology have been around far longer than modern psychology and western medicine. Proudly, they are this snake oil salesman's tools.
Jim Ventura 8-2003
Editors Note:
I have had quite a few clients lately asking me where Snake Oil column idea came from, and why I chose to call it Snake Oil, so thought it was good time to re-run my first column! You can also read all of my columns from first 5 years by ordering a copy of Snake Oil Volume One. More information later in the newsletter.
September is here and its still annoyingly hot here in AZ. We usually don’t get relief from the heat until late in the month and early October, but at least it’s on the horizon. My AC unit is on so much and with high humidity there is a bit of water buildup. Some clients have walked out and gotten hit with a drop. It will be nice when the weather cools a bit for multiple reasons. I have been really busy for most of the month and if September continues at the same pace it may be a week or two to get an appointment. Please be patient with requests. I have a cap of no more than 20 appointments each week. I always want to be at my best for every client I work with, so this is why I don’t overbook even when requests come. Sometimes I have slow weeks and can get you in for session in a day or two (more of a rarity on same day), but it is always best to be open to multiple options. Just try to be more flexible with the flow of what may be available when you inquire. When you get your session it will be the right time for it, and often there are more than just practical reasons for this happening.
I had a client from a few years ago recently ask me if I do free sessions from time to time for people that can’t afford my session costs. What I explained to him was something I think is also worth sharing here. Reading my columns (last 4 years are archived), books, listening to my radio shows (all radio shows from past 5 years are archived on site) is a free way of getting all kinds of insight and will often answer many questions you may have. Another way of getting free or discounted sessions is to market for me. Mention the work I do or post information on Face Book. Any referrals I get from people (I always ask who referred you to me and log the information) receive $10-$25 discounts off future sessions for each referral! I send out referral comps every six months. A few referrals in a six month period will often earn you discounted sessions and enough of them may even earn you a free session!
Wishing everyone a productive September! Cheers, Jim V
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.
“If someone tells you that you are evil because you are alive, and you believe it, then you are indeed in a quandary. Now, I tell you that you are blessed because you are alive. And I am blessed because I am alive! And my vitality is your vitality, and it speaks through your gut as it speaks through your mind and your being, for it is your own. I merely let you taste the vitality of your own being so that you can draw sustenance and knowledge from yourselves. And that is your own joy, and your own right to be, and your own vitality, that is as secret as a trumpet-that is as dignified as a squirrel: It is the magic of your own being-the knowing that you know-the isness of yourselves!
Whenever you sacrifice yourselves, or make yourselves unhappy, miserable, ill, and filled with questions that you cannot answer, it is because you do not WANT answers, to put yourselves in positions that scare you, positions that you believe are impossible to handle. All of this because you have been taught that you are guilty because you are alive!
Whether you get this idea from religion or science, the results are the same. And so my message is, simply, you are blessed because you are. You can be joyful because you are. You have a reason here because you ARE here.
Whenever anyone tells you that authority resides outside of yourself, do not believe him. When anyone tells you, or the world tells you, that your joy resides outside of you, do not believe them or the world. Your salvation does not depend upon another. You have never lost your soul. You ARE your souls. You are your souls in flesh.
Your bodies are your souls in flesh. Do them honor. Whoever tells you that the body is soiled, do not listen to him. You can trust your bodies as you can trust your soul. In your reality, the body is the garment that the soul wears...”
From Conversations with Seth by Susan M Watkins
“Spirituality is not a religion or a trend-it is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle of awareness that combines the understanding of faith, body, mind, and soul, allowing us to live modern-day enlightened lives in small and big ways.” Emma Mildon
“When you are living the best version of yourself, you inspire others to live the best versions of themselves.” Steve Maraboli
New Client Special September 2015:
June 1st 2015 thru September 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!
$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.
“The capacity for friendship is God’s way of apologizing for our families.” Jay McInerney
Snake Oil Volume One
Jim Ventura has been writing his monthly Snake Oil column for 12 years. Volume One is a collection of his first four years of Snake Oil. This volume also includes nine Snake Charms. Practical explanations and instruction for meditation, ear conning, lucid dreaming, etc... Jim’s Snake Oil philosophy is all about changing the perceptions of how we view life to include metaphysical perspectives into all of our experiences. We benefit by expanding our consciousness, while we keep our feet planted firmly on the ground in this world at the same time. Snake Oil reminds us that we can also grow to become more enlightened while finding the wisdom of humor in ourselves and the world around us.
$11 including tax ($4 for shipping for each book in US). $15 total.
To request any or all three of my books email Venturasag@yahoo.com or ask for a copy next time you are here in the office.
You can 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. Feel free to request to have any of your copies signed!
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, September 10th 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.
“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” Mark Twain
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.
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 may take advantage of another discount of $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments.
