August 2018 Snake Oil
Models of Wisdom
Models of Wisdom
The search to find the best aspects of humanity in the world around us and potentially in ourselves is part of human development (9th house in astrology). It is natural for us to look to role models for guidance about where we should best channel our energies, and to seek out behavior patterns others might admire about us. The search for what is best in human beings and what we are meant to be often surfaces in our early teen years. When we are very young models of “correct” behavior are often taught to us by the influences of church, parents, caretakers, and from our teachers at school. Personally I remember when it began to really matter to me and I began the search for what was truly virtuous behavior to model. My early years in Catholic school (first through eight grade) were actually some beneficial familial and religious imprints. I never questioned the wisdom and value of the teachings of Jesus. He was truly a hero by way of compassion and consistency in his message. The contradictions I saw among some of my teachers, priests, nuns and the adults around me were often very un-Christlike though. While I really tried to find it in Catholicism especially to please my mother, the path of religion was not pulling at me. I wanted to see the heroic around me and to find it in myself. The world of super heroes and comic books around the age of thirteen temporarily filled that need. I studied, collected, and mildly obsessed in that world. I was fascinated by the idea that people could be both human and heroic at the very same time. When I was seventeen the pull to metaphysical studies moved me in another even more profound direction. I have been on that evolving path for over thirty five years now!
We are naturally wired to seek and sometimes worship models of what is best in human beings. We look to get inspired and even excited by the best of what is possible in human achievement. We may be inspired by members of the military and their willingness to sacrifice for their countries. We can see the clear virtue in fireman or police officers for their notable bravery. We acknowledge the wisdom of great writers, teachers, brilliant scientists, and doctors for their achievements. We can look to sports heroes for their ability to excel and push the human body farther than before. We see beauty and inspirations from models and actors who motivate us with the power of beauty and affability. We are inspired by the creative achievements of musicians and artists who trigger new awareness through the power of their unique creative vision. These professions and many others all have merit, especially when they motivate us and remind us of what is possible.
Oddly, it was when I studied using Mah Jongg cards as an oracle for divination at age 30 I saw the simplicity of what could be seen as heroic behavior for everyone to potentially model. There are eight Guardians or symbols represented in the cards. Four of them are connected with the seasons themselves and what they have to teach us. The other four are people in the most simple and even common professions:
The Fisherman:
The fisherman's philosophy connected to the season of spring and was often noted as simple common sense. The ability to cast a line with bait and patiently wait for the bite of a fish was considered to be wise. Enjoying the process itself of catching fish showed the benefits of being present. A similar idea is marked by Druid teachings about the wisdom of the totem of Crane, an animal adept at patiently waiting for the sight of a fish before taking its prey. The idea of group management of time and use of diplomacy with others also came into play with the fisherman. Working successfully with others in the process could lead to a “good catch” to be shared by all. We see this idea portrayed with groups of people working together on a fishing boat. There are connotations with this symbol representing the possibility of a “good marriage” in Mah Jongg oracle readings.
The Woodcutter:
The energy of the season of summer, metal (the axe), fire, and wood were noted as a wise combination of elements coming together to perform tasks. Fire shows vitality, drive, ambition and holding the balance of power in any conflict. The ability to hack away towards goals shows perseverance and the benefits of hard work. The woodcutter was associated with new endeavors and the tools needed to remain inspired while chopping away at any conflicts that might arise in the process. The woodcutter would not be dismayed by any obstacles. There are connotations with this symbol representing fertility in Mah Jongg oracle readings.
The Farmer:
This symbol was an earthy one. It is connected with maturity, autumn, and physical activity. The farmer not only understands the value of hard work and physical labor but also timing. Difficulties encountered can be overcome by patience and understanding cycles and seasons. The farmer was noted for working with all the elements and showing perseverance in the process of towing the field, planting the seed, watering and cultivating with care to create the inevitable harvest. The connection to the land itself and the nurturing energy of the soil made the hard work required worth the energy spent. There are connotations with the farmer and the potential for promotion in Mah Jonng oracle readings.
The Scholar:
This symbol was connected to the season of winter during a time when little could be successfully achieved outdoors. Farming, hunting, and building must wait for better weather. A cultured mind would take advantage of this and study. It suggests achievement through counseling, education, literacy, speech, and the written word. The process of study to increase or dispense knowledge was a sign of notable wisdom and potential success. There are connotations to great reserves of energy when knowledge is stored and waiting for the right time for appropriate dissemination in Mah Jonng oracle readings.
There is a good chance many of the people we specifically admire used some of these attributes to get where they are. Evocative images of all of these archetypes often appear in movies, books, and television illustrating the robust woodcutter, moral effort of the farmer, patience of the fisherman, and the smarts of the scholar. For a long time in the political realm both Democrats and Republicans have seized on the idea that their party is specifically noted to be made up of these types of “good people.” All of these symbols have a common thread of patience and perseverance that would be hard to dispute as definite aspects of wisdom. Not everyone is meant to be famous or even notable in the eyes of society nor does everyone even want too! Still, we can all be virtuous and these four guardians are clear totems that show attributes that are available to all. We may not have to light up the entire world but we can influence the people in our corner of the universe and that is a heroic thing to do. Jim Ventura 7-2018
Notes:
I haven’t done a Mah Jongg card reading for myself in almost 4 years now, so I did one at the end of July and it was interesting and of course very fitting. Mah Jongg is one of a number of different types of oracle reading sessions I actually offer. If you go to my website you can see all of the unique offerings at JimVentura.com. You can request specific types of oracles when you book a session. I have extended my new client special until October 31st of this year. This offer includes a $10-15 discount for 45-90 minute sessions. You may purchase a gift certificate for a friend/new client at these rates at this time. Phone or in-office session are also available for returning clients who receive $5-10 off of 45-90 minute sessions for anyone who currently receives Snake Oil each month.
I will be doing a September/October newsletter this fall and it will likely be a ‘double” column to cover both months.
Wishing everyone a exuberant August as we push into Leo and finish up a Leo Mercury retrograde on the 18th of this month! Cheers, Jim V
“Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.”
Yoko Ono
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.
Can you explain how the emotion of fear originated?
“Fear, originally, was a signal that one should back off and not get involved until one had more developed skills for handling that given situation. Fear ensured that a young animal-or human-could survive without the mother or father constantly monitoring every decision that the child wished to make.
At its healthiest level, fear is a message that tells you to defer a given challenge or exercise until you are older, wiser, or more accomplished-which time may be only a few minutes hence, or may even be right now! It is worth listening quite carefully to what the fear has to teach you. Once its ‘lesson’ has been learned, you come away with a new resolve-and, eventually, new skills you can employ to overcome the challenge that once you found so fearsome.
Chronic fear, then, is a form of internal nagging: You are being reminded, again and again, that a previous challenge of your development has not been faced squarely. You resist it not so much because of the original fear as out of a sense that-because the fear-message has been repeated throughout your life-you are perhaps incompetent to counteract the fear stimulus.
There is no one who is, or should be, fearless. But healthy individuals shed fears the same way they discard dead skin cells or hairs, or scrub off the mud adhering to their hands after a productive day.
Whenever you fear anything, you are in a sense identifying with your adversary-which you see as more powerful than you. You are a society-did not say ‘race’ or ‘species’-that believes in playing imaginative games, much as when your Pentagon asks. ‘What will the Russians do next?’ The mother cat who defends her kittens feels little fear indeed, for she does not stop to identify with whatever is threatening them. To do so would scatter her energies-and she is singleminded upon the defense of her kittens.
So if you wish to be fearless, start by learning precisely who and what you are, and who and what you want to be. Security lies only in ability, but you cannot begin to develop those abilities that are uniquely your own until you allow the Divine Itch to show you where to begin scratching...”
Answers From a Grander self Tam Mossman
New Client Special 2018:
January 1st 2018 thru October 31st, 2018 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 $85. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130. Sessions can be in-office or by phone.
“It isn’t by getting out of the world that we become enlightened, but by getting into the world...by getting so tuned in that we can ride the waves of our existence and never get tossed because we become the waves.” Ken Kesey
“Never allow another person’s words or deeds to influence how you feel about yourself. One has nothing to do with the other.” Dick Sutphen from Simple Solutions
Snake Oil Radio
Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be one live broadcast this month)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, August 9th at 3:30 p.m. mountain time. Usually one or two Thursdays each month 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 the site and 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.
“When people undermine your dreams, predict your doom or criticize you, remember they’re telling you their story, not yours.” Cynthia Occelli
Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact).
Phone calls: (602) 957-3035 text only: (602) 349-0746
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 2018 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $85.00; Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each, although no other discounts will apply). 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.
1960's magazine ad - so wrong lol
