Snake Oil It’s Getting Cold Out There?
I was heading into my gym’s locker room when an in-shape, solid young man in a protective mask was exiting at the same time. The dramatic reaction he performed with wide scared eyes as he nearly collided with me and pulled back was humorous. He got too close to me for about three seconds and the likely bombardment in the last year and a half from medical experts about the need for proper Covid protocol responses like social distancing was probably why he reacted so theatrically. Even though in the US we seem to be thankfully over the hurdle of the worst aspects of this pandemic, many articles, news reports about variants still abound, “There could be more bad to come ahead” and “Don’t relax by any means,” and similar messages are still bombarding us. A fair amount of people, places and businesses are still wearing masks and maintaining some of the extremes of social distancing. In his and other similar peoples defense nobody really knows how to act at this point. What is safe and what isn’t? What is the right behavior and what isn’t? The pandemic definitely heightened what was an already growing theme of keeping more and more of a distance from others that’s been building over the last decade or so.
Years ago if you were in any type of waiting room for your car to be repaired, a doctors visit, etc... you either read a magazine, sat quietly, or talked to the people around you. Now the common practice is to work on a computer or just stare intently at your phone. I see the same thing with groups of young people often sitting together or even walking in groups while barely talking to each other and looking at cell phones. While at bars and restaurants you would often strike up conversation with someone nearby. While this is not completely gone by any means it has notably atrophied. People seem to have lost their ability to flirt, strike up simple chit-chat, and in general seem to have diminished fluid social skills.
While dating apps and social media sites have opened many doors for meeting people, they have also allowed a lot more liars, pretenders, scam artists, and general BS to flourish. Attraction to another person whether sexual or even for friendships involves more than seeing a picture or reading a profile. It’s a vibe you feel, body type attraction, observing the appeal of body movement, how someone smells, feels, and a host of other significant indicators that can only be experienced in person. In some ways this social media focus has also created uglier aspects or at least magnified it in human behavior. With face-book and Instagram options for commentaries, this has translated into a type of negative expression that at times borders on bullying. People are more empowered to say foul things to each other because the computer or phone provides a shield. Being a nasty wise guy always carried a risk in person; you could get a punch in the mouth! I see this personally with the drivel of inane know-it-alls who say things like “astrology has been debunked” “it’s all a scam,” and other “genius” comments that show up on my pages when I do marketing on Face-Book and similar sites. Ugliness and anger are not new, but they seem to have increased.
Of course and understandably the pandemic of 2020 and the early part of 2021 added more coldness and fear of others to the situation. Not surprisingly alcoholism has risen dramatically in the last few years. People are more afraid than ever and alcohol is the energetic and physical mask of liquid courage. I choose not to put much energy into conspiracy theories about the hows, whys, or what was behind this pandemic as a world event. Whatever its cause it was a real thing and it impacted our world. real sadness, loss of people and the devastating impact on families. It was a hard time in our collective history and by no means completely finished. We may always have this illness, but the numbers affected will likely continue to decline. What concerns me is the fall out. The messages we were told to keep safe are still not only part of our world, but embedded now in the human psyche. “Keep away from others, put on masks to protect yourself.” “Don’t go out into the world it’s’ too dangerous,” “You can get sick or your germs can make the vulnerable sick or even die, be afraid of either possibility!” While it was quite understandable for many of these ideas to have taken root during a pandemic, it is another thing to keep hanging onto these ideas for the remainder of our lifetimes. How long do we stay in fear about this? Another year or two, five more years, a decade or longer? I have discussed in past columns that the idea of random illness jumping out and grabbing you is of course ludicrous from a metaphysical perspective. There are multiple layers of how and why we experience any type of illness, including illness connected with a pandemic. I completely get why people are scared and cautious; we have been conditioned to believe in randomness of illness. And, I am an advocate for healthy, reasonable, and practical safety measures. Still, the fear of getting close to others, not already safely in our household or family we know remains sadly heightened. The most detrimental aspects of this are that this approach has harmed the youngest members of our society. Much of their social development has been marred by this rapid decline into being afraid to get close to, hug, shake hands, or chat in close proximity of another human being without a computer app, mask or another type of shield between. The loss of proms, school, trips, and a host of other rites of childhood passage and experiences were blown up and cannot be recovered for those who lost them. Young children being a part of a school play or in the audience, or the excitement of a crowded amusement park for summer vacation matter. The late teen early twenties experience of your first crowded dance club, maybe a concert and squeezing into a booth at a diner with 8 of your friends matter. I got to have these things and I want the same for everyone. These and similar experiences lost are-is a tragedy. The potential harm of another year or more of this ahead for young people would be costly.
Another likely contribution to the decline about whether there is safety in human contact may be some aspects that result form our move into the Aquarian Age. While the positive key factors like brother and sisterhood, heightened awareness of science and logical thought, celebration of eccentricity and more acceptance of what makes us unique in the human population are excellent aspects of this societal shift, Aquarius test is to remember “warmth.” Healthy detachment is a good thing but this can also lead to a time when we forget the value of touching other people, emotionally, spiritually and physically when agreed upon. The advances in technology from video conferencing, attending a workout class in a video mirror, having food delivered, being able to work at home are, and were lifesaving to many people. Still, this can lead even more to people moving further away from interacting with others in a human way. It adds to social anxiety, and in some respects the beneficial aspects of the technology pull us further apart from each other. While a small percentage of the population rightly loves the lack of contact (not everyone enjoys sociability) and enjoy being proverbial hermits, the majority of us have a need for interactions with other people one on one and in group settings. Restaurants, coffee shops, concerts, sporting events, theater, health clubs, ethnic festivals, parades, and so many other group activities are essentially parts of what makes this world enjoyable.
For all of its extremes of tragedy and loss for so many people connected to the time of Covid, in all aspects of life there is duality. So many people rose to the occasion and performed heroic acts to help others. Nurses, doctors, medical field employees of all sort, and many people in other industries stepped up in massive ways. Simple acts of thoughtfulness and kindness at a time when people were suffering were beautifully mixed with all the negatives. The willing sacrifices to help others that occurred during this test in our world didn’t nearly get the recognition it should have. Shutting down for a bit to theoretically stop the spread of a disease, to protect the more vulnerable in society, the benefits for the environment of less cars on the road, and looking at the importance of prioritizing having a healthy immune system were highlighted responses that had value. People reexamined the priorities of family togetherness, and whether the often over-prioritized value on the material aspects of life needed to be shifted. In some ways the entire world got together to fight this. There were so many societal inequities brought to light, which is a big part of why pandemics occur in the first place. Out of the rubble we are reminded that humankind can show its better, kinder side, and growth, enlightenment, and even a chance to rebuild can rise from the tests.
Unfortunately for many the leftover phobias will likely continue to project into the future. A reigniting of the “end of the world themes” in both religious, metaphysical, and scientific fatalistic circles is being seen all over. There is more fear, trepidation, and various beliefs that “the world is in it’s decline.” This can lead to even more people losing their “taste for life.” Those last three words are significant. One of the aspects of Covid for many was losing one’s sense of taste and smell. We have been trained by logical science and linear thought that a disease creates a condition and symptoms. Metaphysics teaches us that the physical condition is actually a result of limited beliefs, and unresolved emotional pain. In other words the fear or limit internally was already there, or was growing and the disease is our physical bodies way of showing this to us, potentially giving us a chance to face it, and better yet release it. At a simply more human level many people are still lingering with thoughts like these: “I won’t ever participate in any group event.” “I won’t go near the BAD ONES who aren’t vaccinated.” “I won’t go near the vaccinated because they are now contaminated.” “I will wrap myself and my children in bubble wrap forever to be safe.” “No chance I will go to a shopping mall, concert event, a gym, or other places swimming with germs and people.” “I will only go to places that are sanitized.” “I will continue to wear a mask to be safe even in my house and car.” “I will not put myself at any risk to possibly die!” Everyone has choices and we absolutely get to choose how we will respond to this time in a post pandemic period. Choosing to eternally hide in your home, waiting for the next pandemic and thinking you’re being wise is at best questionable. If your fear of human contact, touching others, and being in the world with all of its excitement that stems from the need for vulnerability and risk, all the inevitable mistakes that help us to grow when we connect to others, the accomplishments, joys, and sorrows experienced along the way are to forever be avoided because you might die: Sadly in some respects you already have.
Jim Ventura 6-2021
Notes:
While I never really went into much fear about getting sick from Covid, I had actual health issues I was dealing with that worked out successfully in 2019 and 2020, not theoretical “be afraid you might randomly get it, Jim!” I haven’t flown on a plane in over two years. This actually doesn’t have anything to do with traditional fears about flying. It is just easier for me to drive to my favorite vacation spots (Vegas, Sedona, California-although I have avoided CA for last few years) and more cost effective since I drive a Prius! Like many people exhausted from 18 months of covering up our faces, wiping down surfaces where germs hide, just the whole idea of hours of walking around in a mask, in an airport for an extended period flying with one on etc... makes the prospect very unappealing. I so feel for anyone working long days or even short ones wearing the mask, all day, ugh! I have even limited my local casino trip notably in the last year because of this. Security guards (just doing their jobs) tell you to cover up even if you just stop to sip a drink got old really fast. And even worse, local AZ casinos for the most part have banned smoking on the floor (for “our protection”) for over a year now, the joy of smoking a cigar some of the time while gambling is one of the things I truly enjoy. I got why they did this during the pandemic, but now it lingers for other reasons. To me the point of the casino is to gamble, drink, smoke, and be “bad” for a few hours. Local AZ casino’s feel lame and just a lot less fun. Vegas thankfully let go of the mask thing if vaccinated a few months ago and doesn’t limit smoking, so I am grateful for that!
My gym also dropped the need to wear a mask mandate about two months ago. Some people still do, but for the most part nobody wears them anymore. I still see one guy who is still heavily masked up and he vigorously wipes down every piece of equipment before and after he uses anything with the wet wipes provided all over the gym floor. He probably has to add another 20 minutes to each workout for all the wiping. God bless him, he is a good guy and always says hello. I like him, but when I see him I recall a number of different weird movie clips in my mind. The classic image of some lunatic obsessing about getting out the spots and all the dirt...”Out. out damn spot!” Honestly this is how I have felt most of the time this has been going on, everyone has been a bit crazy, with perspectives that collided with political slants as well. Fear will do this. My thirty five years of metaphysical study, holistic medical knowledge and similar studies have given me a quite different viewpoint. I recognize that the vast majority of the population has no awareness of this consciously (although I think unconsciously we all know that we create our physical world through our beliefs both individually and collectively), so I went along with what you were supposed to do with minimal bucking so as not to not create waves, and to respect other people and their collective fear of what is correct behaviors for the “good ones.” My chosen road has been to talk to clients about this learned perspective when asked and to teach about living in a Safe Universe (check out my YouTube video on this subject) in my writing as opposed to being combative or caught up in the “how dare you trample on my rights” perspective .
I started doing marketing for my availability for party events here in Phoenix. Understandably I lost most of these parties when the pandemic began. This of course was really devastating for so many people in fields connected to party planning, working those events, and that is a lot of people! It was a big loss for me, but only about 15 percent of my business comes from this, so I did not get hit with the financial loss in the same extreme way many people did financially. I am offering this again and information about setting up a party at your home, or for an office event of any kind within a reasonable range to Phoenix central can be a really fun way to introduce your friends and family to things like Astrology, Numerology, and other oracles. The rate is $90 an hour for the parties with a minimum of 2 and a half hours and a maximum of 5. You can get more information about these potential events on my website or just email me directly for more info, or to discuss setting one up.
I have extended my new client discount special until November 1st. Remember you can buy gift certificates for friends and family at this rate anytime. Previous clients who have had sessions with me and are currently on my mailing list can take a $5 discount for sessions and an additional $5 discount for cash or check payments for in-office sessions.
Wishing everyone a good summer! And if you live in Arizona you are already looking forward to the fall probably, it’s damn hot here...Cheers, Jim V
My latest YouTube video: Safe Universe
Cut and paste or go directly to YouTube (J Ventura)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilJha-QO6BI
“Don’t feel bad about feeling bad. Don’t be frightened of feeling afraid. Don’t be angry about getting angry. There is no need to give up when we are feeling depressed. Nor should we be dismayed at the grief which often accompanies that outgrowing of anything which needs outgrowing. We can be glad that our soul is speaking to us and pushing us onwards. We frequently need to persevere with a period of inner turmoil before the dust can settle and be swept out the door.” Donna Goddard
“A healthy lifestyle includes exercise, nutrition, healthy sleep patterns and a healthy group of friends.” Sophie Trudeau
New Client Special 2021:
January 1st through November 1 st., 2021 Special:
$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! 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 for a friend or family member you can also take advantage of these rates!
My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $90. 70 minute sessions $115. 90 minute sessions $135.
I also have 20 minute mini phone sessions $40. New client discount and special does not apply.
“Healing the world begins with healing yourself.” Anthon St. Maarten
“Knowing yourself is a lifelong adventure, enjoy it as much as you can.” Happy Goddessa
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 being healthy:
“The overall sense of health, vitality and resiliency is a generalized condition of contentment-brought about, however, by multitudinous specific responses. Left alone, the body can defend itself against any disease, but it cannot defend itself appropriately against an exaggerated general fear of disease on the individual’s part. It must mirror your own feelings and assessments. Usually, now, your entire medical systems literally generate as much disease as is cured-for you are everywhere hounded by the symptoms of various diseases, and filled with the fear of the disease, overwhelmed by what seems to be the body’s propensity toward illness-and nowhere is the body’s vitality or natural defense system stressed.
Private disease, then, happens also in a social context. This contrast is the result of personal and mass beliefs that are intertwined at all cultural levels, and so to that extent serve private and public purposes.
The illnesses generally attributed to all different ages are involved. Those of the elderly, again, fit in with your social and cultural beliefs, the structure of your family life. Old animals have their own dignity, and so should old men and women. Senility is a mental and physical epidemic-a needless one. You ‘catch’ it because when you are young you believe that old people cannot perform. There are no inoculations against beliefs, so when young people with such beliefs grow old they become ‘victims.’
The kinds of diseases change through historical periods. Some become fashionable, others go out of style. All epidemics, however, are mass statements both biologically and physically. They point to mass beliefs that have brought about certain physical conditions that are abhorrent at all levels. They often go hand-in-hand with war, and represent biological protests...”
From The Individual and Nature of Mass Events. Jane Roberts channeling Seth
Snake Oil Radio
Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcast this period)
My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, August 5th at 3:30 p.m. mountain (Phoenix) 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 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.
“In my household there is an insane amount of laughter and celebration.” Edie Falco
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.
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
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-10 minute videos) at
J Ventura.. You can also find me on Instagram.
All sessions/readings for 2020-21 are: Full (70 minutes) $115.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $90.00; Extended session (90 minutes) $135.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back with an added fee of $5 for $70.00 each, although no other discounts will apply). Mini phone session 20 minutes $40. 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. Purchasing 3 pre-paid sessions also brings sizable discounts (example 3 pre-paid 45 minute sessions is $150 total or $50 a session...)
Trip to Cave Creek for a ride up up and a way in a big Balloon Fun!
