Snake Oil Tinfoil Covering The Baby Jesus
I grew up in a large Catholic family where Christmas rituals were an important part of our holiday experience. Amidst the craziness of Santa Claus, Christmas shopping and stuffing our faces full of sugar through most of December, our family still celebrated “the true meaning of Christmas.” It was the time when Christ the savior was born. Like almost every child raised in a Christian home, we were taught the importance of remembering “the truth” about Christmas. Even from what we believed to be our enlightened perspective, we were still all about the indulgence that Christmas seemed to usher in, and as a child I loved every minute of it.
During the holidays, atop the television set was placed a small figurine of the baby Jesus. The figurine was part of a nativity scene. In our family we placed a piece of tinfoil over the small statue. My mother explained this practice to us: “until Christmas Day comes, Jesus had not yet been born.” She would inevitably ask us each Christmas morning if we had pulled the tinfoil off of Jesus before we began opening our presents. We never remembered. The excitement and lure of greedily tearing open presents far outweighed any interest in mom's custom. Still, we dutifully faked reverence in front of Mom, pulling off the tinfoil only to instantly place all of our attention back to the presents.
Young children, understandably, aren't into philosophy, morality and religious rituals. As a child, most of the things I was taught about Christian teachings weren't really interesting and were often scary. Pictures of Christ nailed to a cross with bleeding hands and feet were horrifying. The picture common in Christian homes of Christ praying with a huge beating, burning heart in his chest terrified me. To please my mother, I pretended to be interested in the Bible. Our children's Bible was illustrated with pictures that mostly gave me nightmares. Stories and pictures of pestilence, lepers, children being sacrificed, people dying and a man who was hung to die on a cross did not make for comfortable bedtime stories.
Even as we approach our forties, around Christmas, my little sister and I still tease each other about whether we have pulled the tinfoil off of the baby Jesus. We playfully and sarcastically joke about this and some of the other bizarre rituals we were taught. Maybe we haven't really grown up yet, maybe we never will.
Jim Ventura 10-2003
Cast of Characters Warm powdered Milk and Sugary Cereals
My mother was truly a master at developing frugal and creative ways to stretch my father’s every two week paycheck. We were by no means poor. In a true classic sense we would have been seen as middle class. My stay at home mother raised seven of us in the classic what your “supposed to do Catholic way,” or what she believed was supposed to be... More or less, have a lot of children, stay married, go to church or Sundays and holidays, and follow all the ritual, like not eating meat on Fridays. We had what we needed but not a lot of extra’s. A close knit family in a house in a good neighborhood, stability, and we actually grew up and spent our entire childhoods in that home. There were some families who were a bit wealthier and had nicer houses in our neighborhood but ours was comfortable.
Mom came up with interesting ways to feed a family of nine on one paycheck. There were lots of side dishes for meals like rice, noodles, bread, and we did always have some sort of meat, but meat portions were very stretched. One chicken was often served at dinner and seen as normal to us. Thankfully my ability to maneuver mom to favor me a little more than most of my siblings ended up getting me one of the chicken breasts! A steak, on the rare occasion we had that, was cut into slivered portions with plenty of mashed potatoes and other fillers. We always had desert after dinner. Ice cream, pudding, jello, and pound cake were a few of the many variations to our endless need for sugar. We had plenty of soda, Hawaiian Punch and even Cool Aid. Mom was always on some sort of diet so she would have calorie free Crystal Light with her half a pound cake for desert. Crystal Light was was red, colorful and deceptively looked potentially tasty, but I experienced the horror of having a few sips of that fake sugar. To this days I can’t stand fake sugar in anything. What we hardly ever saw was real butter or milk. We had that glowing bright margarine nonsense. Her biggest stretch was using powdered milk. We ate sugary cereals most morning with the cold powdered milk she had mixed up the night before. it was pretty watery but we didn’t know any better so it was fine because we got sugar and that was the prize. In addition, the thrill of digging out the prize often in the cereal box was also magnificent.
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| (Mom n Dad at some amusement park) |
My parents were great about making sure we had a family vacation every summer. Other than one horrible mistake of Williamsburg Virginia and the horror of education about colonial times for a vacation plan, usually part of the trip would center around a theme park. Disney World, Six Flags, and Hershey Park were a few really fun places we visited and they were awesome! When my older siblings passed sixteen or so, they usually stayed home by choice or were busy with work. When I was really young we did have a few years where all nine of us were crammed into the station Wagon or later the Delta 88 and drove to Virginia, Florida, or even Ohio. We would stay in a motel six or similar budget type of place and share two rooms. Adding a cot or two, sleeping on the floor, or the couch, and a few to each bed. We sometimes were required to duck down in the back seat of the car in case staff saw us since there were often limits to how many to a room and that was oddly exciting too. We swam in the motel pools, were thrilled to get soda, chips, cookies or candy from a vending machine, used the ice machine, and just enjoyed the adventure and change in scenery.
Lunch meals were usually a cooler of sandwiches, potato chips, pistachio nuts, pretzels and other assorted fillers. We always had dinner in a generally cheap restaurant, often the one attached to the motel, but that was great too. Breakfast meals were where mom truly cut corners. She and my dad would go out to eat in the motel restaurant and all the kids would stay in the motel rooms. Before our trip we would get to pick out 8 packs of mini cereals. We often called “dibs” on our favorite types of cereal in a democratic way. Usually Raisin Bran or similar lower sugar cereals that were supposed to be healthy were sadly left behind. What good was a healthy cereal? Mom would bring her powdered milk and a jar or pitcher. Rarely did the motel room have a refrigerator so usually she mixed up the magic concoction of hot water from the faucet first thing in the morning. We poured that warm crap over our mini cereal boxes with our plastic spoons. The boxes were designed with wax paper so they could open and be used as a bowl. Warm watery powdered milk that sometimes didn’t fully dissolve in spots was a challenge. But the sugary cereals connected with television commercials and thrill of crazy cartoon characters pushing them, and being away from home, made up for it and we loved the ritual.
In spite of all of the stretching and questionable nutritional focus we had great trips. In order to obsessively buy souvenirs or extra garbage food along the way we saved money for our trips. Raking leaves, weeding gardens, shoveling snow in the winter and other odd jobs became a focus to have your own spending money for vacation. Looking back on this, it was a good thing on mom and dad’s part to teach us how to plan and save. Mom’s frugal ways were surprisingly motivating. Dad proudly took thousands of pictures, so we still have a ton of fun at some of our family reunions looking at photo’s of our adventures. Some of my friends actually got to fly places, had more elaborate trips, stayed in actual Hotels versus the Motel 8. They were even shockingly simply given money if they asked for it by their parents, something that we rarely ever experienced. Yet, the fun of playing car games like spotting license plates from other states, and “Mr Peabody goes to the store,” making jokes and funny character voices, grooving to seventies and eighties music, stopping or noticing Stuckey’s signs, going to different rest areas along the highway and getting further trilled at vending machines with different stuff in each place were seriously memorable. Sometimes we visited relatives but we always inevitably had a day or two at a popular theme park riding the rides and seeing some shows. My friends had more glamorous trips, but our funny stories, the banter between my siblings and I, and how dad allowed us to (well pretended to at least) choose where we would go each year as well as the odd closeness of being squeezed into a car every year made our trips seem truly fun. I could see that my friends often actually kind of envied us when we returned and shared our funny stories about our families crazy trips.
Jim M Ventura 7-2-2022
Notes:
I am now a bit over halfway through writing my new book tentatively titled My Cast of Characters by Jim M Ventura. This is why I included one of the new stories in this newsletter. Holidays are meant to warm the heart and adding some laughter to the mix can really warm the heart so I published both my classic Christmas story “Tinfoil Over the Baby Jesus” and “Warm Powdered Milk and Sugary Cereals.” Happy Holidays!
(One of my other stories from the new book can be seen on my YouTube channel with a live read there “She’s a Little Bit Dangerous.” cut and paste this link to your browser to view)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5bYsekz0-Y&t=36s
Here we are again beginning the celebration season, with the big three ahead, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. It would be nice to say that this last year, as it comes to a close was more peaceful than the two previous ones that held a polarized election, and the heightened fear connected with a pandemic, but there was notably turbulence in other ways in 2022. Soaring inflation on just about everything. a housing and rental market that was extreme with ups and now downs, and turmoil connected with some Supreme Court decisions that pushed against what the majority would choose, are examples of just a few of the societal elements that created upheaval. A good re-reminder that Uranus is in Taurus. This is one of many clear influences of the world at large, as well as in our personal lives (Natal planets in Taurus, where Uranus is placed, and the houses in your personal chart with these elements are a few of the many good reasons to learn the language of astrology or to talk to a knowledgeable astrologer about how it is specifically influencing you, far easier btw. I happen to know a really good one actually, me! lol) are being impacted.
Uranus is the unconventional innovator of the astrology world. As the planet of sudden changes, shocks, and inventions, this rebellious cosmic character is known for disrupting the status quo and bringing surprises into our lives. Between May 2018 and April 2026, Uranus will transit through the sign of Taurus, so it’s influencing Taurean matters such as money, beauty, sustainability, values, and even our stewardship over the earth.
Uranus is one of distant outer planets, which are sometimes called “generational” planets, given their slow-moving orbits and broad influence on the collective. It takes 84 years for Uranus to complete a full cycle through the zodiac, and it spends about seven years in each sign. Known as the great awakener, Uranus’ progressive energy zaps things like a fire bolt, sending an electric shock of innovation, inspiration, and change pulsing through everything it touches. Its vibe is all about creativity, originality, and revolution, even if it is at times uncomfortable.
I am ending the year with two very special offers! There may still be a few openings in my class, (workshop) in Tempe AZ for locals for my workshop class Creating Prosperity. And if you can’t make the date, and the class is full (make sure to still ask), or you are out of area then you can contact me for info about setting up a phone (or face-Time, or Zoom) class(s) about Creating Prosperity and 17 other class options I currently offer. Just a side note suggestion for some people that may need to hear it; It’s safe to come out into the world again, meet people, benefit from the energy of a group and make some new friends!
My other opportunity is a $10-75 off up to three sessions offer: All returning clients can take advantage of my $10 off listed rates offer from November 10 to December 31st, 2022. Purchasing a second session for yourself after your session is at a $20 discount (you can use as a follow up anytime in 2023). A third session is $40 off listed rates! The sessions can be for yourself or given as gift certificates to any of your friends or family members to use. More information about both offers in this newsletter. Happy Holidays, Cheers, Jim V!
“You know what the issue is with this world? Everyone wants a magical solution to their problems, and everyone refuses to believe in magic.” Alice in Wonderland
November and December Gift certificates Special: $10-$75 off all sessions!
This offer is for new New Clients and Returning Clients
The holidays are approaching. Give a gift to someone you love that they will really appreciate: a reading/personal Navigational consultation with Jim Ventura. All sessions booked at this time AND all gift certificates purchased from November 10th, 2022 until December 31st, 2022 will be at a discounted rate for all of the clients who are currently on my mailing list (receiving Snake Oil or following me on Face-Book, Instagram, or LinkedIn) and new first time clients as well can take advantage of the special!
Special discounted rate:
$10.00 off my current listed prices for any 45, 70, or 90 minute sessions. If you purchase up to 2 gift certificates (or decide to purchase a follow up session for yourself to use in the coming year after a session at this time) the second gift certificate is $20 off my listed prices. If you purchase a third it will be $40 off that one! A maximum of three session gift certificates may be purchased at this time. In-office cash or check payments can add an additional $5 off the total price.
Price list for services are at the end of this newsletter and on my website. The gift certificates are good for one full year and can be used any time during the remainder of 2022 and all of 2023. I will either mail them to you or, if you prefer, mail them directly to the people who you want to receive them (snail mail or email). You may want to buy a gift certificate(s) either for friends, family or for yourself to be used anytime in 2023. Sessions can be in-office or by phone, Face-Time. or Zoom for out-of-area clients.
“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
“Many of the most deeply spiritual moments of my life haven’t happened just in my mind or in my soul. They happened while holding my son in the middle of the night, or watching the water break along the shore, or around my table, watching the people I love feel nourished in all sorts of ways.” Shauna Niequist
Channeled Corner. I have read many, many books from some of the best trance channeler's in the 70s-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:
Michael teachings on Choice:
“...If there is a ‘purpose to life’ it is choice. You are here to choose. All of life is a series of choices, and even when choice is abdicated, it is choice. Where life choice is denied, there is karma, and karma will be balanced. The ribbon(*1) will be burned, for that is the nature of evolution. Choice will lead to karma and choice will lead to its burning. This is not a contradiction. Personality may choose to abdicate the burning of karma in a given incarnation, but essence will eventually choose the Over-leaves (*2) and circumstances that will permit the release that comes from burning karma, for that is part of evolution, and essence, by its very nature, seeks evolution. Choice is the manifestation of evolution for fragments on the physical plane.
There is no part of life that is not, in fact, a choice. It is choice to get out of bed in the morning. To have coffee or any other beverage at breakfast-if you choose to eat breakfast. It is a choice to conduct your day in whatever means you choose, and what degree of importance the day has in your sense of your life. What entertainment, if any, you choose for evening; what meals, if any, are consumed; when and if you sleep, with what or whom-all these are choices, and all choices are valid. That you may or may not be pleased with the choices is another matter, and one that is linked with your recognition and validation of the nature of your true personality after the completion of the internal fourth monad.(*3) While we agree that the choices of life impose certain constraints on the personality and the life, we would also wish to point out that acceptance of those constraints is, for the most part, also the result of choice.
That enculturated behavior limits the experience of the personality, both true and false personality, is to some extent valid. That convenience is as much an aspect as any in most daily choices is also valid. All experiences are part of evolution, even the experience of burning the toast or spilling the wine. Each of you becomes the sum total of all experiences, no matter how apparently minor or trivial, in this and all other lives. We do not say this to be daunting but to assure you that there are no ‘unimportant’ choices; we have said before and we will certainly reiterate many times again: Nothing is wasted. Nothing can be wasted. All of life is valid. No matter how it is spent. All experience contributes to the evolution of essence...”From Michael’s People by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
(*1) Ribbon: Michael's term for binding agreements created through karma (karma is created when we remove another individuals right to choose)
(*2) Over-leaves: Life goal, mode, attitude, centering, and chief feature we choose each lifetime.
(*3) 4th Monad: Achievement of a unit of life experience. Generally corresponding to around ages 35-45.
“In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others.” Brennan Manning
Upcoming class and workshop
CREATING PROSPERITY
“The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.”
“I am very unlucky.”
“Whenever I get any money, I end up spending more of it or just lose it anyway.”
“My astrology chart shows that I will never have any money anyway so why bother.”
These and similar thoughts and beliefs, while may even contain some personal truth to them are examples and focuses that limit us from experiencing prosperity. As much as we may not like to admit it, we often love to be “right” about what we believe even if the results from those beliefs make us miserable in the process.
Everyone has untapped talents, abilities, skills, and the potential to be more successful. There is no real limit to abundance or actual scarcity unless we believe so and choose to stay limited in our personal cage of beliefs.
Our beliefs form our reality. When we become aware of them and are willing to change them our physical reality will inevitably follow.
“ Learning to open a doorway to living in abundance is possible. We can manifest prosperity in many different areas of life: career, finances, love life, personal happiness, etc...This class will focus on many different methods for generating personal success....
Notes from the instructors attendance at the Millionaire Mindset seminar will be added keys to magnetizing a life of prosperity. Instructor Jim Ventura will discuss practical and metaphysical tools to show you how to create more wealth in your life...”
Instructor: Jim Ventura Navigational consultant, astrologer, oracle reader, author, radio and television host, columnist. Jim has twenty-seven years experience as a spiritual counselor and works with many different types of oracles. You can see his monthly videos on YouTube (J Ventura Snake Oil). More information about services at JimVentura.com
Email Venturasag@yahoo.com to reserve a space in this (limited to 13 participants) workshop. Sunday November 13th. 11:15 - 1:45 pm. $25.00.
Location: Sozo Healing House in Tempe AZ.
Contact me to hold one of the remaining spaces.
If you are not a local or can’t make the date of this class you can contact me for info about setting up a phone (or face-Time, or Zoom) class(s) about Creating Prosperity and 17 other class options I currently offer.
“Start viewing your problems as decisions that need to be made.” Dick Sutphen
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, November 17th at 3:30 p.m. mountain (Phoenix) time. Usually one Thursday 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 or on your phone. 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 if the show is offering that (please check, many of my column shows don’t).
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
I have a few other media channels other than my monthly radio shows and Face-Book:
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-11 minute videos) at J Ventura Snake Oil.
Instagram at Venturawords (mostly astrology updates)
Tik Tok (animalspeaks) where I do short 3 minute videos about animal totems!
All personal sessions/readings for 2022-2023 are: Full (70 minutes) $115.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $90.00; Extended session (90 minutes) $140.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back $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 prepaid sessions also brings sizable discounts. Some examples; 3 prepaid 45 minute monthly sessions is $150 total or $50 a session. 3 prepaid quarterly 70 minute session are $240 or $80 a session.
