Snake Oil
You better change that attitude!
(This column originally ran in the fall of 2018)
I had a funny random memory a few months ago about a Saturday morning seventies cartoon that I watched when I was a kid. The Saturday morning lineup was a very big thing back in those days. The show was called “The Groovy Ghoulies.” Dracula, Werewolf, Frankenstein, etc... were all in a band and had adventures and performed musical numbers. I recalled both watching the show and making fun of it. It was a stupid title and equally ridiculous premise. There was a lot to make fun of in this monstrosity and I made my friends laugh by pointing this out. I researched when the cartoon originally ran. It was actually from 1971-1972. It’s “hard to believe” but it didn’t have a very long run before it was cancelled. That would have made me six or seven years old and I already had a wise ass sarcastic way of thinking and tongue to match it at such a really young age.
My cynical humor skills continued to sharpen as I grew up and I remember wanting to try a new cereal advertised called “Grins, Smiles, Giggles, and Laughs.” It was a tasty sugary treat with a really, really stupid name and I made fun of that ridiculous name a lot. Around the same time there was a nearly constant string of commercials about a baby doll called “Baby This and That.” The catchy song jingle was: “Baby This and That, Baby This and That, she does a lot of this and she does a lot of that...” At the age of eleven I could not believe that adults thought this was a good idea. Apparently actual professional people sat around brainstorming and got excited enough to market this “brilliant idea.” Were they being serious about “she does a lot of this she does a lot of that?” What the hell does that mean anyway? This is when it began to sink into my awareness that some adults were kind of stupid and even severely lacking in actual talent. I have no doubt that this doll and the cereal are collectors items now. Comments like this were abundant during my childhood and I had a number of times when my mother or other people told me to stop being such a wise guy!
In a somewhat similar way that astrology works the Michael teachings show that we are wired at birth with one of seven attitudes.* These are actually chosen at a Higher Self level and locked in for life. The idea that you should or even could change your attitude is largely meaningless. At best we can learn to stay in the positive poles as opposed to negative poles of our attitude. An idealist cannot become a pragmatist because they are told that they should be. The seven attitudes or way we see life are from most common to least common: Idealist, realist, pragmatist, stoic, skeptic, and spiritualist. I am a realist. The positive pole or the realists expression is to be objective and its negative is being subjective. A realist can slide to its paired attitude of cynic though. The positive pole of cynic is contradiction and its negative is denigration. The realist sees life from the lens of “it probably is” while the cynic sees from the lens of “it probably isn’t.” Many realists understandably make good judges, arbitrators, and counselors because of their ability to both empathize and to also be objective. A lot of the best comedians are not surprisingly realists or cynics. They can be really funny by calling out contradiction in society and human behavior but sometimes can seem a bit too dark for others. The cynic attitude is often taken on to handle a potentially difficult life or repayment karma. George Carlin is a great example of a famous cynic. Judge Judy would be an example of a famous realist.
We tend to gravitate to people with similar attitudes or the paired attitude. Pragmatists have the unique ability to sometime slide to any of the other attitudes with usually one or two favorite landing places. People with very different attitudes than ours can often feel like abrasive relationships. Example: a realist may see an idealist as often “too naive,” while the idealist can see the realist as “too heavy.” A stoic may see pragmatists as “know it alls,” while the pragmatist may see a stoic as “uncaring” or “passive.” On the flip side, we may actually find ourselves enjoying a different attitude in people around us and see it as a refreshing point of view from our own.
I used to drive by a store in my neighborhood a few years ago that I never ventured into (which might have been actually really nice, and kudos to anyone willing to risk starting their own business but the store is now long out of business) called “Bears, Dolls, and Surprises.” Well golly surprises how exciting! The name itself gave me plenty of ammunition for me to rip on and of course I did. One of my more recent expressions of my slide to cynical sarcasm was about our First lady, Melonia Trump. Now, while I recognize and acknowledge that there may be some good to come out of the Trump presidency possibly, still I mostly find him and his reality show family to be really hard to watch and for a number of reasons and I don’t see this ending well. Trump is a classic example of a young soul.* The common lack of empathy and the “he who dies with the most toys wins” perspective can be exhausting. Of all the people connected with this presidency I actually somewhat like Melania. She has dignity, a touch of class, has some empathy, speaks five languages, and gets credit for putting up with that family! Her announcement last spring about an anti-bullying program was a good attempt for something positive, although there is some cartoonish irony that her husband is often very much a bully. When I heard about her “Be Best” initiative, I thought “What the hell does that actually mean?” Are adjectives, pronouns and connecting words just too cumbersome? Didn’t someone suggest to her that this sounded kind of murky and silly?” Through dry sarcasm via texts and phone messages I hit up many of my friends and family with the simplistic reminder for them to “Be Best.” A likable friend who is a big Trump supporter that I often see at the casino told me: “it is likely that Melania and her husband talked about it and the words “Be Best” have a deeper meaning that we just don’t understand.” Yeah, that must be it, I am simply not smart enough to grasp why it’s simply called “Be Best” lol!
My occasional cynicism is by no means limited to other people. I have rightfully ripped on myself for some of the stupid things I have done over the years. I let a criminal move in with me in my mid twenties and lent (actually he never paid me back so I more or less gave it away) him quite a bit of money. My first book Dirty Little Secrets explored how “well” that worked out for me. I went in with a buddy in my mid twenties to set us up for a mail order business where we got sent etches that needed to be carved each week and had to do painstaking etching and then send them back for cash. We convinced ourselves that we could smoke weed and do this for extra money and it would be fun! It was a total scam, boring, and we fell for it. I got involved in a multi-level marketing juice thing in my late thirties. That also didn’t work out to be lucrative at all. I have done some silly, stupid things along the way and I comfortably own all of them. There are many other dumb things I have done so far in my life too numerous to list, especially when I was younger. If I can rip on others than I am fair game as well. I get impressed when a friend humorously tears into me when their comments are truly creative and funny! If we can’t laugh at the lame parts of ourselves and humanity itself we miss out on one of the easiest and entertaining roads to helping us heal, grow, and learn.
Recently a buddy of mine at the gym who affectionally and sarcastically calls me “sunshine,” was super excited because he got the best possible right up front parking spot at our gym. This was no easy task because half of the year we share the lot with the San Francisco Giants, their family, and lots of people who watch them train. He doofishly told me was “hesitant to give up the spot and go back to work that day because it was so good.” I called him a dork. A few weeks later he pulled up looking for that good spot. I rolled down my window as I drove up at the same time and said: “Hey loser, you’re never going to get a spot that good again in your life. Give up even trying. That perfect parking spot was the best your life ever was and it’s all downhill from here, you dope!” He burst into tears crying with laughter. He told everyone at the gym what I said proudly and still often brings the incident up. Typical of many men, we playfully rip on each other a lot and see it as a form of sport. We also would likely have each other’s back in a minute if anyone ever really messed with any of us in any real way.
Like the people in my past who told me I needed to change my attitude, you might wonder why I would seemingly be so cruel to him? He is going through a painful divorce after 25 years of marriage with a wife that was cheating on him for years. Emotionally and financially he has been painfully struggling every day for about six months with all of this. I have positively encouraged him and talked to him quite a few times, reminding him that he is strong enough to get through this and what appears to be an ordeal is actually an opportunity disguised as loss. My harshness with the parking spot joke was a way to briefly take him away from his exhausting day to day emotionally draining ordeals. To remind him while sometimes life sucks and can be painful, it can also be really funny. Laughter breaks up our wounds and it does heal us. Comedy won’t kill tragedy but it will get it to loosen its grip. Different attitudes might focus their own unique approaches to helping out a struggling friend. A pragmatist might give him practical advice and solutions. A stoic might just sit with him, not discuss the situation at all and have a beer. An idealist might cheer him up with a friendly invite or a sympathetic hug. A spiritualist might say prayers for him or give him a healing crystal. No, I am not going to “change my attitude.” I couldn’t if I tried, and I recognize that like everyone with a similar or different attitude, I chose well.
Jim Ventura 8-2018
“Humor can make a serious difference. In the workplace, at home, in all areas of life - looking for a reason to laugh is necessary. A sense of humor helps us to get through the dull times, cope with the difficult times, enjoy the good times and manage the scary times.” Steve Goodier
Notes:
This column was originally written and went to print in the fall of 2018. I never would have believed that the orange one would have gotten a second term years later. There are a number of references to the Michael teachings in this story. The mention of soul age about our current president being mid level Young soul is accurate. At this stage in our series of lifetimes on the Earth the focus is primarily about overcoming obstacles, and achieving success in the tangible world. The apt quote of “He who dies with the most toys wins” can give you a feel for this soul age. It is not really about empathy and understanding the feeling of others. While some aspects of this may surface in Infant, Baby, and young soul lifetimes, true empathy is really achieved during the mature and old soul cycles. Currently the world is moving toward a fist level mature soul overall perspective, the mathematical average should age is now first level mature soul. This is one of the reasons why younger soul age people are very uncomfortable. You can either contact me about taking classes (this can be done by phone) on the Michael teachings or go over to my site at BuyMeaCoffee.com/Venturawora for audio posts about these teachings. Typically I keep most of the material posted on the site free to read or listen to, and another 25 percent are amazing extras for supporters of the site.
Fall is arriving. Like I have expressed so many times before it truly is my favorite season, not surprising for a late level old soul. Not only do I love the beginning of cooler weather, but just the vibe and feel of all of it. Also the Taurus parts of me do enjoy increased business, and booking more party events than other times of the year. And on that note, I do typically get requests for mini readings at home parties and even corporate events, especially around Halloween. Information is in this newsletter about the cost and options for booking your home party or event. Mini readings can also be done any time virtually! Booked events that I have to drive to have a minimum of 3 hour paid booking and a maximum of five. Virtual parties can be as short as two hours.
My social media sites are doing very well, and I have started doing short videos about animal totems and spirit animal insight over at YouTube as well. While people are now more easily able to get Tarot, Numerology, and Astrology readings online or with AI, and other means, I am glad more people have access to this, I would suggest also that people keep in mind that this is still a bit limited. The benefits of a personal session with someone with years of experience, stories to share about people going thru similar situations that the cards or Runes represent, and how to navigate through anything is still much better. I have been accused by many clients over the years of ‘feeling like they received four powerful therapy sessions in just one session with me versus time with many psychologists or psychiatrists.” This is a complement that I truly appreciate receiving!
Cheers and happy Autumn Jim V
“Of all the seasons, autumn offers the most to man and requires the least of him.” Hal Borland
“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let dead things go.” Unknown
New Client Special 2026:
January 1st 2025 thru November 16th, 2026 Special:
New Client introductory offer:
$10-15 off listed rates! A $10 discount off of all 45 minute, 70, or 90 minute sessions. Debit and credit card payments accepted for all 45, 70, and 90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients may choose an extra $5 discount off the current rates for cash or check payments for sessions! Pricing is at the end of this newsletter or just request a session and availability calendar. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates and use the above discounts!
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.
Humor is an art form and it can transform us
“…Humor allows a sudden, explosive release of energy. It is employed as a balm to the wounded psyche, releasing societal or even personal horrors, allowing you to restore yourself to balance and move on from pain.
Humor can take many forms. It can be strictly visual, scrambling visual themes of your society-a man wearing a dress, a chicken bearing a cows head, a person with purple hair. Again:, these are all surreptitious pokes in the ribs of your beloved physical, senses, urging you to not take physical reality so seriously; you unconsciously recognize the undue importance accorded the images of the senses by laughing at such sights-laughter indicating your unconscious recognition of the truth behind the scrambled image.
With your love of verbal language, much humor derives from a ‘play’ on words, a wrenching together of rhyming words, puns, alterations and limericks. Again, your laughter reveals your unconscious recognition that verbal, written language is simply the outer coating on the deeper meaning that wells up in proverbial thought, later to find expression in words…
“…Consider: How often do you hear jokes about truly significant aspects of your lives? Can you recite the limerick about maternal love you heard? How about the last one-liner exploring the origins of the universe? The last pun ridiculing God? For you see, the theme of genuine importance are not to be dismissed from your awareness; it is only reflections of meaning, which you can mistakenly assume are the meaning themselves, that need to be taken down a notch or two from time to time. Your language is second-hand reality, then; your sexual mores are anachronistic: hand-me-downs from the fourteenth century; strictures on diet, behavior, dress, appearance and so on are all fair game for they are second-hand reality.
Humor, then, is a gift granted your species to ensure it would never grow too serious about the reflections of meaning that are necessarily the product of a species endowed with a conscious mind. You are meant to laugh at the mores and structures of your time, the better to release them from your reality. Humor is a beneficent corrosive, eating away at rhetoric encrusted barnacles of belief that prevent your living in harmony with the natural order
What is your image of those who know no humor; who find nothing amusing, who never utter a silly word! Are they the dynamic movers and shakers of your time, to whom all flock for guidance? You are repelled by such persons, precisely because you recognize that humor is the great equalizer, the ones who puncture hot air balloons, the milkers of sacred clowns. and those who allow themselves no humor allow themselves no growth, no balance, no harmony.
Which is the more divine act? Dragging your children to church, where he/she may sit in benumbed catatonia or instead spending time that Sunday morning telling jokes, singing silly songs or tickling each other?…”
From Whatever Happened to Divine Grace by Jose Stevens
“I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.” Lee Maynard
Regular Client Program
My Regular Clients enjoy working with the many different types of oracles I work with for enlightenment. But a good portion of them work with me in the form of an enlightened counselor and life coach. Discussing what you are going through or working on at each time is definitely healing but also allows added insight from my many years of navigational consultations and the wisdom of working with me, a very old soul!
One of the best programs I have been doing for 27 years now is my Regular Client Program. The program is designed to benefit my clients at multiple levels. Clients who enroll in the program come in every three months for personal sessions (monthly or every-other-month sessions are also an option). This can also be done for out-of-area clients by phone. Session prices are notably discounted for Regular Clients, or can be bulk purchased for even bigger discounts. The focus of the program is on consistent work in developing your intuitive abilities, learning how to navigate more effectively through life by using the signs and signals that are all around us, and conquering fear-based programming permanently. We also get to work with all of the many different oracles I currently work with! My Regular Client Program has resulted in some tremendous spiritual evolution for hundreds of people over the years. Some of my regulars have gone on to do spiritual counseling or similar types of work and some are healing and guiding others personally or even professionally. The progress I have seen over the years among the majority of my Regular Clients has been phenomenal. It is wonderful to see the spiritual, physical, and emotional progress I have assisted in motivating. So many of my Regular Clients have dramatically changed the way they now view life and are enjoying a more enlightened point of view. You too can join this program as well, just ask.
More about the Regular Client Program... This program was designed to create an easy, cost-effective way for my clients to progress in their spiritual development. When we are consistent at attending to our body/mind/spirit, we naturally move through life with more harmony and greater joy. When our spiritual awareness is heightened and fine-tuned, we are often happier which helps us to enjoy all aspects of our lives, including occasional personal challenges because we see them as inevitably beneficial. We can truly assist the people around us. Human beings learn by example. Your intimate partnerships, friendships, family, and children benefit when you are in a good space. The Regular Client Program makes it easier to prioritize keeping your spiritual, emotional and even physical “garden” free of weeds. Email me for more information and pricing.
“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you,” Langston Hughes
Home and Special Event Parties
I am available to do private parties (Phoenix and surrounding cities) with “mini readings” for your guests. Parties can be booked with either 10- 15 minute or 30 minute session blocks. Many of the different oracles I work with can be chosen for your specific event.
If you are interested in hiring me to do a party, let me know and I can check on availability options. There are a number of formats for setting up parties and here is some basic information. Please don’t hesitate to ask of you have any questions about booking parties.
The current most popular option is mini Numerology and Astrology readings with the choice of one of three oracle cards: Tarot, Angel Cards, or Druid animal cards. Specific oracles that I work with may also be requested.
The parties are a fun way to enable family and friends to become more comfortable with the benefits of oracle readings. I have done many of these parties in the past and they are truly memorable events for all of the guests.
Minimum and maximum numbers of readings/hours are required to book an at home or office party. Minimum of 3 hour bookings with a maximum of 5 hours, 2 and a half hour minimum for locations within 15 miles of my home. $50.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold a party date.
Shorter 5-10 minute sessions are also an option for really large events.
You can either book me for the $100 an hour rate for your party or event (so your guests don’t have to cover any costs) or guests can cover their own costs for readings. Both options work very well, although I still prefer that the host collects all of the payments from guests for their readings with second option to make things move along more efficiently. 30 minute readings are also a very popular option.
Parties can now be virtual! Props for the modern age with phone sessions, Face-time and Zoom options for anyone out of area. This option gives an added benefit for any type of party or event, like showers, birthday parties, and just get together for friends and family.
The format is the same but virtual parties with the added benefit of only having a 90 minute minimum booking and can be as long as three hours. Contact me for more information to set up either an in-person event or virtual one at Venturasag@yahoo.com.
Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (usually the best method for contact).
Text only: (602) 349-0746 Phone calls: (602) 957-3035 (leave a message with your number and good time to reach).
Information about the different sessions and types of readings, classes and services, past Snake Oil columns, can be found at BuyMeaCoffee.com/VenturaWora (both on the site info and gift sessions available in the shop section).
Website: JVentura44.com
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https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl
I also have a few other media channels other than FaceBook:
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel (approximately once a month 6-12 minute videos) at J Ventura Snake Oil.
Instagram at Venturawords (Astrology updates and other insights generally on short 90 second to three minute reels)
Tik Tok (animalspeaks) where I do short but powerful 2-8 minute videos about how to use animal totems and spirit animals, and a number of other metaphysical topics.
All personal sessions/readings for 2026 are: Full session (70 minutes) $125.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $95.00; Extended session (90 minutes) $150.00, Mini phone session 15-20 minutes $45. 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 $155 total or about $52 a session. 3 prepaid quarterly 70 minute session are $245 or about $82 a session.
This number is very powerful and I have been talking about how to use the vibration for manifestation with clients during session and on my social media sites and at BuyMeaCoffee.
