May 2015 Snake Oil/Rebuilding Roads

May 2015 Snake Oil

Snake Oil

Rebuilding roads

Over a year ago, a Phoenix road crew started doing some road reconstruction along the two mile road that runs in front of my home. The project would supposedly end with new sidewalks, two wider lanes and a third middle turning lane to help traffic flow better. They also planned on replacing sewer pipes and a few other upgrades as part of the reconstruction. I was all for the plan to improve the neighborhood, but the construction itself has been a series of tremendous roadblocks that have made the last year difficult for me as well as for my clients and friends to navigate around. Some aspects of my life seemed to be mirroring a similar theme. Destruction and reconstruction are very real themes that we experience physically in this world as well as emotionally and psychologically in our personal lives. Sometimes positive change is initiated by experiences that feel like one is being torn apart.

While I knew that when the project was finished we would have a much better road and neighborhood, I still experienced extreme periods of irritation while this was being done. In the past year I have received a number of panicked phone calls from clients and students who were struggling to get to my home office and through the seemingly endless mess. There were a few times the construction and blockades were so difficult to get around that I had to climb curbs in my small car to get into my own complex! For a few months I had to drive a mile out of the way each time I came in from the east to get home because the road only went in one direction. I often noticed many days in a row where there were no workers doing anything at all. A number of times, I saw them only working on one tiny portion of the two mile road for weeks at a time, while the rest of the road was nearly impossible to navigate through. The only good thing I could find in this frustrating situation was the opportunity to express sarcasm and humor about it with my friends and clients. Humor is often a helpful tool that decreases my irritation. I had all kinds of wise ass comments about the road work: “Half the time it seems like they’re just a bunch of teamsters walking around with coffee and donuts and doing nothing.” “How freaking long does it take to finish two miles of road in the first place?” “They can build entire casino’s in Las Vegas in half the time.” “Is it possible to milk and stretch out a project any longer than this ridiculous one?” “Will I actually get to see this completed during my lifetime?”

In defense of the road crews, I have no idea how complicated and demanding the task of road reconstruction really is. There is a very obvious reason why I still have soft hands in my forties. Except for occasional gardening, I have rarely dirtied my hands in this life with hard physical labor. So, while I found myself often bitching and moaning about my frustration over how ridiculously long this project was taking, I knew there still had to be some valid reasons why it never seemed to be finished. One night towards the end of the summer of 2008, I went for a a walk late one evening. While I had to walk around piles of dirt and pipes on unfinished sidewalks and barricades, I finally made it to the neighborhoods behind the torn up streets. I walked past the peaceful houses where most of the inhabitants were sleeping and began to understand why this was all happening and taking so damn long. The reconstruction of the two mile strip of road in front of my

house perfectly mirrored what was going on in my personal life and in the United States.

For many years in this country we have experienced all kinds of “road blocks and problems:” excessive greed, corrupt politics, inflated housing markets, banks lending to anyone without any real collateral, spending billions of dollars on a war, and religious lunatics with false morality eroding a great country and leading us to this breaking point. We now need to collectively rebuild America and restructure some of its values and priorities. While things are tough for many Americans right now, we are definitely on the road to rebuilding a stronger country. In my own backyard, I had overused credit cards for too many years and it was time to find real solutions for getting out of debt. Eliminating my mounting debt needed to be my top priority, I could not put it off any longer. I now have to work a part time job on the weekends to pay off all of it for the next two years. While I was bothered at first and uncomfortable about my necessary sacrifice, I also knew it would inevitably result in increased prosperity. 2009 is the year of the “Ox” in Chinese Astrology. “Ox people” are strong and sturdy, and understand the value of hard work. When a wild ox is tamed and domesticated it can transport heavy loads. In Chinese Astrology, I was born in the year of the Dragon. The aspects of the dragon fit me far more accurately than the Ox, but I knew I needed to use some of the wisdom of the Ox this year. Some extra hard work and a practical approach would be the keys to making 2009 a successful year for me.

The road construction will be ending soon on my street. Traffic will move freely and the value of our homes will likely increase because of this. The seemingly endless reconstruction of the road had an important message within it that I understood when I stopped battling the experience. A part of me had created it. Individually and collectively we create our own reality. I had been a part of creating this and wasted some time feeling angry and victimized by my own creation. I lost focus on the necessity of destruction leading to recreation. I felt empowered when I returned from my walk that night. Something had shifted internally for me and it felt good. I was no longer irritated about how long this was all taking. I was excited to see what constructive beauty would come of of this process.

I now work an extra twenty five hours a week waiting tables again. There are times when it can be a little exhausting. I thought it would be incredibly difficult to juggle my home counseling business, two radio shows, writing a monthly blog column, teaching classes and working a part time job. But, in truth it is not as hard as I thought it would be. While it is tough being on my feet again, there are some real benefits. I like this part time restaurant job. It is fun, gets me out of the house and I am making excellent extra money. I made a decision in early 2008 that I would get out of debt and make the best money in my life in 2009-2010. This is exactly what is beginning to occur. Yesterday a note was placed on my door from the city’s road construction crew. The project would be completely finished in a few weeks. While I know it will realistically take the country quite a bit longer to pull itself back together, I know that its destruction process will soon be replaced by a reconstruction and inevitably more positive and prosperous time. I have re-stabilized and reconstructed my life so it is now stronger and more solid. Now I get to continue to use the wisdom of the Ox and my charismatic skills as a Dragon to lend a hand and guide the people around me to do the very same thing.

Jim Ventura February 2009

Editors Note:

I originally wrote and printed this column back in early 2009 (six years ago)! A lot has changed. I always find it amusing when I read predictions about the “inevitable” collapse of the economy and epic struggles many people believe are ahead. We already went thru all of that! Have people forgotten the difficult recession/depression in 2009-2012? I had some difficult years, but the knowledge I gained about credit cards, loans, and other financial matters during those difficult years has definitely made me wiser. I am now extremely knowledgeable when it comes to this and many other subjects. In the last few years I have been able to help many people steer a course thru similar things. The restaurant job I had back in 2009 lasted two years before the owner went thru bankruptcy and let go of the restaurant in 2011. This was a restaurant that opened quite successfully in early 2009 and was listed as one of the top three best restaurant by Phoenix magazine! I think I still use a bit of the Ox energy now, from those years, and it certainly still helps me handle some difficult things when they occasionally surface. When we are younger the Saturn influence in our astrology charts show us where we have restrictions, limitations, fear, caution, and where things tend to take way longer than we might like them to. When we get older the house placement and sign Saturn was in when we were born becomes the area where we are wise, practical, and often successful! I can now comfortably look back at those struggles from a much more empowered and successful vantage point. I remind all of my clients and readers if you are undergoing difficulties keep in mind: This too shall pass, even if we can’t see why almost all experiences are purposeful, and are currently struggling to see that purpose.

One of the themes that I have discussed in this essay is connected with the wild Boar and energy this represents. I have included a passage about this later in the newsletter. There are simply times in life when we have to reconstruct who we are and aspects of our lives. Sometimes this process can be difficult, but it is always purposeful! I am running a special for the whole month of May for a Druid Animal Totem reading. These sessions not only give you insight into your life now, but the information gained from your totems can assist you in numerous ways through the rest of your life.

While I can easily move into a cynical mode when it comes to the general state of affairs in the world right now (Facebook posts from friends show the general discontent about a number of different things...), I can also see that progress has been made in some areas as well.  At the very least the economy itself here in the USA has radically improved. Unemployment is at one of the lowest points in many decades. I watched FOX news for about a half hour a few weeks ago while I was in the Diamond lounge in Las Vegas. It was on the television in front of me so hard to avoid. When it comes to any political commentaries I wonder how does anyone take this type of news reporting seriously? Some news stations are also heavily slanted to the left, but FOX news is almost cartoonish in some of its “to the right” reporting. Look at the eyes of most of the reporters and commentators, many baby and young soul staff, and commentators... Remember back in the day when news was simply reported and not given such an obvious slant according to the political affiliations of the broadcast owners? UH-Oh I am starting to sound like an old man who says things like “in my day...”   

If you have never read my first book: Dirty Little Secrets I have a special discounted rate on copies of my book. I also have an extremely discounted special rate for my CD audio version this month! More information later in the newsletter.  

Wishing everyone a happy May! Cheers, Jim V

Boar: Warrior Spirit, Leadership, Direction.

“Drawn reversed, this card may mean that you have lost your sense of direction. There is a close connection in tradition between madness and pigs and boars. At a playful level this “folly” is expressed by the morris dancer who beats the audience with a pig’s bladder-also used as a football. But at a more serious level, those who were mad were often made to act as swineherds. Merlin, in his period of madness, talks to pigs, and within this image is conveyed the concept that madness and insight are closely allied. Sometimes we have to go through a period of “breakdown” so that something wider and deeper can enter into our lives. The Boar is the emissary of the Terrible Mother-who is also the Initiator. Sometimes a period of destruction must precede a period of creation, of rebirth.”

One of the most interesting readings I offer is a look at Druid Animal Totems. For the month of May 2015 all of my current Snake Oil subscribers will get $15 off (instead of the normal $5 off) listed rates for your 45, 70 or 90 minute session when specifically requesting this reading. Local clients who pay in cash or by check can also take an additional $5 off their session! Understanding the influence of your Totem Animals is an excellent way to increase empowerment.  

DRUID ANIMAL ORACLE READING SPECIAL May 1st thru 31st 2015 

The practice and ancient Druidic teachings of animal totems and animal power is being revived. Every aspect of the natural world is alive and capable of being our allies, guides, and teachers. In Druid culture, wearing animal skins, heads, and feathers was a way of identifying with certain Animals and becoming them for a while in order to partake in their powers and to receive divine inspiration. This session will show what power animals are now available to you, and how they may already be influencing you. When we increase our ability to use the gifts and wisdom of animal totems, we become far more empowered in all areas of life. This spread is a perfect vehicle to open you up to the wisdom in the natural world all around you.

  Email me at Venturasag@yahoo.com to book

“Your task is not to seek love, but to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” Rumi

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. 

From Reflections Of an Elder Brother by Bartholomew

“Looking In The Wrong Place

One of the things that kills your spontaneous joy in life is the constant judgmental critique you have running against yourself. You have no idea the number of moments you spend criticizing your looks, your diet, your friendships, your speech, your house, your car, your job, etc,. etc. In order to really understand what I mean, I would like you to take a few moments to write down all of the judgments that, one, your have against yourself, and two, you think the world holds about you. Please be very specific and thorough in recording these.

Pause.

Alright, my friends, let me tell you what your list represents. It represents a great deal of energy drain and it represents a tremendous amount of defensive awareness. When you are still trying to please the world or to have the world find you pleasing, you are trapped in this downward spiraling energy vortex. You will constantly be trying to assess how well you are doing, constantly ruminating about how to appear in order to get what you want or to please others. In the end, my friends, the only things that brings the love you are looking for in this world, is the love in you. And that love is already there, in perfect safety and wholeness. You do not have to create the love-just allow yourself to experience it.

You are trying to get love using the wrong technique. The point here is very simple. Everyone wants to feel loved, and every one of you wants to feel love. You believe it takes someone outside yourself who miraculously happens to ‘love’ you, to feel loved. So you spend your lives looking for this someone. But in the deepest part of you, you are not trying to find someone to love you, you are trying to feel love within yourself. And your list of judgements, however subtle, comes in to undercut all of your awareness of the love that is within you...”

“The best way to love is to love like you have never been hurt.” Unknown author

New Client Special May and June 2015:

May 1st 2015 thru June 30th 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$1o-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.

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.

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, May 7th at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so same as pacific). 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.

Rune of Wholeness, Sowelu #24: “...Seeking after Wholeness is the Spiritual warrior’s quest. And yet what you are striving to become in actuality is what you, by nature, already are...” Ralph Blum from the book of Runes

Dirty Little Secrets

 

(available in print, audio CD, or kindle) Storyteller and professional oracle reader Jim Ventura takes his readers on a wild literary ride. Dirty Little Secrets is a collection of short essays. The book explores some of society’s perceptions about what people often consider to be dirty little secrets best kept to oneself. The book tackles subjects with unflinching honesty: drug use, sexual addiction, unrequited love, revenge, childhood weirdness, homosexuality, and the old souls quest to experience magic and miracles in everyday life. The author holds little back in expressing his quest for enlightenment. Dirty Little Secrets illustrates how meaning, spirituality and humor can be found to be embedded in every experience.

Excerpts from Dirty Little Secrets:

Light as a feather, stiff as a board “...Childhood for me was a time of experimentation. I was attracted to the occult, there was something about its danger and mystery that was compelling...”

What’s wrong in this world? “...My belief has always been this: life is meaningful and safe, and people are basically good by nature...”

Criminal “...My nightmare with the bad-boy showed me parts of myself that were not honorable. While I never even came close to the type of thievery Jim was involved in, I had still been a thief when we met. I tried to manipulate this young man, by making him need me, and he manipulated me right back, tenfold...”

The Raven “...I began to remember every violation done to me in past relationships, every client who was loving and kind in relationships and was treated like garbage ran through my head. Every piece of slime who walked all over my brothers and sisters, and close friends passed through my head. I felt rage, someone needed to take a stand, someone needed to fight back. I appointed myself, through an imaginary election, to the position of righter of all wrongs...”

Another queen singing I’m coming out! “...Everyone who knew me was comfortably aware that I was gay, except my parents, After they went back home it nagged at me for days. I could not carry this anymore, it no longer mattered that they might be upset. It was the truth; it was who I was and the last part of me still in hiding...”

To order a CD audio recording of the book (this is a dvd audio and will play on most computers and dvd players) read by the author, or a soft cover print version of Dirty Little Secrets, contact the author directly at Venturasag@yahoo.com

Print version $11.00 including sales tax. Please include $4.00 for shipping ($15.00 total). 

Special for month of May 2015 $6 for CD (audio) version. Also $4 for shipping $10 total.

Or send check or money order to Jim Ventura 2515 N 52nd St. #206 Phoenix AZ 85008. I can also be contacted my e mail if you want to use a debit card via pay pal to order.

Dirty Little Secrets is also available at Amazon.com

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. 

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

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 receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. 

April 2015 Snake Oil/Icky Sexuality

Snake Oil

Icky Sexuality

A client of mine, who is also a Facebook friend, posted something recently. When I read it I literally had to restrain myself from commenting back. It’s likely that the post was from her conservative, right wing, religious husband whom she shares her Facebook account. It was one of those archaic, prejudiced, homophobic, but disguised as “moral,” posts that asked others to re-post if they agreed: “Marriage should be between one man and one woman only.” A sappy picture of a glowing ring accompanied this touching sentiment. I haven’t seen many of these types of posts in the last few years. We are on the brink of gay marriage becoming the law of the land here in the United States. When it becomes law in all fifty states (at this time it’s now legal in 37 states), God will not be angry, and it won’t collapse our civilization as many right-wing religious extremists have over the years threatened would happen. It won’t lead to the “slippery slope” theorists bizarre idea that people will marry their dogs and their siblings. It has been legal for over a decade in a number of states and many countries and it hasn’t destroyed heterosexual marriage in any way. One has to wonder why this inevitable shift in societies’ view of human sexuality and equal rights for all American’s has been and continues to be such a rocky road.

From both a practical and spiritual perspective there have and will always be four primary variations for human sexual expression. The same categories also apply to most animal species. People are either heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual. For the most part sexual orientation is chosen at a Higher Self level before birth. Inevitably in our reincarnation cycles we will experience all of the variations in different lifetimes as part of our evolution and innate desire to experience the gifts and challenges each variation offers. Heterosexuality and bisexuality are the most common sexual expressions overall. 

While bisexuality and homosexuality seems to be growing more commonplace in society, it only seems this way because it is becoming more socially acceptable to express oneself in either category. Bisexual people in different degrees have the ability to see physical attractiveness and fall in love with either gender. Heterosexual people are wired to be only attracted sexually to the opposite sex. Homosexuals are wired only toward and attraction to the same sex. This is somewhat akin to a lifetime of scholarly study with the focus of a desire to understand ones gender by not only being born in that body, but to be sexually drawn to the same sex. Asexual people choose not to find themselves drawn to sexual expression at all. While people do sometimes shift from one expression to another, this is more often than not, simply finally coming to terms with their true sexual identities. Many people spend years forcing themselves to experience sexual expression that they are not hard wired for. This is often due to religious, and cultural expectations, and internal or external shame about conforming to other’s expectations. Often after years of tremendously difficult struggle they eventually accept the sexual orientation they were meant to experience. Sadly some never come to terms with who they are and hide their identities or take their own lives. 

There are three primary reasons for the confusion that acts as a blocking force behind people being fearful about comfortably expressing their true sexual identities. The first is the “icky” factor. When people lack emotional, spiritual, and intellectual maturity there is a tendency to find something that falls outside of their wiring or range to be distasteful and therefore “bad,” or “wrong.” This element of human response occurs in cultural, social, religious, economic, and many other areas in society. People often find those with different body types repulsive. Wealthy people sometimes perceive the poor as less than. Poor people sometimes see the wealthy as less spiritual. People in one race may hate another race. To a lesser extent, but also within groups that are often marginalized we see this practice as well. Dark skinned races sometimes feel being lighter skinned is better. In the gay community bisexual people are sometimes scorned and seen as simply “greedy.” The list of societal examples of what is “less desirable” are long. Historically, many people chose hiding their true sexual identities if they were not heterosexual simply because they were afraid others would find this distasteful.

An unfortunate and common theme that’s been a major component in our humanity and the sometimes lack of it, has always been the need to prop oneself, or the group you belong to, up by making others less than. A common practice in ancient Rome was to seize non-Roman people from other countries, and cites and use them as slaves. The marriages, families, and general value of these non-Romans were simply irrelevant because they were less than. Part of the pattern behind the belief that gay marriage is wrong and should be illegal was largely due to a similar type of logic. “Heterosexuality is the only way the species can procreate and is the one right way!” This logic of course is faulty, because this would eliminate heterosexual couples who choose, or can’t procreate as invalid. It also invalidates anyone past the child production stage from marriage. Yet, it’s interesting to observe how homosexual and bisexual people contribute in larger percentage than average in putting together nearly every aspect of marriage ceremonies. From wedding gown design, florists, wedding planners, hair dressers, photographers, make-up artists, clergy, service staff, bakers, jewelry design etc... the numbers of people that are not specifically heterosexual multiplies noticeably. Behind this has always been a belief that homosexuals are okay if they hide their “icky sexuality” and act as servants who are not able to participate themselves because they are less than.

The second culprit blocking people from expressing sexual identity has always been organized religion. In Christianity, Bible passages from the Old Testament that scorned same sex expression, considered “God’s words,” have given people over the ages an opportunity to demonize anyone outside their accepted expressions. Like all spiritual books, the Bible was written by men attempting to interpret spiritual truths. The passages written that suggest God hates non-heterosexual expression were written by men who believed it was icky, so God must think it’s icky. Literal interpretations of everything in the Bible would have us still believing slavery is good, women shouldn’t speak when men are speaking, women are property, divorce is punishable by death, and a host of other inane atrocities. Unquestionable literal interpretations of all Bible passages are not showing faith, rather they suggest a lack of understanding. The Bible has been edited, altered, and changed, many times over. Most Christians understand this and do not believe every word in the Bible to be unquestionable. It is the crazy ones on the far right who hold tightly to the idea that Biblical passages are word-for-word God’s words.

The third influence that makes alternative sexual expression wrong stems from a combination of the previous two. This includes crazy logic and theories that many cling to as factual. “If gays can marry what’s next, marrying your dog or your sister?” “Gays marriage will lead to polygamy.” “Gays molest children.” “Homosexual are always trying to convert our children to their way of life.” None of these or any other justifications are accurate in any way, and actually fall into the biblical category (Ten Commandments) of bearing false witness against your neighbor. The ones that scream the loudest about “perverse” behavior often project something from their shadow side. So hating gays is often hating a part of oneself, even if it is only a small part.  An individual who is comfortable and secure in their sexual identity is not concerned about anyone else's. 

Society is always changing and evolving, sometimes quickly, and sometimes slowly. The Aquarian Age we’re currently in is about brotherhood (and sisterhood) and accepting diversity. Most young people are no longer uncomfortable about this subject. Many explore each option themselves until they find a right fit. In this day and age, most people have friends, siblings, parents, children, teachers, co-workers and all kinds of people in their lives that are gay or bisexual. Another reason why more people are comfortable with sexual orientations other than their own now is because at one or more levels we all fall into categories that others don’t like or agree with. The ability to identify and care for other “underdogs” is growing stronger in more and more people. More people are beginning to see that the idea of someone who is asexual, homosexual, or bisexual must be lacking a moral code is actually propaganda from people who are simply lacking healthy empathy. Change can be scary to people who are stubborn (fear of change).  But, change is inevitable and more often than not, a good thing. Gay marriage is often used as a scapegoat reason for why “marriage is failing.” My friend’s husband who posted the marriage post is probably a really nice guy. He, like many people that are still concerned about gay marriage, and “heterosexuality being the only right way,” simply needs to develop more empathy, maturity,  and recognize “icky” is truly in the eyes of the beholder.

Jim V 3-2015

Editor s Note:

I remember when I was in middle school. I briefly went thru a period of being a bit afraid of people from other races, ages, or religions affiliations. I was a Catholic school boy in elementary school and a little sheltered. The confusion I had was more a fear of the unknown than necessarily specifically directed toward someone or something as “good” or “bad.” Racism, sexism, or any other “ism” never was a major part of the way I saw things though. By the time I reached 14 or 15 my way of viewing others different from me had changed. I could never understand why anyone would believe that someone different than you was “wrong.” It seemed like something that needed to be left behind with other childhood misperceptions. When I was about 20, learned about the Michael teachings and the concept of soul age. It became more clear and I really understood that I had lived many lives already as, male, female, black, Asian, rich, poor, gay, straight, etc... For most mature and older souls, there is an instinctive understanding of this (even if we don’t remember the other lifetimes consciously) which comes across as healthy empathy. For most mature and older souls it’s more of a “I didn’t really care what anyone else believes or does, especially when it doesn’t effect me! I did a radio show last month and talked about the subject of soul age. Check it out if you want to understand how the difference in soul age impacts the world and each of our lives. This may help in understanding about why so many “isms” and phobia’s are still so commonplace. I will be doing the second part of the “soul age” show this month.

I remember when I lived in NY. There used to be an expression: March comes in like a lion, and it goes out like a lamb.” Here in Phoenix it came in like a lion and it looks like it will go out like a lion. It was strangely warm here for most of the month. We often had 80s and even a few 90 degree days. Too warm too soon! I am not a fan of having to use my AC in April. I always want to hold out until May, but I broke early this year...

Spring is here! Wishing everyone a Happy April. Cheers, Jim V

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” John Lennon

FaceBook post from early March of 2013. Similar trigger for March 2014. I know a lot of people, including myself that had some “buttons” pushed. We had some windy Santa Ana days here...

“The winds blew through Phoenix pretty harshly today. I found myself feeling uncomfortable and even a little angry in the last few days. Thankfully I knew what this was about and was able to move through what was I was struggling with and come to a place of peace. The winds have stopped and I feel so relaxed and at peace. I am glad I didn’t follow where my anger was taking me. Just another benefit of getting older and learning restraint!

Lakota Indian believed that the Santa Ana's, or Chinook winds as they are called in the east, were meant to remind us of self protection and the wisdom of change. They winds come from the four points in between Northeast, Southeast, etc...

“You are being asked to look at your safety and protection, to take steps to protect yourself from internal and external interference while keeping your self-esteem intact. Reinforce your strength and abilities, and deflect anything that diminishes your sense of higher purpose. As you open up and express your Higher Self, you open yourself to accelerated lessons and growth experiences. You may find yourself facing some difficult teachers among the people with whom you come in contact. You may find yourself confronting issues you’d prefer to keep quietly buried. We often encounter emotional manipulation when we have resisted letting go and moving forward or when we have missed opportunities to face a particular lesson.

Free yourself from the attitude that internalizes every situation and interaction. Remember that the people with whom you interact have their own challenges and driving forces. Be kind to yourself and be understanding of others. If it is time to remove yourself from a situation or relationship, do so. Ask for internal guidance. If there is no need to remain in an uncomfortable, unsupportive relationship, job, or circumstance, get out and move on to the next step.” From the Lakota Sweat Lodge cards. 

*Readings with these cards can be very powerful. More information available on my website if interested.

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” Haruki Murakami

Spring Special for New Clients and return clients:

March 1st 2015 thru April 15th 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$15-20 off your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute sessions! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $15 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions.

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.

New Year special for January 1-April 15th, returning clients get $10 off of my listed rates (unless you are using another/better promotion or discount)!

“Children are happy because they don't have a file in their minds called "All the Things That Could Go Wrong.” Marianne Williamson

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. 

From Michael’s People by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

“...Let us say there that chief feature (fear) can be very, very, very, very subtle about how it manipulates the perceptions of the fragment (individuals). Fear, as we have said many times before, is seductive. It can present the most appealing pictures to disguise the ‘dungeon’ that is the actuality of fear. Most fragments are not truly aware that fear is operating when chief feature is at work. Often chief feature represents itself as good sense and realistic understanding. Chief feature is adept at convincing fragments that essence contact and soul evolution is ‘bad for you,’ and presents itself as protection and support rather than ravening fear.  It is most distorting when cloaked in religion, and we would wish to point out that most organized religion has great skill in turning chief feature to its advantage.  ‘I cannot love that person because loving that person is immoral.’ I must not permit that person to interfere with my love affair with God.’ I must restrict how I relate to people so that sanctity is preserved.’ ‘I must not be like those people who do things that make me uncomfortable.’ I must not let others see the sins I have hidden in my soul.’ ‘This person is unacceptable because he or she is unclean/unacceptable/of another faith/of another culture/of an inappropriate group.’ These and many other convincing lies are presented as moral truths. The resultant morbid preoccupation with the forbidden, as well as the thrill of guilt, serves to enmesh the fragment more and more in the hold of chief feature. The chief feature has the added ‘advantage’ of never having to reveal itself as being the manifestation of fear. In most instances fragments caught up in this pattern will not be able to recognize and validate essence contact* except n the astral plane...”

*Essence contact is when we truly feel who we are without the distortion of fear. In simple terms it feels really, really, really good! Jim V

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, April 9th at 3:30 p.m. (MST -AZ doesn’t use daylight savings 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.

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” 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. 

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

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 receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. 

March 2015 Snake Oil/Drippy Nose

Snake oil

Drippy nose

I recently sat in Phoenix’s Sky Harbor airport waiting for my delayed flight to Las Vegas on a Sunday morning. My flight was delayed due to heavy rains in both Phoenix and Las Vegas. Since it doesn’t rain very often in Phoenix, and three of my last six trips had been delayed because of rain, I had to consider the unlikely odds of this occurring so often. I carried a wad of tissues in my pocket to help with my runny nose. I had a mild cold which consisted primarily of some sinus trouble. I wasn’t surprised that I was a little under the weather. The weeks before I left for vacation consisted of a bad week financially, a credit card screw up that cost me extra money, bad weather, and a stream of family visitors for two weeks in a row. I enjoy my family and appreciate their visits, but it is a disruption to my normal routine and also includes feelings of obligation to entertain them. The last time I had any type of cold had been more than two years ago. The only other time since then that I had been sick was six months ago, when I returned from a family reunion in Los Angeles. I came home with a really nasty sinus infection.

After my return from my family reunion, my practical, conscious mind rationalized that my sinus infection was due to the tremendous vegetation blooming in California while I was visiting. I also figured that the flight itself might have contributed to my sinus infection. Yet my wiser, intuitive self knew there was far more to this than physical causes. Almost all of my family reunions, wherever they were, often resulted in a sinus infection. My nose had been raw from blowing it so many times. I had decided after my last sinus infection to see it as an opportunity to resolve a physical and emotional issue that my body was attempting to get me to recognize. Louise Hay’s brilliant book You Can Heal Your Life lists all kinds of physical conditions and illnesses, and explains the psychological cause and where they come from. I have spent many years studying and validating the accuracy of the reality of emotional blocks and negative beliefs being the primary fuel behind physical symptoms. Sinus issues have to do with being irritated by people we are close to. My intense sinus infection was definitely triggered by my irritation to my family drama! In addition, I was even more irritated about the fact that I was sick at all!

Many of my siblings also have sinus issues. I grew up in a home where my Mother was the ideal stay at home and take care of the house and kids model of her time. My Father worked long hours to allow my Mother to do this. My childhood was a damn good one by most people’s standards. Like all human beings, my Mother did have a few flaws though (many of my siblings would suggest she has LOTS of flaws!). Mom almost always had a runny nose. Tissues were an important commodity in our house. Mom’s drippy nose was like the hideous, plastic slip covers that were there to protect our furniture; it was a funny, stable, yet unattractive part of my childhood. Mom also fit the definition in Louise Hay’s book of someone who was irritated by people she was close to. She was often annoyed at my sisters, my father, the neighbors... you name it. Mom was at least mildly annoyed most of the time. Whether it was because she was German, an Aries, or just a New Yorker, she was a textbook example of someone who had sinus issues. Unfortunately, because of the tremendous influence of imprinting from our parents shaping the way we see the world, most of my siblings and I now have the same

issue.

I have always been a bit of a perfectionist. While I am extremely understanding and tolerant when it comes to my clients and the issues they are struggling with, when it comes to my close friends and family, I find myself being a little hard on them and often irritated by the mistakes they make. My normal reaction for much of my life has been to just get temporarily grumpy when they irritate me. On a few rare occasions I lost my cool, and acted like an ass. I learned long ago to apologize when I did this though. My Mother never really learned how valuable apologizing can be. I have already put in a bit of work around rectifying this part of myself! My sinus infection reminded me that I had more work to do here. I actually had a nice time at my family reunion, but mentally I had a list of things that irritated me while I was there; high cost of the hotel room, drama from various family members, eating way more than I normally do...In true Ventura style I was having a good time but irritated for much of the trip as well.

After my last reunion and sinus infection I made a decision to work on my tendency to get so irritated by what people do - or don’t do! I learned a powerful mantra from studying angel cards that helped tremendously with this: “I am willing to release the part of me that is irritated when I think of you.” This is an excellent way of shifting one’s perceptions of things because it doesn’t require pretending that the bad behavior that some people inevitably do didn’t, or isn’t happening. It simply reminds us that we have the ability to not focus on the part of us that is so irritated by what they are doing or did. This even has the potential to be effective in situations where someone has done something atrocious to us. We are not attempting to bullshit ourselves into believing an injustice hasn’t occurred. Instead, we are simply releasing the part of our psyche that keeps rehashing and focusing on our outrage over the “crime.”

If we are willing to evolve and let go of the ridiculous idea that events just happen to us randomly, we can actually take our personal power back. We can be willing to look at why we may have consciously or unconsciously created the events that are part of our life. The majority of situations we personally experience has something to do with how we see life, and our beliefs about reality. Using myself to illustrate this point, my sinus/irritation to people I am close to, is an excellent example. I developed a belief early on in life that people can often be annoying and do dumb things. It is likely that my mother taught this to me because she believed the same thing. A natural desire to please and be like Mom and Dad is part of childhood wiring. In addition I grew up in an area of the country that placed value in pointing out stupidity. A common NY saying with many variations: “What does that freak-in idiot think he is doing?” I became a person who is easily irritated because I was taught this. Now I have an opportunity to see that this belief actually brings more than my natural share of stupid things into my life. We get what we concentrate on. Thankfully, I have avoided the trap of thinking, “I am such a fool for blindly creating this.” By not getting caught up in feelings of inadequacy that could block me from resolution, I am able to make better choices in the future. I can choose not to take what people do personally. More often than not, what people do really has nothing to do with us in the first place. If I let someone’s actions make me unhappy, isn’t that actually a way of giving my power to someone else? Aren’t we actually giving people control of us when we let them affect and change our moods and how we feel about ourselves?

Except in extreme cases of really hard core abuse, the majority of the things that irritate us are pretty minor. If Mother always criticizes you, your husband leaves the cap off the toothpaste, or your friend is always late when meeting you, etc... Are these things really worth getting angry about? Since my last family reunion I have been working on not getting irritated so easily. I had actually been doing really well and had no sinus issues at all for quite some time. While I sat in the airport contemplating my 3 hour delay, while it continued to rain heavily, the man next to me was talking loudly on his cell phone. His accent and the endless lame flirtations and silly cliche jokes he told began to irritate me. Instead of focusing on that I did some editing and got a few months ahead on my columns. The rest of the time I had a nice conversation with the Canadian couple next to me. Who knows, my delayed flight might be saving me a few hundred dollars that I could have dropped gambling. I still have a little more work to do in regards to my tendency to get easily irritated. My flight delay was an opportunity to work on resolving and healing some more of this part of me permanently. I am breathing

much better already. 

Jim Ventura 1-2008

Editors Note:

I had a few days where I had a sinus infection at the end of January. I hadn’t felt completely “right” earlier in the month, but I was never actually sick. I just did not feel as good as I normally feel (which is typically well rested and strong). About a week before my sinus trouble started, I had a very close friend do something that really pissed me off. I took it personally and really brewed a bit about it for a few days. It didn’t take too long before I got clear about why she did what upset me, and I forgave her. She has always been a good friend in many ways and I didn’t want to jeopardize a 20 year friendship over a mistake. Of course the issue itself worked out really well once I shifted my perspective. Unfortunately the seed of dis-ease was already planted. I could blame the beginning of allergy season, bad air quality and other physical factors in my bodies reaction, but I know that this was only a part of why my sinus issue occurred. The last time I had an illness like this was back in 2008 when I first published this Snake Oil. The good side of the experience is I realized I haven't had a difficult sinus infection since 2008! I used to get them often (I got colds and sinus infections frequently in my twenties), so I was proud that I have been so un-trigger-able. The bad side is I created this illness by allowing myself to brew on an imagined assault. It really sucks to be sick! We all make mistakes, even the “more enlightened of us,” but each time we slip up we get wiser. I think it will be far less likely for me to get another frustrating sinus infection for some time, if ever again!

I want to thank everyone who in the past who has taken the time to write a positive review on Yelp for me. I get quite a bit of new clientele from that site. I am going to send everyone who has already done a review for me a $25 discount gift card to use anytime in a 3 month period as a discount on any of the sessions I offer. You may use the discount for a personal session or give it to a friend.  Anyone who posts a review about me (including reviews about my Snake Oil column, books, radio shows, or classes you attended) in March of 2015 will also be given a $25 off gift certificate in either April, May or June of 2015. I appreciate the reviews, they help to bring me new clients! I also send out referral discounts every six months (will be doing next one in early July) to everyone who sends new clients my way directly. I currently have a new client promotion for $20 off for all of March 2015, so it is an easy sell at this time. Remind your referrals to mention that you referred them to get credit, although I do typically ask.
Yelp listing: http://www.yelp.com/biz/navigational-consultant-phoenix-2

March is always a bit of an odd time for me. I love the weather, and I like this time of year for many other reasons. My personal planets (Mercury, Venus, Sun, and Mars now as well) transit through my 12th house always at this time of year (Astrology chart reference. If you know what this means you just got a ton of interesting information. If you don’t here is a little bit of information about the 12th). The 12th House in our natal chart shows how we experience things like: Unfocused intuition, withdrawal, dreaming self, subconscious, selflessness, self-undoing, influences from past lifetimes, behind the scenes activity, and the way we cook up new ideas. I don’t have any natal planets in my 12th, so the feeling of pull back and opportunities to get clear about my dreams - the ones I have each night and the dreams of things I want to create in my life - is always a positive thing. Yet, I often feel a little stalled at this time. Being a Fire Sun sign makes the watery feel of the 12th house transits somewhat like being immersed in a pool of water for a bit too long. Old astrology interpretations of the twelfth house are: secret enemies, restrictions, large institutions (like hospitals and prisons) disappointment, sorrow, and unseen forces. I prefer the more modern interpretations!

Wishing everyone inspiration for March. Cheers, Jim V

“What makes life worth living? To be born with the gift of laughter and sense that the world is mad.”  Scaramouche

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” George Burns

Spring Special for New Clients:

March 1st 2015 thru March 31 St. 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$15-20 off your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute sessions! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $15 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions.

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.

New Year special for January 1-March 31st returning clients $10 off of my listed rates (unless you are using another/better promotion or discount)!

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.” Herm Albright

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. 

from Kunda in Spirit Speaks magazine. 1988

You must make choices 

“Like it or nor, agreement shapes your reality. For all things happen by choice. You are not here by accident, nor are you a victim of fate. You are here, quite simply and empathetically, because you WANT to be here. Because you are an integral extension of the cosmic soul, know that on some level you consciously chose to evolve spiritually within the physical environment as a part of your divine constitution. And before you reentered the physical realm, you made certain agreements which supported not only the continuance of your spiritual lessons here, but the advancement of other entities who are also evolving in clusters with you.

You helped create the working blueprint which outlines your entire life program and also parallels your chosen destiny.

Now, every life, every personality, every situation and every experience is carefully chosen-right down to the details of your s0-called death experience. This is true for all on the physical plane. With the exception of karmic intervention (the Divine hand which evens the scale of cosmic justice and also ensures your spiritual best-good), the life that you live is the very life you chose. There simply are no exceptions. And the living of it all brings the necessary experiences and lessons to bear, all of which contribute to the ultimate growth and understanding of every soul-fragment.

The agreements which you made with your soul are the opening plans for the unfoldment of that blueprint. They shape the reality of your life environment. And a life in which every agreement is refused, avoided, or even broken will only serve to teach you what such avoidance brings. Regardless of whether the physical life was completed or not, that life still remain valid to some degree, and whatever was learned will contribute to the evolution of the soul as it moves into the greater essence of its soul community...”

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, March 5th at 3:30 p.m. (MST -AZ doesn’t use daylight savings 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.

“When conflict arises, use your energy to help eliminate the fear. Do not direct your energy against the people or situation-resolve the FEAR and you resolve the conflict.” Dick Sutphen

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. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

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 receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments.