September 2015 Snake Oil/First column from 2003

Snake Oil

When I was in my mid twenties I had a roommate named Brett. We were close friends even though our philosophies differed. He was skeptical of the work I did, yet he was a pragmatist and was impressed that I made a living from doing readings. He doubted whether my oracles (Tarot, Numerology, Astrology, Runes) really worked at all. Even though I offered to read for him, he never allowed me to read his cards. I suspected that, like many people, he was more afraid that some of his dirty little secrets might leak out. He wore a shield of indifference and practicality, his mask of protection. It might rock his world if all that “metaphysical mumbo jumbo” really worked.

One night we went to a party and someone asked me what I did for a living. At that time I was in my twenties, insecure and fearful that people would think I was a fraud when I told them I was what many people would call a “psychic,” and didn’t actually have a ‘real job.” Brett jumped into the conversation and said that “Jim is a snake oil salesman,” which preyed on my insecurities. At first I was annoyed at his rude comment, but after a little while I realized it was funny. Snake oil salesmen have been the traveling hucksters, the “shysters” who sold potions and magical cures for various ailments. They were often seen as miraculous healers, and charlatans at the same time. They were praised and rewarded for their “gifts,” and alternately tarred and feathered. Usually the snake oil was actually part alcohol which simply allowed people living in puritanical times to feel good and help them to rest. This is not too far from how in “modern times” we use things like Nyquil. Many “snake oil salesmen” simply are changers of beliefs. They convince us out of our illness, and allow our bodies to heal naturally. The magic potions they sold offered the possibility of love, prosperity, or the healing of physical and emotional ailments. In many cases the elixirs actually did work.

Throughout all of our recorded history and even in what we would call “primitive societies,” healers, witch doctors, and other therapists used suggestion and hypnosis to shift their patient’s energy toward concentrating on changing illness to health. The theatrics that were part of their therapies, like dances, chants, burning of herbs, and even loud commands were meant to startle the patients. Their purpose was to shock them out of their previous beliefs and perspectives and bring them back to a belief that they were healthy. Now, in our current western medical model we consider ourselves to be more evolved and our methods far more scientific and sophisticated, yet we still use forms of hypnosis in similar ways. Highly skilled, educated doctors will scoff, or even react with disgust at the idea of a bird or chicken being ceremonially sacrificed by primitive, untrained witch doctors. At the same time, they use the “reality of science” to explain why a man may need to lose part of his throat or a woman may have to lose a breast to cancer. Our modern day physicians will hold firmly to the statistics they believe to be true and will often see no other viable solutions and neither will their patients.

 It is easy to laugh at all the “silly cultures” that believe in curses, voodoo practitioners, and influences of evil spirits. At the same time we are bombarded by endless advertisements and commercials that tell is we will get the flu if we don’t get a flu shot. You will get cancer if you don’t eat the right food. You need to be medicated if you feel depressed. Have we really advanced, or have we just exchanged our old demons for more modern devils? Have we really progressed in our world physically, psychologically and emotionally or have we arrogantly convinced ourselves that every other culture’s healing arts have been wrong?

I have studied and used many different types of healing therapies from herbs to acupuncture to hands on Reiki healing, and found that quite practically, many of these things do really work. I understand the usefulness of modern medicine, psychology, psychiatry, and other forms of healing, yet also know that there are alternative ways to approach healing. My work with oracles and metaphysical concepts have been repeatedly tested. Doing readings with oracles like selling snake oil, is unconventional, raises suspicion, yet without question works. Rune stones, Astrology, Tarot, and Numerology have been around far longer than modern psychology and western medicine. Proudly, they are this snake oil salesman's tools.

Jim Ventura 8-2003

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE5foKSLl4M

Editors Note:

I have had quite a few clients lately asking me where Snake Oil column idea came from, and why I chose to call it Snake Oil, so thought it was good time to re-run my first column! You can also read all of my columns from first 5 years by ordering a copy of Snake Oil Volume One. More information later in the newsletter.

September is here and its still annoyingly hot here in AZ. We usually don’t get relief from the heat until late in the month and early October, but at least it’s on the horizon. My AC unit is on so much and with high humidity there is a bit of water buildup. Some clients have walked out and gotten hit with a drop. It will be nice when the weather cools a bit for multiple reasons. I have been really busy for most of the month and if September continues at the same pace it may be a week or two to get an appointment. Please be patient with requests. I have a cap of no more than 20 appointments each week. I always want to be at my best for every client I work with, so this is why I don’t overbook even when requests come. Sometimes I have slow weeks and can get you in for session in a day or two (more of a rarity on same day), but it is always best to be open to multiple options. Just try to be more flexible with the flow of what may be available when you inquire. When you get your session it will be the right time for it, and often there are more than just practical reasons for this happening.

I had a client from a few years ago recently ask me if I do free sessions from time to time for people that can’t afford my session costs. What I explained to him was something I think is also worth sharing here. Reading my columns (last 4 years are archived), books, listening to my radio shows (all radio shows from past 5 years are archived on site) is a free way of getting all kinds of insight and will often answer many questions you may have. Another way of getting free or discounted sessions is to market for me. Mention the work I do or post information on Face Book. Any referrals I get from people (I always ask who referred you to me and log the information) receive $10-$25 discounts off future sessions for each referral! I send out referral comps every six months. A few referrals in a six month period will often earn you discounted sessions and enough of them may even earn you a free session!

Wishing everyone a productive September! Cheers, Jim V

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.

“If someone tells you that you are evil because you are alive, and you believe it, then you are indeed in a quandary. Now, I tell you that you are blessed because you are alive. And I am blessed because I am alive! And my vitality is your vitality, and it speaks through your gut as it speaks through your mind and your being, for it is your own. I merely let you taste the vitality of your own being so that you can draw sustenance and knowledge from yourselves. And that is your own joy, and your own right to be, and your own vitality, that is as secret as a trumpet-that is as dignified as a squirrel: It is the magic of your own being-the knowing that you know-the isness of yourselves!

Whenever you sacrifice yourselves, or make yourselves unhappy, miserable, ill, and filled with questions that you cannot answer, it is because you do not WANT answers, to put yourselves in positions that scare you, positions that you believe are impossible to handle. All of this because you have been taught that you are guilty because you are alive!

Whether you get this idea from religion or science, the results are the same. And so my message is, simply, you are blessed because you are. You can be joyful because you are. You have a reason here because you ARE here.

Whenever anyone tells you that authority resides outside of yourself, do not believe him. When anyone tells you, or the world tells you, that your joy resides outside of you, do not believe them or the world. Your salvation does not depend upon another. You have never lost your soul. You ARE your souls. You are your souls in flesh.

Your bodies are your souls in flesh. Do them honor. Whoever tells you that the body is soiled, do not listen to him. You can trust your bodies as you can trust your soul. In your reality, the body is the garment that the soul wears...”

From Conversations with Seth by Susan M Watkins

“Spirituality is not a religion or a trend-it is a lifestyle. It is a lifestyle of awareness that combines the understanding of faith, body, mind, and soul, allowing us to live modern-day enlightened lives in small and big ways.” Emma Mildon

“When you are living the best version of yourself, you inspire others to live the best versions of themselves.” Steve Maraboli

New Client Special September 2015:

June 1st 2015 thru September 30th 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates  for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

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.

“The capacity for friendship is God’s way of apologizing for our families.” Jay McInerney

Snake Oil Volume One

Jim Ventura has been writing his monthly Snake Oil column for 12 years. Volume One is a collection of his first four years of Snake Oil. This volume also includes nine Snake Charms. Practical explanations and instruction for meditation, ear conning, lucid dreaming, etc... Jim’s Snake Oil philosophy is all about changing the perceptions of how we view life to include metaphysical perspectives into all of our experiences. We benefit by expanding our consciousness, while we keep our feet planted firmly on the ground in this world at the same time. Snake Oil reminds us that we can also grow to become more enlightened while finding the wisdom of humor in ourselves and the world around us.

$11 including tax 
($4 for shipping for each book in US). $15 total. 

To request any or all three of my books email Venturasag@yahoo.com or ask for a copy next time you are here in the office.

You can send check or money order to Jim Ventura 2515 N 52nd St. #206 Phoenix Az 85008. You can also pay by charge or Debit thru Paypal. Feel free to request to have any of your copies signed!

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, September 10th at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific 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.

“I’ve lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.” 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 may take advantage of  another discount of $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. 

August 2015 Snake Oil/Coming Home to a Place I've Never Been Before

Snake Oil 

Coming Home to a Place I’ve never Been Before

Music has always been a powerful influence in my life. It can often act as a powerful trigger for awareness or to shift my emotional state. I was doing some editing work a few months ago with Pandora (internet radio where you can program the types of music you specifically like) on in the background. Even though I had never programmed it to play any of his songs, Pandora decided to play a John Denver song I hadn’t heard in many, many years. The song was Rocky Mountain High. While listening to the song I found myself feeling very emotional. A long forgotten memory surfaced and I remembered being in the sixth grade and inviting a school friend over to the house. We weren’t good friends but I thought I should make an effort to make more friends from my elementary school. He brought John Denver’s greatest hits with him and we sat in my room and listened to the album on my record player. John Denver was very popular in the late seventies, although critics often panned his work and called him simplistic. Similar chart topping artists like Abba, Air Supply, and the Carpenters were very popular but “cool” people pretended to hate it, but secretly most of us really loved a lot of it.

What struck me as most profound was a line in the song Rocky Mountain High, where John sings about his decision to move to the Colorado Rockies at age 27.

"...I’m coming home to a place I’ve never been before. He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again. You might say he found the key to every door...”

Both as an avid reader in my youth and now as a writer, I have always been impressed by a writers ability to say so much in just a few words. This song is clearly an example of this type of talent. All of the most notable experiences in my life were connected to this idea of coming home to a place I’ve never been before.

When I made the decision to move from NY to Arizona at the age of twenty-four, I had never actually been to the state or to the west coast as all. There were symbols and messages that were pulling me to it though. When I flew out here for the first time in 1989 and stepped off the plane I was excited about discovering the fun of what Arizona had to offer, and I immediately felt comfortable here for some reason. A year later I made the move. I had some real difficulties with the friend I brought with me, but quickly made new friends that helped me through those difficult times. Even though I left a family and some extremely close friends behind that I knew I would truly miss, I formed new supportive “family” rather quickly. I had been doing many past life regressions and dream work to explore my past lifetimes in my early twenties. Many of the people I met in Arizona were people I saw in those regressions and dreams. I had come home to a place I’d never been before.

After moving from apartment to apartment about every two years for the first twelve years of my life in Arizona, I decided to buy my first home in 2003. I hired a realtor who was also a friend to help me. We spent three weekends looking at condominium homes. We would pick up our StarBucks and hop in her car to check out three to five places each Saturday. There were two homes that could have worked for me. While I seriously considered them, they didn’t feel completely right for mostly practical reasons. When I first walked up the stairs of the upstairs condo I eventually bought, before I even went inside I turned to my realtor on the stairs and said: “I felt like I have walked up these stairs millions of times, this is where I will live.” Being a metaphysical person herself, she loved this. Even though there were some difficult hurdles to overcome in the buying process, I have now happily lived here for twelve years.

ALL of my close friendships and intimate relationships always felt like I was reuniting with people I already knew. The bodies, nationalities, sex, age, and other elements may have been different this time, yet the sense that I already knew them was always there from the beginning. Whether it was past life connections, a future self bringing me to this point, dreams, Deja Vu, compatible Astrology, or any other number of deeper reasons, the feeling of familiarity have always been a constant. My early work with past life study often gave me insight before or after we met about our other connections. This has always added another important layer to my relationships. I once remember going to dinner with a close female friend when we were in our late twenties. We found ourselves spontaneously moving into a heated conversation at dinner that was a mild disagreement from two past selves who seemed to know each other in another time and place, centuries ago where we were husband and wife. Even the room itself seemed to change to another time and place. She had never experienced something like this before and it wasn’t exactly a common occurrence for me either. We laughed about it afterwards and later realized why it was a better fit for us to just be good friends in this life.

I have had people try to force friendships and relationships that didn’t seem to fit at times in my life. There was a number of times when I tried to do this as well in my younger days. I have experienced this before with jobs and other significant aspects of life also. Yet there is a smoothness to events, pets, and people that feel like coming home to a place we’ve never been before. They require no effort or struggle. When I heard Rocky Mountain High I started to think about an extremely talented man whose music was called simplistic. Someone who wrote something as profound as this at age 27 was clearly talented and insightful. The critics were wrong. That same night I was flipping channels on television and came upon a PBS documentary about the life and death of John Denver. I caught it only ten minutes into the two hour special. We often try to shape events, and there are times when we need to be assertive. Yet, the aspects of life that come so effortlessly to us are truly the most magical of all.

Jim Ventura 7-2015

Rocky Mountain High:

https://screen.yahoo.com/rocky-mountain-high-130828695.html

Editors Note:

I had an exceptionally lucky June and early July when Venus and Jupiter transited through my 5th house. Venus an Jupiter for the most part, are considered beneficial planets. The 5th house in our natal chart shows how we experience romance, risk taking, creativity, children, gambling, performance, and other things that inspire adrenaline. I was very lucky in my local weekly casino trips and pulled in an extra $2000. So far this year, overall, all of my trips have been free and I am up about $200 profit for the year. I wrote about how to use comps and gamble more pragmatically when I published my book Free Ride earlier this year. I have now converted the book to a PDF file so it can be ordered inexpensively this way. You can read it directly on your computer. I also have 4 print copies available at this time. More information about this later in the newsletter. Free Ride is not a metaphysical book. It is not about using intuitive or psychic abilities to gamble. It is all about using smart math, learning to to take advantage of casino comps, and getting extremely discounted or free trips using the techniques. My use of beneficial transit Astrology was just an added perk.

We are at the mid point of summer and it has been hot and sticky here in Phoenix. We have had some good monsoon storms so far and I am sure we have quite a few more coming. I look forward to the rains, although the storms seem to scare the hell out of my cat. Dogs and cats are rarely fans of thunder and lightening so sometimes I find myself staying home just to keep her from freaking out. It can make a Sagittarius nuts to feel unable to move freely when we want to, but the “Dad” part of me will stay at home to keep her calm.

I have two specials running for August all connected with past life work. Understanding the influences of past lives or parallel lives can be helpful at multiple levels. If interested in getting more information about your past lifetimes contact me before the end of the month to take advantage of the discounted rates. I am also extending my new client discount special until September 30th of this year. 

Wishing everyone a happy August. Cheers, Jim V

“The more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything.” Bill Murray

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.

“...It is fair to say that any person with whom you share a intense relationship in this life has also joined with you in other reincarnational lives. This is because the intent of the greater entities for you to be together is also strengthened by you, and your other reincarnational selves, through those experiences. Your greater entity sets you free, but you then go about creating your own reality; and whatever you choose to tighten or intensify a bond with a given individual, that bond will therefore be strengthened in every other manifestation in time that you share. A happy fifty-year marriage in this time span, then, may well serve to strengthen the bond manifesting as master-slave, brother-sister, father-daughter in other incarnations you share.

You have all experienced meeting someone for the first time and feeling something ‘click’ between you, feeling an immediate ease or, perhaps, an immediate tension and loathing. Why? Because you are always unconsciously connected with every other historical manifestation, and you are recognizing the intent behind that person’s coming into your life, recognizing the work to be shared, the lessons to be learned together. Since at deepest terms there is no ‘time’ as you think of it, you are tapping directly into the grid of intent that your greater entities have established, recognizing the intent; how you choose to express that intent is your free choice. You pull into physical actualization those experiences with this other person that reflect your own individual beliefs, intents and desires.

Not all relationships last a lifetime, as you know. What happens in a relationship that was born in a feeling of intense closeness-say, young schoolmates, who as they age see each other less and less frequently, perhaps dropping each other a Christmas card once a year?

In this case, the grid of intent behind such a relationship was virtually exhausted, or entirely expressed. within the span of time you shared as schoolmates. Beyond that, there is no need for you to stay together, and since you are always infusing your life with fresh energy and avenues of exploration, it would be of no benefit to maintain, in constant and intense consciousness, a relationship that has served its purpose...”

From Whatever happened to Divine Grace by Jose Stevens

“You are never alone or helpless. The force that guides the stars guides you too.” Prabhat Ranjan

New Client Special August 2015:

June 1st 2015 thru September 30th 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates  for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

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.

“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.” Pema Chodron

August 2015 special - 2 special offers !

Spotlight on one of the unique readings I offer:

Past Lifetimes reading

“Many of us feel strong affinities for places, times, and cultures that supersede our early experience in this life. Perhaps we even feel alien to our current era, or have a deep emotional response, much like homesickness, for certain ethnic groups, peoples, countries, and societies beyond our present environment. We may consider the possibility of reincarnation-that dark, mystical subject that seems so complex, so unreachable. The knowledge we seek is often unclear, much like a reflection on muddy waters.

How can we know when we lived and where? How much of what we were then are we now? What are the lessons that still must be learned?” Susan Sheppard creator of the Phoenix cards

The idea of living past lives was never something I struggled with. When I was a child I remembered living other lifetimes, so it was never something that I questioned. When I was in my late teens and early twenties I began to do past life regressions, meditations, and practiced lucid dreaming techniques to begin to get a clearer picture of some of my past lifetimes. I logged quite a few in my explorations, reinforcing the awareness that I was a bit of an old soul. In my mid twenties I picked up a really cool deck of cards that help to unravel information about other lifetimes. I have been working with the Phoenix cards for over 25 years now.They are an excellent tool for tapping into other cultures, times, and places where we may have lived before. I have been doing sessions with these cards for clients successfully for many years. The cards tap into different places and my intuitive abilities are often able to pull out specific details connected with these lives for my clients during the session. (Old Soul Scholar skill in accessing the Akashic records.) Jim V

“If you have a past life reading, you probably won’t be surprised at the outcome of your past-life reading. Most of us have dim ghostly ideas of who we really are. The realization of our fate casts an aura of affirmation over our lives. Whatever affects our world happens first internally as an idea, a feeling, or a dream. It is through our dreams, waking and unconscious, that past-life memories are felt and then brought again to the surface. The Phoenix cards are a powerful tool to help you reconnect with a larger awareness of who you really are.” S. Sheppard

August Special $15 off my websites listed rates on all 45, 70 and 90 minute Past life card sessions for Snake Oil subscribers. Local in office clients can take an additional $5 off for cash or check payments! This special runs from August 1st 2015 until September 1st 2015. Book now, or if you would like to do the session later this summer or fall you can purchase it now at the discounted rate. You may also buy one additional session for a friend or family member at this time. Email me at Venturasag@yahoo.com to book or to get a gift certificate.

PAST LIFE REGRESSION
This session is an personal, instructional walk through an actual past life regression. I will guide you through a light form of hypnosis that will help you tune into one or more of your past lifetimes. The benefits are:
* Increasing your understanding of the influences from your past on your present lifetime.
* Helping to discover and remove fear blocks and phobias.
* Bringing to surface strengths and abilities.
* Ending the fear of death.
* Increasing relaxation and visualization skills.
* assisting in understand present relationships by uncovering karmic threads.
90 minutes $100.00 ($10 off this rate for Snake Oil Subscribers for all of August 2015)

“The most valuable lesson man has learned from his dog is to kick a few blades of grass over it and move on.” Robert Brault

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, August 6th at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific 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.

Free Ride Volume One (first limited edition prints) Now available on PDF file.

Introduction:

“Is it possible to gamble for free? Can you gamble and actually win money every time? Are there tricks and systems that can help you beat the games? The answer to these questions for most of you is going to be no. It is nearly impossible to be able to gamble without spending money or to consistently win. The majority of people who gamble will lose and rarely have any big wins. Casino slot machines and table games have built-in formulas to make the casinos a consistent long term profit. Most ‘systems’ to beat the house don’t work.

Now with that painful bit of reality out of the way we can get to the good stuff, you can still come out even or ahead fairly often if you learn how to play smarter. You can learn to be a savvy gambler who takes advantage of comps, gets free invitations to slot tournaments with huge prizes, spends very little money out-of-pocket, gets free rooms in Vegas and casinos all over the country, receives brand new appliances, free money to gamble with, and a ton of other freebies. This is what Free Ride is all about. A wise and knowledgeable gambler can frequently take free rides! 

To order a copy send request by email Venturasag@yahoo.com. 

Cost is: $11 including tax. $15 total includes shipping. Only 4 will be printed each month. So there may be a month or two wait.

Send check or money order to Jim Ventura 2515 N 52nd St. #206 Phoenix Az 85008. You can also pay by charge or Debit thru Paypal. You can request to have your copy signed!

Free Ride in PDF

I also now have the book available in PDF file format. You can read it directly on your computer. $7  email me to order a copy. Venturasag@yahoo.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. 

July 2015 Snake Oil/Don't Fear the Reaper

Snake Oil  Don’t fear the reaper

Someone in the karaoke bar sang an old Blue Oyster Cult song, “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” two days before my sixteen year old cat died. I was impressed that someone tackled such a complicated song. It was fitting that I heard this, because for weeks I had been telling my cat it was okay to let go of his body and his time with me. I would miss him, but his time here had come to an end. He was almost 16 years old. As I left the bar, the song ran through my head. While driving the next day, I heard it on the radio. “Seasons don’t fear the reaper, nor do the wind, the sun, and the rain. We can be like they are. Come on baby...”

A lot of people struggle with the idea of death. I guess I am strange because I have no fear of it. I had remembered living other lifetimes when I was a child. It wasn’t until I got older that religion (Catholicism) and society’s beliefs had me questioning the validity of my memories. I had seen pets die when I was a child. While it made me sad to lose them, it was clear to me that the death of these pets marked a certain period of our lives. Important segments of life often came to an end around the same time as our pets did. From a purely practical point of view, dogs and cats live an average of only fifteen years. It was also obvious to me that the sadness people felt was more about us missing them than “poor fluffy is dead.” Their deaths are an unavoidable reality. They go back to the “Otherworld,” the place we, and our pets, live in before we become physical, and return to when we go. I believe that it is just as wonderful a place to be when we pass from this plane into the next. 

The difficulties I experienced with my ailing cat were more about how I should handle the situation. My instinct told me to just let him die naturally. A year before he passed he began to vomit often. Many people suggested I take him to the doctor. I followed this advice, and four hundred dollars later I was told there was nothing wrong with him. He was, more or less, just an old cat. I was given medicine that would have to be shoved down his throat, literally! It was to be administered four times a day. This was more of a pain in the ass then cleaning up the vomit! In addition,  I was told it would probably only work temporarily. This re-confirmed my decision in this life to avoid most practices of Western medicine. To me, more often than not, they are expensive and either don’t work, or just provide a temporary masking of the problems rather than solve them. It got difficult toward the end of Monte’s lifetime. The vomiting came more frequently and I had to be careful in the mornings because sometimes, as I was groggily waking up, or heading to the bathroom, I might step in a pile of cat puke. Eventually he began to eat less. On a number of occasions, he missed the litter box. He got weaker and lost weight. He also became very clingy, and would want to crawl in my lap every time I sat on the couch, or between my legs when I slept. I began to feel smothered. I have clients, friends, and family who took care of ailing husbands, wives or parents, or worked as nurses attending to the sick. I knew people who found fulfillment by helping out animals who were sick and disabled. I have respect for these brave, caring individuals who do what I am NOT cut out to do. I found myself torn between feeling honored to help my companion during his last few weeks here in this world, and getting annoyed at how long it was taking for him to pass. His illness and neediness were exhausting at times and to top it all off, he began to smell toward the end. He didn’t have the strength to clean himself.

The vet had suggestions about what “I should do.” many of my friends had suggestions about what “I should do,” “You should just put him down.” You should feed him with a baby bottle.” You should take him back to the doctor.” My ex (Monte’s original owner) wanted to take him home for his last few weeks. I began to get irritable. I knew they were simply verbalizing my own internal confusion about handling this matter. So I borrowed a shovel from my brother-in-law and prepared for the inevitable when Monte stopped eating. He crawled into small spaces and slept a lot more than usual. I knew the end was close, and I was more than ready for it.

A few weeks before his death, I had gone to bed and Monte and his sister (a three year old cat I took in a year and a half before this) were asleep on the bed with me. The younger girl cat jumped of the bed and I heard her moaning in the other room. I had left the front door open a crack so the cats could go out in the night if they wanted. A cat from the neighborhood had snuck in and was eating their food. I went into the living room to see what was going on. The cat saw me and ran out the back door in terror. My female cat (ChiChi) dove after it and dug her claws into the intruders back. The cat was so afraid, that it jumped off the balcony of my upstairs condominium! I saw it walking off, so thankfully it made the jump without major harm. ChiChi was proud of her accomplishment. Monte slept through the entire incident. He had always been the aggressor and protector; it was not her role. Now she had taken over. He had passed the torch and I knew this was another sign that he would soon pass. I lavished affection on both of them that night. Her for her bravery and Monte because I knew the opportunity to do so was coming to an end.

I had been out all day and returned home to find Monte crying in my home office. He was clearly in pain. He had lost control of his bowels and was having difficulty walking. He was almost ready to go. One of my closest friends came by and was a great help by being there for me. Monte struggled to get down the stairs of my apartment to go outside. It was almost sunset. He sat outside and watched the birds and sat in the cool grass for the very last time in his current body.

When I went outside to check on him, he let out another cry of pain. I finally decided to listen to some of my friends advice and made the phone call to the vet. They were kind enough to let me bring him in to be euthanized. It was not what I would ideally have chosen, yet I knew he was in pain. Even if he only lived for a few more hours, he was suffering. I couldn’t risk this going on for hours or days. It was clear to me why on farms, in movies and television, they shoot an animal who is fatally wounded irreversibly and going to die. It is an act of kindness. I prepared to take him to the vet. Without hesitation, Monte stepped into the cat carrier I placed in front of him, which was something he would never normally do.

The vet and his assistant were kind. I stayed with him as they put him down. I was strong during the process. They told me I could stay with him as long as needed to say my good-byes. As he slipped away, all my strength and detachment was gone and I sobbed uncontrollably. I loved this cat. I was not only letting him go, but a huge part of my life too. I knew one important chapter was ending and in time, another would begin. In that moment, I realized that everyone’s suggestions with how I handled this, or who didn’t share my perspective, were trying to help. There was no need for judgments about what was the “right or wrong” way to handle illness and death. The power of this inevitable major passage went far beyond such simple concepts. I silently thanked everyone for their assistance. I felt connected to humanity and every person who lost someone, human or animal, that they loved. I dreaded watching Monte die, yet while it was happening, I felt completely different. Watching my cat pass was both painful and beautiful. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Jim Ventura 12-2005

Editors Note:

I thought it was the right timing for running this piece again. It originally ran in early 2006 (wow that was 9 years ago already!) Intuitively and logically (powerful combination to work with in any area of life) it seemed like this needed to be shared again. I still fondly think of my deceased cat Monte from time to time. Every once in a while I even feel a well of emotion about all of my many childhood pets. I have been very fortunate in this life so far, to have lost very few people I was close to. When I feel the emotion connected with the losses it isn’t sadness as much as an appreciation for that time in my life and the gift of having had them share it with me. As I have stated many times before, when it comes to the animals and people we love and lose, it isn’t the length of time they were here that is most important. It is the impact of shared love and how it transformed us that stays with us. 

We have definitely made it to summertime. Here in Phoenix we are beginning those 110 and higher degree days and nights in the nineties. Can’t say I like it, but I have gotten used to it. Our three month uncomfortable weather period (July, August, September) is the price we pay for really excellent weather the rest of the year. And we have only just begun...

If you lose access to my monthly email newsletter, because of an email address change or other complications, it’s is up to you to let me know if you want to continue receiving my monthly column. The amount of bounce-backs I get each month when I send out the column are increasing. Part of this is just the increasing mathematics of reaching a larger audience. Some of it is due to spam blockers and other problems from your email addresses. I highly recommend getting a yahoo or gmail address to use permanently. There seems to be far less problems with these addresses than I experience with cox, and other addresses. If I send my column and it comes back two months in a row, I have no choice but to permanently delete you.  

I have decided to run the New Client discount special for one more month, through the end of July 2015. Pass the information on to friends and remember you can purchase a gift certificate for a new client and give them a gift at these rates. For returning clients, Snake oil email subscribers receive $5 off my listed rates and Facebook followers who also receive Snake oil monthly get an additional $5 off listed rates. Local, in office clients who pay by check or cash also receive another $5 off my listed rates! Regular quarterly and monthly clients (who have signed up for the program and are consistent with sessions) get bigger discounts. Email me for information about joining my Regular Client program.

Wishing everyone a happy July 2015. Cheers, Jim V

“Trying to change ‘what is’ usually doesn’t work. Trying to change how you feel about ‘what is’ usually does.” Dick Sutphen

“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.” Caroline Myss

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.

Communicating from human to spirit from Dr. Pebbles

“When an individual comes to the point of the change called death and drops the physical body, it is for each and every one of you to celebrate. If you cannot burn a physical candle, visualize a candle burning for them. Feel your grief, but avoid using that grief to bind them to the Earth by crying, “Oh, I miss you. Oh, I wish you weren’t gone.’ Don’t ask them questions. Don’t ask them where they hid the money. That is only binding them to the Earth.

Just celebrate that they are still with you in memory and in spirit. This gives them the freedom to go into the greatest light possible and to be freed of the earth-binding webs of their past incarnation. So often when you feel their spirit, you want to know where they come from, why they’re here, what message they have. ‘Now, you know, Aunt Harriet, she was such a shrew. Would you go over and give her a good smack?’ (I’m just teasing!)

Please, dear friends, we need love just as much as you do. We don’t need you constantly asking, begging, or judging. We need your love, your light, your support, so that we may go into the highest level possible in our evolution. So to commune with us when we are no longer in physical form, please activate intuition, activate visualization, activate objectivity and detachment. Do ceremonies and celebrations, seeing us freed from human responsibility and embracing instead spiritual responsibility. And when you feel our presences, just acknowledge us.” 

Spotlight on One of the many oracles I work with. 

The Viking Rune Stones:

6-6-2015 (originally posted on FaceBook): 

I have been using the Runes for Oracles guidance for over 25 years now. Clients and friends have gained tremendous insight into how to navigate through every experience when we use our inner guidance combined with the Viking Rune stones. Even after so many years I still pull a Rune for insight when I am questioning action I should take.

Business has been a little slower than usual for me in the last few weeks. I have no concern over financial stability. My bills are covered and I am reasonably comfortable. It is more that I get life force from my work. I do it because it is fulfilling to me at many levels. I have been logically wondering if I should be doing some extra promotional work and advertising to boost business at this time. I haven’t felt like doing it though. I have enjoyed the time to catch up on other things (editing work is always needed) and to rest a little extra before I get busy again, like I always inevitably do. 

I also had a really good date and night out with someone this Monday night I had some definite mutual chemistry, and really good astrological compatibility. I know without getting into detail that even though there is strong mutual body type attraction, this is not a right fit for the long run. Too many reasons to share, but one is a 21 year age difference. It will be a a better fit as friends. Still, I had some thoughts about pursuing anyway, even though my instinct tells me not to do so. I know I am just getting closer to a right fit in this area of my life in the near future and this was just a preview. A really fun one. Definitely a step in right direction.

I meditated for a minute and pulled a Rune message for further guidance and possible confirmation:

Ehwaz: Movement Progress A Horse 

Reversed: 

"Movement that appears to block. Be certain the what you are doing-or not doing-is timely. There are no missed opportunities. You have simply to recognize that not all possibilities are open to you, that not all opportunities are appropriate. The opportunity at hand may be precisely to avoid action. If you are feeling at a loss, unclear about the need to act, consider what is timely to your nature and remember: What is yours will come to you.” Ralph Blum

When it comes to the Runes a reversed Rune and what may sound negative is often still valuable. I put away the idea that I needed to do extra marketing work the morning when I pulled the Rune. By evening when I checked emails and phone messages I had five appointment requests for this weekend. My urge to dive into a relationship because of being impatient with allowing a better fit is comfortably neutralized.

The Runes help us to tune into “Right Action” and the best way to navigate in any situation.

JimV

*June ended up being one of the busiest months for my business so far this year!

New Client Special June and July 2015:

June 1st 2015 thru July 31st 2015 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates  for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

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.

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the world.” Marcus Aurelius

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, July 9th at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific 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.

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.