Snake Oil
Becoming Who We Are
I started working on a project that I had planned to do over a year ago. My youngest sister is turning fifty in August of this year, so I decided to make a mini “fun book” of pictures and photo’s of her life. Typical of my continuing role of mildly antagonistic big brother in this life and a true Sagittarius, it would be funny, sarcastic, and a little obnoxious. The goal of getting my sister and any other family members who get to see it to laugh extremely hard, was something I knew from previous experience that I could pull off. Playful joking has always been a part of my family and a glue that connects my relationships with my siblings and many of my close friends. When I am around my siblings often a good portion of our time together is significant deep talks, but we also like to really playfully poke fun at each other. When my parents sold the house we all grew up in 22 years ago, I went back to NY and took a small amount of the books, notebooks, journals, and tremendous amount of artwork from my childhood back with me to my new home in Arizona. There was a lot of material, and it was difficult to leave so much of it behind. I still have that large box of early creativity so I had lots of material to use for my project.
I had found some funny pictures on the net and sifted through my box full of artwork to do my sister’s roast. I was an art major for two years in high school and for another two years in college, and artistic talents and a number of creative skills were something that I showed at a very young age. I was especially good at caricatures. I’d done lots of drawings of family members, friends, and celebrities, and written a number of comic strips, plays, mini-books, magazines, and a number of short stories. I was clearly reminded that I have always been a storyteller and performer in one form or another. I also found sheet music from my childhood. I played the organ and was actually becoming good at it from the ages of 10-13. It was fun to do this project and look at my childhood art and photos. I found myself laughing a lot. My often absurd sense of humor was always bizarre and possibly brilliant. What really struck me during the process was how good I really was at so many different creative things. I found a drawing that I had only finished halfway that I did at about age 13 of Mork and Mindy (A late 70s and early 80s sitcom with Robin Williams). I wrote “this sucks!” underneath it and never finished it. Looking at it now I could see that it was really quite good and looked exactly like both of them.
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| Comic book I created with my sister as "Curl Girl" when I was 15. |
This was the darker part of digging up my past. I was tremendously self-deprecating back then. I feared I was not talented and that there were many things wrong with me. I had notebooks from my teen years with wonderful stories and incredibly creative ideas, yet I also had pages of notes filled with doubts, fears, sadness and a fear of inadequacy. I feared I wasn’t talented at all. I feared I was not attractive. I was afraid of expressing my sexual identity. I wondered if I would ever be lovable. The strange contrast in all of this was I was very popular. A lot of people were drawn to me, I had a lot of friends and a few of them clearly had “crushes” on me. Still this negative fear of self worth tainted many good times. I sometimes protected myself by wishing or trying to be invisible or pretending I didn’t care about what others thought of me through a veil of indifference.
I frequently remind my clients that the blocking force in our lives is not a lack of purpose, skills, or talents, but usually two specific fears that limit our ability to use our talents and to comfortably be who we are. The development of chief negative feature (fear) usually begins to take hold of us around ages 12-13. Sometimes it surfaces a little earlier or later, but it always comes. There are seven fears or chief negative features. Most people end up eventually settling with two of these fears in a noticeably strong way or milder way, but they are typically quite hard to avoid entirely.
1. Self-destruction. A fear of lack of control, often triggered by extreme abandonment experiences.
2. Greed. A fear of lack, often triggered by receiving substitutes for what we really need and later forming specific fixations.
3. Self-deprecation. A fear of inadequacy, often triggered by excessive criticism, and doubts about ever being able to measure up.
4. Arrogance. A fear of vulnerability, often triggered by criticism and shame around being “good enough.”
5. Martyrdom. A fear of victimization, often triggered by people who take advantage of a disposition of early talents and strengths.
6. Impatience. A fear of being victimized by time, often triggered by parent(s) who have the very same fear.
7. Stubbornness. A fear of change, often triggered by not preparing children in a healthy way for change. This fear has the added “benefit” of sliding at times to the other six fears.
One or two of these primary fears will take root during childhood and usually by the time we reach around 19 or 20 after “playing” with some or all of them, we settle on a primary and secondary fear. They become a part of who we are.
One of the good things about this project and digging through my past was seeing how much I have changed for the better. Now I have very little fear. I don’t doubt my self-worth. I am very confident in the way I look, speak, and know that I am loved. I am even more talented and comfortable expressing those talents. The path of my life and what I was meant to do (dharma) was right in front of me all along. My work with Astrology and Numerology helped me see even more clearly the specific talents, skills, and challenges I had set up for myself in this lifetime. Yet, it was the work I did in my mid twenties and thirties toward recognizing and overcoming my fears and chief negative features that account for my present success and happiness.
I have many clients who are still searching for what they are meant to do in this life. Some are in their twenties and some are in their sixties! I often suggest that they look at the natural inclinations, skills, and talents they showed when they were younger. Some people are like me and meant to creatively express themselves. Some people have natural skills at parenting, taking care of animals, being diplomatic, are physically beautiful or drawn to sculpting strong bodies, talented photographers, problem solvers, have an ability to lift people up, remain strong in crisis, are good with numbers, find others the right homes, make others laugh... The list of talents people can have and use are far too long to list. For many people career paths are less of the priority and other things take precedence. They may be focused on overcoming illness, or disabilities, being really good friends and support to others, inspiring people by overcoming obstacles... We may even be meant to change course at different points in our lives. Many of us are mutable and have multiple potential paths we can take.
The problem has never been that everyone isn’t completely unique and doesn’t have specific skills and abilities that the world needs in a small way or a big way. The problem is fear begins to block each of us early on and may still hamper many of us today. The clouds of fear can keep us from expressing our true selves. People tend to tenaciously hold onto their fear and fight to keep hugging their cactus. Sometimes the fears of parents, guardians, and teachers push us away from our natural inclinations. We end allowing those fears to become our own. No matter what age or place you are in your life, the fears that block our life purpose(s) can be overcome. Besides, finding your life path and purpose is really a process, not a category. It is never too late and at any time we can choose to face and release the control of fear and become the person we truly were meant to be.
Jim Ventura 7-2016
Notes:
I have worked successfully with many different clients over the years on helping them overcome the influence of chief negative feature or fear. I usually push all of the clients in my Regular Client Program (information about this program available on my website or email for info.) to address this eventually in a few of our sessions, although some quit the program right before we get to it or during the process. Unfortunately not surprising! Chief negative feature will work tenaciously to keep its hold on us and to convince us that it is necessary and helping us. “We would be lost without its protection...” Of course this couldn’t possibly be more opposite. Fear is the cause of our difficulties, not part of the solution. If you are interested in removing the hold of fear in your life, you can join my Regular Client Program or take advantage of the special I am offering this month. More information about this August special in the newsletter.
We are truly in the heart of the summer. Monsoon season has arrived here so we are finally getting some rain. August first in Druid/Celtic tradition is called Lughnasadh. In Christian tradition it is called “Lammas.” It is a time to celebrate the first harvest of the year, and recognize that the hot summer days will soon come to an end (actually in AZ that could well go into mid to late October...). The plants of spring wither and drop seeds to ensure future crops. Grains are ready to be harvested and the fruits are ripe for the picking. We give thanks for the food on our tables. We are reminded that joy, levity and festivity are as much a part of the wheel and our lives as death and rebirth. Celebration is what makes life worth living and allows us to touch the joy of creation itself. It is a time to celebrate!
Wishing everyone a happy August. Cheers, Jim V
“Do you give as much energy to your dreams as you do to your fears?” Unknown
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.
Nature and Consciousness
“To attempt to protect the self in old terms or to keep the self rigidly ‘itself’ is like holding your breath for too long. Selves, like breaths, go through us all the time. But from our standpoint we are the larger psychological structures that translate these selves into ourselves; just as the body translates our breath into our living.
Even our bodies often seem not us or not ours because we have forgotten how to identify with them, lost the knack of following the strands of consciousness that should connect us, so that our full experience of creature-hood itself is further limited. We seem instead to be victims of the flesh, at the mercy of illnesses, wars, and natural disasters, because we have lost track of our natural selves and lost sight of our place within nature’s framework.
It seems idiotic, for example, to think that we can cure ourselves naturally of illnesses when we believe that disease is thrust upon us by the flesh, and has nothing as all to do with our desires or beliefs. Until we realize that our consciousness, working through the body, creates its state of being, then any natural cures will be considered miraculous. Seth, for example, states that so-called miraculous cures are simply examples of unimpeded nature.
In the same way we are part of nature; physically as real as mountains, air currents, trees, or oceans, all of which have their effects upon the climate and world conditions. Yet for some reason we imagine that we affect the natural world only through our technology. But our physical presence itself has an interaction with the earth and with the physical elements that compose it. We are biologically connected, and this means that the chemical makeup of our bodies is part of the earth’s contents.
Our chemical balance changes as our emotions do, and we alter the composition of the earth. We are not at the mercy of natural disasters. We have forgotten or ignored our native emotional identification with the wind and with storms, and therefore lost our part in their existence, and whatever conscious control we may have once had over them. Therefore we need technology-to bring rain to parched areas, for example-and consider it the sheerest nonsense to blame parched emotions instead...”
Jane Roberts (speaking for herself, not Seth in this book) from Psychic Politics
AUGUST SPECIAL
TRANSFORMATION SESSIONS
During my 22 years of studying metaphysics, oracles, channeling, and other tools for increasing enlightenment, I came across the concept of the chief negative feature. We all have one, most of us have two, that block our ability to experience true happiness.
1. ARROGANCE +(positive) pride -(negative) vanity
2. SELF-DEPRECATION + humility - abasement
3. GREED + appetite - voracity
4. SELF-DESTRUCTION + sacrifice - suicide
5. IMPATIENCE + daring - intolerance
6. MARTYRDOM + selflessness -victimization
7. STUBBORNNESS + determination -obstinacy
These fear patterns or “dragons” are the primary cause of unhappiness, and block us from having fulfilling careers, relationships, prosperity... By discovering what our chief feature is, how it formed, and how it blocks us, we can take charge of ending its hold. As we look at our childhood and see where our fear and false personality started, we can then move onto practical, powerful methods for living our lives without the manipulation of fear/chief feature.
Transformation sessions are discounted this month. One session is helpful, but three sessions would be the most beneficial approach to get a stronger position in weakening its hold. You can either join my Regular Client Program and get discounted rates, or take advantage of this months special. Three pre-payed sessions can be used monthly or quarterly. The rates listed below include a discounted rate of $120 off my listed rates. This special rate ends on August 31st 2016.
Pre=Pay (3) - 70 minute sessions $210 or (3) - 90 minute sessions $250.
One transformation session $90 for 70 minute ($20 discount off my listed rates)
Email me at Venturasag@yahoo.com to book your transformation session.
“What do you feed dreams? Hope, desire, love, faith, trust, courage, and chocolate.
One must have all seven, if dreams are to be made real...
Well at least chocolate.” Andrew Alden
New Client Special:
January 1st 2016 thru September 1st 2016 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!
$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.
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 4th. 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 the site and type “Snake Oil” into the search option.You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.
“Your task is not to seek love, but to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” Rumi
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.
You also may want to check out my posts on Tumblr.com: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/snake-oil-blog
All sessions/readings for 2016 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.
Angel message:
“Joy is the highest energy of all. It’s the magical sense that everything is possible. Joy springs from appreciating the gifts within each moment. Joy allows you to attract and create your present and future moments at their highest possible levels.” Doreen Virtue
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| Pencil and charcoal pic I drew in college of man watching his barn burning. Old Soul expression of understanding |
