August 2017 Snake Oil/Just the Right Spot

August 2017 Snake Oil 

Just The Right Spot

This spring of 2017 seemed to be one of the worst allergy seasons on record. Many of my friends who also have seasonal allergies complained of suffering far more than usual. I also talked to a lot of people who never really had major problems with sinus issues in the past but were bothered this year as well. As far back as I can remember I have always had them. Yet over the years, while they haven’t completely healed by any means they have decreased quite a bit. Herbal supplements, acupuncture, sea salt lamps, local honey and a few other holistic techniques have worked to decrease a lot of my symptoms. My body and health in general seems to be stronger than it has ever been. This year, while everyone around me was sneezing or clogged up, I actually hardly suffered at all. After years of well meaning friends suggesting Nettie pots, Jin Shin, and acupressure points I finally listed to one of the suggestions. I looked up some online video instructions sites for how to do your own trigger point therapy to reduce allergies and sinus trouble. I used some of the techniques they suggested and they actually worked!

It does take some time to hit all of the trigger points. Because I do watch a few hours of television most evenings I added the process of working the trigger points while doing my television watching. The whole process of working to hit about seven pressure points usually takes about 15-20 minutes. Now, in addition to the grooming supplies next to my remote control that I use like tweezers, moisturizers, dental floss, nail clippers, and a nail file I also have another fix-it thing to do to maintain staying healthy and well groomed while watching television. Most of the time I use my fingers, but have also used the shredder* as well to hit points. I have aways been able to multi-task (mutable Sun sign) so it is no problem for me to do this while relaxing in front of the tube. In some respects it is even more appealing because I feel productive. I have used the techniques a number of times in hotel rooms while on vacations.

Well meaning friends, often less holistically inclined have suggested different pharmaceutical products to help when they saw me struggling with seasonal allergy. Except in a few, rare cases I don’t use pharmaceutical remedies. Precisely because they usually are not cures. They may mask or help, but rarely solve. Dis-ease is ALWAYS multilayered. Many people choose not to acknowledge this and are not able to take advantage of potential healing from other sources. While physical symptoms and problems are quite physical, all events are interconnected. Emotional blocks, limiting beliefs, and other unresolved patterns are part of the story. In Louise Hay’s book You Can Heal your Life, she mentions sinus issues as: “Irritation to one person, someone close.” She also mentions Hay Fever as: “Emotional congestion. Fear of the calendar. A belief in persecution. Guilt.” Myself included, I think people with allergies are often very determined people. It’s like there are things, and people in this world that drive us nuts, maybe even piss us off, yet we had the courage to come here to this world in this lifetime to confront them anyway. Whether its Hay Fever, food allergies, pet allergies or any other type of allergy there is something inside that resists what the things we are allergic to represent. This could be trauma from other lifetimes, childhood patterns or any number of other types of blockades. The emotional and limiting beliefs become a physical discomfort when energy is blocked.

As far back as I can remember I was always allergic to cats. In my younger years if I was in a room with more than one cat I had extreme reactions. When I dated and fell in love with someone in my early thirties who had a cat, it was difficult to say the least. After uncovering a painful past life memory connected with cats and using practical methods for minimizing contact I began to improve. Actions like just allowing myself to pet a cat and to wash my hands afterwards helped. I slowly began to have less reactions to the cat and eventually all cats in general. Three years later when we broke up, I kept the cat. I am not allergic to cats at all anymore. I physically worked through the issue, but it was also about recognizing what cats represent and why I had this denial. I worked through my cat allergies at multiple levels and the internal shift contributed to the physical healing. Cats are very tactile animals. In Druid tradition they represent guardianship, detachment, and sensuality. I struggled in my younger years with being truly comfortable with intimacy. I worked though this while working through the cat allergies at the same time. Both problems have been resolved. I no longer struggle with either of those issues.

One of the most interesting things about working with trigger points and pressure points was not just the release of quite of bit of my sinus struggle. After doing this work for about six months, I began noticing a few other things of value. There was a shift in my thinking and the way I reacted to others. I am becoming more detached and taking things that used to frustrate me far less personally. I have also noticed that my dream recall has heightened dramatically. I remember more of my dreams and have become far more lucid while in the dream state. I am more clear about the meaning of my dreams and seem to be getting more “work” done in the dream state, while at the same time waking up more rested. My physical ability to breath better has also triggered shifts in other areas that were blocked in the past. I am flowing in more areas and looking at and changing beliefs from childhood that made me uncomfortable with receiving.

There may be areas in life where we were born with certain challenges and dispositions that we cannot change. We can often see both the positive and negative aspects of these attributes in an astrology chart or numerology charts. While there are simply too many reasons to list here for the patterns behind illness, one very common theme connected with physical limitations and disabilities are often more about developing purpose and strength by overcoming and/or accepting the limitations. People with any type of disability, whether they’re born with or later acquired a major illness, born with missing limbs or losing them later in life can often be far stronger than people who have never really experienced difficult challenges. They often become tremendously inspirational to everyone around them, and even transform others by the courage they show. There are some aspects of life we just need to accept and change our view of it to live more peacefully. Still, there are a lot of limitations that can be changed. I used to see my refusal to accept physical limitations, and limiting beliefs from religion, society, and my early teachers as a defiance or something that added to my belief that I was an oddball. Now I look at my refusal to accept limitations as a strength. If something can be fixed to improve my life I will eventually tackle it and change it for the better. I can then use this knowledge to assist my friends and the clients who are willing to listen! Hitting the right spots can take some work. It can be uncomfortable to be willing to shift things we often cling to even when we don’t like these aspects. Often a healing crisis is part of the shifts that lead to permanent healing. Yet, when we hit the right spots internally and externally the changes to the flow of energy make the effort required well worth the benefits that follow. 

Jim Ventura 7-17

Notes:

The summer is in full bloom. I find myself checking sunset times almost a bit compulsively. Understanding when the Sun rises and sets is one of the reasons why the summers are so hot. The more sunlight each day (longer days) the more heat, and we have plenty of that in the valley of the Sun. On the positive side the monsoon has been doing its work and we have had a few good rainstorms so far. Summer started earlier than usual here so hopefully it will end a little earlier!

In addition to local in-office sessions and phone consultations, I am now offering the option of FaceTime for phone sessions. I will get a good cam option sometime this year and be able to offer that in the near future. If interested in booking a session remember that all current subscribers get $5 off my listed rates for all sessions and local in-office clients can take advantage of an additional $5 off rates for cash or check payments. Clients currently in my Regular Client program receive $15-$40 off my rates. Contact me for information about the benefits of getting involved in this beneficial program.

Thankfully fall is around the corner-well I am convincing myself of that anyway lol

I have a friend who created a product called the Shredder if you are interested in ordering one click on the link below.

Wishing everyone a Happy August. Let the Leo parts of you shine brightly this month even if you aren’t actually a Leo! Cheers, Jimmy V

https://www.facebook.com/precisionmuscletherapy/?hc_ref=ARSjz7f6lfaE0iuMqGMiL0DEUYufRxr4JceW0UHFr4QBj1drOPdYsxGtM3j0Y2Nh_h8&fref=nf

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.

Doctors and healing

“In your society you have for many years placed strong emphasis on going to the doctor. Many if not most of you were born with the aid of medical personnel. As a result your minds hold a very strong belief that you need doctors in order to be alive and that you need doctors to promote your wellness. This is a very strong thought in the consciousness of your society, especially in your Western world.

As a result, often you need to go through the motions of going to the doctor or to some medical personnel in order to stimulate the healing and release. It may not be that what they do has any positive effect on your physical organism, but your belief that they can do something to help you creates the climate for healing. This is the reason why so very often in medical studies there is a significant improvement with placebo groups, because they believe something is being done to them that is stimulating health, and therefore the mind promotes health.

So, even though theoretically you could breath out any illness, and certainly we encourage you to utilize the breath and to utilize full oxygenation of the being, we suggest that you use wisdom to recognize the whole complex mental set that you come from in your culture and that you therefore do not resist visiting medical personnel to stimulate the process of healing.

Prescription drugs, for example, are directed to curing the symptoms, but the homeopathic practice is based on the philosophy of bringing the illness to a healing crisis so that the body’s own healing mechanisms can come into play. It is geared toward getting the body to heal itself, not just suppressing the symptoms.

The holistic practices you hear so much about today are not new. What we have here are some very basic thoughts about experiencing doubt. If enough people believe that there is more than enough of everything for everyone to have more than enough, there will be enough belief in abundance that any opposition on the part of the AMA to holistic healing can be healed. There are many ways to achieve the same goal, and there is no right and wrong in the universe.

The differences between the holistic community and the AMA come strictly from an outgrowth of the strong right/wrong thoughts, from the belief that there has to be ONE right way. The more you open your minds to believing that there is an infinity of ways to accomplish the same goal, the more you will find this gap between the holistic community and the traditional medical community closing up.” 

Seth Spirit Speaks magazine 1992

“A lot of people say they want to get out of pain, and I’m sure that’s true, but they aren’t willing to make healing a high priority. They aren’t willing to look inside to see the source of their pain in order to deal with it.” Lindsay Wagner

Snake Oil Radio

Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be one live broadcast this month)

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, August 3rd. at 3:30 p.m. mountain time (same as Pacific time now). 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 body has a remarkable capacity to begin healing itself, and much more quickly than people had once realized, if you simply stop doing what’s causing the problem. Dean Ornish

New Client Special 2017:

January 1st 2017 thru August 31st 2017 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. Sessions can be in-office or by phone. 

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that we aim too high and we miss it, but we aim too low and reach it.” Michelangelo

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact).

Phone calls: (602) 957-3035 text only: (602) 349-0746 

Information about the different sessions and types of readings and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: Http://JimVentura.com 

“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates. 

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

You also may want to check out my posts on Tumblr.com: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/snake-oil-blog

All sessions/readings for 2017 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 2017 Snake Oil/Clouds Got In My Way

SNAKE OIL

Clouds got in my way

I looked out the window and saw clouds filling the sky. They were dark, ominous, and beautiful all at the same time. They blocked out the sun on one of Arizona's typically bright and sunny days. The Lakota Indians use the word Mahpia to describe the energy of clouds. Mahpia also refers to the human experience of being caught in the grips of compulsion and addiction. Addictions and compulsions are considered rites of passage, tests for learning how to choose wholeness over disintegration. At some point we all struggle with some elements of addiction. Some people battle with the big stuff, such as hard core drug abuse, extreme alcoholism, opioid addictions, sexual addictions, or even elements of greed that may pull them into potential criminal activity. People caught up in extreme levels of addiction often have the chief negative feature (one of the seven human fears) that is based on a fear of loss of control pushing one to be self destructive. Most of us will never experience these types of extremes, but are drawn into more subtle forms of addiction that block and mask our personal power.

In September of 2001, I began to see that I was out of control with my personal addictions. The tragedies of 9-11 coincided with my separation from someone I was deeply in love with. There seemed to be no explanation for my emotional loss as well as the chaos and loss of our country’s sense of security. I could not get answers from the man who I felt had abandoned me or from my Higher self. I was blocked from clarity and understanding. Emotionally, my heart was broken and I was having difficulties putting the pieces together. I found myself drinking three times the amount of coffee I usually drank. I was constantly craving sweets, and found myself gaining weight because I was eating more than I normally did. I was smoking tobacco and marijuana far more often than usual. Things that I had done occasionally had become daily survival rituals and I was tilting out of balance.

We crave certain substances and use them to excess when we are spiritually, mentally, and emotionally out of balance. The most commonly used addictive substances are:

Tobacco - masks unresolved anger and feeling powerless (It is common for smoking to begin during adolescence when these feelings are typically part of the teen years).

Sugar - masks a feeling of not being lovable.

Chocolate - similar to sugar, but also masks feeling comfortable with intimacy and triggers similar feelings as sexual contact does.

Alcohol - masks fear (witness the drunk expressing delusional bravery and sometimes acting belligerent and telling everyone around him/her what “they really think”).

Marijuana - masks sadness.

Caffeine - masks everything.

According to the Lakota, Mahpia is a supernatural spirit. He travels the earth searching for wholeness, and blocks the sun in the form of clouds that bring rain, sleet and hail. Our compulsions and addictions cast dark shadows over our lives. They block our true

personal power. In a similar way, like many pharmaceutical medicines, they don't actually cure problems. They simply act as a temporary mask of the symptoms and block the issue from rising to the surface to be resolved. When we look directly at our compulsions and addictions, and see what they are masking, we can dispel the clouds that block our true power and claim wholeness.

I was able to break my addiction cycle when I looked at what the addictions were really all about, and why I was actually doing them. I still drink coffee, although mostly decaffeinated. My Italian heritage and the fact that it tastes so damn good makes it tough to let go. Once in a while I have sweets, but usually in small amounts. I smoke cigars for the most part only when I gamble once a week or during Vegas trips. I occasionally even smoke a little weed. It was never about eliminating “the good things in life.” When I looked at the things that I was having trouble with, I was able to let the compulsive element go. Now I allow myself to feel sadness. Poignantly sad, touching music and movies fill this place nicely. I work out at a gym and sometimes punch a punching bag while I'm there, to burn off excessive energy when I feel I have no control or I am angry. I know now that I am lovable, whether I am alone or with others. The sugar compulsion and cravings were part of a pattern developed during my childhood and partly stemmed from a mother who had difficulty showing or telling us we were loved. I no longer struggle with this. I enjoy sugar in moderation. I enjoy the occasional cloudy days that block the Arizona sun. I know that while the sun may be hidden behind the clouds both in the outside world and inside myself, it still shines brightly. The clouds always move away, revealing beautiful, blue skies.

Jim Ventura 4-2004

Notes:

This is one of my earliest columns from back in 2004. It is part of Snake Oil Volume One. If interested you can purchase a copy from me or from Amazon.com. The current Opioid addiction in this country has reached epic proportions. There are many different types of things that pharmaceutical medicines mask. Overall they boil down to masking pain. All types of pain; physical, intellectual, and emotional pain, but of course they are all interconnected. I have never been pulled to using pharmaceutical medicines. Over the counter and prescribed medicines always may partly resolve one thing, yet the cost of a number of other problems that they usually trigger are simply not worth it to me. In my twenties I would try things like Benadryl. It would work by drying out my sinuses, but I would end up so dehydrated that I couldn’t get enough water to feel comfortable. I would also feel a little stoned in a bizarre (and not fun) way when using these types of products. Luckily I have been blessed with good health so far (natal Venus in 6th in easy aspect to everything). I also think that pain or discomfort (in reasonable doses) can be useful in many respects. I am physically strong so I can handle a lot. I see pain as a reminder to me to resolve whatever is blocked physically, in my emotional body, and any limiting beliefs I am holding. Pain is a reminder of needed change!

Approximately twenty percent of the population struggles in a minor or major way with self-destruction or fear of lack of control. Its positive pole is sacrifice and negative suicide (either slowly or quickly in one way or another). It is often triggered during childhood and usually stems from one or more issues with abandonment. People with this chief negative feature are more often likely to struggle with addiction. Often the pain of the past abandonment is simply unbearable.

We hit a “delightful” high of 120 here in Phoenix already. This is the part of summer that pretty much sucks. An expensive price tag we pay for the 8-9 months of great weather to follow in the fall. Wishing everyone a happy July! Cheers, Jimmy V

“Changing a Habit is Never Difficult. Difficult is to Address Your unwillingness to do it.” Vineet Raj Kapoor

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.

Become self-indulgent

“My recommendation for preventing illness is to be somewhat self-indulgent, which I know is anti-establishment. I recommend that you take five minutes every day and listen to yourself. Spend just five minutes before you go to sleep to stop and find out what’s bothering you.

The good news is that this brings the bother up to the surface where you know what it is. An awful lot of you people are bothered but don’t know it. You are agitated about debts or spouses or bosses or family, and you pretend that you aren’t. You get the worlds worst review at the job, and you are fine, just fine. Your checks bounce, and you respond, ‘I can cope. I’ve done this before. I’ll just go down to the bank and handle it.’ And-funny thing-you’ve probably got an ulcer brewing, and you don’t even know it.

Simply take five minutes a day to stop and find out if you’re bothered, what you’re bothered about, and what you are feeling. Are you happy, are you tense, what does your body feel like, are you hungry? What a novel thing it would be to stop three minutes before your meal and find out if you actually are hungry. Most of you eat because its time. Some of you even have your stomachs trained so they growl at 12:05 if you don’t feed them at 12:00-not because you’re hungry, but because, ‘Well, its time you put something in me. Grrr.’

Now, I know that's a lot-five minutes focused on yourself is extreme. Spend a few minutes in the morning just scanning your body while you are lying in bed. What does it feel like? ‘Oh, my elbows hurt.’ Are you clenching your fists in the night? What does your jaw feel like? Are you waking up with a headache? Are you hungry? What does your mouth feel like? Is it gooey, is it dry? What does your tongue feel like? What do your muscles feel like? What do your eyeballs feel like? Do you want to be awake now or are you still wanting to go back to sleep? It doesn’t take long to check all those things. It takes some consciousness, but not a lot of time...”

Spirit Speaks magazine Aranya 1992

*The author of this piece makes some excellent points. When we take the time to be aware of how we feel physically, emotionally, and in all other ways we have the power to adjust ourselves to increase health and to avoid the traps of reaching for physical substitutes to repress or cover areas of emotional discomfort. Jim V

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

Snake Oil Radio

Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be one live broadcast this month)

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, July 13th. at 3:30 p.m. mountain time (same as Pacific time now). 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.

“Man is the only animal who enjoys the consolation of believing in a next life; all other animals enjoy the consolation of not worrying about it.” Robert Brault

Snake Oil Volume One

Jim Ventura has been writing his monthly Snake Oil column for 14 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 can not only do this with the benefit of expanding our consciousness, but still keeping 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.

To order a copy contact me by phone or email. Cost: $12.00 including sales tax. Please include $3.00 for shipping ($15.00 total).

Or 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!

Snake Oil Volume One is also available at Amazon.com

“When the student is ready, the master appears.” Buddhist Proverb

New Client Special 2017:

January 1st 2017 thru August 31st 2017 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. Sessions can be in-office or by phone. 

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 Face book 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 2017 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. 

June 2017 Snake Oil/Pretzel Logic

June 2017 Snake Oil/Pretzel Logic

When I was about eleven years old, I remember jumping on my yellow banana seat bicycle and heading over to Pergaments’ department store for a treat. I had scraped up enough money to buy myself a hot pretzel at this Long Island department stores snack bar. It was a big thrill for me to be able to buy myself something so I was excited. The girl that worked behind the counter was about sixteen years old, and was a miserable, pimple-faced, angry-at-the-world teenager. An unhappy teenager is not exactly a rarity in this world by any means. I ordered my big salty pretzel and she grumpily told me it would be thirty five cents. I started to carefully count out the pennies I had crammed in my pocket when she stopped me halfway through my count. With a disgusted look on her face she said, “I am not taking all pennies, give me REAL money or you are not getting this pretzel. I was mortified. I weakly told her I had no other money and she responded with “Well tough for you then, no pretzel.”

I slunk away from the snack-bar in despair and I had a difficult time holding back the tears as I rode my bike home. I hated that monster. She had humiliated me for no reason. I struggled with my emotions as I rode home. Shame and abasement alternated with anger as I rehashed the incident in my mind. Later when I recounted the story of the “ugly bitch who wouldn’t give me a pretzel” to my friends, I used all kinds of colorful language to describe the nasty, bitter, evil troll who refused to serve me. Throughout my tirade of angry recounting I never thought of mentioning her race as part of my despair. She was African American, but it had nothing to do with why I hated her. I never made a connection in my mind between race and her bad behavior.

I grew up in the predominantly white suburbs of Long Island, New York, yet I saw people of all colors and nationalities around me. In my own home we never really heard extreme racist language. Don’t get me wrong my mom often had a few choice comments about many of the neighbors. She was not lacking in opinions. She wasn’t thrilled with the divorced mother of one of my friends and she didn’t approve of the way many of the neighbors parented their kids. She wasn’t fond of a lot of the neighbors and made her viewpoints known to us. Still, while I suspected she had a little bit of racism in her, I never really heard my mother or father make “colorful” negative comments about Jews, Blacks, Hispanics, and anyone else who wasn’t like us. My siblings and I often followed suit and we also disliked many of our neighbors in hope of getting approval from mom, but it was never really racially motivated. Some of my friend’s parents were clearly prejudiced though. I heard a few shocking comments from time to time. But I wasn’t around them enough to let them influence my perspective and beliefs. And, even if I did hear more of their ugly ideas, it simply never made any real sense to me to think this way. To me, people were either annoying or cool. Race had no bearing on whether I liked someone or not. Something inside of me never allowed me to get twisted into seeing people in such a perverse way.

I encountered racism more as an adult. In my twenties I had friends who had boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, and wives that believed or said some horrible racially prejudiced things and actually meant what they said. Usually these boyfriends and girlfriends had short shelf lives though. The people with whom I have socialized with, for the most part, have always thought the way I do which is one of the reasons why I considered them to be my friends. I have even had a few occasions in my life where I was the victim of what some believe to be an element of reverse racism. There were a few times when I got nasty looks when I have been in places where I was the only Caucasian guy. I even encountered a bit of this once when I was the only guy at an all Lesbian party. It seemed a few of the ladies were blatantly bothered by my presence there, yet I had a great time anyway and met some really cool people. Still, I can honestly count the number of times I noticeably experienced this type of thing on one hand. Since I’m extremely white with a very fair complexion, I stand out like a sore thumb among darker races.Yet, I haven’t found that I suffered in any real way because of this. Even though got some dirty looks a few times, the disdain never really bothered me. I realized a long time ago that I have definitely gotten some extra privileges because of my skin color. It isn’t fair, but it is a reality. The world is not balanced and fair by any means. There are some real benefits that come from being a white male. I don’t blame some minorities for feeling uncomfortable about this imbalance. It does exist in the world. Many minorities have experienced some really nasty and even brutal things because of this kind of obnoxious prejudice. I would likely be a bit angry too If I had to walk in their shoes and deal with being mistreated because of my race.

While I have never been or ever will be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, hetero phobic, or judgmental about any group of people by any means, people who know me have often heard me humorously say some of the worst racist comments of all! But my reasons for doing this are purely for getting laughs and to break the bubbles of protection that many people have around their racial wounds. I am also from NY and we are all wise-asses in some respects. It comes with the territory (add Uranus in Virgo the 5th house Astrologically for me). I was a big fan of people like Norman Lear who created brilliant comedy shows like “All In The Family” because I got what he was trying to do. I have said some amazingly, creative derogatory things about Gay people, straight people, Blacks, Asians and pretty much everyone else. This includes men, Germans, Italians, gays, Catholics, people from the east coast, psychics, all groups and cultures that could be to some extent used to describe me! But my terrible comments are always done with a smile and a shit-eating grin. It’s the wise-guy, shock-the-audience, lover of words in me that just loves to shake up his audience from time to time. I enjoy pointing out the absurd. Racism is so painfully un-evolved that it gives comedians an endless supply of material to work with. My goal is to remind everyone that racism, sexism, homophobia, and every other idiotic “ism” is simply that, idiotic! It is far less painful to feel insulted when we see someone who is trying to insult us as as obnoxious bullies who are absurd because they ACTUALLY believe these types of things. 

Racism and extreme prejudice may have thankfully shrunk somewhat over time, yet they are still sadly alive and well. It may even seem like it has gotten worse in the last few years. There are a number of reasons why I think racism exists and in some respects sadly may always exist. People who have had bad experiences with someone from another race or culture will often form beliefs that are then myopically projected to everyone in that group or race. They get stuck in a lifelong lack of ability to break free from learned, limited perspectives even though evidence to the contrary often later proves those beliefs to be invalid. Some people simply still buy into prejudiced thinking they learned from their family or communities. They seem to be missing the ability and maturity to make judgments of their own. They show their loyalty by following their families or religion’s beliefs no matter what! Often these types of people are incapable of healthy empathy. In addition, they never evolve enough to throw away old beliefs and limited narrow prejudices. The majority who still think in racist terms are simply playing a projection game. They project their own hidden fears, weakness, and even ideals and assign them to a particular race or group “that is taking something they want or feel they deserve away from them.” This then becomes a game of love/hate toward members of these groups.

All of the people who actually think with hatred and prejudice use a kind of pretzel logic and twist themselves into something grotesque. Many spend entire lifetimes clinging tightly to their racist perceptions. Ultimately they may remain stunted and lack spiritual, emotional, and analytical mutability. They will inevitably sign up for the karma of being born in another life as a member of the very groups that they mistreated. Everyone eventually evolves and reaches a healthy neutrality, but it may take many lifetimes to get there. If we look at karma and the evolution through living multiple lifetimes (reincarnation) we can understand that a “younger soul” or someone with less lifetimes in different races, sexual orientations, etc... has less experience. Racists inevitably choose to walk a difficult road. They end up creating suffering and pain for others and themselves. Carrying around hate and anger will take its toll on them physically and emotionally. In many cases this can be the seeds for cancer and other types of disease, or they may find people rejecting them because of their rigidity. Sadly, pretzel logic damages everyone it comes into contact with. It is an aspect of this world that is truly ugly, but pretending it away solves nothing. Rising above it by seeing those who suffer from the affliction of racism as wounded people that lack fully developed empathy, is the solution for any personal peace. 

Jim Ventura 5-2012

Notes

I originally published this Snake Oil about 5 years ago. While I did some additional editing, it was actually minimally changed. I have been hearing over the last few years from some people and some media that Obama has made this a more racist country. I have also heard on the other side that Trump is making this a more racist country. Neither of these perspectives are actually correct. In my view President Trump in some respects has acted as a lightening rod and triggered  people who were already racist to speak and act out. Trump’s Sun in Gemini conjunct Uranus in his 10th house has triggered some elements that are now surfacing in society to give us an opportunity to look at this darker part of humanity that exists in some Americans. This is part of a  healing process that unfortunately involves uncomfortable ugliness and suffering as part of both the collective process. We are not a country that is more or less racist than before. This un-evolved part of our society has always been there and is now surfacing for examination.

Every six months or so I send out referral credits for referrals sent to me during that period of time. When my clients who are column subscribers send a potential client my way and they book a session I give $10-$25 in referral credits to whomever made the referral. So far 2017 has been a bit lighter than usual in new referrals. Passing my newsletter along or information about sessions options to friends and family though social media or in other ways is valuable to me and greatly appreciated. In addition this can make your next session inexpensive, or even free! I definitely get a lot of my referrals via Yelp and other review sites. I sent out referral credits to all the thoughtful people who posted reviews about my services or my column about 2 years ago. If you haven’t already posted a review on Yelp (look under Phoenix Astrologers), and choose to do so anytime in 2017, I will eventually see it and when I send out my next referral comp offers in September I will give a $25 referral discount to anyone who posts a review. 

Summer has arrived. We are hitting the 100s here in Phoenix during the daytime. Evenings have still been fairly nice and May was surprisingly cool (although we hit a bizarre 106 degree day in April)! July is usually when it gets really hot here, but it is the price we pay for 70 degree days in much of our winter. Wishing everyone a happy June! Cheers, Jimmy V

“The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget.” Thomas Szasz

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.

Hate

“WHEN PEOPLE HATE, THEY ALWAYS LOOK FOR ALLIES-The less justified the grievance, the more pressing the desire. The more that person wrongs someone they hate, the more fuel they add to their own hatred. This is how humans work. The one who hates has to silence his guilty conscience, and he does this by convincing himself and others that you really deserve punishment. He cannot feel indifference or pity for someone wronged; he must hate and persecute or else leave the door open to self-contempt. Hatred can give meaning to an empty life. Therefore, understand that your adversary is to be pitied.

If you are upset it is because you are allowing this person’s problem to trouble you. You can’t change a hateful person, but you can change how you react. When you let go of your expectations of approval or control, you begin to let go of your anger, resentment and blame. The ideal self-actualization response is to allow the negativity to flow through you without affecting you. Let it go and go on with your life.

Meditate upon how an adversary related to your question and how you can best rise above this situation through positive thinking and positive action.

Dick Sutphen  Oracle Within

“I’m not funny. What I am is brave.” Lucille Ball

Snake Oil Radio

Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be one live broadcasts this month)

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, June 15th. at 3:30 p.m. mountain time (same as Pacific time now). 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.

“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.” Henru Nouwen

New Client Special 2017:

January 1st 2017 thru August 31st 2017 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. Sessions can be in-office or by phone. 

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 2017 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.