September 2017 Snake Oil/So Sensitive

September 2017 Snake Oil

So Sensitive

I was hanging out with a long time friend a few weeks ago when I told him that I experienced a night during my last vacation where I drank way too much alcohol. I usually have one drink a night when I go to Las Vegas for the three day and night trips that I take every other month. The bartender in the Diamond lounge over-poured my Courvoisier to make it more like three drinks. I figured I was on vacation and not driving, so what would it matter if I indulged beyond my normal limits? Of course my intuitive, and practical self told me that it was not a good idea. I foolishly ignored those wiser voices. I drink infrequently and very little when I do, so this heavy amount made me a bit drunk. Like most intoxicants it was fun for a few hours then quickly followed with a headache and other discomforts. I crashed in my hotel room early that night and had a lousy night of sleep. I woke up every two hours to urinate, and I did not feel well rested when I got up the next morning. I felt crappy for most of the next day and I couldn’t seem to drink enough water to feel comfortably hydrated. Indulgence in any form usually has a expensive price tag attached to it. I began to regally understand in my mid twenties that the fun of indulgence isn’t worth the after effects.

The buddy I told about my brief indulgence with alcohol is Mormon. I told him that I think the Mormons are right about the negative aspects of intoxicants like alcohol, drugs, and caffeine. He was thrilled that I validated the wisdom of an aspect of his religious and spiritual convictions. He is a good friend, and my designated driver when we go out to bars, or other events a few times a year. Even though I often don’t actually drink most of the time, his willingness to be a driver is greatly appreciated. Seeing him light up with appreciation reminded me that I often forget to verbally acknowledge the wisdom and value of my friends. I have great friends and that’s why I hang out with them in the first place! This experience reminded me to make a point to compliment them more often.

My sensitivity to certain foods, drugs and alcohol became noticeable in my early twenties. I gave up fast food at about age 23. “Diet anything” ended the first time I tasted something with artificial sugar. It always tasted lousy to me (Crystal light nightmares of my mother trying to sell us on its benefits and tastiness, because she was often trying to lose weight!) and any product that contains it never appeals to me. In my late teens and early twenties I briefly experimented with a few harder drugs like cocaine, and even ecstasy once, but they were never things that I was truly comfortable with. I always found that the toll of these substances on my body, spirit, and wallet didn’t justify their value. Even over the counter medications like allergy medication and pain medications have always made me feel uncomfortable. They would temporarily fix what was wrong, but ten other negative things would be the uncomfortable price I payed for using them. The only “drug” that never seemed to really bother me or cause me any real ill effects was marijuana. I am guessing this is because it is a natural plant from the Earth and less harsh to the body. I was happily stoned a lot while I was in college and experienced very little adverse effects. 

In my early thirties my tolerance for alcohol began to wane as well. I would be fine when I drank top shelf alcohol and good wines and beers, in small doses. I discovered that I was able to drink reasonable amounts of alcohol if I had a bottle of water between drinks (now when I drink it’s usually 2 bottles of water for each alcoholic beverage). Caffeine became far less tolerable when I got into my early thirties. When I would return to New York to visit friends and family the straight (not cut with decaf) coffee we would drink would leave me feeling irritable and uncomfortably wired for hours. At home when I make coffee it is generally 75 percent decaffeinated. Now that I am in my forties, I even have difficulty ingesting too much sugar. Over time, I have definitely become a “Sensitive Suzy.”

I have already discussed the emotional and psychological influences of intoxicants in previous Snake Oil columns. Things like alcohol, tobacco, sugar, caffeine and other “drugs” all mask uncomfortable feelings. Like fear, anger, feeling unlovable, and a bit of everything - respectively. If we are moderate with these types of things they actually can be enjoyable and not necessarily damaging to our bodies. Yet, when we begin to develop spiritually there are other difficulties that can surface as we awaken. Not only do our physical bodies become more sensitive, but our emotional and intuitive bodies become increasingly sensitive as well. Hard to absorb substances become not only uncomfortable, but difficult people, environments, and many other things can also become toxic to us.

Many years ago I noticed that when I am in bars, or places where people are “checking each other out,” that I often have to frequently urinate. Even if I haven’t had a lot of liquids, I still notice this frequent need to eliminate. Often when I get home I still find myself going to the bathroom more than normal when I am trying to sleep at night. When people are attracted to us or simply energetically “poking around” this can be pressure on our second chakra. The second chakra is the energy center below our navel that governs relationships, balance, and much of our sexual energy. I find a similar thing happens when I am around couples that are fighting or arguing around me. This area of my body gets uncomfortable and instinctively wants to release more than usual.

On a more positive note, as we develop our intuitive abilities and our vibrational level increases (we become more enlightened) we can become more tuned into knowledge of how to avoid toxic environments and difficult people. Our increased intuitive development can help us to avoid things that can harm us. We link our intuitive and instinctive centers in a more cohesive and productive way. There are many different benefits that can come from developing our intuitive abilities. While we can train ourselves to allow negativity to flow through us, this is not always easy to do. 

Although I have never been able to completely commit to a vegetarian diet, I do respect and understand why vegetarians have chosen this path. Eating meat that is pumped up with antibiotics and other toxic substances can be extremely hard on the body. Much of the meat most Americans ingest is also from animals that are treated quite poorly. To a large extent the energy of cruel conditions, animals being killed in inhumane ways, and the fear they experience becomes part of their meat and by-products and can be energetically and physically uncomfortable to put in our bodies. I have committed to eating a lot less meat over the years. When I do buy and cook meat I purchase free-range and organic meats. It is a bit more expensive, but worth it. I find that the meat I eat at some restaurants and buffets where the meat is a poorer quality often ends up making me sick.

It may seem that we are not becoming weaker as we develop spiritually and the extra sensitivity to certain substances limits us in some ways. Other people may see us as “too fussy” because we can’t eat certain things or avoid some people and places. Yet the benefits to the increased sensitivity and fussiness will often allow us age a lot better, become less likely to develop illness, and we will become healthier physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The good news for most of us is that no matter how “selective” or ‘”fussy” we become we can still have a little indulgence from time to time if we keep it reasonable. My “bad thing” is an occasional cigar. I tilt a bit heavier with enjoying a number of cigars during casino trips. I balance this with doubling my water intake when I do. The buzz from tobacco is a little hard for me to handle, especially if I smoke before going to bed. Still, an occasional good cigar is just so good, and if I go there I only smoke high end tobacco. Not surprisingly, the cheap cigars make me physically sick. One of the great things about being alive is to enjoy the sensual delights of this world. Even if you are becoming more and more of a “sensitive Suzy” like me, you can still enjoy an occasional indulgence. It can be a bit of a balancing act, yet it can be done! And, no matter how much more sensitive I become I am never going to give up cheese, eggs, bagels, coffee, and really good chocolate - damn-it! I have learned that adding weekly cleanses once or twice a year is just the right balance for me.

Jim Ventura 3-2013

Notes

This Snake Oil column originally ran in early 2013.

This was a Face Book post from a few weeks ago: 

“I woke up last night at around 2:30 am with some noticeable pain on my right side. It wasn’t excruciating but it reminded me of 15 years ago when I woke with really, really sharp pains to later find out that it was a kidney stone(s). Very unnerving to have even a mild version of this again. But practically I have noticed that this was already beginning to be a mild bother in the past few weeks and coincided with some guttural emotions and anger surfacing at the beginning of July. Louise Hay mentions in her book “You Can Heal Your Life” that kidney problems are “Criticism, disappointment. Shame, failure, and reacting like a little kid.” She lists the Liver as “Seat of anger and primitive emotions.”
All definitely fitting emotions that surfaced a few weeks ago. On the practical side, I am not drinking nearly enough water and my drinking a half pot of coffee EVERY day is likely a trigger also.

Picked up some lemons and lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. Will have to drink this mess for a few days and limit the coffee intake for a week or so until it clears up. Fortunately I like tea also and easier for my body. I have already solved the internal anger dilemma and feeling peaceful again. I also researched online at 3 am last night and found acupressure points to work with for liver and kidney so I trust I will dissolve anything really problematic like I typically do.”

Followed a week later with this post:

“Just finished my first cup of coffee after an entire week without coffee. A week that involved a bit of a difficult cleanse. Lots of extra lemon water, a concoction of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar every day (ugh), a not-very-pleasant tasting liquid herbal supplement called “stone Free” for kidney and gall bladder. I also ordered a tea made from “Chanca Piedra root” that a friend suggested that should arrive tomorrow as a make-sure-this-crap-is-gone insurance (it did arrive and really worked well!). I had one the other night two days after I posted this last week of real discomfort for about two hours on my right side. It was mildly terrifying to say the least, but I also intuitively knew that what I was in the process of doing would solve the issue. The herbal and acupressure cures I am using to solve this aren’t generally instantaneous. They can take a little longer but often actually solve the problem as opposed to masking the symptoms. Some really uncomfortable childhood memories surfaced in addition to some really healing dreams. The emotional and spiritual base of the forming kidney problem surfaced and because I was willing to recognize these issues, I have been able to release much of these uncomfortable hurts and beliefs. Angel cards, Runes, and my Lakota Indian cards also really thankfully lighted the way. I will be sharing this new knowledge and insight from my experience in more detail in a few months in my monthly Snake Oil column and of course use the insights gained during the difficult period to help my clients to transform similar blocks that they may be having for the rest of my life!

Ah this coffee tastes so good, and it is so nice to have almost cleared this discomfort without having to use traditional medicine. Cost of the herbs and stuff I needed to break up the potential forming of kidney stones total $46.00.”

The issue has completely resolved and I am feeling much better. I will make a point to do a cleanse like this once or twice a year! It is now early September and Fall is on its way. Summer started a bit earlier this year and I am hopeful that Fall will now come sooner. That seems fair, right? My favorite season is the Fall and I am really looking forward to the cooler weather on its way.

Wishing everyone a Cool September. Cheers, Jimmy V

It’s “Virgo” time so I think I need to post some positive and clarifying information about booking sessions:

I am making a slight adjustment to my rates for personal sessions this month. The price for my 45 minute sessions will go up $5. My really short phone mini’s (15 minutes) will drop $5 though, so no real increase. I don’t mind going five or ten minutes over in any session (I can be very chatty) but when they go longer than that I have to charge more. Booking a short 15 minute phone session that goes to a 45 minute session will be charged as a 45 minute session. Booking a 45 minute session that becomes a 70 minute session is pretty much a 70 minute session. If you like the longer sessions than book a longer session when requesting your session to make sure I have the time so you can avoid feeling rushed or getting cut off because of time restraints when we are really doing some positive work. .

I also will firmly charge a $25 no show fee to rebook if you miss your booked phone, or in office session. Unless there is a crisis or another valid reason for missing a session this is my standard fee for both regular clients in my Regular Client Program and non-regular clients. I never mind and I completely understand when someone contacts me a few hours or even 15 minutes before a scheduled session to cancel or reschedule. Sometimes car batteries die, conflicting scheduling issues happen, traffic is obnoxious, or other mild crisis surface in life. I do not charge the fee for situations like this. But, when I am left sitting around waiting for a client to show up or call, my time is valuable. I typically wait about 20-25 minutes and then assume the client is a no-show. If I miss or screw up a session (has happened a total of two times in the past 17 years...) I will discount your re-booked session $25 for my mistake. Unfortunately 2017 so far has been a bit too heavy with no-shows, really-late-for-sessions situations, and a number of no payments for phone sessions, so I will be far more strict with my fees now and in the future.

The vast majority of people in my Regular Client program are really good at staying consistent in coming in regularly for sessions. Overall I am really happy with my current Regulars at many levels! My only discomfort is a bit too often if I send an email telling you that I you are scheduled for your next monthly, or quarterly session I do expect an actual response. I have no problem and recognize that we all get busy, overwhelmed, or money is tight, so there is never a problem with delaying a month or so, but the key is to let me know. Not answering a reminder about your next session email for more than a few weeks (I will also always send a follow up email about a week or so later in case you didn’t get the first emails. Emails do occasionally get lost) to me means you are exiting the program consciously or unconsciously. This is not a problem, but much healthier to let me know. If this happens you absolutely may in the future book sessions at your own pace, but I will no longer send you email reminders and the benefits of the program and the heavily discounted Regular Client rates will no longer apply.

For the most part my rates have been the same for a little over 8 years now. I understand that there are many people who would love sessions but may not be able to afford them. Keep in mind that local in-office clients receive $5 off listed rates for cash or check payments for 45, 70 or 90 minute sessions. If you receive my monthly Snake Oil newsletter there is a $5 discount off 45-90 minute rates as well. Face Book friends (or LinkedIn) and followers receive an additional $5 discount, mention this when booking. My Regular Client Program (if you sign up for it) receives discounts of $20-45 off listed session rates! Another suggestion would be that if you pass along my columns, current listed specials etc.. to friends or through social media outlets, you’re assisting me in building my new client base and will be rewarded for it when referrals book. I always ask where a referral came from with new clients. Every six months or so I send out $10-$25 discounted rate offers for EACH referral (who books and has a session). Check out all the information in each month’s newsletter because every few months I run specials. I also send out a discounted Birthday special for each sign once a year. So there are many, many ways to get discounts to have sessions with me. 

2017 - 2018 Rates before applicable above discounts:

Full session (70 minutes) $110.00. shorter session (45 minutes) $85.00. Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00. Mini phone consults (15 minute, no discounts apply to these sessions) $30.

If you are interested in joining my Regular Client Program contact me for more information.

Regular Client discounted rates for 2017-2018:

Quarterly (approximately every three months) Regulars:

Full 70 minute sessions $90.00 shorter sessions $65.00 Extended sessions $105.00 Mini 15 minute phone or email consult $20.

Monthly Regulars: 

Full 70 sessions $80.00 shorter sessions $55.00 Extended sessions $95.00 Mini 15 minute phone or email consult $15.

In office monthly or quarterly current Regular clients can also take advantage of the added $5 discount for cash or check payments from these already discounted rates.

Regular clients can also take advantage of:

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PREPAY 3 OR MORE SESSIONS YOU RECEIVE AN EVEN BIGGER DISCOUNT. 

(prepaid three quarterly sessions: (3) - 45 minute sessions $175. (3) -  70 minute sessions $240. (3) - 90 minute sessions $285.

(prepaid three monthly sessions: (3) - 45 minute sessions $150. (3) - 70 minute sessions $210. (3) - 90 minute sessions $250.

“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” William James

“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?” Sydney Harris

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.

In his channeled book Alexander talks about the different stages of development and the focus from early childhood through old age. A piece of his chapter on the elderly and getting closer to the death transition:

“...The elderly know this. They know that for all the frantic corporate ladder-climbing of middle age, such amounts to virtually nothing when taking stock of a life. As the elderly feel that fresh influx of energy from the nonphysical realm, cushioning their approach to physical death, they are naturally infused with the very wisdom of the ages, of their greater entities. Your professional achievements count for very little in the ledger of the universe. You do not hand your resume to your greater entity upon death and consider that the mark of meaning of your life.

What matters is how you lived. First, did you love yourself? Did you pursue those avenues of interest to you, regardless of the opinions of family and friends? Did you stand your ground when tempted to compromise your principles and integrity? Did you hold true to your beliefs? Did you treat others with respect? Did you find time to love? Did you listen to your children? Did you encourage, nourish and support them on their unique and private paths, not hampering them with meaningless strictures? Did you contribute to the life of your community? Did you make yourself available to your neighbors, to the extent they desired? Did you respect the natural world? Did you live a life attuned to the natural order? Did you make an effort to maintain contacts with those in every stage of life, from young children to the elderly? Did you listen to them? Did you seek out avenues of fresh experience and learning? Was boredom unknown to you, busy as you were exploring a world that can never be fully known? Did you laugh, long, hard, and often at yourself? Did you live?

These are the questions the greater entity seeks answers to when you pass into spirit. Your fancy car, your fancy house, your fancy title, your fancy clothes-dust...”

From Whatever Happened To Divine Grace? Ramon Stevens

“In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.” Jiddu Krishnamurti

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, September 7th 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.

“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” Lauren DeStepfano, Wither

New Client Special 2017:

January 1st 2017 thru November 30th 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 $85. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130. Sessions can be in-office or by phone.

“Relationships based upon need, are based upon how to avoid losing. When you resist loss, you draw it to you.” Dick Sutphen

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) $85.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each, although no other discounts will apply).  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. 

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.