November 2017 Snake Oil/Crisis of Faith

November 2017 Snake Oil

Crisis of Faith

We all go through periods of doubt, fear, and brief or even long depressions. Some people experience this more often than others, but no one is immune to times of confusion and feeling lost. The huge market for antidepressants in this country is successful for a reason. Different temperaments, body chemistry, conflicting astrological elements, or past trauma can greatly contribute to how strong and how long the hold these periods of fear and doubt can grip us. The current state of political insanity combined with all kinds of natural and man made disasters clearly has contributed and/or springs from an increased state of fear and a feeling of lack of stability and safety. Many people are questioning their faith in the system and some are questioning the very order of life. While there have always been agnostics it is not surprising that there are now more than ever. I think for many people who experience these doubts it is an overwhelming response from seeing so many “troubling things” happening in the world. They begin to wonder “if there is any good left in this world at all?”

Last year I went to visit a buddy of mine for a few hours of monthly backgammon playing. He was sound asleep on the couch when I got there. His wife, who I am also friends with, seized the opportunity and asked me to go for a walk with her. I knew she needed to talk. We walked through the neighborhood on a beautiful fall Sunday afternoon. Her struggle was she was beginning to think there was no God at all and she was truly in a lot of emotional pain about it. Her crisis of faith was happening during the later part of the 2016 presidential election. Her strong left leaning political perspectives were bucking up against the possibility that Trump could win the presidency. She had lost her father a year before. Even though her husband was thankfully in remission for six years now after a challenging bout with cancer, she struggled with that really difficult experience and the understandable fear of his cancer possibly returning. She had the common experience of some “bad religion” during her childhood and there were many other things she was struggling with. It made sense to me that she might question whether there was a God at all when she uncomfortably looked at the world around her.

Even though she was clearly upset and batting depression, as we strolled through the neighborhood she engaged in a very chatty way with many different neighbors along the way. Most of them were people she had never talked with before. She told one woman working outside in her front lawn “how beautiful her garden flowers were.” She asked one man where he purchased his front door because “she loved it.” She talked to a woman unloading packages about how much she “adored her cobblestone driveway.” She engaged cheerfully with about five different neighbors, so our short walk took over an hour. I was impressed by how friendly she was and began to think I should put more energy into being friendlier with people. She has a life goal of Acceptance, one of the more common of seven possible life goal.* Its positive pole or expression is Agape (unconditional love) and its negative pole is ingratiation. I don’t have this life goal, but my goal of Flow allows me to slide to acceptance from time to time. Considering how depressed she was, she still did a great job of staying in her positive pole that day.

A few years ago, I was at the Biltmore Fashion Park with another Sagittarius friend. We strolled around the different stores and fancy grounds, with all the “pretty people” and decided to stop for ice cream. There was a group of five men and women already sitting and eating ice cream when we walked out. A fire fighter, two policemen, and two EMTs. She walked up to them and said “I really, really want to thank you for all your hard work, sacrifice and what you do for us.” They all responded bashfully with appreciation. You could clearly see how much it meant to them to hear this. I was proud to be with this friend that day. It was not something I would have thought of doing, but I may follow her inspirational lead in the future.

Both of my Sagittarius friends lit up people who really needed their words. They recognized how important it is to be kind and loving. They demonstrated how we can be extraordinary even in the most ordinary of circumstances if we choose to. They turned on some light in a world that lately seems to have far too many dark places. I told my friend struggling with such palpable sadness that her search for God and meaning was being expressed through her and by her actions that day. I am not truly sure if I helped my friend experiencing her crisis of faith, but it felt really good to try. I am after all a “soothsayer” and have always been good at giving insight and inspiration. I reminded my friend in her period of doubt that there are hazards on the physical plane and we knew this when we signed up to come here in our lifetimes. While I truly believe there is more good in this world than bad, there are tests, catastrophes, and things that can seem extremely unjust and unfair. Understanding and accepting this reality and also wanting things to be better can co-exist. I truly think my friends crisis wasn’t as much about a lack of faith in God/All-That-Is and really more of a struggle with the huge amount of personal hurt, fear, and the overwhelming amount of darkness she was seeing in the world. The eternal question of “how can God allow this,” is not a new one. We often believe in the idea of a God as a supreme being who is either supposed to protect us from all harm or is punishing us in some way when we experience difficulty and life tests. 

Even during her crisis of faith struggle my friend did something to combat some of the darker aspects of life when she engaged and complimented all of those neighbors last fall. My other friend did the same type of positive thing that day with the service people she encouraged. I am proud of my closest friends for a lot of reasons. I am not naive, being nice isn’t going to cure all the problems in this world, but it is a push in the right direction. It is understandable and also okay to sometimes buck up against the darkness, yet we can do our part to tilt things in the other direction when we are willing to speak and take action to bring more love into this world.

*From Michael teachings. More information about this on my website.

Jim Ventura 10-2017

Notes

The horrific wild fires in Northern California caused some real havoc last month. More people losing homes, more deaths destruction, and loss following the late summers destructive path of earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding. It is difficult to see so many people going through such incredibly difficult tests. We seem to be seeing the effects of unrest coming from all four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. I am surprised that we are not hearing more theories about the “end times” and the “apocalypse.” Well, I am guessing there is probably lots of commentators making such claims. I personally don’t subscribe to conspiracy fanatics of both the religious persuasion and new age radicals, so good chance I am missing these rants. I have been hearing new age and religious rants about the world coming to an end all of my life (and in other lifetimes as well) yawn. I hope we begin to see less of this destructive patterns in the near future but I am not especially hopeful considering the current climate of bickering among so many groups of people and lack of ability to try to see each others points of view with compassion. Energy needs to go somewhere and nature works to create balance. I also think the damage from climate change is also making itself very clear. I have been making sure to put out more peaceful thoughts into the world and I try to be a kinder person to the people around me that I might disagree with. A good quote from comedian Jim Jeffries (Tuesdays nights on Comedy Central): “I think we can all do better.”

I am extending my Holiday gift certificate program that I usually run every December by starting it earlier on Thanksgiving this year! Check out the information in this newsletter about the special. I am also still running the new client special discount until the end of this month. While I enjoy doing in person sessions in office for locals or visitors, keep in mind that at this point about half of the clients I see each week are phone sessions. Phone sessions do work, and while u may not be able to see the cards or runes, etc... I am very good at describing the meanings and picking up information and insight by phone. I can also do FaceTime sessions for I-phone users. 

Wishing everyone a wonderful beginning to the holiday season!

Cheers, Jim V

“We all can ‘act’ a certain way for a brief period of time, for instance, on Thanksgiving, who of us hasn’t had to ‘act’ like we just loved everyone at the table? This brief show of good behavior is not true character. Our character is who we are when no one is looking.” Becky Van Volinburg

Thanksgiving and all of December Gift certificates Special: $10-$40 off all sessions!

The holidays are approaching. Give a gift to someone you love that they will really appreciate: a reading/personal session with Jim Ventura. All gift certificates purchased from November 24th 2017 until December 31 st. 2017 will be at a discounted rate for all of the clients who are currently on my mailing list (receiving Snake Oil or following me on FaceBook or Linkedin). 

Special rate:

$10.00 off my current listed prices for any 45, 70, or 90 minute sessions. If you purchase 2 gift certificates (or decide to purchase a follow up session for yourself to use in the coming year after a session at this time ) the second gift certificate is $20 off my listed prices. If you purchase a third it will be $40 off that one! A maximum of three session gift certificates may be purchased at this time.

Price list for services are at the end of this newsletter and on my website. The gift certificates are good for one full year and can be used any time in December 2017 and all of 2018. I will either mail them to you or, if you prefer, mail them directly to the people who you want to receive them (snail mail or email). You may want to buy a gift certificate(s) for friends, family or for yourself to be used anytime in 2018.  Sessions can be in-office or by phone or FaceTime (for i-phone users) for out-of-area clients.

You can also add a copy of my first book or audio DVD version of Dirty Little Secrets, or Snake Oil Volume One for an extra $12.00, including tax. ($3.00 shipping charge is waived during this special!) If you want to sweeten the package. Order both books and shipping is also free! ($24.00 total for a copy of each) Email or call to purchase your Gift Certificates. This discount offer is good until December 31st of 2017. 

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.

When communication works

“Once the barriers are down, once the blocks are removed or at least mapped out, what can communication be?

Communication is an integral part of the fundamental nature of the universe. Like love, like consciousness, like creativity, and like intention, communication is a natural, inalienable quality of all living things. Communication, in short, is natural.

In the many, many worlds that make up this universe, from the realities of ants to those of the inhabitants of other stars, from the intimacy of one human soul to others on the same planet, communication is the power that binds us together, that enriches and heals, that enlivens and lightens, that allows magic to be created and magic to be exchanged.

The first thing you need for communication to exist is to accept that it can. This may seem an elementary idea, and it is, but its applications are quite practical.

If you don’t think a tree is worth talking to, you won’t bother to ask it anything-or to try to learn to listen to it when it does speak. If you’ve already given up on getting any sense from your rebellious teenage son, then anything you try to say, or attempt at listening, is probably doomed from the start.

If you’ve decided that all women, men, children, mystics, rednecks, and-fill in the blank-are dumb, lazy, dishonest, deluded, vicious, and-fill in the blank-then you will never have communication with the person in front of you. You will only communicate to yourself your notions about what that person is. The reality of what that person is and the fantasy your mind can hold can be so divergent that you hardly seem to be in the same room...

Obehon Spirit Speaks magazine May 1995

“I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless; it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say “I’m bored.” Louis C.K.

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.

“If you made a list of all the things you could be thankful for, the list would undoubtedly be linger than your misfortunes.” Catherine Pulsifer

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, November 9th 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.

“I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.” Lily Tomlin

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. 

October 2017 Snake Oil/Checking on the Dogs

October 2017 Snake Oil 

Checking on the Dogs

I had a vivid dream that made me wake up feeling strangely relieved:

“I am driving anxiously to a home that I was supposed to be checking on regularly and had neglected for a while. I am not sure if it is my home or the home of a friend, but it was familiar and reminded me of a place I was somewhat comfortable with, like a relaxed childhood friend’s home. The main purpose of the home check was to look in on the dogs. I was supposed to make sure they had plenty of food and water, to clean up any messes, and most important to pet them and play with them. I realize I hadn’t been there in quite some time, and I am driving fast because I am worried about whether the dogs are okay. Did I leave enough food and water? Will they be upset with me for the lack of required human contact that dogs and cats were bred to need? Hell, are they even still alive? I nervously get to the house and put the key in the door and I am relieved to hear barking on the other side of the door. I open the door and they excitedly run out to greet me. Licking me, running around and playfully enjoying the feel of outside and the lush green lawn. The dogs are healthy and there is still a little water and food left but not much. Aside from a few piles of waste they seem to be fine. I go inside and snuggle and spend time with them and seriously vow to attend to the dogs far more dutifully in the future.”

I recognize when I wake up that I have had this dream many times with slight variations over the years. I know what the dream is telling me. After a little over a decade of being single and not in any real committed love relationship other than dating here and there, the part of me that has enjoyed being single wonders if my “dogs” are still alive. If I unlock the key to allowing myself to experience partnership again, will the joy still be there? Do I even remember how to be fully committed to someone anymore? In the Druid tradition the dog represents guidance, protection, and loyalty. When our dog energy is positive we are comfortable with loyalty and commitment. We value the selflessness of dog and reflect this quality back to others. When dog energy is out of balance we are often fearful or uncomfortable with the commitment needed to sustain long term friendships and partnerships. This can often develop when we have been treated cruelly in past relationships. We may have been the loyal dog mistreated by its cruel owner. There may be any number of possible reasons for a fear of commitment.

I grew up in a traditional Catholic family. I was fed the idea by family and the church that one of life’s primary goals (for most people, otherwise the priesthood or being a nun was a good alternative option) was to find a mate, marry and “settle down.” Even though my natural sexual orientation went against the dictates of what was believed to be the “right way” of heterosexuality or celibacy, I faithfully spent my late childhood and even into my thirties working diligently to achieve the goal of finding the “right mate.” I had a best friend or partner in one form or another most of the time during the first almost forty years of my life. Sometimes easy, and often difficult my relationships were a huge part of my experience and evolution (Sun in 7th House astrology and Libra Moon). In truth I was always good at it. Healthy diplomacy comes naturally to me and I had a number of people who really loved me. I truly enjoyed romance and was actually pretty good at it. The problem was I did not always feel good about myself and this understandably led to some toxic relationship experiences where I gave far more than I received. The trouble for me was never in giving, it was in receiving. 

My decision at around the age of forty to put this part of my life into the background was quite conscious. Even though there were a few times along the way when I wondered why I couldn’t find the right guy and felt lonely, I knew it was largely a performance of imaginary victimization. I unconsciously at first, than quite consciously chose to see if I could learn to be comfortable being on my own. The truth is for the most part it has been awesome. Not having to deal with in-laws, partnership differences in what are life’s supposed priorities, relationship power struggles, and having to check in with someone in so many of life's decisions has been incredibly freeing. I have enjoyed this past decision far more than any of the times I might have struggled with loneliness. While I prefer the romance and connection of a monogamous commitment by far, I also see sex in the same light as a need that simply sometimes just needs to be met. The need for physical touch and human contact. I don’t struggle with the occasional desire to have strawberry cheese cake and I don’t struggle in life with things like having sex outside of a committed relationship or marriage. Sometimes you just need some form of sexual play and it is healthy to honor this biological need. I am wise enough to do this safely. I have explored the realm of dating, hooking up from time to time, or periods of purposeful celibacy. While I absolutely respect the friends, family, and clients who are committed for their own reasons to religions like Catholicism, for me following a religion that tells you that you are less than or wrong in your natural expression is akin to being part of any group of people, or any type of structure that suggests that you aren’t as good as they are. My rejection of organized religion and anyone or any group with those kinds of ideas, contradictions, and false arrogant dictates about what “is the right way to be” was part of developing healthy self-esteem. 

Even without religious or familial imprints everyone in this world is bombarded by an internal push and an external push to mate and partner up. The internal push is part of our natural wiring to find a mate. The Lovers Archetype in the Tarot is an apt illustration of this part of the human path. The external push is the constant bombardment of movies, books, television, and music to find the “special someone,” or our “soulmate.” So much of our entertainment is built into this type of storyline. I remember as a little kid hearing songs like “Wedding Day Blues” by the Fifth Dimension, or “Baby I’m Amazed” by Paul Mcartney. Endless songs that extolled the virtues of finding love were contrasted with songs about loss and breakup. “Never Gonna Fall In Love Again” by Eric Harmon, “Lost without your love” by Bread, and similar tragic songs filled my ears with seriously great sounds and the joys and potential despair of love and possible loss. One begins to wonder: does art simply imitate life or does life imitate art?

I have been feeling the push again to allow myself to consider commitment again to a relationship. I know when I am really ready the conditions to make that happen will emerge. I have gotten comfortable with me. My self esteem, sense of self worth, and my ability to receive has grown dramatically in the last decade. In some respects I am truly the most confident (so far) I have ever been in my life. A mate now in my life who mirrors many of the good qualities I now comfortably carry would be a blessing. I’m beginning to grow tired of random sex and dating. The boredom is not based on some recognition that the path I have been on is morally wrong or similar non-sense. It stems from missing the many benefits of a deeper connection to one person. I am running into too much unrequited love from short term partners who think our brief connection is meant to be far more. I have and never will be a liar but I may have garnered a reputation as a “player” because of my detachment and confidence. I won’t pretend that something casual can become a deeper connection. Falling in love is NOT a negotiation. It is a lightening bolt of chemistry, purpose, and “past life” connections that alters the course of our current life. I have been lucky enough to have been in love five times so far in this lifetime. Settling will never work for me (Venus in Scorpio). In more simple terms I am ready for another chapter in my life. While I could easily be okay with being single for the rest of my life, I am open to something else. My dreaming self was clear. It is safe for me to put some energy into letting the dogs back out again.

Jim Ventura 9-2017

Notes:

It would be near impossible to not notice the extreme weather issues that have surfaced in the last two months. Brutal hurricanes, relentless storms, fires, and devastating earthquakes have really shaken things up and caused tremendous loss and pain for so many people. I have shed more than a few tears seeing all of this human suffering. Unfortunately some of the worst in human behavior can surface, like looting and price gouging of victims. At the same time, the human response to helping the victims of these catastrophes has been inspiring. People rescuing others by boat, donating time, money and services, and military responses make me proud to be an American. When I often talk in my columns about how our thoughts create our reality, I also mention how this happens en masse (how the pool of collective thoughts also triggers events). As much as we may not like it there are hazards on the physical plane. At some levels we have all signed up for this possibility. At the same time it is notable how much more charged these incidents seem to be right now. It is likely that climate change and the warming of the planet is fueling more brutal storms. At other levels the volatile political anger and division that is at an all time high in this country and all over the world does contribute to the weather and harsher events occurring more frequently. 

Events involving survival itself moves the focus to reminding us to potentially tap into our humanity, help others, and let go of beliefs about whether someone is the “right” religion, sexual orientation, nationality, financial class, or any other area where people so easily find opportunities to express prejudice and judgment. This is also part of the many different reasons why our planet may be shaking things up more than usual. Now more than ever we may need this reminder. Check out Seth's comments from the nature of personal reality in this month’s channeled corner.

I got my wish for an early end of summer and a cooler fall. The weather here is Phoenix has been awesome for most of September and October will be even better. Mid eighties during the daytime and upper 60s at night, This is why we live here!

Wishing Everyone a Happy Fall. Cheers, Jimmy V

“But then fall comes, kicking summer out on its treacherous ass as it always does one day sometimes after the midpoint of September, it stays awhile like an old friend that you have missed. It settles in the way an old friend will settle into your favorite chair and take out his pipe and light it and fill the afternoon with stories of places he has been and things he has done since he last saw you.” Stephen King

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.

“When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.” Wayne Dyer

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.

“You form your own reality. If you are tired of having me stress that point, I can only say that I hope the repetition will serve to make you understand that the statement applies to the most minute and the most important of the events that you experience. Some people believe that they must be punished, and so they seek out unfortunate circumstances. They go to one event after another in which they meet retribution. They may seek out areas of the country in which natural disasters are frequent, or their behavior may be such that they attract from other people reactions of an explosive kind. Often, however, individuals use disasters quite for their own purposes, as an exteriorized force that brings their lives into clear focus. Some may be flirting with the idea of death, and choose a dramatic encounter with nature in a final act. Others change their minds at the last moment.

Those involved in such disasters-the survivors-often use such ‘larger-than-life’ circumstances in order to participate in affairs that seem to have greater import than those possessed by previous humdrum existences. They seek the excitement, whatever its consequences. They become a part of history to whatever extent. For once their private lives are identified with a greater source-and from it many derive new strength and vitality. Social barriers are dropped, economic positions forgotten. The range of private emotions is given greater, fuller, sweep.

To some extent or another man’s desires and emotion merge with the physical aspects of nature as you understand it, so that such storms or disasters are as much the result of psychological activity as they are of weather conditions.

Objectively-whatever the appearance-storms, earthquakes, floods, et cetera, are quite necessary to the well-being of the earth. Both man’s and nature’s purposes are served, then, though generally speaking man’s myths make him blind to those interactions...”

Jane Roberts The Individual and Nature of Mass Events. A Seth book.

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

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, October 5th 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.

“We turn to God for help when our foundation are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them.” Unknown

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.

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.