November 2012 Snake Oil/Jim Ventura blog newsletter

Snake Oil/Rejection

I caught a post from a friend on FaceBook who mentioned that she recently had a few of her friends remove themselves for her friends list. One of them actually even went as far as blocking her. As a result of this, she expressed some understandable hurt. Her posts are always positive, uplifting, and even enlightened. Only the most miserable type of person could find fault for anything she expresses or find her posts offensive. I am very familiar with this type of rejection myself. My Snake Oil blog reaches almost 1000 people each month. I get anywhere from 5-20 people who request removal of their name from my column each year. I have been dropped by Facebook friends more than a few times, and in life as well. I was recently removed from a friend/client’s friend list (and requested being removed from my column’s mailing list also) who was always a big fan of my writing, teaching, and has had many personal sessions with me over the years. I noticed her posts becoming more “Christian themed.” Many of the last viewable posts I saw of hers were Bible quotes. Her two adult sons are actually hard-core Born-Again Christians. She has always wanted to get closer to them. It is likely that she has prioritized becoming more religious and being friends with the “New Age guy” may have not have been part of her new priorities. Whatever her reasons, a number of people told me they were also tossed from her list. Experience as a writer, radio show host, and public speaker for many years and being comfortable “putting myself out there” makes it is far less hurtful to me when someone decides to drop me in any capacity. Strangely, having more experience with these types of rejections in the past has made me far less reactive to this type of thing. My early writing submissions to magazines had frequent rejections and this also toughened me up! Rejection, while uncomfortable, comes to all of us in a number of different ways and is simply a reality of this world.

Recently half of my family chose to ignore or simply forget my youngest sister and her husband’s last Birthday. Their Birthdays are five days apart. This was by no means the first time she has been ignored and forgotten by members of my large family. I too have had my share of times when I was rejected by friends, in relationships, job interviews, and a number of other areas of life. In the 20 years of doing Navigational Consultations and Spiritual Counseling I have had clients I have worked with for years drop all contact without explanation many times. Because of my abilities in understanding the human psyche (Also Mercury in Sagittarius in 8th house) I can often understand what may have been the motivation behind their specific dismissals. Knowing the psychological motivations, Numerology, and Astrology of others makes understanding the “good” and “bad” aspects of other’s behavior quite a bit easier. More importantly, I learned long ago that most of the time the reasons for any rejection I experience have little or nothing to do with any lack coming from me. Financial limitations, depressions, embarrassment about falling into old patterns again, an urge for a new teacher, or just getting too busy in life to prioritize inner spiritual work are often the most common reasons. In all cases, I wish them the best and trust that new clients and students are meant to take their places (and they always do). Change is a natural part of life and nothing to fret about. Everyone who becomes part of our life isn’t meant to necessarily be a permanent fixture. 

Most people, even if they do understand why they were rejected, experience some feeling of an emotional sting when they are tossed aside by people they care about. It took many years for me to develop neutrality around rejection. When I was in my early twenties I had a best friend for three years. He got his new girlfriend pregnant and quickly “did the right thing,” and married her. Within weeks of their marriage he stopped returning my calls and I was cut out of his new life. It was one of the most painful rejections I had ever experienced. I knew his wife didn’t like me, but I was still surprised that he acted in such an extreme way. He also cut himself off from other members of his family that he was equally close to. No surprise, he and his wife divorced after two years. He asked for my forgiveness, and I was happy to give it to him. Still, things had changed. I had new close friends and we would never get back to the closeness we had years before. 

Many years of being an adventurous dater have left me with quite a few stories about rejections in this area. I once went on a blind date at a coffee house. We had exchanged photo’s online and talked by phone briefly. The day we planned to meet, I am pretty sure my blind date drove by (I was sitting at an outside table), saw me and kept going. Talk about some serious rejection! Some of the rejections I have experienced in the process of dating have been both troubling and kind of funny. I have always prided myself on being kind even when I am not interested in someone. Although I am guessing, I may have some past connections that probably didn’t see my dismissal of them as kind! I have had quite a few dates where someone really liked me and I was simply not feeling it. I recognize that I have rejected people equally as often as I have been the rejector.

We all experience rejection at times in our lives though some people experience it far more often than others. Approximately thirty percent of the population have a life goal of Acceptance (Michael teachings). People with this common goal are often “really-nice- people.” They are rarely racist, sexist, homophobic, judgmental, or mean-spirited. They are more inclined to be loving and kind to almost everyone. The positive pole of Acceptance is “Agape” or unconditional love. When they are not acting from the influences of fear, people with a goal of acceptance are highly evolved in their ability to love and accept others including themselves. The negative pole of this goal is “ingratiation.” Ingratiation is the fear-based process of bending over backwards to gain love and approval from others. These people will often “jump through hoops” and even accept mistreatment from others at times in order to be “liked.” A less common life goal that makes up only about four percent of the population is “Discrimination.” Its positive pole is Sophistication.” Sophistication is the process of developing high standards, a discriminating pallet, expertise, a sharp eye, and a healthy sense of self worth. Many film critiques, chefs, wine connoisseurs, and other talented people have this life goal. The negative pole or fear-based response for them is to experience a lot of rejection during their lifetimes. They experience more rejection than most of us because their “fussiness” or critical tongues are often difficult for others to put up with. They can become judgmental, opinionated, and even snobbish when caught in their negative poles.

Even if you don’t actually have either of these life goals (there are five other life goals*), we all experience rejection in different ways throughout our lifetimes. Using the positive pole of Discrimination (Sophistication) to our advantage can help us move through any rejections we experience. We can recognize that instead of taking a victim posture from any rejection we have an opportunity to move forward, grow, and open up to new experiences. We get to weed out people and things that no longer fit in our lives. Why would we want to be connected with anyone who doesn’t appreciate us or what we have to offer anyway? I had gotten so immersed into my friendship with my buddy years ago that I couldn’t see that when he rejected me (at the time I believed it was because of his “bitch wife”) it was time for me to move in a different direction. Some part of me rejected him knowing that there were new friendships and relationships that were calling me in my own evolutionary path. Two year later I moved to Phoenix. I would have had to let that friendship go anyway. Often our instincts tell us a chapter is over and it is time to move on, yet our emotional bodies hurt and can’t understand why we were “rejected.” While it may hurt us, rejection is almost always still good “medicine.”

I now feel detached about most rejections. The reasons for them do not need to be explained to me. I was lucky through my study of metaphysics to learn to not take this world personally. I do my best to teach this bit of wisdom to all of my clients and close friends. We can all use “Sophistication” in the best possible way if we choose to. We can also realize that we often reject others all of the time even if we don’t see when we do it! A lot of these times are minor, but they may seem major to those on the receiving end. The wink and smile from the recently single guy at Starbucks that you ignored may have been seen as a rejection. The female co-worker who thought you were her next best friend may have been seen as a rejection. The person on the subway who you chose not to sit next to who had low self esteem may have been seen as a rejection. The family member who thought you were going to give them a hoped for gift may have been seen as a rejection.

The bigger rejections of people we may have been close to at one time are also a real and common part of our experience as human beings. We might reject a one time friend because they married someone annoying. They may reject us because they want to be around other people who are now married with children. We may have had a friend who got into a dysfunctional relationship and distanced themselves from us to avoid us “judging” them. One of our friends may have hoped our friendship was going to become something more than just a friendship but we simply never even looked at them that way. We will hurt people we are close to and the same will be done to us from time to time. People project their ideals, hopes, scripts, and fantasies on us all of the time. We frequently do the very same thing. We piss people off without realizing it and also irritate others more often than we consciously recognize. It is normal to mourn a major loss and feel a bit of a sting when we are rejected. We are human beings who feel things. Still, our Higher Self does know what it is doing. At a deeper level, any personal rejection, even with people we were once close to is actually the ending of a mutual dance. We have just consciously or unconsciously chosen to not dance together anymore. Change is part of life and nature abhors a vacuum. It will inevitably replace the loss with something more in alignment of where we are now. Let all of your rejections be the gateways to new beginnings.

*The other five life goals from the Michael teachings are: Dominance, Submission, Growth, Revaluation, and Flow.

Jim Ventura 9-2012

Editors note: 

I posted this on Facebook a few weeks ago and got some interesting responses (here are about half of them).

“Dealing with adversity

What if everything happening in our lives, no matter how bad it may look and feel, is actually part of the healing process of solving those problems?” Jim Ventura

“I’m thinking this falls under the category of strange but true!” BDO

“I agree totally on this...totally!” TAZ

“Glad you are wise - very glad you are listening to me, lol!” JWD

“Deep thoughts by JimV.” DC

My “deep thoughts” came during a meditation I was doing about why we go thru difficulty and a card that came up in one of my own readings (Like my Regular clients, I do readings for myself every two or three months). This is one of the Animal totems that came up in my reading.

In the Druid tradition the Cow represents Nourishment, Motherhood, The Goddess.

They believe that the Goddesses (Druids saw God in both feminine and masculine forms) generosity, healing, and nourishing power is present all around you - in your friends and children, in your food and drink, in your dreams, and particularly in the natural world you are blessed to live in. The Druids saw the Cow as a representation of the manifestation of the Goddess (energy) on Earth. This energy is a reminder that nourishing energy flows from the Goddess to each one of us. There is nothing you need to do to experience this nourishing energy,.

Often we experience difficulties when we believe our resources are limited, or when we have trouble allowing ourselves to receive. Even in times of stress, we can remember that the difficulties are there to remind us of what we may need to change in our lives or our belief system. Sometimes our “medicine” is painful or tastes yucky, but it will heal us if we allow it to!

We are entering the month of Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday) and my Birthday month. Another perk for November is the weather, it’s perfect this month here in Phoenix! The “big” presidential (Congress, house etc...) election is also this month.  If you are like me, you will be glad when it is settled. The endless television and radio ads, calls, mailers, ugly political FaceBook posts (well some of them were positive ones) and mudslinging by both sides is enough already. I have had a number of clients ask me who I think will be elected. My answer has been the same for over two years. I felt Mitt Romney would get the Republican nomination and lose to Obama although it would be somewhat close. (I am not sharing my personal political affiliations, this is just what my intuitive and practical self has been feeling. While I have definite political opinions, I don’t use my column to advertise a political agenda in any way). No matter what your political beliefs and affiliations, or who you feel should or shouldn’t get elected, there are a number of metaphysical reasons why Obama will likely be reelected.  The Astrology favors Obama (Leo) over Romney (Pisces) at this time.  We are shifting from a Young soul world to the beginnings of early Mature soul consciousness. Romney is a Young soul and Obama is a Mature soul.There will be continued turmoil (Mature soul energy can be turbulent since it is all about seeing how we are all actually both diverse and connected) as we move through some real changes in the structure of our society. The slightly higher majority of the country’s probable choice of Obama reflects the move to the beginning of the majority being in the Mature soul category. While exact accurate prediction is never 100 percent possible, I would theorize that an Obama reelection is about 80 percent probable. (There will definitely be some controversy either way in this election. Mercury goes retrograde the day after the election. Last time we had that kind of chaos was the Bush/Gore election in 2000!) I will add more information in future newsletters about the different soul ages and how they manifest. The last installment of this I did was about Baby souls. The last time we had a Baby soul in office was actually Richard Nixon. It is highly unlikely that a Baby soul will ever occupy that office again in our country. I want to remind everyone that one’s soul age is not better or worse than another. They are simply expressions of different focuses and priorities as we move through many lifetimes and grow in our evolution of being human beings.

Information is always available at the end of my newsletter about how to contact me to book a personal session. Personal one-on-one sessions can be tremendously valuable. Remember that everyone who currently receives my monthly column gets $5 off all listed prices for sessions. Sessions can be done in person in my home office or by phone for out-of-area clients. All sessions are recorded on audio cassette. Clients are welcome to bring and use their own recording device if they prefer another method. My regular client program is also available for anyone who wants to come in and have regular sessions every three months (some come monthly). Regular clients get a bigger discount on session prices and also an opportunity to really develop spiritually! Contact me by email or phone if you are interested in booking a personal session this month, or if you want to get involved in the Regular Client program.

Wishing everyone a Happy November and a Happy Thanksgiving! Cheers. Jim V

“You can’t be someone you’re not. Stop trying.” Dick Sutphen

Snake Oil Radio

Every Thursday at 3:30 pm (there will be three live broadcasts this month)

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday,November 1st, at 3:30 p.m. (MST). Every Thursday 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. Halfway though the show you can even ask me for a free 5 minute mini reading with your personal question. 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).

All you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to blogtalkradio.com. Type “Snake Oil” into the search option.

You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing...George Bernard Shaw

Current classes:

CREATING PROSPERITY

Many people have struggled with financial difficulties in the last few years. The economy is slowly improving, so this is a help. Yet, we always have the power and ability to tap into our potential to create prosperity, no matter what is happening around us!

Learning to open a doorway to living in abundance is possible. We can manifest prosperity in many different areas: career, finances, love life, personal happiness, etc...This class will focus on many different methods for generating personal wealth. Learning how to change beliefs and perspectives relating to finances will help you uncover the blocks that currently keep you stuck. The universe will support your decision to change your reality. Instructor Jim Ventura will discuss practical and metaphysical tools to show you how to create prosperity in your life. Saturday November 17th. 10 am - 12:30 pm. A maximum of 8 people for this class (minimum of 4 to hold). $20.00 prepaid before November 10th, or $25.00 on day of the class. 

My next series of Michael classes will be in February 2013. Dates and times will be mentioned in my next newsletter.

“When one door closes, another opens. But we often look so regretfully upon the closed door that we don’t see the one that has opened for us.” Alexander Graham Bell

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com 

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 and/or sign up on fan page to get other extra offers and in between column extras!

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices below.

All sessions/readings for 2012-2013 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $80.00;  Extended (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each). 

I accept cash, checks, debit cards, Master Card, Visa, and PayPal for payments on sessions and for books and classes. Send me your Birthday month and year to get added to the yearly Birthday mailer promotion.

November suggested session option available with Jim Ventura in office or by phone. This is one of the many different types of sessions I offer. Looking at these influences and understanding the wisdom of Lakota philosophy can be life changing:

LAKOTA INDIAN CARD READING

Regardless of one's personal belief system, these teachings, meditation cards, and native American concepts are useful for illuminating issues, patterns, problems, and answers. The spread is part of a ceremony, a process of purification. You will be given 7 steps to prepare for transformation and rebirth (booking a 70 minute or 90 minute session time for this reading). It is the purpose of the supernaturals to force us to see our various aspects; to own and honor our duplicities as part of being human. They can then guide us to understanding, change, and true wholeness and balance. This session is an excellent way to approach any area of life that you may feel “stuck in.” Whether its relationships, finances, family, career, or any other area of life you can move through the current obstacles to manifest joy and peace in this and other areas of your life.

A shorter reading (45 minute), looking at the influence of the four directions also an excellent option with these cards.

* The first six people who contact me to book this specific session will get an additional $10 off my listed prices as a reward for paying attention and reading to the end of this newsletter :)

October 2012 Snake Oil blog/Jim Ventura

Snake Oil

Enlightenment in the dentists office

My July dental check-up left me with some serious angst that was then followed by some equally powerful illumination. Every four months I get my teeth cleaned. I have always been conscientious about keeping good dental habits. My dentist recently relocated to a nicer office space. His new spot was impressive, but I wondered how he had pulled off a move like this during a recession. My usual dental hygienist wasn’t there for some reason, so a nice, new young lady worked on my teeth. She noticed a spot on two of my upper teeth and suggested it would be best to do some x-rays. She showed me the x-rays and explained that I had two crowns that were cracking and needed to be replaced. She would have the receptionist at the desk give me an estimate on the costs on my way out.

I paid for my cleaning and was given the estimate for the crowns. With my insurance discounts it would be about $1,800 to replace the two crowns. They asked me when I wanted to come in and get them done. I laughed to myself and said I would get back to them in a few months. At best, I would be only able to do one of them every four months. I was even a little suspicious that they “found” the damaged teeth at a time when they had just moved into a more expensive office. Whatever the reason, I left the office with a feeling of heaviness.

As I drove home, I began to get upset. A stream of angry thoughts raced through my mind. “Just when things were improving for me financially I get hit with this crap. Isn’t that always the case. Isn’t this just how life is, as soon as you find yourself getting more prosperous, there always seems to be something else that now needs to be fixed or repaired that inevitably costs a small fortune. How the hell is anyone expected to come up with $1800 for teeth.Neither I or anyone else I know has a change jar with $2000 extra dollars in it for random repairs at this time. I gave up my credit cards two years ago, so how could I possibly pay for this? Life sucks and you can never get ahead. There are always a million things that drag you down in life. No wonder the middle class is getting crushed, how can anyone afford these kinds of things?” I had a steady stream of angry thoughts pouring out of me and it wasn’t the first time I had mentally run a tirade like this. My body was tense as I drove home, and I was more than a little angry.

Amidst my internal rant, I heard another calmer, peaceful thought that came through. How would a wealthy person respond to the same event? I thought about it for a minute and then speculated that a wealthy person might be annoyed about it, but they would probably not go into a tirade of poor me thoughts. They would probably figure, “I need the new crowns, it is a necessary reality and will be a good thing in the long run.” I wasn’t thinking like a wealthy person would and it was no wonder that I was exactly where I was financially. I almost always reacted this way to anything that I saw as “expensive.”

Then another even more enlightened thought followed. How would a spiritually evolved person react to this event? How would a spiritual person who was at peace around issues connected with money and also living a prosperous life respond? I thought about this for a minute and figured that they would trust the Universe to take care of this. They would think the money needed will be there, because this is something that simply needs to be done. I realized I always get exactly what I need. It will be fun and interesting to see how the Universe will provide this for me, and I know it will provide. I am always taken care of! It felt so much lighter to think this way and while I was not truly convinced yet, it was how I needed to start thinking if I was going to ever live a truly prosperous life.

Our beliefs form our reality. I had gotten so used to struggling in the last few years that I had become even more inclined to stew over the cost of things. My endless tapes of irritation were the very things that were creating more struggle and lack for me. Our conscious/subconscious minds always convert our beliefs into the world we see around us. I was not a victim. I was getting exactly what I believed to be true and then getting irritated about it. I put the worry out of my mind and trusted that the issue would be resolved. In fact, later that day I visualized it already being resolved. I felt a wave of peace come over me. I knew as I let go of these victim thoughts my reality would inevitably shift. It always does when I do this. I just needed a negative experience to trigger my awakening. It’s funny how enlightenment can come to us in the strangest places and times.

Jim Ventura 8-2012

Editors note:

Fall has finally arrived. It’s hard to wipe the happy smile (and why would anyone want to?) from the faces of everyone who lives in Phoenix. The hot summers can definitely take their toll on everyone who lives here. Now we enter that kick-ass period of awesome weather again from now until late June!

I still have openings in my Creating Prosperity class. This is a one day seminar and will be taught in my home in Phoenix. Most of us have been challenged in the last few years with the negative influences of a difficult economy. Getting in touch with our ability to create prosperity no matter what is happening around us, is a very reachable goal! Join me for an opportunity to expand your “wealth consciousness!”

I have begun the process of recording some of the different types of readings I do as well as mini lectures for U-Tube. I will post links to some of the videos here in my monthly column as well as on FaceBook. My goal is to introduce more people to the benefits of the different types of sessions I do, as well as “enlightening” my listening audience with some great metaphysical information. Many people are afraid of Oracles, Astrology, and many of the other awesome tools I work with because of misinformation from, television, movies, bad religion, and even uncomfortable experiences with “psychics” in their past. It will be fun for me to do some video work again. Its been almost 13 years since I did my public access talk show. Body, Mind, and Spirit of AZ!

Wishing everyone a happy October! Cheers. Jim V

Snake Oil Radio

Every Thursday at 3:30 pm (there will be three live broadcasts this month)

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, October 4th, at 3:30 p.m. (MST). Every Thursday 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. Halfway though the show you can even ask me for a free 5 minute mini reading with your personal question. 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).

All you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to blogtalkradio.com. Type “Snake Oil” into the search option.

For the live show 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.

“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Henry David Thoreau

Current classes:

CREATING PROSPERITY

Many people have struggled with some financial difficulties in the last few years. The economy is slowly improving, so this is a help. Yet, we always have the power and ability to tap into our potential to create prosperity, no matter what is happening around us!

Learning to open a doorway to living in abundance is possible. We can manifest prosperity in many different areas: career, finances, love life, personal happiness, etc...This class will focus on many different methods for generating personal wealth. Learning how to change beliefs and perspectives relating to finances will help you uncover the blocks that currently keep you stuck. The universe will support your decision to change your reality. Instructor Jim Ventura will discuss practical and metaphysical tools to show you how to create prosperity in your life. Saturday November 17th. 10 am - 12:30 pm. A maximum of 8 people for this class (minimum of 4 to hold). $20.00 prepaid before November 10th, or $25.00 on day of the class. 

“Happy People produce. Bored people consume” Stephen Richards

October Special

For the month of October anyone who picks up (at my home office) one (or more) of my published books will get a discount price of $10 for each copy (either print or CD).

If you want a copy mailed to you, the promotional rate this month only is $12 including shipping costs.

If requested, all books and Cd’s will be signed by the author (me)!

Snake Oil Volume One: Grow, play, evolve, experience this world, while recognizing our true essence stretches far beyond it.

Jim Ventura’s Snake Oil columns express his studies of the insight and guidance of many different kinds of cultural and philosophical perspectives. His essays teach his readers to trust the inner prompts from their Higher Selves. The tangible world is a product of our beliefs. If indeed we create our reality, then we can learn how to create a happier, more empowered reality. Everyone has the ability to shift their perceptions to include the abundant metaphysical influences that are part of every experience. Snake Oil’s focus is on expanding consciousness, while still keeping our feet planted firmly on the ground in this world. Jim V. reminds us that we can emotionally and spiritually grow to become progressively more enlightened by opening to the infinite, abundant wisdom, knowledge, and humor in ourselves and in the world around us.

Snake Oil Volume One is a collection of the first four years of Jim Ventura’s monthly metaphysical columns. This volume also includes Snake Charms: practical information and instruction for meditation, ear coning, lucid dreaming and six other beneficial subjects to assist you in navigating in a world where evolved, alternative thought and therapies are thankfully continuing to progressively become more commonplace.

Dirty little Secrets

Storyteller and professional oracle reader Jim Ventura takes his readers on a wild literary ride. Dirty Little Secrets is a collection of short essays. The book explores some of society’s perceptions about what people often consider to be dirty little secrets best kept to oneself. The book tackles subjects with unflinching honesty: drug use, sexual addiction, unrequited love, revenge, childhood weirdness, homosexuality, and the old soul’s quest to experience magic and miracles in everyday life. The author holds little back in expressing his quest for enlightenment. Dirty Little Secrets illustrates how meaning, spirituality, and humor are embedded in every experience.

“Choose to be a young child - fully awake, eager for the next experience.” Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com 

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!

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices below.

All sessions/readings for 2012-2013 are: (70 minutes) $110.00; (40 minutes) $80.00;  Extended (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each). 

September 2012 Snake Oil/Jim Ventura Blog

What if life were easy?

Late August was an incredibly busy time for me. I was working extra hours at my job and juggling what seemed like a million other details of life, when a car accident was added to the mix. I was driving to work for my twelve hour Friday double shift when an oblivious woman sipping a coffee and talking on her cell phone blew through her stop sign and hit the right front end of my Chevy Cavalier. I wanted to be angry with her for obvious stupidity, but she mangled her own car as well and was extremely apologetic. My irritation with her dissipated as she cried and told me repeatedly how genuinely sorry she was. Thankfully neither of us were physically hurt. It was clear to me that both cars would not be repairable. While I waited for a police officer to show up in the hot Arizona sun my mind raced with worry. How would I find the time to get another car? My car was almost eight years old, its blue book value was not very high and I would end up with another loan and debt to pay (I took the job I was heading to that day to-decrease my debt, now I would be adding to it). I would have to deal with endless phone calls back and forth with insurance companies. I had no idea what car I even wanted to get. My long range plan was to buy a hybrid car in three or four years, I wasn’t ready to put out that kind of money now. How would I find the time and energy for all of this? Amidst all of the internal fear and panic I was going through, while waiting for the towing company to tow my car, I heard a clear, calm internal message that said; Jim, there is no need to worry, everything will work out fine and you will benefit from all of this.

I decided I would listen to this other point of view, wherever it was coming from. It was certainly an optimistic perspective and the exact opposite of what my fears were telling me. I walked to my job and still worked my twelve hour day. I had a hard time sleeping that night, because there was still some leftover anxiety about the whole experience. Another part of me was clear and strangely confident, somehow everything would work out really well. I knew however illogical it seemed, that I needed to trust this. The next morning I received a call from the insurance company of the woman who hit me. They told me that I would not need to go through my own insurance company because they would be paying on this claim. They would need a couple of days to evaluate the damage and would be able to cut me a check in a few days. The had a rental car waiting for me and would send a driver over from Enterprise rental to set me up. It sounded far too easy, so I called my own insurance company and asked them if I should take her insurance company’s offer. They told me that it would be wise to do so. I was given a comfortable car for the week at a very good price, in case I needed to keep it longer than the insurance company would pay on it. I was planning on a Vegas trip with a friend, a week after my accident. We were going to rent a car-for this trip, so this was provided for us!

I have been very happy with the last two cars I’ve owned that were both Chevy’s, but a friend suggested I check out Toyota’s. Something felt right about this suggestion, so I went to see what they were offering in used cars. The nice young man who showed me cars that day did not try to hard sell me. He was pleasant and did his best to help me stay within my budget. I ended up test driving a used Prius. This hybrid car would cut my monthly gas costs in half. I loved the car and I was able to bargain down the price to almost $1700.00 less than the sticker. I had never been able to do this type of thing before, so I felt like I accomplished something powerful, in addition to getting a great car. I only had to put a little over a thousand dollars down and financed the rest at a reasonable rate. I was also able to use some of the extra insurance money to pay down some credit cards and keep extra padding in my checking accounts. My recently deceased father would have beamed with pride had he been able to see me do this. I think in some way he was there in spirit and contributed in his own way to things moving so harmoniously.

During the entire two week process, I would sometimes have nagging doubts about how easy everything was proceeding. The last few years of my life had some extra challenges.  I had gotten used to struggling. In addition, I began to think about how I was taught by my mother that you often had to fight for the things you wanted in life. While my mother was an excellent teacher, when it came to helping make me a stronger person, her Aries, German temperament made her perceive things often as a battle. She was born in the mid-1930’s, when things were far more difficult, so it made sense that she believed this. I also began to think about how when I was younger and even up until the time I was around 25, things often came easily to me. My friends and some family members would often comment with a hint of jealous irritability, that “Jim always seemed to luck out.” I often was in the right place at the right time, found great jobs, great friends, found money, and had a number of talents and skills that came fairly easy to me. I lost a lot of this “lucky magic” in my mid-twenties. I could see that this car accident served a greater purpose. I was getting a new vehicle and a new perspective. I was reconnecting with a beneficial lost aspect of myself that had almost disappeared.

A few days after I got my Prius, the check-engine-light came on. I brought the car back to the dealership. They told me that my catalytic convertor was shot. It took a little diplomatic bargaining to talk down the dealerships original offer of only paying half of the cost to repair it, but I pulled it off easily. I chose not to go into battle about the situation. I trusted it would also turn out favorably for me. I ended up paying nothing for a $1400.00 part. I was lucky that it went out a few days after I bought the car. A few months down the line and I would have had to pay for it. Good things were consistently happening in a number of areas. The only problems I experienced was over coming a mild phobia when driving; who was going to blow through a stop sign next and hit this car? I knew this was highly improbable. There was also an obnoxious, mob-like credit card hike of my interest rate  to 29.9 percent by a card I had the highest balance of my debt on, Citibank. I had a flawless credit history with them and all of my credit cards. I couldn’t figure out what their justification was for doing this. I could easily let my anger at this credit card company topple the new solid foundation of ease and flow I was currently building. It took some effort to keep my thoughts positive, but I knew that there was an opportunity in this apparent dilemma and that it would be eventually be resolved if I didn’t let this pull me back into my previous negative perspective. There was a solution to this as well, even if I couldn’t see it yet.

There are occasional times in life when things are really difficult and sometimes we have to do battle to get our needs met. I am glad that my mother taught me how to fight for what I believe is right. She truly helped make me and my siblings stronger. But, now I have come back home to a even more comfortable place. I brought back a part of my psyche and element of my personal reality that I unfortunately had long ago left behind. I got caught up in the belief that “life is a difficult experience where you have to often battle to get justice.” I proudly clung to that perspective for quite some time. I focused heavily on this belief and it is no wonder that it was reflected back to me in my physical reality. It feels more natural for me to be “one of those people that most things come easy to.” I like being back in the position of choosing effortlessness as opposed to struggle. When we fuel our beliefs and intentions with the idea of ease and harmony, we empower our Higher Self, and the Universe to assist with creating this. Then we can receive assistance with the details of life that enable us to solve all of our problems. Now, I am back on my comfortable raft and floating down the river of life instead of constantly putting energy into a needless fight against the stream.          

9-2009 Jim Ventura

*This column originally appeared in my October 2009 newsletter. I am still happily driving my 50 miles to the gallon Prius, and no one has blown through any stop signs and hit me lately!

Editors note:

Its back to school time and “technically” the end of summer. Here in Phoenix the hot summer usually doesn’t actually end until mid to late October. Still, just knowing the stifling heat is coming to an end is somewhat inspiring. Fall has always been my favorite season and I am definitely looking forward to the cooler weather ahead. 

I have been doing a number of extra posts on Facebook about Astrology and other metaphysical subjects. I have included an early August post in this newsletter, but you can friend request me or check my fan page on Facebook to get all of the past and current posts. Saturn is moving into Scorpio next month and this is a notable shift for all of us personally and globally. 

If you are looking to book a session with me now or in the near future, one of the easiest ways is through email (Venturasag@yahoo.com). You can ask for my current months schedule and choose which available times and dates works best for you. I can still be reached by phone to book sessions, although I remind all of my clients that same day session requests are often not possible. All of my Snake Oil subscribers get a $5.00 discount on all 45 minute or longer sessions and I also take another $5 off for cash payments! Of course, check and credit/debit card payments are also welcome. 

I am doing a one day home class on Creating Prosperity in November. I will only be able to accommodate seven students in person and one by phone for this 2 and a half hour class. These spot are likely to fill up quickly, so reserve your space and get out to enjoy a life changing class and the added benefit of hanging out and meeting some new friends. 

Wishing everyone a happy September and a great start to the fall! Cheers. Jim V

Saturn moves into Scorpio

The planet Saturn usually stays in a sign for about two and a half years. It will be moving out of Libra and into Scorpio in early October of 2012. Saturn’s placement in our chart represents the difficult experiences that caused us some pain and struggle in our lives, but inevitably lead to where we become stronger. Saturn makes us cautious, painstaking in our approach, frugal, steadfast and often fearful. Saturn’s natal placement in our chart (both the sign and house) shows us the area where obstructions in our path and delays help us to resolve our karmic debts. Saturn is never an easy influence when we are younger. As we get older it becomes one of our greatest gifts and where we inevitably become wise. It is the lump of coal that we slowly polish into our diamond.

For the last two years Saturn has been moving through Libra. As a society and individually, we have been looking at the advantages and disadvantages of relationships, marriage, divorce, partnerships, and themes around fairness, balance, and all kinds of matters connected with legal issues. Saturn has tested many of us around our relationships or lack of relationships...As it leaves Libra we will be taking a more mature approach to how we feel about what is fair and what is unfair in the areas Libra governs.

Scorpio rules death, power, transformation, sex, shared resources, money connected with others (banks, inheritances, etc...) intensity, and how we control and use our animal instincts in a beneficial way, or to the detriment of ourselves and sometimes to those around us. We should see some interesting things in the media and the news around these and similar matters throughout the next two years. The political arena will heat up even more and you can expect to see more sex scandals and news of financial manipulation, greed, and corruption exposed. Saturn is the lord of karma. There is a always a high price to be paid when you attempt to negatively manipulate Saturnian energies. This will be even more noticeable as Saturn progresses though Scorpio. I will talk more about Saturn's move into Scorpio in another installment in my newsletter in the next few months. I also discussed some extra information about this subject on my radio show on August 16th. You can hear any past shows at your leisure in the archives.

The house Saturn occupies in our natal chart will show where it’s influence is throughout our lifetime. The house where Scorpio rules our chart is the area of life where we will be tested with lessons of increasing maturity in the next few years. In my chart Scorpio rules part of the sixth  (work, service) and most of my seventh (marriage, equal partnerships) houses. 

If you would like to get my Astrological Facebook posts regularly feel free to request being added to my friends list (if you aren’t already on it) or sign up for my Fan Page. 

“What you deny to others will be denied to you.” Dick Sutphen

Snake Oil Radio

Every Thursday at 3:30 pm (there will be three live broadcasts this month)

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, September 6th, at 3:30 p.m. (MST). Every Thursday 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. Halfway though the show you can even ask me for a free 5 minute mini reading with your personal question. 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).

All you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to blogtalkradio.com. Type “Snake Oil” into the search option.

You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.

Join me for a special one hour live interview (September 13th) show with Victoria Glod:

Victoria has felt a special connection with animals her entire life.  About a decade ago she was searching for something that would bring passion to her work. That lead to a profound experience with a dying animal, and it was this experience that brought her to her first animal communication teacher, Carol Gurney in Agoura Hills, California.  Victoria believes that anyone with a passion and desire to communicate with animals is able to do so.

Our animal companions have many reasons for being with us, and you might be amazed by the incredible wisdom that they often provide.  They can be here to teach us lessons.  Perhaps they are mirroring an aspect of us that we may not even like or recognize.  

There are a variety of reasons that people reach out to an animal communicator.  Often it is a behavioral,  emotional or health issue.  Perhaps an animal is missing.  Her most rewarding ways to assist her clients is during the end of life transition, when it can be so difficult to make decisions.  Perhaps the happiest connection of all 

is with an animal who has crossed over.  Victoria uses a number of healing modalities that can often be of assistance to both the animals and their people.

www.petmessages.com. 

”If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change.” Wayne Dyer

Opportunity for all my clients:

Referral comps

One of the least expensive and beneficial forms of advertising for me is when clients who have used my services (personal sessions, classes, books etc...) recommend me to friends and family. I reward the clients who send me new people (who book sessions or attend classes) with discounts that can be used on their next sessions with me. I keep track of all my referrals and send the discounts out every six months. Referral discounts range from $10.00 to $25.00 for each referral sent my way. You can use these discounts yourself or give them to a friend to use. Either way, know that your “salesmanship skills” are greatly appreciated. If you need business cards or brochures, just ask and I will send you as many as you need. Thanks again for your assistance in helping me to reach more people. Jim Ventura

Added note:  In 2008 I had one client who sent me so many referrals in six months that she earned an entire extended (90 minute) free session and also got an autographed copy of my first book for her efforts! 

Special Note (Bonus for anyone who actually reads my entire column and catches this!)

I was contemplating running another type of Group-on type of promotion to continue the flow of reaching new clients, when I got a better idea. Rather than give the extreme discount I offer with these to a company, I thought I would pass the discount on to some of my loyal readers. The first seven people who see this and respond to the offer can purchase up to (2) gift certificates for any of the sessions I offer for an in person or phone consultation. The stipulation is the gift session must be given to a new client I have never worked with before. It can be given to a friend or family member. Once purchased the gift session is good for one full year so you can even hold them for few months if you want. This brief promotion is 50 percent off my listed prices! $40 for 45 minute session (normally $80.00) or $55 for 70 minute session (normally $110.00). Because this is a heavily discounted promotion, it is only being offered to the first seven people who email or call me to purchase and the offer ends September 7th, 2012. Giving gifts to others is another way to bring the flow of prosperity toward us. Stay in the flow. Cheers. Jim V

Current classes:

CREATING PROSPERITY

Many people have struggled with financial difficulties in the last few years. The economy is slowly improving, so this is a help. Yet, we always have the power and ability to tap into our potential to create prosperity, no matter what is happening around us!

Learning to open a doorway to living in abundance is possible. We can manifest prosperity in many different areas: career, finances, love life, personal happiness, etc...This class will focus on many different methods for generating personal wealth. Learning how to change beliefs and perspectives relating to finances will help you uncover the blocks that currently keep you stuck. The universe will support your decision to change your reality. Instructor Jim Ventura will discuss practical and metaphysical tools to show you how to create prosperity in your life. Saturday November 17th. 10 am - 12:30 pm. A maximum of 8 people for this class (minimum of 4 to hold). $20.00 prepaid before November 10th, or $25.00 on day of the class. 

“America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense...human rights invented America.” Jimmy Carter

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com 

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!

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices below.

All sessions/readings for 2012-2013 are: (70 minutes) $110.00; (40 minutes) $80.00;  Extended (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each).