April 2016 Snake Oil/Morning Has Broken

Snake Oil 

Morning Has Broken

We live in a world of duality. To a large extent, this is one of the primary reasons we choose to spend a lifetime(s) in this world. It is easy to forget this reality when difficulties surface. When things are tough we can easily get pulled into “suffering over our own suffering.”* Behind opportunity is often challenge. When we are lucky, there will be times when we are very unlucky. “Good” and “bad” co-exist, but how we choose to view these experiences are ultimately subjective. While for the most part I am very healthy, I got hit with the flu in early February. I seem to get the flu about every 6-7 years. I guess it was “time,” but when it hit me like a tornado on a Saturday night it truly was horrible. It ended up becoming bronchitis, and while I never went to a regular doctor, it is likely that I had a touch of pneumonia. I laid in bed for the first few days often getting up to cough and hack up the seemingly endless gunk from my chest, while shivering and sweating at the same time. The first week was the worst, but it lingered for almost two and a half weeks. Eating itself was a chore. I slept a lot! Thankfully a thoughtful friend brought me soup, oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. The only thing I ate for almost a week was fruit because I felt so feverish for many days. My tastebuds were not working well, along with many other parts of my body. 

When I get the rare flu or even a sinus infection, I normally make an appointment with my Chinese Herbalist who also does acupuncture. He never returned my calls, and I suspected that he went out of business. I took for granted having this valuable option for so many years. If I had been able to see him it would have cut the severity and duration of my illness in half. A week into my flu I finally went to an herbalist at the Chinese cultural center. He was the one who diagnosed me with Bronchitis. He provided some herbs and roots that I was to make into a tea and drink each night for one week to help heal me. I made and drank this terrible tasting tea each night and it likely helped speed up my healing. I know of many, many people who had this flu for even longer than a month. A week into my illness my family was visiting. This wasn’t ideal and it was really difficult to meet with them to be social while I was sick. I did my best to see my family and also minimized the amount of appointments I took simply because just about anything I did would leave me exhausted after a few hours, and I needed to rest and stay in a place of withdrawal as much as possible. 

I had a Vegas trip planned for nine days after I caught the flu. I should have just canceled it, but my Sagittarius optimism convinced me to go anyway because each day “I would eventually feel better.” I was wrong. I loaded up my usual cigars, snacks, and other fun Vegas trip treats (along with three days of my doctor’s prescribed herbal tea that I cooked up in advance) and went on my vacation. It was not one of my better trips. The drive itself was strained, and I couldn’t smoke, drink and didn’t even gamble that much while I was there. I wasn’t even able to drink coffee! These and so many parts of my vacation that I love were removed. I did still gamble a bit, but slept often, mainly watching television and napping in my room about 11 hours each of the three days I was on vacation. While I did feel a little better each day, it was a very slow process of healing. I kept hoping I would feel better tomorrow, but I never really made it to having fun in Vegas standards. I drove home early and shortened my trip. The highlight was a trip to the Caesars Palace spa where I was able to use the steam-rooms and sauna to help clear some of the toxins in my lungs.

I guess I could have smoked a cigar or two, had coffee, or even a drink while I was sick in Vegas. Yet, as indulgent as I normally am (Taurus Ascendent) I also have a lot of practical self control. I know that if I do some of the things that I truly love when I am sick, it will taint those things long afterwards. I will still associate those things with being ill. I did this once with eating shelled sunflower seeds when I was sick. I didn’t eat sunflower seeds for over a year afterwards. The parts of life that I see as delicious, and pleasurable I will not damage. I simply love them too much to risk the potential negative association, so I knew I needed to be patient. Not being able to feel sexual, taste good food, enjoy coffee, exercise, and many of the other things I truly enjoy is not fun. To me physical sensations and the pleasure they bring us are a huge part of why life is awesome. Still, I knew that resisting the reality of my being sick would have been futile as well so I showed major restraint.

By the end of February I felt really good again. I lost nine pounds. Not a great diet plan, but since I wanted to lose about 15 pounds by summer anyway this was a benefit of a lousy situation. Each day that I felt good enough to do something delicious was truly awesome. The first time I had coffee was amazing. My fist workout at the gym after three weeks off was inspiring. I was weak as hell, but I pulled it off and each day got stronger. I felt “workout sore” again, which while painful, is actually one of the goals. I went to my local casino and gambled and smoked two cigars, it was magical! I flirted with a hottie in the supermarket and I remembered what it felt like to feel the intoxicating pulse of attraction and possibility. Just meeting, talking to people, and being socially out in the world was sorely missed. I went back to work again and I realized how much I missed it. Everything is new again and tastes even more delicious than ever. My appetite for life itself has returned.

Jim Ventura 3-2016

“I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.” Agatha Christie

 Notes:

*This reference is from the Viking Rune “Thurisaz.”

One of the strangely positive things that came out of my experience with the flu was it reset my sleep clock. Even though I haven’t waited tables or bar-tendered in a number of years, I did it for so many years that my sleep schedule was still tuned into that pattern of going to bed late each night. For most of my life it is rare for me to go to bed before 1-2 am. While I was sick, I slept often, but also simply needed to go to bed early (for me anyway) each night at around 11:30 pm. Now that I am healthy again, I am still going to bed around 11:30-midnight and able to get up earlier. I am actually happy that I am getting on a better sleep and waking schedule!

I have the dates scheduled for my upcoming classes (there will be two) on Creating Wealth. There will be one class in late May and the other in early June. More information about these classes in this newsletter. Sign up early to reserve a space.

Wishing everyone a Happy April! Cheers, Jim V 

New Client Special:

January 1st 2016 thru May 1st 2016 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates  for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $80. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130.

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.

Fear

A projection into the future

“Fear is the opposite of love. Fear is based upon not knowing, upon preparing for the unknown, for what might happen, for that which is not actually present in the moment. Fear is based totally upon future projection, which comes from evaluating the past, not only of your own lives but of other’s, and drawing deductions about what might happen to you in the future. This is what your insurance companies do: they project at what age you are likely to get sick, be disabled, or die, how many of you are likely to do that, and in what way. Now, read enough statistics and you will necessarily start making yourself believe that this must be the way it is. And, in this way, society, group mind, and industry dictate the nature of your beliefs. Metaphysically, fear is the opposite of love, the opposite of love based upon the absence of knowledge, because you can love and be comfortable with that which you know. It is always the unknown that you fear the most.”

Seth

Creating Wealth!

Getting Your piece of the Pie by making Peace!

Most of us wish we had more money. Whether you are already comfortable financially or struggling there is often (understandably) a part of us that wants more money and the opportunities and security that can come with it! 

No matter where you are in life now it is possible to create more personal wealth. By changing our beliefs around money, success, and letting go of limiting beliefs we can shift our reality to accept and experience more abundance. This workshop will help you to focus on both practical and metaphysical tools to bring your current and future experience with success (whether you are self-employed or working a job) to a more prosperous reality. 

Learn about the three pillars necessary to become a magnet to more prosperity. 

This class will take place in my home for two consecutive Saturdays in late May.  A maximum of 7 local students (a minimum of 4 to hold the series) and one call in from out-of-area (FaceTime may be an option or simply speaker phone). $40 for both classes. Current Regular clients and pre-paid students $35 for both classes. 

Saturdays May 21st and June 4th. 10 am until 12:30 pm.  Email me at Venturasag@yahoo.com to hold a space. 

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein

Snake Oil Radio

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

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, April 14th. at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific time). Most Thursdays you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to the site. 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.

Spotlight on One of the many oracle sessions I offer:

 Usually in March and early April there are a number of days where the winds pick up heavily. Like all things in this world they have a physical purpose and reason while also having a spiritual or metaphysical aspect to be considered as well.

Lakota Indians believed that the winds were a reminder that change is coming. The intensified winds in the North (Chinook) and the Santa Ana’s have deeper meanings spiritually:

Lakota Indians believed that the Santa Ana's, or Chinook winds as they are called in the east, were meant to remind us of self protection and the wisdom of change. They winds come from the four points in between Northeast, Southeast, etc...

“You are being asked to look at your safety and protection, to take steps to protect yourself from internal and external interference while keeping your self-esteem intact. Reinforce your strength and abilities, and deflect anything that diminishes your sense of higher purpose.

As you open up and express your Higher Self, you open yourself to accelerated lessons and growth experiences. You may find yourself facing some difficult teachers among the people with whom you come in contact. You may find yourself confronting issues you’d prefer to keep quietly buried. We often encounter emotional manipulation when we have resisted letting go and moving forward or when we have missed opportunities to face a particular lesson.

Free yourself from the attitude that internalizes every situation and interaction. Remember that the people with whom you interact have their own challenges and driving forces. Be kind to yourself and be understanding of others. If it is time to remove yourself from a situation or relationship, do so. Ask for internal guidance. If there is no need to remain in an uncomfortable, unsupportive relationship, job, or circumstance, get out and move on to the next step.”

Meditation: I seek and find wisdom during times of change. I seek and find within change the opportunity to be more fully myself.”

From the Lakota Sweat Lodge cards One of the Oracles I sometimes use with clients in sessions.

You can specifically request a session with these cards or even just to add one to any other session.

“There is some kind of a sweet innocence in being human- in not having to be just happy or just sad- in the nature of being able to be both broken and whole, at the same time.” C.JoyBell

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 text: (602)349-0746 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact).

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

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

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

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

All sessions/readings for 2016 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $80.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. 

March 2016 Snake Oil/Bark at the Moon. Logic or Intuition?

Snake Oil 

Bark at the Moon. Logic or Intuition?

Over New years weekend my 13 year old cat came down with the flu. I wasn’t sure this was even possible, but looked it up online. Yes, cats can get a type of feline flu. Unfortunately my indoor cat goes outside from time to time. She sniffs and rubs against the areas the outside feral cats hang out on my stairway sometimes. This is likely where she picked up the illness. She was extremely sick, with a clogged nose, lethargic, and looked really, really bad. She didn’t eat or even drink water for almost three days. She began to smell a bit from the lack of the self cleaning she so prides herself on. I tried to feed her water and tuna juice with a dropper but she was resistant. I debated whether I should take her to the vet. It had been 12 years since she travelled in a cat carrier in the car and I wondered about whether it would have been more traumatic in her weakened state to put her though the extra stress. I uncomfortably prepared for the possibility that she might die. The signs were not good. Yet, I kept hearing another internal voice telling me she would be okay because it was not her time to leave. I appreciated that optimistic soothing voice, but doubted whether it was right.

It was a difficult few days. I took all the practical preparations necessary and borrowed a cat carrier from my neighbor in case she got worse. I even contemplated how I would handle her passing. At one point I felt so powerless that I got in my car to go food shopping and sat for a few minutes simply weeping in my car. Still, that other voice kept telling me she would be fine in a few days. I have used the natural anti-biotic Colloidal Silver myself a few times over the years and on impulse looked up its use for animals on the Internet. I found out that in some places like the UK, they put it in their dogs and cats water bowls so I did this as well. On the third day of the ordeal she was drinking water out of her bowl. That night I fed her tuna juice and she lapped it up. On the fourth day she ate some wet cat food. A day or two later she started eating her dry cat-food again. Now she is completely fine! She is even getting just a little chubby again after dropping some weight.

This wasn’t the first time in my life when some trauma had me battling between logic and intuition. Some years ago one of my closest friends was diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis was not good. About a year or so after this my forty year old brother in law experienced kidney failure. He spent about two years on dialysis. I needed to plan for the possibility that they might pass. In both cases that internal voice told me they would make it. My friend became cancer free about a year later when the chemotherapy treatments and other methods he was using worked for him. My brother-in-law had a kidney transplant (given to him by an extremely thoughtful friend), it took and he is still doing quite well. While all of these examples are positive, the intuitive messages I get are not always positive ones. There have been times when I have also hoped that a friend or relative might recover when that internal voice also told me they would not likely make it. Far more often than not, my inner voice has been right.

One of the Archetypal cards in the Tarot is the Moon (18). The artwork is often dramatic and ominous with an image of two dogs howling at the moon. It symbolizes the subconscious, unconscious, psychic, and astral contact. It represents awareness from other layers that stretch beyond the input we get from logic. The troubling part of this archetype is that it can represent the negative aspects of self-deception, delusion, and preferring fantasy over reality. It can also show the sometimes extraordinary influences of the lunar pulls of the moon (although the influence of Neptune is actually a better fit for what this represents) and messages from our heart. On the positive side, it can represent intuition, knowingness, and tuning into other vibrations and aspects of life that go far beyond the more singular channels that we get from logic. It is the part of us that can read and see things that we don’t necessarily figure out with just our intellect. For most of us, the path to developing our ability to “see things” involves tapping into the more difficult and darker aspects of life in this world. Confusing circumstances, people trying to pull the wool over our eyes, and uncomfortable experiences are part of this life. Yet, they can act as triggers for expanding our awareness. Each time we are tested this way we can open ourselves to other channels of input and ways of seeing things. The Moon archetype embodies this process.

It can be difficult to navigate between true knowingness and what we want, or wish to happen for ourselves and the people we care about. Most of us have experienced this at one time or another. One example is when we are in love and hope that we will get to be with someone we have strong feelings for. Even when signals are telling us that something is amiss, we often turn off our logic and only listen to the pull of what our heart wants. We may be left disappointed because we deceive ourselves or are subject to someone who tries to deceive us. I went through this in a painful way in my early thirties with someone I felt a powerful connection with. Even though I wanted it to work-out, I remember hearing that voice telling me it would not. I ignored this voice because it wasn’t how I wanted it to go. That voice was right.

Sometimes people become too immersed in intuitive or lunar pulls. The power of sensing and knowing things, the ability to tap into undercurrents of what is beneath the surface of things can lead to amazing knowledge, but it can also sometimes lead to delusion and extremes. Some people become consumed with finding “BigFoot, and looking for “Leprechauns with pots of gold.” There are people who become conspiracy theorists about nearly everything. Sensing something is amiss and tapping into undercurrents can be carried too far: “The government is completely evil and corrupt.” “Anytime my boyfriend speaks to another woman he is cheating on me, or planning to do so.”  “Obama wants to take our guns away.” “The end times are here because it says so in the Bible.” Crazy beliefs become a focus when not balanced with some use of logic. As we develop our ability to read layers of things and encounter troubling situations or difficulties we can use the lunar pull to ultimately learn how to read things more clearly. Of course this takes some real practice. Talk shows where a transgender guest reveals to a “straight guy” that they are actually a man are theatrical, but this is an aspect of deception that is very real. Talk to any woman who has been in the dating scene for a while and the smart ones have learned to smell a bullshitter from miles away. They can easily spot the liars, and married ones! But it is likely that they were fooled more than a few times along the way by silver tongues while coming to a wiser point of view. If on the other side they decide that ALL men are liars and cheaters they are off base as well.

It is not easy to always navigate between logic and intuition. If we attempt to shut off our intuitive voice, we can become dry and emotionally sterile when we only rely on logic and intellect. We can miss the undercurrents that pulse though events. If we shut our logical voice down and only listen to our lunar pulls we can become delusional and live in a fantasy world. In either case we suffer the problems that arise from a lack of balance. With practice we can find a way to blend these elements together very nicely. The Moon archetype represents mastering the skills of intuition. It was a gift for me to have started developing my intuitive abilities at such a young age. I got caught up in illusion a number of times along the way, but at the same time I definitely experienced some real awareness and knowingness that was powerful. Sources of information come to me through many different channels including but not limited to intellect and logic. Now in my fifties the balance between logic and intuition is extremely strong. I see things clearly while allowing my intuition and heart to have an equal say in my decisions.

Jim Ventura 2-2016 

Editors Note:

It took many years to fully (still always learning) understand the Archetype of the Moon card (18) in the Tarot deck. Some are easier to grasp than others, and this one wasn’t easy! It can be confusing  to know whether lunar pulls are beneficial or tests in clarity. But they are a part of this world and ultimately beneficial. There is an obvious connection in astrology of the moon to this Archetype, yet the vibration of Pisces or Neptune is even a stronger aspect in many ways to the Moon card. I will cover more of the other 21 Major Arcana trumps in future columns.

I got a bad case of flu (bronchitis) in mid February myself. I don’t get sick very often, but although this was a tough two weeks, I know lots of people who had it a lot longer and some who are still struggling to move it through. Always the good part of recovering from any illness is getting to taste food again, enjoying coffee, or a good cigar, and getting back to the gym. Not an ideal weight loss plan, but I did lost 9 pounds in two weeks. Hell, all I wanted was grapefruit and oranges for the first five days when I had a fever. Very happy to be healthy again! 

2016 seems to be off to a reasonably good start. The vibration of universal numerology year of 9 seems to be much softer than 2015 was (8). It did kick off with a number of celebrity deaths and I had some friends and clients lose family members, human and pet as well. Unfortunately another aspect of 9 but also apart of life we must learn to accept if we are to ever have peace..

I am working on a new book (mentioned in last months newsletter also) about creating prosperity. I will be doing a home class for locals (maximum of eight students) about this subject in May/June. More information in next months newsletter. Contact me asap to grab one of the spots, since it is likely to fill up quickly. If the class fills you can also book a session(s) on Reality Creating privately (in office or by phone) so you can learn these amazing techniques.

Happy March. Jim V

“Don’t ever  become a pessimist...a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events.” Robert Heinlein

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.

Divine Grace in the Physical World

“How does one recognize Divine Grace? How does one know its face? And how does one know when Divine Grace has been shunted aside, betrayed, in pursuit of some less worthy goal? 

Again, Divine Grace is the source of your world, the great limitless fuel that powers your every moment, from the smallest atomic building block to your mass civilizations.  Always, always, it seeks to bring into actuality those events that will be of greatest benefit to those involved.

Divine Grace manifests most clearly on your plane as respect. What is respect? Respect is when you allow all others the right to ride their own Divine Grace as they see fit, understanding that you each live in a cocoon on your own creation, a highly private yet publicly shared existence in which each individual, pursuing his/her own greatest fulfillment, automatically and unconsciously contributes to the advancement of the species and planet as a whole.

Respect, then is when you allow all others of your species, and all others of all species, their private place, time and path. Respect allows no place to coercion, force or violence against another. Respect is an intuitive acknowledgment of the uniqueness of each individual, each species, each form physical matter can take, a deep understanding of the greater cooperation that underlies your world, as each species and individual contributes its unique perspective, its private experience, to the shared venture on which you have embarked.

Respect is how Divine Grace manifests itself in your world. When you respect another, you recognize and acknowledge the Divine Grace within the other, understanding that it is not necessary for him or her to follow your footsteps in order to reach greatest fulfillment.

Notice we do not use the word “love.” It is not necessary that you run around flinging your arms about every person and four-legged manifestation of Divine Grace you stumble upon. There will be those whose paths differ so markedly from yours, whose inner awareness of Divine Grace has been so blunted by fear, that you are unable to connect. You need not love such individuals. You must, however, respect their right to pursue their path as they see fit, regardless of how obvious the deleterious outcome is to you.

You need not love all you meet. Understanding that they share the same source as you. All That Is poring itself into the physical world through the fluid medium of Divine Grace, you grant them respect.

The rule of thumb to follow then, when considering a choice or decision, whether individually or en masse, is to ask: Does this course of action respect my integrity and that of all others who may be affected? Will this action be only of benefit to others, or do some stand to be harmed by it? Am I, or are we, acknowledging the Divine Grace manifest in every aspect of creation...”

Whatever Happened to Divine Grace? Ramon Stevens

“There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life happiness, freedom, and peace of mind are always attained by giving them to someone else.” Peyton Conway

Snake Oil Radio

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

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, March 3rd. at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific time). Most Thursdays you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to 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.

“Here is the secret of inspiration: Tell yourself that thousands and tens of thousands of people, not very intelligent and certainly no more intelligent that the rest of us, have mastered problems as difficult as those that now baffle you.” William Feather

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 text: (602)349-0746 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact).

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

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

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

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

All sessions/readings for 2016 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $80.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. 

February 2016 Snake Oil/Mirror Mirror

Snake Oil

Mirror Mirror   (This column originally ran in early 2011)

A few weeks before the restaurant that I had spent the last two years working at closed, the owner went on a bit of a rant one day. It was another painfully slow Friday lunch where only he and I worked. He had confided in me that unless we suddenly got a lot busier or found some new financial backing he would have to close the restaurant permanently within the next few weeks. He was understandably angry and frustrated by the situation and needed to let off some stream, so I kept my mouth shut while he complained; “The people in Phoenix don’t appreciate excellent, quality food. They prefer mediocre crap. They’re going to be sorry when they find out we’re no longer here. Hell, they only show up once or twice a year to eat here. They see us as a special occasion spot, how are we supposed to survive if people don’t frequent the restaurant? Even with all the excellent reviews we’ve received they still aren’t coming. I think I might just pack it all up and get out of this stupid town once and for all.” While it’s never pleasant to let someone dump all their anger your way, I knew it wasn’t directed at me. I could see that he really just needed an ear. He wasn’t wrong in some respects. There was some truth in his words. We had amazing food and most people raved about it, but our numbers were not supporting the positive feedback we got. Still, something about the situation and listening to him made me uncomfortable. I knew that something was being triggered inside of me as a result of his rant. I was happy when a couple walked in for lunch. It was my job to take care of them and it got me out of the uncomfortable conversation.

This wasn’t the first time I had heard the “no one appreciates my excellence” story. I had heard it many times before. As an advertising art major in college, I heard all kinds of complaints about people “lacking in sophistication” and ability to recognize “true talent.” A few years ago, I attended a barbecue with an actor friend of mine. Most of the people at the barbecue were a few years younger than me. The majority of them were either actors, directors, or writers. In one form or another, all of them were connected with the performing arts. It was a cool, eclectic, attractive group of people. The food was actually quite good and it was an enjoyable party. The only thing that tainted the night was that a number of the people I talked to were frustrated about being broke. I heard stories from a few struggling artists about how, “most people didn’t appreciate real art and quality theater.” “It was near impossible to be successful in a town that doesn’t value good actors or pay them well for their skills.” “People mostly crave crappy Hollywood movies and television sewage, they don’t appreciate good writing and great acting.” I heard many of these and similar versions of this type of complaint a few too many times that night. There was an excess of “poor unappreciated me” stories, that tainted a night that could have been really fun.

So here I was again listening to a very likable, talented person complaining about “how stupid people were.” His anger was clearly masking how powerless he felt and that he might be failing in his endeavor. I didn’t say much to him that day, but I kept thinking about the endless suggestions I and a few of the other servers had made to him in the last year. We suggested he keep an advertising budget. He didn’t. We suggested he put ads in local gay publications to advertise the restaurant. Gay and Lesbians are tremendously loyal to businesses that advertise to them and typically don’t mind paying extra for quality. He ignored that suggestion. We suggested he do morning local talk shows and volunteer to cook recipes from the restaurant on air. He didn’t. We suggested he kiss the asses of the nearby hotel concierges so they send more of the guests staying in their hotels our way. He didn’t do that either. He followed the belief that since he had created something amazing, people would find their way to it. This worked to some extent. Some people found us, but most never even knew we existed. We were invisible in many ways. Our location and lack of visibility was a serious detriment to the restaurant’s potential success. If more people had been aware of us, I believe we would have been quite successful.

Even with his mistakes and stubbornness, the owner (who I considered a friend) was a man with guts, a gambler, and very intelligent. He often told some really funny stories, was far from ordinary, and was genuinely a likable guy. About a week before the restaurant closed I had a few days when I was feeling a little under the weather. I decided to hide from the world and rest for a few days. I caught some extra sleep and prioritized shaking off a slight cold. It was during the time of my retreat that I realized I was holding a similar set of beliefs. The reason the owners “people are stupid rant” bothered me so much was because he was mirroring many of my own limited beliefs. I had complained a number of times in a similar way about my own business. From time to time when my business got slow, and income was tighter I would complain; “People don’t appreciate the valuable work I do.” “Most people would rather read a stupid magazine’s Astrology column or follow Chelsea Handler’s dog’s twitter page, rather than read my far more insightful columns and books (Seriously, her dog has more than a million followers on Twitter).”  “Many of my clients see me as a once a year at best or a special occasion visit.” “Most people just want to complain about the problems they are experiencing and do nothing to try and solve them.” “My books and all of my columns are equal to and often far better than many metaphysical authors, yet they would rather read crap.” “They don’t want to spend a little extra money to work with someone with real skill and talent.” “People aren’t interested in real insight - they prefer only spending $20.00 for quick shock readings at psychic fairs.” These and a few of my other rants were very similar in tone to what I heard from my friend that day. There were times when I have been frustrated by slow periods in my business or a lack of class attendance and book sales. I found myself thinking and sometimes tortured my friends with complaints like these when I ran into tight times.

What I realized during my retreat was most of the things I was suggesting to the owner (that he ignored) were really suggestions I was giving myself. I knew that many people appreciated my counseling work, classes, columns and books, but in many ways I have been invisible. I have rarely advertised. I haven’t sent my columns to other magazines or advertised my books at all in the last few years. How could people find out about my writing and other talents if they were never exposed to them? I had distanced myself from doing lectures and classes in local bookstores for the last few years. I was currently only reaching a small audience because I wasn’t putting myself out there to reach more people. Hiring a few publicists, doing more radio shows and getting my lazy ass out into the world in a larger way was what I really needed to do. People rarely magically show up at your door, they need to know you exist to find you. I continually remind my clients that we often react most strongly to people that mirror elements within us. They often exaggerate, sometimes in an almost cartoon-like way, the worst and best elements of ourselves. This can be hard to see, even for metaphysically evolved people, when the mirrors aren’t comfortable ones. I was guilty of playing “the struggling artist who isn’t appreciated” game. When we are frustrated or experiencing difficulties it’s easy to assign blame, complain, and criticize other peoples mistakes. The problem is this takes away from the positive, assertive use of creative energy and talents that we all have. There was another gift that came when my part time job ended.  I uncovered a strong negative core belief that was limiting my success and could now weed it out once and for all.

2-2011 Jim Ventura

Editors Note:

It was an interesting trigger that pushed me to run this column again. I am currently working on a new column and knew it wouldn’t be finished in time for publication in February so when I went through my list of past columns and ran across this one. I knew it was time to share this, because it clearly illustrated how I (and many people) was thinking about money and success at that time. Now I see things (and experience them) completely differently. It was written in early 2011, right after the restaurant job I picked up during the recession closed it’s doors for good (like many businesses in the valley, he went bankrupt). I lost a significant chunk of income that I had for two years and knew I needed to do something to replace the loss. I contemplated getting another part-time job, but decided to make some shifts in my belief system instead. I did the work to clear out some of the negative limiting beliefs I was carrying about money, success, career and abundance. I had a number of “lightbulbs” that went off about the limited way I was seeing life. Tangible improvements began to show up in early 2012. By the beginning of 2013 I was very comfortable financially again (like I was before the recession) and this has continued uninterrupted for years now. In fact I have never been as successful as I am today. The reason I share this is to point out that we can change our reality. We are not locked into suffering or struggle, we can change our beliefs and our reality. 

I clearly remember thinking the way I did in the column and carrying those beliefs. First I uncovered and released the negative limiting ideas about success I was carrying (there were quite a few), this then led to conscious decisions to boost my visibility and business. Quite a few opportunities just seemed to show up more easily after I did this work. My beliefs and the reality I experience now are very, very different. I get a steady stream of repeat and new business and opportunities come easily to me. Money, stability, and success are never things I worry about, they are a part of who I am! 

I went out on a date recently with someone. There was definitely physical chemistry, but I heard the sadly too familiar “I don’t really believe in Astrology and any of that other metaphysical stuff:” of course this came out of the mouth of someone who is very much exactly like his astrology chart, and a bit of an emotional mess. And yes, I do look at Astrology and Numerology with people I am contemplating getting close too! I rolled my eyes and began to get bored and turned off quickly when these smug, close-minded comments were expressed in the guise of “how smart I am to not buy all that stuff...”  Needless to say there won’t be another date. A belief in Astrology/Numerology or not believing in those things won’t change the influence of how Astrology acts as a part of who we are. The concept of what is “metaphysical” covers many different subjects. Not “believing” in it isn’t a sign of intelligence or wisdom, it is often stems from a lack of information. The same goes for not believing that your thoughts and beliefs create our reality. They still will, but you will simply live your life without realizing this. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that! You can live life without delving into these subjects and be a reasonably happy, fulfilled person. But not understanding even in some ways that beliefs create our experience and how we see life seriously limits our creative options! And anyone who doesn’t  recognize that developing intuitive abilities and using guidance  from spirit and oracles like Tarot, Runes, Numerology, etc..  can be extremely valuable assistance is not an attribute that I personally find compatible for me in my friendships and partnerships.   

I have been offering Reality Creating sessions to help my clients recognize and change their beliefs and to learn how to be more empowered. I highly recommend these sessions. You are not locked into struggle in any area of life unless you continue to choose to believe that you are! We change our beliefs and our reality all of the time, why not become more conscious of this ability, and learn how to do it more effectively?  This month I am running a special for this session. More information about this later in this months newsletter.

Wishing everyone a happy February Cheers, Jim V

“Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom and to slavery. It s we who control these, and not another.” Richard Bach

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.

Learn to enjoy Change

“In your society, you are born in an atmosphere of fear surrounding the experience of birth. Many, if not all of you, unconsciously use fear as a motivator in your life. You wait until situations become fearful-indeed, even make them fearful-in order to motivate yourselves to change. Now, it is a kind of addiction, and I would recommend that you become conscious of it. Then, as you experience the drama and struggle you create for yourselves, be conscious that you are choosing your reality and that you can choose to change and move without creating suffering and consequent fear to get you to do it. 

We urge you then to be innocent about your desires for change and to remember that change on the planet, which is in constant motion, creating night and day, creating the seasons, is natural, so you need not wait until you have a great deal of fear motivating you to make change. You can consciously and innocently seek change, knowing that it does not need to create separation, hurt, and pain for others or for yourself when you do it consciously and innocently. Then you can let go of using fear as the motivator and instead use joy and aliveness as the motivator. Once you use fear to motivate you to action, feeling the fear in your body actually creates your feeling more alive, vitalized, and motivated to act. 

So, because these are so wired from your early experiences when your parents told you, ‘you must do this or else,’ and you experienced fear and anger and then acted upon it, you think you have to have those emotions to get into motion. No! It is just your thought, based upon your past experience, that creates those connections. And you can easily begin to choose to act for joy and know it is innocent for you to be joyful without having to be angry or fearful.

Both men and women have come to believe that the physical has cycles of pleasure and pain. Often you use pain to get pleasure and then begin to fear pleasure because you think you will then have pain. How to get over that? Stop creating pain to get pleasure, and you will release the belief that once you have pleasure you must have pain. You will learn to surrender into greater and greater experiences of pleasure and life and joy on a regular basis. You cannot shift into a millennium of peace while holding the thought of the pleasure/pain  cycle...”

Seth

“Did you know that you have so many fans in the unseen who love you so much, that you never dream alone, cry in vain, or sleep without guardians protecting you? No matter how things may appear.” Mike Dooley

Snake Oil Radio

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

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, February 4th. at 3:30 p.m. (AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time, so it’s the same as pacific time). Most Thursdays you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to 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.

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising every time we fall.” Confucius

Spotlight on one of the unique sessions I offer:

REALITY CHANGE SESSIONS

Understand how our personal realities are formed, and develop the skill to change yours! Almost every area of your life can be changed for the better. This session will show you how to uncover the limiting beliefs that have blocked your progress. Instructions will be given in new methods and tools to create the present and future you truly want.

You can literally recreate yourself

Change your beliefs - Change your reality

All reality change sessions booked for February will be discounted $20 off my listed rates and available at these prices all month: 45 minute session $60, 70 minute session $90, 90 minute session $110 (also will honor an additional $5 off for cash or check payments to this discount price for February for local clients). I would recommend a 70-90 minute session for this, but still some benefits can be made in shorter session.  

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 text: (602)349-0746 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact).

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

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

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

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

All sessions/readings for 2016 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $80.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments.