June 2018 Snake Oil/Time For a Change

June 2018 Snake Oil 

Time For a Change

The signals that things were going to change in my life began to come in the summer of 2017. I was aware of upcoming cyclical shifts in both numerology and astrology, but I could feel them instinctually as well. Practical, tangible things would need replacing. I have always been lucky with “stuff” lasting a long time. My perseverance and seeming disposition toward longevity often seemed to translate to “inanimate” objects as well. After almost nine years with my 2001 Prius, the message that it was time for a new car began to push through. The practical reasons were obvious. I had almost 200,000 miles on it. My rear shocks needed to be replaced and my AC needed an overhaul for the summer. The car was still driving fine, but it had a slight pull to the left and a few other minor problems. It would easily be over $1100 to get her repaired, but the question was, would this be a wise investment? I was very lucky to have never needed to replace the original hybrid battery but I knew I was pushing that luck. I began to clean her out to prepare for taking the car in for a trade. Finding all the weird lost things tucked into the trunk, between seat cushions, and in other pockets reminded me of how much time we had spent together. I loved this car. In typical old soul fashion of seeing some aspects of life force in everything, I got far more sad about the loss at first then excited about a new car. I would truly miss this car, this part of my life, and what it represented.

When we look at the influences of numerology we can observe nine year patterns or yearly personal cycles. Whether we are aware of these cycles or not, they still influence us. The universal years are noticeable in society itself, yet the personal year cycles are simply that, more personal to us. In a 1-9 year cycle, the 1 year is about beginning new projects. The transition felt in a 9 year cycle is all about completion, potential accomplishment, and often endings. My personal year began on my birthday (this is when personal numerology cycles begin) in late November of 2017. The 5 year I began is typically a year of shifts, changes, moves, evolution, and often some adversity. In our 5 year cycles we often experience transformation that helps us adjust in the middle of the 9 year cycle. I remember moving from NY to Arizona almost three decades ago, during a 5 year. It was a monumental change, and eventually a really good one, but it started off with lots of challenges. 

There is no question for me about this being a 5 year so far. I lost a very close friend, and in some respects someone that I saw as another mother on Christmas day 2017. She passed from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. She was a major light in my life for many years. Two months later in February I had to make the agonizing decision about putting my best buddy, my very sick 16 year old cat Chi Chi to rest. My eighty five year old mother is beginning to show physical and spiritual signs of getting ready to depart from this world. The physical issues and trouble she is having navigating around are obvious, but the feelings I am getting are similar to the ones I felt before my father passed ten years ago. Specifically whether this will occur this year or next year, I can’t know exactly, but it is coming. Needless to say, my emotional body has gotten quite a workout so far this year. The experience of loss and preparing for more is never an easy process.

The flip side of all of this loss are changes that are clearly positive ones. I have filmed ten appearances on television already since early December of 2017. I have had a number of encounters here in Arizona and in Las Vegas with people recognizing the “celebrity astrologer” from television. This may likely lead to my getting more involved in television and is already working as a great marketing aid for my business. I have lost two family members I spent most holidays and many Sunday breakfasts with to a move out of state, but gained a few more new friends as well. I have a new group of buddies to hang with and I really like them. Going out to the bars and events twice a month and often ending up at a diner late night is reminiscent of my early twenties and damn fun. When I bought my new car (newer 2010 Prius) I was happily surprised to find out that my credit score is now really good. After nine years of struggle with credit problems after the difficult economic times in 2008-2011, I had tangible proof that I took all the right steps to get things on track. My home was “under water” financially then as well, and now I have quite a bit of equity. If I were to sell and go back to renting an apartment, I realized I could actually take two years off from working for the first time in my life. I won’t do that, but knowing I can is amazingly liberating. For the first time in decades I am truly ahead.

It is understandable that many people struggle with change. Change can be scary, but whether we decide to see the change as “good” or “bad” it is a reality of this world. Pushing up against it just causes us pain and usually the changes will happen anyway. As much as I occasionally get sad when I think about the things that I loved and lost, I also feel a remarkably warm sense of privilege. I got to spend time with those people, my cat, and even my car. They are wonderful pieces of my life that I will fondly get to remember forever. Rather than focus on the loss, I feel blessed to have had them and I relish how they touched me. I wouldn’t trade any of it for a different past even if I could. As much as I might miss them they no longer fit into this current time. They were like pieces of a mosaic puzzle that no longer mesh into my world because they aren’t supposed to. They are no longer here for their own reasons and evolution - because I am different the world now is too. They moved from the realm of the present to the nostalgia of the past. Like excellent old music, television shows, or movies from past decades and are still awesome to enjoy now but appropriately part of another time. Like watching a rerun of Charlie’s Angels, or Mary Tyler Moore they were phenomenon that could simply only play at that time. 

I can comfortably see a time in about forty (more or less) years from now where I am reminiscing about my awesome cat, groups of different friends, my mothers, and even my little white car. I might even be telling someone who was too young to remember about our bizarre orange skinned President and the phenomenon of water-cooler-talk about a show like Games of Thrones. At that time it is likely that I will be ready for the even bigger change of letting go of this body and heading back to where I originally came from. No worries, no fear, no regrets will be part of this transition for me. I will embrace the change because it is just simply time and my body and spirit will no longer fit into this world in the way it did. For now I will enjoy the many, many things I still do have and welcome the new into my life when it presents itself to fit perfectly into my now.

Jim Ventura 5-2018

“Change is not a four letter word...but often your reaction to it is!” Jeffrey Gitomer

Notes:

The 100 degree temperatures are beginning here in Phoenix. Thankfully most of the nights are still cool, but July heat will blast its way in shortly whether we like it or not. I bought a second portable AC unit for my living room last year and also have one in the bedroom. I absolutely love those things. I also bought a new car that has great AC. Believe it or not, I spent most of last summer and part of the previous summer without AC in my car. Weird frugality in me from my childhood that sometimes needs to be checked with summer practicalities. Actually felt the new car was “too nice for me” when I first drove it home from the dealership. That nonsense belief has since been discarded but I realized I have a few pockets of beliefs about abundance that I need to permanently shift. Very glad I will be enjoying the cool at multiple levels even when its damn hot outside this summer!

Some of my clients have never had me do their Numerology chart for them or did a shortened version for a 45 minute session with Numerology and Tarot or with just astrology sessions. Looking at more detail of personal years, pinnacle and challenge cycles, can be very illuminating. An in depth look into our actual name will show karmic dispositions both positive karma and “need to fix it” karma. The destiny number, heart number, personality number, and habit challenge are keys to understanding your own unique wiring. The session is discounted this month so check out more information about booking later in this months newsletter and take advantage of this brief special.

I now have home classes available by phone or in office. You can take a class or classes either solo or with one other friend. More information later in the newsletter.

I just filmed my 10th spot for ABC show The List. Here is a clip of the last show. Any of the other shows are available on TheListTV.com and also on the ListTV on YouTube. Search astrologers and astrology and you should find quite a few of them. There are other astrologers on the show from time to time that have a unique perspective. 

Wishing everyone a Happy June. Cheers, Jimmy V

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvcgc8YKFb0

New Client Special 2018:

January 1st 2018 thru July 31st, 2018 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $85. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130. Sessions can be in-office or by phone.

“Here is a test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: If you’re alive it isn’t.” Richard Bach

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s and 90s. 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.

Seth on creativity and play

“Most people, however, are so utterly serious that they suspect their own creativity. They expect that its products will be unreal or not valid in the physical world. Yet there is a great correlation between what you think of as creativity, altered states of consciousness, play, and ‘spiritual’ development.

When you create a poem or song or a painting you are in a state of play, of enjoyment, of freedom. You intend to make something different, to produce a new version of reality. You create out of love, for the sake of experience. At one time or another almost everyone has that kind of experience, but children have it often. They compose songs and music and paintings in their heads. They alter the focus of their consciousness frequently. They do not stop to ask whether or not the play is real or pertinent. Physically, play develops their body mechanisms. It also flexes the great capabilities of their minds. 

When you think: ‘Life is earnest,’ and decide to put away childish things, then often you lose sight of your own creativity and become so deadly serious that you cannot play, even mentally. Spiritual development becomes a goal that MUST be attained. The goal is to be achieved through hard work, and as long as you believe this you do not understand what the spirit is.

I keep returning to natural analogies-but plants do not work at developing their potential. They are not beautiful because they believe it is their responsibility to please your eye. They are beautiful because they love themselves and beauty. When you are so serious, you almost always distort the nature of your own spirit as far as your understanding of it is concerned. You cannot let your guard down long enough to discover what it is. You keep looking for new rules or regulations, or methods of discipline. You keep searching for a new ‘ascended master.’ or guru, to keep you in line and point out THE WAY...”

The Unknown Reality Volume Two Jane Roberts Channeling Seth.

Snake Oil Subscriber Special June 1-30th 2018

Its All In Your Numbers!

Many of my clients who had shorter 45 minute sessions with me or for other reasons have never had their Numerology chart fully interpreted have actually missed quite a bit. I started doing Numerology when I was 18 years old. 35 years later I have probably worked with easily over 6000 full or partial charts. This study has given me some exceptional skills for interpreting and explaining the many layers of a Numerology chart. 

Some of these are:

Destiny Numbers

Hearts Desire numbers

Personality numbers

Habit Challenges

Karmic numbers (past life lessons you are working through in this life and also skills brought over).

Family name numbers

Birth-path numbers

Day of birth and correlation with the Tarot archetypes.

Personal year cycles

Challenges and Pinnacles for each of four life cycles.

Master numbers and their impact.

You can receive a full chart interpretation in office or by phone for a discounted rate of $20 off the normal rate of $85 for a 45 minute session. $65 total for this all Numerology session.

Email me at Venturasag@yahoo.com to book the special anytime in June of 2018. You can purchase a total of three Numerology sessions at this rate this month also if you want to give a gift session to anyone who has children or any friends or family members who would benefit from understanding their Numerology chart. This can be a very thoughtful gift and I take care of all the “scary math!”

“Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path then by all means you should follow that.” Ellen Degeneres

Snake Oil Radio

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

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, June 5th at 3:30 p.m. mountain time. Usually one or two Thursdays each month you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to the site and type “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.

Intuitive and Oracle reading classes 2018

While I no longer host group classes in my home, some of my most popular classes are still available! I will be adding a possible Skype option in late July of 2018 as well. Now classes can be in-office, by phone, or through FaceTime.

You can take one introductory class or continue with a monthly class for up to six months for any of the classes offered. Each instructional class is 90 minutes. You may schedule a one on one class in office or by phone for yourself, or have a friend or family member join you and split the costs.

Single one person class: $55.00 or 3 classes pre-paid $150.

2 people $70 for each class ($35.00 each) 3 classes pre-paid $180 ($90.00 each).

Email me for more information and my availability calendar to book your personal intuitive and oracle development classes. Venturasag@yahoo.com

Current options:

1. TAROT CARD READING

Whether you have some experience with Tarot or have never used this oracle before, Tarot classes will assist you in understanding the wisdom and insight contained in Tarot cards. The classes will focus on teaching you how to read the Tarot for yourself and eventually for others. The Tarot can be used for prediction, to accelerate spiritual growth, and increase your awareness or “navigational life skills.” If you don’t have a deck, assistance will also be provided on choosing the right deck for you. Whether you plan on using oracles for self guidance, or wish to expand into doing readings professionally, the classes will assist you on your road to mastering the Tarot.

2. ASTROLOGY-101 

Astrology classes will teach you all of the basics to read any Astrology chart. You will learn to interpret your own chart, as well as those of others. You will gain insight into house placements, signs, symbols, angles, retrograde planets, cusps, transits, etc... We will explore how powerful the influence of astrology is in our lives. Working with your unique astrology chart (western astrology, Placidus house system) will help you with understanding yourself, your unique skills, challenges, and how to use this knowledge to navigate through this life with more empowerment. 

3. MICHAEL MATERIAL

* What is your soul age? The soul age of friends, family, and people all around you ?

* How do past lifetimes influence us in the present ?

* What does karma feel like, and how does it work ?

* How does your chief negative feature impact your life, and can it be changed?

* What happens when your partner is an idealist and you are a realist ?

* What is your life goal? Is it dominance, acceptance, flow, discrimination, growth, reevaluation,  or submission ?

*What is your essence, your soul mate’s essence ? Artisan, priest, king, server, sage, warrior or scholar. ?

* What is a soul mate, task companion, heart link ?

* What is your centering and what do the higher centers feel like?

After this workshop you will understand all of these questions and many more, and more importantly have the answers.

What is the Michael teaching?

The main goal of the Michael teaching is agape or unconditional love. The teaching views life as a learning game in which fragments of the Tao - that essential part of each human being - set up lessons which continue over lifetimes. These lessons are learned via the personality which Essence chooses each lifetime. Michael teaches us what the components of the personality are so that we can learn to use and see these components in ourselves and in others. In that way we can learn to understand why human beings behave as they do. Michael is composed of 1,050 individual Essences who have lived on the physical plane and now teach from another plane. One of the most basic and important principles of the teaching is that it is not a religion or a belief system. Michael encourages their students to self validate all of the information they receive. The system was originally in print in over 12 volumes of information. “My studies of this material have been extensive and now I offer what I have learned to my students” Jim Ventura (Old Scholar). The classes will help you to use and understand the material without the need to read all the out of print books. This series is highly recommended! 

4. PAST LIFE JOURNEYS

All aspects of past life exploration, from hypnosis, dreaming techniques, past life regressions will be discussed. By understanding the influence of karma and the past lives we have already lived, we will show how our past experiences affect us in our present life. The class focuses on setting up a past life journal, and explores the progression of our soul’s journeys. Astrology, Numerology, and many other tools will be utilized to aid you in becoming aware of your past lifetimes. The classes will increase understanding of relationship patterns, release fear and phobia’s, letting go of allergies, and other blockades are some of the many possibilities connected with this type of study. “Desire to live again, because that will be your lot in any case.” Nietzsche

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

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

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

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

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

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

All sessions/readings for 2018 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $85.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each, although no other discounts will apply).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 

May 2018 Snake Oil/What Me Worry?

May 2018 Snake Oil

What Me Worry?

It’s probably no surprise to anyone who is Virgo (Sun, Ascendant, or Moon) or has a few planets in Virgo in their Natal Astrology chart that they can often get caught in the worry trap. I recently found out that left-handed people are prone toward post-traumatic-stress-disorder and worry. I am a lefty and I have three planets in a Virgo conjunction in my natal chart. The information was actually a relief because it confirmed that I was “normal.” So far for most of my lifetime, when I experienced any type of stressful or traumatic event I had a tough time being fearful that something similar might ever happen again. The positive side of this obstacle is I have a sharp mind and I am often twelve steps ahead when it comes to taking care of the details of life as if I am playing a chess game. This strategy and approach has often been beneficial in avoiding potential problems. But, the negative side of this attribute is definitely problematic because It can make me prone to worrying about difficult possibilities that could come my way. I get caught up trying to resolve these things before they become an issue. Whether you are a lefty, Virgo, or for any other possible reason we all get caught in the worry trap from time to time. It is an uncomfortable, lousy place to be. Is there a way out though?

I have always been a believer that almost everything can be solved or resolved, if you are willing to study the subject and apply solutions. Even if it means finding an expert with more knowledge than you to help, most things can be resolved because solutions are the flip side of problems. They exist as a part of each other. Seeing things this way is one of the good aspects of my Virgo energy, combined with a bit of my Sun in Sagittarius optimism! My mission was to find a way to solve the habit of worry itself. I decided I would find a way to spend the second half of my life free of obsessive worry. Aside from the discomfort that we often feel emotionally, physically, and mentally from worry, it is also extremely negative in that it can act like a form of prayer. We become consumed with thinking and focusing on what we are afraid might happen, or about what is happening and whether it will become even worse. This focus of energy can feed the manifestation probability and may end up contributing to creating the very things we so desperately want to avoid. This is another reason why finding a way to eliminate the worry habit was a worthwhile undertaking. 

During my studies of this subject I learned a few interesting things about this process and I was able to find real solutions to what worrying is and does to us. The new way of looking at how we typically respond to worry and the solutions I discovered can really assist in removing or at least minimizing this issue for anyone willing to make the shift. One thing to remember when we find ourselves worrying is that most of the things we worry about never actually happen. If you could list all of the concerns, fears and things you worried might happen over your entire lifetime so far, you would see that probably around ninety five percent of the potential problems never turned out the way we feared they would. The few that did materialize often had solutions that we couldn’t see at first when they first presented themselves. My air conditioning unit went out in the late summer about seven years ago. This was truly an Arizona nightmare. When I had it checked out, I was quoted with a potential bill of $7,500 to solve it. I worried a lot when that happened. When I calmed down, I decided to call another company for a second opinion. The second company told me that I could replace the unit on the roof and leave the interior that also needed work for another 5-10 years. I still had to come up with $1900 to get it running again, but it is still working really well and now with awesome, powerful and reasonably inexpensive portable room to room units, I am not sure if I will even replace the interior system.

When we worry, we block information and solutions from coming to us. Another important thing to remember when the worry habit grips us is what if the bad thing that is or could happen is actually turns out to be a beneficial thing? Many people fear things like their spouse cheats on them, they get divorced, or simply end up being alone. Yet, more often than not, when we let go of a mate that doesn’t fit with us we find being single can be wonderful also. Often people struggle with losing a mate and the details of its end, only to come to a different perspective about it. Often they end up finding someone who is so much more of an amazing match for them! Yet, how could they ever have come to the new place of happiness unless they had circumstances that made them leave the previous situation? We may fear losing our job, yet that may be the very catalyst that opens the door to a new career or job that we really love. We may fear losing our home or being forced to move, only to find that we like the new home far better, and maybe our future next mate or new best friend is living right next door!

We often get caught up trying to obsessively control events. There are times when this can be necessary and valuable. Our ego has a purpose and can be useful. Life is about making choices and taking appropriate action. Being too passive can create problems. Still, if we let go and trust that the path we are on or the seeming obstacle course that has surfaced may be part of the solution, we are on the right track to being at peace. The Universe is not stupid or against us. Believe it or not our Higher Selves are extremely wise. Events that seem to be problems are often medicine or blessings in disguise.

Worry can bring up fear around being worthy of receiving assistance. We are not cast aways, left behind in this world without help and support. We have friends, family, and other people who can support, guide, and assist us if we are open to asking for help when we experience problems. We also have unseen helpers, spirit guides, angels, nature, as well as other forces that will look out for us and help us. We can open to more of this assistance if we are willing to ask and to be open to the answers that come to us.

It can take practice to eliminate the worry habit, yet it is something we can all do. If we are willing to trust that everything that we experience, even seemingly very negative things happen for a reason, then we can realize we always learn from difficulty, because it will inevitably make us smarter and stronger. We can become more knowledgeable and wiser from those experiences. The best part is that through experience we can develop in ourselves an aversion to any conduct that can bring stress into our lives, inevitably having far less of it in our future. Often we will be able to help and assist other people precisely because of what we learned!. When we release the worry habit we can become more tuned into the reality that every problem does have a solution. If we are willing to drop this unproductive habit and learn to trust and relax, we can tune into the awareness that a solution is always on its way.

Jim Ventura 9-1-2013

Notes:

This column actually ran originally in late 2013. It’s hard to believe that was now 5 years ago! The Mad magazine reference here makes me think of the field day this magazine is having with our current political climate. As stressed as many people are about the bizarre place we find ourselves politically, love him or hate him President Trump/a former reality TV show star has been a gift for comedy and the media. When it comes to the subject of this column I have definitely gotten a lot better about shifting away from the worry habit. Can’t say that I have completely overcome the trap of getting pulled in, but far less often and shorter durations have become more of the norm for me. I am very proud of my consistent Regular Clients and their work as well in this area. I have seen some great improvements for so many of past and current Regulars! I will be talking more about the process and value of self improvement in next month’s or July’s brand new column called; “As I cultivate my own nature all else follows.” 

I posted this on Face-book last month and it is definitely worth running here as well: If you get an email from me or anyone that you know that doesn't have any added information and just a link, don't click on it. Email scammers look for people with strong online presences and copy the email or their actual name. Usually you can tell by the bizarre suffix added at the end. If it doesn't have a recognizable Internet address like yahoo, AOL, Gmail, Me, Mac, Hotmail, etc... its B.S (example: venturasag@chekit.commx) was one that a few people told me they got from “me.” Of course it wasn’t from me. I have gotten a number of them over the years from people claiming to be someone I know, including some of you! Usually its something like "you have to check this out and then just a link" Anything from me will likely be well written, have a lot of added information, that sounds like my stuff, comes from yahoo, and my blog column links themselves are through GMail/Google specifically.

The summer is arriving unfortunately (going to start to get too damn hot this month during the day) but the flip side is that so many of Arizona's “snow Birds/winter visitors” are going home. Roads become less crowded, things have a bit more of a relaxed, quieter pace. When I was a waiter and bartender in my twenties and thirties I needed the extra business and income when winter visitors were here. I don’t need that anymore, especially because in my current business of Navigational Consulting more than half of my clients are now by phone consultation. So even when my winter visitors leave they can still have sessions! Keep that in mind for all of my in office visitors who have moved away or for any other reason can’t get here in person. Phone sessions can be just as useful as in-office visits.

Wishing everyone a Happy May. Cheers, Jimmy V

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s and 90s. 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.

A projection into the future from Seth piece from Spirit Speaks magazine

“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.”

“The spiritual path - is simply the journey of living our lives. Everyone is on a spiritual path; most people just don’t know it.” Marianne Williamson

“Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” Will Rodgers

New Client Special 2018:

January 1st 2018 thru July 31st, 2018 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $85. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130. Sessions can be in-office or by phone.

“Everyone remembers according to their own self interests. Understand this and let it go.” Dick Sutphen The Spiritual Path Guidebook

Snake Oil Radio

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

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, May 3rd at 3:30 p.m. mountain time. Usually one or two Thursdays each month you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to the site and type “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.

“Who you resist you will eventually become. All resistance is fear. If after repeated opportunities, you do not cease to resist a particular race, sexual orientation, those who believe differently, or who have character traits you despise, you will have to reincarnate as one of ‘them’ so you can learn acceptance.” Dick Sutphen

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

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

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

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

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

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

All sessions/readings for 2018 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $85.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each, although no other discounts will apply).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. No added discounts apply when responding to specials though. 

Session Highlight

REALITY CHANGE SESSIONS

These session(s) are all about understanding how our personal realities are formed, and developing 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. The beliefs that block us from experiencing happiness, and success in any area of life are not hidden. Their are many methods for uncovering what is limiting us. Instructions will also be given for new methods and tools to create the present and future you truly want. I often quote famous authors who talk about this subject. Learn in a one on one session with me about how to begin to master some of these techniques. 

You can literally recreate yourself

Change your beliefs - Change your reality

Suggested session length 70-90 minutes.

If you read this far into the newsletter and caught this you can request a Reality Change Session in May 2018 for $20 off my listed rates. No additional discounts will apply at this time. Email me at VenturaSag@yahoo.com and mention this special when requesting my availability calendar. 

April 2018 Snake Oil/The Right Thing To Do

April 2018 Snake Oil 

The Right Thing To Do

I felt a sense of pride and I marveled at how active and healthy my almost sixteen year old cat was in early November of 2017. She was outside playing a game all by herself. I observed her silently from the top of my stairway without her seeing me, knowing I would interrupt her play if she caught me watching her and she would come running up to greet me. She darted from the big tree near the base of my stairway to a large rock as if she was playing a fun made up game of someone chasing her. She climbed up the tree, looking around and scooted back down and up again. She reminded me of myself when I was a little kid. I played very well with my friends but also enjoyed making up cool, imaginary games outside on the lawn or even inside my swimming pool. I let her play for a bit longer and went inside to to follow an impulse to look up a movie online that I remembered from childhood called “They Shoot Horses Don’t They.” My research on this Sydney Poitier directed film was not what I thought it was about. It was about a crazy dance contest where the contestants pushed themselves beyond the normal limits. I wasn’t sure why I needed to know this, but I know that impulses always have a purpose and I usually follow them. 

A month later my healthy cat nearly stopped eating and began to lose weight rapidly. I suspected it was the early stages of renal failure, a common thing for older cats. She also developed a “stinky butt” which I first assumed was an anal gland issue. I struggled with whether I should take her to the vet or not. Other than taking her in for all her shots more than fourteen years ago (she was already fixed when she showed up at my door when she was about a year and a half old) I had not used vet services. Other than a rough bout with feline flu two years ago she had never been sick. I thought I might lose her when she had the flu but gave her Colloidal Silver, a natural antibiotic and she thankfully recovered. I, for the most part, don’t use traditional medicine and tend to do the same with my pets. My quandary was do I take my sick almost sixteen year old cat to a vet or not? It wasn’t that I did not think they might be able to help, but the process of putting a sick old cat in a cat carrier in the car was something she was not used to. I wondered if doing this would be more traumatic than allowing nature to take its course since she was nearing her natural old age in cat years. What was the right thing to do here?

I began to see why the movie title of “They Shoot Horses Don’t They” had come to my mind a month before this. A part of me had sensed a big decision was coming my way and unfortunately it might be far more than the issue of simply taking her to the vet or not. I grew up in a family where we usually had two dogs and often a cat. I experienced the loss of pets during my childhood. We never had to decide about something so difficult. Our dogs and cats would get older, sick, and usually hide in the yard when they were close to passing. We had the trauma of finding them deceased of course but it was still a natural process. Since my cat was primarily an indoor cat, the circumstances now were different. I deliberated for a week or so and finally decided to have a mobile vet come to my home. He checked her out and said she was fairly healthy for her advanced age, she just needed soft food because she didn’t have many teeth left! I considered the pro’s and con’s of having her anal glands drained and decided on giving her pumpkin in her food to add fiber and to help her push this through naturally. 

A month later in late January things got worse. The stinky butt issue was not resolving and her behavior patterns began to change rapidly. My always immaculately clean cat was pooping and vomiting every few days in the shower. Some days she would do it right on my bed too. I had a daily routing of washing added sheets on the couch, bed, and myself when she sat in my lap. I knew that the bed messes were her way of telling me something was really, really wrong. I wasn’t mad at her in any way, but it was really rough for about two weeks. Her nearly constant diarrhea made me realize medicine or not she would pass very soon. I didn’t need a doctor to tell me she was experiencing organ failure. I did my best to make the end good for her. She got lots of tuna mixed with wet cat food and her favorite tuna-juice more often than usual. I figured I would let her die at home, but in early February she developed a terrible limp in her right leg. She could still scoot around with it and was eating, but maneuvering on the linoleum floor in the kitchen and bathroom had her sliding all over the place. From a spiritual perspective human or animal, when we have issues with our right side and legs it often means “nothing to move forward to.” My cat was all about being a jumper and climbing on things and she was losing control of this part of herself. I knew she was in pain and after a Rune pull of Hagalez (Disruption, elemental power, Hailstorm*) I knew clearly she was suffering and the “They Shoot horses” theme was now painfully crystal clear with her losing control of one of her legs. 

I worried about whether I was just “throwing away” my sick cat for a few hours. This fear was short lived. This was not what I was doing. A few days later I called the vet to make the uncomfortable decision to take her in to be euthanized. It was not a good day. I struggled but knew it was the right thing to do. The next day a very good friend helped me to take her to the vet. I spent all of the weekend with her and had very little work or other obligations perfectly orchestrated by the Universe to give me the extra time with my little buddy. The last day was a lot of crying and giving her a million kisses, petting her skinny body in my lap, and giving her some of the turkey breast she so loved. Her final treat before putting her in a cat carrier was tuna juice, something she was truly crazy about. The support of my friends was priceless. ChiChi cried in the cage as we drove to the clinic because she was scared. I also felt pangs of guilt during the process. The vet said it looked like hyperthyroidism and it might be treatable. I had a brief moment with the possibility of keeping her alive, and then the reality of how sick she was, the probability of medicine not likely working, her in diapers for her pooping issues, and the loss of her leg inevitably on its way made me be strong enough not to waver. Having to take her back to do this again in a few days or weeks would be neither good for her nor for me. I told them to proceed and give her the shot to take her from this world.

I shed quite a few years for the first few days and went through all the traditional stages of grief. One of those stages was anger at having to go through this and whether I did the “Right Thing.” I work at home and was around her a lot. This cat was a part of my life in a big way. I had her for about fourteen and a half years. She was my buddy, my kid and something; someone I loved dearly. Every morning my bacon and egg sandwich was shared with her getting a little bit of bacon. There were countless routines my dog-like loyal cat and I shared. I had many pets in my childhood that were a part of my family and loved them all. The cat I had before her was Monte, I had him for seven years and my ex originally had him for the first 8 years of his life. ChiChi was completely mine and the best pet I have ever had. The days after her death and putting away all of her things, finding her toys under the bed, triggered more sadness. A thousand pieces of a life reminding me of the loss. After about a week when the grieving began to subside a new awareness pushed through. I was lucky to have had her and gave her a great life. I felt privileged to have had this experience and time with her. I began to feel just a wonderful sense of warmth and great memories of so many fun times with my little girl. I would not taint this with grief and sadness anymore. It was time to shift my view to remembering the many, many good things.

When I left the vets office and had to walk up the stairs knowing for the first time in many years she would not be there to happily greet me my legs were heavy as I made that walk. When I got to the top of the stairs a hummingbird flew by my face just two feet away and paused for just a second. My cat was mesmerized by hummingbirds and dreamed of catching one all of her life. Hummingbirds are considered messengers from the realm of fairy. The message is joy, hope and jubilation. The totem represents loyalty, playfulness and persistence, all attributes that were aspects of my cat. This hummingbird was telling me something. I had done the right thing. Not the easy thing but the right thing. My little girl’s spirit was released from her pain and free again like a hummingbird. There are so many different ways to feel and experience love, and this was not only one of those ways but a really good one. Sadness and loss are aspects of this world and never easy. We know our pets have much shorter life spans than we do. It is obvious we have to spend time teaching our pets how to behave, yet they teach us as well. They remind us that life is short and all about the gift of loyalty and unconditional love.  

Jim Ventura 3-2018

Notes:

I know so many of my readers are animal lovers and hopefully my experience and writing about my bond and this loss will help express the feelings that so many of my readers have as well with their pets. I have been approached by a number of people about taking their cat, or kittens, and whether I am looking to get another cat. At this time I am looking at the “Change, freedom, invention and liberation” aspects of the Rune (read the full Rune interpretation below) that is the flip side of this loss. I have been taking care of someone or a pet in one form or another for most of my life, something I enjoy and have honed some real skills in and will very likely do again. But, it feels like I need to be free to travel more and remain unencumbered for a bit. This is a period of time that I want to feel out for awhile now for a number of reasons. I will know if/when it is the right time and will act accordingly when the pull comes again for another pet/roommate.

The outpouring of thoughtful support especially from friends on FaceBook was amazing. On the flip side, I had a few bizarre encounters when I went through the loss challenge. Partly because people are sometimes just insensitive weirdos, and also because I had some pockets of anger and I think I drew a few battles to myself... One was with a long time semi-Regular who began a passive aggressive, and strange self deprecation battle with me the weekend of the loss of my cat because I didn’t email him back fast enough about booking a session. I responded kindly but assertively on it and explained what I was going through. He responded with no compassion and in a very childish way. This from a 69 year old man! I also received an email message from a woman I did a session with less than a year ago who even sent referrals my way. Hers was “If you send me this newsletter again I will spam block you.” Another delightful communication from a 53 year old woman. I verbally punched back and then quickly caught that I was getting pulled into someone’s bizarre drama, and just deleted her with no more response. I try to be selective with who gets or doesn’t get my monthly newsletter, but yahoo sometimes just adds people to my mailing list when they email me. It states in every monthly newsletter right at the top to simply type “unsubscribe” and I will remove you permanently without question. Please do so if you prefer not to get this monthly Snake Oil Column anymore. I realize some people simply have “no taste” lol   Or, more likely for whatever unique reasons some people may prefer not to get this. I do not take this personally and don’t really care why and need no explanation. I actually prefer getting rid of “dead weight.” I work very hard as a writer on these columns and communications and prefer they only go to people who appreciate them. I am working to add a (SO) next to all of my mailing list names to avoid sending to people who don’t want it, but this is a lot of work to go through with 1700 different names on my mailing list!

While I am not running any specials this month, I have extended my new client discount special until the summer. In addition all clients currently receiving this monthly column get $5 off listed rates. Local in-office clients can take an additional $5 discount for 45-90 minute sessions for cash or check payments. Ask me for information about my Regular Client Program with much bigger discounts. If you are a Regular who has gone more than 5 months without a session, and not responded to my monthly or quarterly emails about booking your next session, you are no longer a Regular client in the program and I will no longer send out the schedule. You can absolutely feel free to schedule sessions randomly, but Regular Client discounts and other benefits no longer apply. 

Wishing everyone a Happy Spring! Jimmy V

Here is the full passage of the Rune I pulled the weekend before I made my decision. Not an easy Rune but very insightful and helpful!:

Hagalaz

Disruption Elemental Power Hail

“Change, freedom, invention and liberation are all attributes of this Rune. Drawing it indicates a pressing need within the psyche to break free from constricting identification with material reality and to experience the world of archetypal mind.

The Rune of elemental disruption, of events that seem to be totally beyond your control, Hagalaz has only an upright position, and yet it always operates through reversal. When you draw this Rune, expect disruption, for it is the Great Awakener, although the form the awakening takes may vary. Perhaps you will experience a gradual feeling of coming to your senses, as though you are emerging from a deep sleep. Then again, the onset of power may be such as to rip away the fabric of what you previously knew as your reality, your security, your understanding of yourself, your work, your relationships or beliefs.

Disruption takes many forms: a relationship fails, plans go awry, a source of supply dries up. But do not be dismayed. Whether you created the disruption, or whether it comes from an outside source, you are not without power in this situation. Your inner strength-the will you have funded until now in your life-provides support and guidance at a time when everything you’ve taken for granted is being challenged.

Another of the Cycle Runes, the term ‘radical discontinuity’ best describes the action of Hagalaz at its most forceful. The more severe the disruption in your life, the more significant and timely the requirements for your growth. The universe and your own soul are demanding, that you do, indeed, grow.”

“Don’t cry because it’s over, Smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us.” Hellen Keller

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s and 90s. 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. 

From Conversations with Seth by Sue Watkins: (Seth -channeled by Jane Roberts, Seth talk to his students about the nature of accidents)

“If you cut your finger, it is no accident. If you stub your toe, it is no accident. If you come down with the flu, or with a virus, it is no accident. If you have a chronic physical difficulty, it is no accident. If you are creative, it is no accident. If you get good news, it is no accident. If lovely things happen to you, it is no accident.

You form your reality, and this applies all the way down the scale, from your consciousness that you think of, to the tiniest molecule in your eye!...”

Seth reiterated his words on ‘accidents’ as class discussed a flood in East Pakistan, in which thousands had died.

“In nature, there are no accidents, he began. If you accept the possibility of the slightest, smallest, most insignificant accident, then indeed you open a Pandora’s Box, for logically, there cannot be simply one small accident, but a universe in which accidents are not the exception but the rule. A universe in which, therefore, following logically, your consciousness is a combination of an accidental conglomeration of atoms and molecules without reason or cause that will vanish into nonexistence forever even as, indeed, they would have come from nonexistence.

Once you accept, you see, that idea, then if you follow your thought completely enough, you must accept the idea of a random accidental universe, in which you are at the mercy of any accident, in which mind or purpose have little meaning, in which you are at the mercy of all random happenings, in which 300,000 human beings can be swept off the face of the planet without reason, without cause, simply at the whim of an accidental happening.

And if that universe in which you believe that you live in, then it is a dire and foreboding universe, indeed, Seth continued, his voice ponderously loud. In that universe, the individual has little hope, for he will return to the nonexistence that his random physical creation came from. Following that line of thought, then, if you follow this through, a group of atoms and molecules were accidentally sparked into consciousness and song and then will return to the chaos from which they came; and the individual has no control over his destiny, for it can be swept aside at any point by random fate, over which he has no recourse.

All of this can be related to ordinary life. Whenever you think that you have a headache, simply because you have a headache; or you bump into a door simply because you happen to be in a particular place at a particular time; whenever you feel powerless, then you think that accidents happen and that you have no control over them. The only answer is to realize that you form physical events, individually and en masse. And as I have said time and time gain, you form the physical reality that you know...”

New Client Special 2017:

January 1st 2018 thru July 31st, 2018 Special: New Client introductory offer
$10-15 off listed rates for your first 45 minute session, 70, or 90 minute session! Ask for the special when you email Venturasag@yahoo.com to book. Debit and credit card payments get $10 off for 45-90 minute sessions. Local in-office clients can get an extra $5 off for cash or check payments for sessions. If you want to buy a new client a thoughtful gift of a session you can also take advantage of these rates!

My current rates (new clients can subtract the above discounts from these rates): 45 minute sessions $85. 70 minute sessions $110. 90 minute sessions $130. Sessions can be in-office or by phone.

“The purity of a person’s heart can be quickly measured by how they regard animals.” Anonymous

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France

Snake Oil Radio

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

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, April 5th at 3:30 p.m. mountain time. Usually one or two Thursdays each month you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to the site and type “Snake Oil” into the search option. You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.

Jim gets a professional facial

I found a gem of a place here in Phoenix (actually Gilbert) and had a really good facial a few weeks ago. A friend told me that my skin looked a little blotchy on one of my appearances on television recently. She was right, I noticed it too! She suggested a Place called BombChelle Studio and a session with an Esthetician Michelle Campbell. The place is in the heart of Gilbert, in an incredibly cute little cottage, and was easy to find. The prices are very reasonable. I was very happy with the session. It was comfortable and she did a really great job, highly recommended! She has a number of other services available. If you are a local or visiting you can get more information at her website: bombchellstudio.com or go to: https://m.facebook.com/www.bombchellestudio/

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” Mark Twain

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

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

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

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

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

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

All sessions/readings for 2018 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $85.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each, although no other discounts will apply).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. No added discounts apply when responding to specials though.