Lada Ray's Blog, page 83
March 15, 2014
Prediction: Crimea Independence Vote
Reblogged from Futurist Trendcast
Prediction: Crimea Independence Vote
Tomorrow, March 16, 2014, the Crimean Autonomous Republic is voting for independence from Ukraine in a republic-wide referendum.
As I have said before, my prediction is: 75%, plus/minus 5%, will vote for independence from Ukraine and for re-joining Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation. The result could be as high as 80%.
In the run-up to the referendum, the Crimean government has done something very smart: they have afforded the Tatar language the status of the third official language, along with Russian and Ukrainian – something that Ukraine had repeatedly refused to do, therefore securing the Tatar minority’s pro-Russian vote. Compare that with how #Kiev unelected authorities are acting: they have banned Russian TV channels and #Russian language as a second state language, promising the continuous forceful ukrainization of the Russian population. As a reminder: up to 70% in Ukraine consider themselves Russian regardless of their ethnicity, and nearly 90% speak Russian on a daily basis. Meanwhile, in Crimea 97% of the population is Russian-speaking.
The Crimean referendum, to which many international observers have been invited, is happening in the atmosphere of the overwhelming hysteria and threats by the US/EU/UK politicians and Western media, as well as constant attempts by Kiev and Ukrainian nazis to disrupt/sabotage it.
You can read more about this in: Ukraine Geopolitics: Why Does Merkel Disregard Opinion of Her People?
Also, my latest interview with The Plane Truth regarding Ukraine covers this issue and my various predictions.
Those who are screaming about Russia’s “invasion of Crimea,” those who are threatening Russia with sanctions, should remember this:
They were the ones who created instability in #Ukraine. It was USA’s $5bln as admitted by Assistant US Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, spent on “subverting Ukraine,” on manipulating the maidan, and on training/arming nazi thugs in western Ukraine that created this situation. Watch leaked Nuland video.
They were the ones who made it impossible for the Russian-speaking population to exist on their own land as long as it remained part of the unfriendly territory of Ukraine.
They were the ones whose intention was – and continues to be – to create the area of Middle East-like instability in Ukraine in order to destabilize #Russia, sabotaging its normal existence and development.
Read full post at FuturisTrendcast
Read my other articles about Ukraine:
Ukraine Geopolitics: Why Does Merkel Disregard Opinion of Her People?
FULL Lada Ray Interview About Ukraine and Russia With Plane Truth: The Road to Moscow Goes Through Kiev
Ukraine and Presstitutes: Will Russia Cut off the EU Gas Supply?
Ukraine Part 8: Crimea Secedes, Eyewitness from Kiev, and What is USA Really After?
Ukraine Part 7: Russia’s Geopolitics, USA’s Bluff and EU’s Big Mistake
Ukraine Part 6. Striking Geopolitical Similarities: Georgian War – Beijing2008 and Ukraine – Sochi2014
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 5: US, EU, Civil War and Bankruptcy
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 4: Nazi Coup Succeeds
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 3: Ukraine’s Future
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 2: Predictions
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 1: Analysis
March 11, 2014
FULL Lada Ray Interview About Ukraine and Russia With Plane Truth: The Road to Moscow Goes Through Kiev
Listen to my exensive new interview with the Time Monk Radio‘s show, The Plane Truth. We talk in detail about current situation in Ukraine, the future of the Crimea and the rest of Ukraine, history and cultural background of different parts of Ukraine, Russia’s geopolitics, USA and EU’s role in Ukraine. We also touch upon my far-reaching predictions concerning Russia, Ukraine, EU, USA and the Middle East.
)
You can find my geopolitical articles and predictions at my new blog futuristrendcast.wordpress.com, where I am currently writing an ongoing series of articles about present situation and prospects of Ukraine.
March 8, 2014
Best of Sochi Olympics Revisited: Opening Ceremony and Memorable Victories
First, allow me to wish a VERY HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY to all the lovely women of the world! Read my post: March 8, Happy International Women’s Day!
Also, an important announcement: Yesterday, March 7th, I was on the Time Monk Radio’s show The PLANE TRUTH. We have discussed in detail the situation in Ukraine, Russia’s role, USA/EU, geopolitics and some of my predictions. I will post the video of the interview on Lada Ray Blog, as well as YT Channel as soon as it becomes available.
BEST of SOCHI OLYMPICS REVISITED
A WELL-DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSSIAN ATHLETES ON THEIR HUGE SOCHI OLYMPICS SUCCESS!
13 Gold medals, 33 overall – 1st place! Bravo! Well done!
Let’s belatedly revisit the Sochi Olympics spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, as well as some of the best Olympic moments – in stunning images!
Sochi Olympics were the most expensive Olympics in history at $50-51 bln. In seven years, the old, quaint Soviet resort of Sochi was transformed into a huge modern athletic and tourist center. 11 international athletic venues were built from scratch, most of these so cutting-edge architecturally that they can be disassembled and taken to another city for a different event. So, I won’t be too surprised if one day I see the Sochi Faberge egg Olympic stadium in St Petersburg. ;)
Also, 40,000 new hotel rooms were built, and to top it off, the new port, new rail road station, many new roads and other infrastructure was added, plus a new high-speed railroad connecting Sochi seaside with Krasnaya Polyana, Adler and the mountains where all the mountain-based events took place during the Olympics.
The historic Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi
Stunning images of the Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Beloved Russian fairytales: magnificent Russian Troika of horses pulling the sun and the Russian culture as represented by the colorful Russian domes in the background. A revolutionary new technology was used during the opening and closing ceremonies: the floor of the Olympic stadium was transformed into a giant “3D painting” as designers call it, that changed with every new scene. It was amazing and incredibly realistic. One moment it would be a stormy sea, another, the giant 3D map of St Petersburg, and yet another, the spring melting of the ice, as seen on the picture below (click to enlarge for more detail).
Another artistic representation of the sun and light (hence enlightenment) as a beloved image of the ancient Russian folklore
Going deep into Russian heritage and history: colorful fairs, ancient Russian cultural entertainers and acrobats, cheerful samovars and beautiful Russian domes
Peter the Great, founding of St Petersburg and the Russian Empire, 18th-19th century Russian culture, Tolstoy’s War and Peace and more – all told in the unforgettable language of the Russian Ballet
Soviet days, industrialization and building of the new society
Russian Space exploration and Yury Gagarin tribute – the legendary Vostok spacecraft
Vladimir Putin declaring the Sochi Olympics officially open
The mysterious young woman on his left that everyone has been asking about is a Russian bobsled athlete. During a pre-competition run in Germany several years ago, she crashed on track, but the judge mistakenly sent the next athlete downhill. The collision sent her into a coma and she was in a hospital for over 18 months, going through multiple arduous surgeries. She’ll never be able to jump, dance or compete again, but the very miracle of her being able to walk again is a reminder that some of the biggest victories are the victories of spirit that don’t take place in the Olympic stadium. A beautiful symbolism, if you ask me.
China and Kazakhstan leaders, among many heads of state at the Sochi Olympics opening ceremony. Over 60 heads of state were present at the Sochi opening ceremony – double the number of heads of state at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Canada
Russian team entering the stadium during opening ceremony. Outfits based on traditional Russian “ushanka” hats and “dublenka” – fur-lined coats for women and men as well. Furs are artificial of course.
Women outfitted in a traditional Russian dublenka. Yummy, yummy – I so want one!
Ah, the only two teams that had the taste, common decency and courtesy to carry the host nation’s flags along with their own, during Sochi Olympics opening ceremony: China and Japan
China entering the opening ceremony
Japan entering the opening ceremony
Speaking of common decency… Loud outfits of the USA Sochi Olympics team designed by my favorite (now decidedly FORMERLY favorite) designer Ralph Lauren. Tastelessness is not my style.
The American flag and the sign carried in front of the team were apparently not enough to identify the team’s national association. LOL
*********
But let’s get back to something much more tasteful….
The brave and beautiful girl representing young, new Russia, whose name is Lyubov, a beloved Russian name which means ‘love,’ flying over the stadium and Russia
The girl called Lyubov, symbolizing young Russia, is flying over the floating islands of various cultures and regions that symbolize the diversity of the Russian land
Beautiful symbolism. New, young Russia reaching for the stars, supported by the entire country
World renowned opera singer Anna Netrebko, originally from Krasnodar region that is hosting Sochi Olympics, sings Olympic Anthem
Olympic constellations – lit up moving figures of Olympic athletes in the sky
The whole cast of the spectacular opening ceremony, symbolizing the entire Russian population throughout its whole history, greets the Olympic torch as it is being carried through the long passage towards the cauldron by legendary Olympic champions Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretiak.
Russian/Soviet sports legends – legendary, never-defeated hockey goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak & multiple Olympic and World gold medalist in figure skating, Irina Rodnina – light the Olympic Torch in Sochi.
Best of Olympic Victories
Apart from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, this was the first Olympics since 2002 I watched as a whole. In addition to the sport I always loved – figure skating, I discovered for myself the spectacular newer sports such as snowboarding, free style skiing and short track. I admire all athletes for their courage and dedication to such dangerous, yet amazing to watch, sports. Below are several of the #Sochi2014 Winter Olympic Games wins that impressed me most.
Russian 17-year-old Adelina Sotnikova wins gold in women’s figure skating
Russians win gold and silver in pairs figure skating! Russia’s Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov – first place; Russia’s Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov – second place
Russia wins team gold in figure skating
Russian athlete Victor Ahn, originally from South Korea, wins 3 golds and a bronze in short track.
Russia sweeps podium in men’s 50K cross-country ski marathon! Russia’s gold medal winner Alexander Legkov is flanked by Russia’s silver medal winner Maxim Vylegzhanin, left and Russia’s bronze medal winner Ilia Chernousov at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
At 39, Russian athlete and one of the oldest Olympians, Russia-1 pilot Alexander Zubkov wins 2 golds in 2 and 4 men bobsleigh at Sanki Sliding Center during Sochi Olympics. Zubkov was also the Russian team flag bearer.
Congratulations to Canada for winning gold in both men’s and women’s hockey
American Joss Christensen – gold in slopestyle
*********
Today, like many in the world, I am celebrating the International Women’s Day. Here you can find my original March 8 post with history and lots of nice pics.
I really wanted to mark this day with a lovely post about the Sochi Olympics, which I meant to post still during the Olympics. However, the sad and dangerous events in Ukraine, which hit too close to home for comfort, had made me delay this post.
I have written a number of articles at FuturisTrendcast.wordpress.com in which I have discussed the cultural, historical, geopolitical implications of the Ukraine events, as well as gave my predictions. These articles are written for those who see through hypocrisy and who want to know the truth. Click on link above to read.
Read part 2: Best of Sochi Olympics: Sochi Architecture & Closing Ceremony
Best of Sochi Olympics: Opening Ceremony and Memorable Victories
First, allow me to wish a VERY HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY to all the lovely women of the world! Read my post: March 8, Happy International Women’s Day!
Also, an important announcement: Yesterday, March 7th, I was on the Time Monk Radio’s show The PLANE TRUTH. We have discussed in detail the situation in Ukraine, Russia’s role, USA/EU, geopolitics and some of my predictions. I will post the video of the interview on Lada Ray Blog, as well as YT Channel as soon as it becomes available.
BEST of SOCHI OLYMPICS REVISITED
A WELL-DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSSIAN ATHLETES ON THEIR HUGE SOCHI OLYMPICS SUCCESS!
13 Gold medals, 33 overall – 1st place! Bravo! Well done!
Let’s belatedly revisit the Sochi Olympics spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, as well as some of the best Olympic moments – in stunning images!
Sochi Olympics were the most expensive Olympics in history at $50-51 bln. In seven years, the old, quaint Soviet resort of Sochi was transformed into a huge modern athletic and tourist center. 11 international athletic venues were built from scratch, most of these so cutting-edge architecturally that they can be disassembled and taken to another city for a different event. So, I won’t be too surprised if one day I see the Sochi Faberge egg Olympic stadium in St Petersburg. ;)
Also, 40,000 new hotel rooms were built, and to top it off, the new port, new rail road station, many new roads and other infrastructure was added, plus a new high-speed railroad connecting Sochi seaside with Krasnaya Polyana, Adler and the mountains where all the mountain-based events took place during the Olympics.
The historic Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi
Stunning images of the Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Beloved Russian fairytales: magnificent Russian Troika of horses pulling the sun and the Russian culture as represented by the colorful Russian domes in the background. A revolutionary new technology was used during the opening and closing ceremonies: the floor of the Olympic stadium was transformed into a giant “3D painting” as designers call it, that changed with every new scene. It was amazing and incredibly realistic. One moment it would be a stormy sea, another, the giant 3D map of St Petersburg, and yet another, the spring melting of the ice, as seen on the picture below (click to enlarge for more detail).
Another artistic representation of the sun and light (hence enlightenment) as a beloved image of the ancient Russian folklore
Going deep into Russian heritage and history: colorful fairs, ancient Russian cultural entertainers and acrobats, cheerful samovars and beautiful Russian domes
Peter the Great, founding of St Petersburg and the Russian Empire, 18th-19th century Russian culture, Tolstoy’s War and Peace and more – all told in the unforgettable language of the Russian Ballet
Soviet days, industrialization and building of the new society
Russian Space exploration and Yury Gagarin tribute – the legendary Vostok spacecraft
Vladimir Putin declaring the Sochi Olympics officially open
The mysterious young woman on his left that everyone has been asking about is a Russian bobsled athlete. During a pre-competition run in Germany several years ago, she crashed on track, but the judge mistakenly sent the next athlete downhill. The collision sent her into a coma and she was in a hospital for over 18 months, going through multiple arduous surgeries. She’ll never be able to jump, dance or compete again, but the very miracle of her being able to walk again is a reminder that some of the biggest victories are the victories of spirit that don’t take place in the Olympic stadium. A beautiful symbolism, if you ask me.
China and Kazakhstan leaders, among many heads of state at the Sochi Olympics opening ceremony. Over 60 heads of state were present at the Sochi opening ceremony – double the number of heads of state at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Canada
Russian team entering the stadium during opening ceremony. Outfits based on traditional Russian “ushanka” hats and “dublenka” – fur-lined coats for women and men as well. Furs are artificial of course.
Women outfitted in a traditional Russian dublenka. Yummy, yummy – I so want one!
Ah, the only two teams that had the taste, common decency and courtesy to carry the host nation’s flags along with their own, during Sochi Olympics opening ceremony: China and Japan
China entering the opening ceremony
Japan entering the opening ceremony
Speaking of common decency… Loud outfits of the USA Sochi Olympics team designed by my favorite (now decidedly FORMERLY favorite) designer Ralph Lauren. Tastelessness is not my style.
The American flag and the sign carried in front of the team were apparently not enough to identify the team’s national association. LOL
*********
But let’s get back to something much more tasteful….
The brave and beautiful girl representing young, new Russia, whose name is Lyubov, a beloved Russian name which means ‘love,’ flying over the stadium and Russia
The girl called Lyubov, symbolizing young Russia, is flying over the floating islands of various cultures and regions that symbolize the diversity of the Russian land
Beautiful symbolism. New, young Russia reaching for the stars, supported by the entire country
World renowned opera singer Anna Netrebko, originally from Krasnodar region that is hosting Sochi Olympics, sings Olympic Anthem
Olympic constellations – lit up moving figures of Olympic athletes in the sky
The whole cast of the spectacular opening ceremony, symbolizing the entire Russian population throughout its whole history, greets the Olympic torch as it is being carried through the long passage towards the cauldron by legendary Olympic champions Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretiak.
Russian/Soviet sports legends – legendary, never-defeated hockey goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak & multiple Olympic and World gold medalist in figure skating, Irina Rodnina – light the Olympic Torch in Sochi.
Best of Olympic Victories
Apart from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, this was the first Olympics since 2002 I watched as a whole. In addition to the sport I always loved – figure skating, I discovered for myself the spectacular newer sports such as snowboarding, free style skiing and short track. I admire all athletes for their courage and dedication to such dangerous, yet amazing to watch, sports. Below are several of the #Sochi2014 Winter Olympic Games wins that impressed me most.
Russian 17-year-old Adelina Sotnikova wins gold in women’s figure skating
Russians win gold and silver in pairs figure skating! Russia’s Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov – first place; Russia’s Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov – second place
Russia wins team gold in figure skating
Russian athlete Victor Ahn, originally from South Korea, wins 3 golds and a bronze in short track.
Russia sweeps podium in men’s 50K cross-country ski marathon! Russia’s gold medal winner Alexander Legkov is flanked by Russia’s silver medal winner Maxim Vylegzhanin, left and Russia’s bronze medal winner Ilia Chernousov at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
At 39, Russian athlete and one of the oldest Olympians, Russia-1 pilot Alexander Zubkov wins 2 golds in 2 and 4 men bobsleigh at Sanki Sliding Center during Sochi Olympics. Zubkov was also the Russian team flag bearer.
Congratulations to Canada for winning gold in both men’s and women’s hockey
American Joss Christensen – gold in slopestyle
*********
Today, like many in the world, I am celebrating the International Women’s Day. Here you can find my original March 8 post with history and lots of nice pics.
I really wanted to mark this day with a lovely post about the Sochi Olympics, which I meant to post still during the Olympics. However, the sad and dangerous events in Ukraine, which hit too close to home for comfort, had made me delay this post.
I have written a number of articles at FuturisTrendcast.wordpress.com in which I have discussed the cultural, historical, geopolitical implications of the Ukraine events, as well as gave my predictions. These articles are written for those who see through hypocrisy and who want to know the truth. Click on link above to read.
Read part 2: Best of Sochi Olympics: Sochi Architecture & Closing Ceremony
Best of Sochi Olympics Revisited 1: Opening Ceremony and Memorable Victories
First, allow me to wish a VERY HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY to all the lovely women of the world! Read my post: March 8, Happy International Women’s Day!
Also, an important announcement: Yesterday, March 7th, I was on the Time Monk Radio’s show The PLANE TRUTH. We have discussed in detail the situation in Ukraine, Russia’s role, USA/EU, geopolitics and some of my predictions. I will post the video of the interview on Lada Ray Blog, as well as YT Channel as soon as it becomes available.
BEST of SOCHI OLYMPICS REVISITED
A WELL-DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSSIAN ATHLETES ON THEIR HUGE SOCHI OLYMPICS SUCCESS!
13 Gold medals, 33 overall – 1st place! Bravo! Well done!
Let’s belatedly revisit the Sochi Olympics spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, as well as some of the best Olympic moments – in stunning images!
Sochi Olympics were the most expensive Olympics in history at $50-51 bln. In seven years, the old, quaint Soviet resort of Sochi was transformed into a huge modern athletic and tourist center. 11 international athletic venues were built from scratch, most of these so cutting-edge architecturally that they can be disassembled and taken to another city for a different event. So, I won’t be too surprised if one day I see the Sochi Faberge egg Olympic stadium in St Petersburg. 
Also, 40,000 new hotel rooms were built, and to top it off, the new port, new rail road station, many new roads and other infrastructure was added, plus a new high-speed railroad connecting Sochi seaside with Krasnaya Polyana, Adler and the mountains where all the mountain-based events took place during the Olympics.
The historic Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi
Stunning images of the Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Beloved Russian fairytales: magnificent Russian Troika of horses pulling the sun and the Russian culture as represented by the colorful Russian domes in the background. A revolutionary new technology was used during the opening and closing ceremonies: the floor of the Olympic stadium was transformed into a giant “3D painting” as designers call it, that changed with every new scene. It was amazing and incredibly realistic. One moment it would be a stormy sea, another, the giant 3D map of St Petersburg, and yet another, the spring melting of the ice, as seen on the picture below (click to enlarge for more detail).
Another artistic representation of the sun and light (hence enlightenment) as a beloved image of the ancient Russian folklore
Going deep into Russian heritage and history: colorful fairs, ancient Russian cultural entertainers and acrobats, cheerful samovars and beautiful Russian domes
Peter the Great, founding of St Petersburg and the Russian Empire, 18th-19th century Russian culture, Tolstoy’s War and Peace and more – all told in the unforgettable language of the Russian Ballet
Soviet days, industrialization and building of the new society
Russian Space exploration and Yury Gagarin tribute – the legendary Vostok spacecraft
Vladimir Putin declaring the Sochi Olympics officially open
The mysterious young woman on his left that everyone has been asking about is a Russian bobsled athlete. During a pre-competition run in Germany several years ago, she crashed on track, but the judge mistakenly sent the next athlete downhill. The collision sent her into a coma and she was in a hospital for over 18 months, going through multiple arduous surgeries. She’ll never be able to jump, dance or compete again, but the very miracle of her being able to walk again is a reminder that some of the biggest victories are the victories of spirit that don’t take place in the Olympic stadium. A beautiful symbolism, if you ask me.
China and Kazakhstan leaders, among many heads of state at the Sochi Olympics opening ceremony. Over 60 heads of state were present at the Sochi opening ceremony – double the number of heads of state at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Canada
Russian team entering the stadium during opening ceremony. Outfits based on traditional Russian “ushanka” hats and “dublenka” – fur-lined coats for women and men as well. Furs are artificial of course.
Women outfitted in a traditional Russian dublenka. Yummy, yummy – I so want one!
Ah, the only two teams that had the taste, common decency and courtesy to carry the host nation’s flags along with their own, during Sochi Olympics opening ceremony: China and Japan
China entering the opening ceremony
Japan entering the opening ceremony
Speaking of common decency… Loud outfits of the USA Sochi Olympics team designed by my favorite (now decidedly FORMERLY favorite) designer Ralph Lauren. Tastelessness is not my style.
The American flag and the sign carried in front of the team were apparently not enough to identify the team’s national association. LOL
*********
But let’s get back to something much more tasteful….
The brave and beautiful girl representing young, new Russia, whose name is Lyubov, a beloved Russian name which means ‘love,’ flying over the stadium and Russia
The girl called Lyubov, symbolizing young Russia, is flying over the floating islands of various cultures and regions that symbolize the diversity of the Russian land
Beautiful symbolism. New, young Russia reaching for the stars, supported by the entire country
World renowned opera singer Anna Netrebko, originally from Krasnodar region that is hosting Sochi Olympics, sings Olympic Anthem
Olympic constellations – lit up moving figures of Olympic athletes in the sky
The whole cast of the spectacular opening ceremony, symbolizing the entire Russian population throughout its whole history, greets the Olympic torch as it is being carried through the long passage towards the cauldron by legendary Olympic champions Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretiak.
Russian/Soviet sports legends – legendary, never-defeated hockey goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak & multiple Olympic and World gold medalist in figure skating, Irina Rodnina – light the Olympic Torch in Sochi.
Best of Olympic Victories
Apart from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, this was the first Olympics since 2002 I watched as a whole. In addition to the sport I always loved – figure skating, I discovered for myself the spectacular newer sports such as snowboarding, free style skiing and short track. I admire all athletes for their courage and dedication to such dangerous, yet amazing to watch, sports. Below are several of the #Sochi2014 Winter Olympic Games wins that impressed me most.
Russian 17-year-old Adelina Sotnikova wins gold in women’s figure skating
Russians win gold and silver in pairs figure skating! Russia’s Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov – first place; Russia’s Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov – second place
Russia wins team gold in figure skating
Russian athlete Victor Ahn, originally from South Korea, wins 3 golds and a bronze in short track.
Russia sweeps podium in men’s 50K cross-country ski marathon! Russia’s gold medal winner Alexander Legkov is flanked by Russia’s silver medal winner Maxim Vylegzhanin, left and Russia’s bronze medal winner Ilia Chernousov at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
At 39, Russian athlete and one of the oldest Olympians, Russia-1 pilot Alexander Zubkov wins 2 golds in 2 and 4 men bobsleigh at Sanki Sliding Center during Sochi Olympics. Zubkov was also the Russian team flag bearer.
Congratulations to Canada for winning gold in both men’s and women’s hockey
American Joss Christensen – gold in slopestyle
*********
Today, like many in the world, I am celebrating the International Women’s Day. Here you can find my original March 8 post with history and lots of nice pics.
I really wanted to mark this day with a lovely post about the Sochi Olympics, which I meant to post still during the Olympics. However, the sad and dangerous events in Ukraine, which hit too close to home for comfort, had made me delay this post.
I have written a number of articles at FuturisTrendcast.wordpress.com in which I have discussed the cultural, historical, geopolitical implications of the Ukraine events, as well as gave my predictions. These articles are written for those who see through hypocrisy and who want to know the truth. Click on link above to read.
Part 2 of the Best of Sochi Olympics Revisited: Closing Ceremony is coming soon!
Best of Sochi Olympics Revisited 1: Opening Cermony and Memorable Victories
First, allow me to wish a VERY HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY to all the lovely women of the world! Read my post: March 8, Happy International Women’s Day!
Also, an important announcement: Yesterday, March 7th, I was on the Time Monk Radio’s show PLANE TRUTH. We have discussed in detail the situation in Ukraine, Russia’s role, USA/EU, geopolitics and some of my predictions. I will post the video of the interview on Lada Ray Blog, as well as YT Channel as soon as it becomes available.
BEST of SOCHI OLYMPICS REVISITED
A WELL-DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSSIAN ATHLETES ON THEIR HUGE SOCHI OLYMPICS SUCCESS!
13 Gold medals, 33 overall – 1st place! Bravo! Well done!
Let’s belatedly revisit the Sochi Olympics spectacular opening and closing ceremonies, as well as some of the spectacular victories, in stunning images!
Sochi Olympics were the most expensive Olympics in history at $50-51 bln. In seven years, the old, quaint Soviet resort of Sochi was transformed into a huge modern athletic and tourist center. 11 international athletic venues were built from scratch, most of these so advanced architecturally that they can be disassembled and taken to another city for a different event. So, I won’t be too surprised if one day I see the Sochi Faberge egg Olympic stadium in St Petersburg.
Also, 40,000 new hotel rooms were built, and to top it off, the new port, new rail road station, many new roads and other infrastructure was added, plus a new high-speed railroad connecting Sochi seaside with Krasnaya Polyana, Adler and the mountains where all the mountain-based events took place during the Olympics.
The historic Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi
Stunning images of the Sochi Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Beloved Russian fairytales: magnificent Russian Troika of horses pulling the sun and the Russian culture as represented by the colorful Russian domes in the background. A revolutionary new technology as used during the opening and closing ceremonies: the floor of the Olympic stadium was transformed into a giant “3D painting” as designers call it, that changed with every scene. It was amazing and incredibly realistic. One moment it would be a stormy sea, another, the giant 3D map of St Petersburg, and yet another, the ice melting, as seen on the picture below (click to enlarge for more detail).
Another artistic representation of the sun and light (hence enlightenment) as a beloved image of ancient Russian folklore
Going deep into Russian heritage and history: colorful fairs, ancient Russian cultural entertainers, and beautiful Russian domes
Peter the Great, founding of St Petersburg and the Russian Empire, 18th-19th century Russian culture, Russian ballet, Tolstoy’s War and Peace and more
Soviet days, industrialization and building of the new society
Russian Space exploration and Yury Gagarin tribute – the legendary Vostok spacecraft
Vladimir Putin declaring the Sochi Olympics officially open
The mysterious young woman on his left that everyone has been asking about is a Russian bobsled athlete. During a pre-competition run in Germany several years ago, she crashed on track, but the judge mistakenly sent the next athlete downhill. The collision sent her into a coma and she was in a hospital for over 18 months, going through multiple arduous surgeries. She’ll never be able to jump, dance or compete again, but the very fact that she is walking is a reminder that some of the biggest victories are the victories of spirit that don’t take place in the Olympic stadium. A beautiful symbolism, if you ask me.
China and Kazakhstan leaders, among many heads of state at the Sochi Olympics opening ceremony. Over 60 heads of state were present at the Sochi opening ceremony – double the number of heads of state at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Canada
Russian team entering the stadium during opening ceremony. Outfits based on traditional Russian “ushanka” Russian hats and “dublenka” fur coats for women and men as well. Furs are artificial of course.
Women outfitted in a traditional Russian dublenka. Yummy, yummy – I so want one!
Ah, the only two teams that had the taste, common decency and courtesy to carry the host nation’s flags along with their own, during Sochi Olympics opening ceremony: China and Japan
China entering the opening ceremony
Japan entering the opening ceremony
Speaking of common decency… Loud outfits of the USA Sochi Olympics team designed by my favorite (now decidedly FORMERLY favorite) designer Ralph Lauren. Tastelessness is not my style.
The American flag and the sign carried in front of the team were apparently not enough to identify the team’s national association. LOL
*********
But let’s get back to something much more tasteful….
The brave and beautiful girl representing young, new Russia, whose name is Lyubov, a beloved Russian name which means ‘love,’ flying over the stadium and Russia
The girl called Lyubov, symbolizing young Russia, is flying over the floating islands of various cultures that symbolize the diversity of the Russian land
Beautiful symbolism. New, young Russia reaching for the sky, supported by the entire country
World renowned opera singer Anna Netrebko, originally from Krasnodar region that is hosting Sochi Olympics, sings Olympic Anthem
Olympic constellations – lit up moving figures of Olympic athletes in the sky
The whole cast of the spectacular opening ceremony, symbolizing entire Russian population throughout its whole history, greets the Olympic torch as it is being carried through the long passage towards the cauldron by legendary Olympic champions Irina Rodnina and Vladislav Tretiak.
Russian/Soviet sports legends – legendary, never-defeated hockey goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak & multiple Olympic and World gold medalist in figure skating, Irina Rodnina – light the Olympic Torch in Sochi.
Best of Olympic Victories
Apart from the Beijing Olympics in 2008, this was the first Olympics since 2002 I watched as a whole. In addition to the sport I always loved – figure skating, I discovered for myself the spectacular newer sports such as snowboarding, free style skiing and short track. I admire all athletes for their courage and dedication to such dangerous, yet amazing to watch, sports. Below are several of the #Sochi2014 Winter Olympic Games wins that impressed me most.
Russian 17-year-old Adelina Sotnikova wins gold in women’s figure skating
Russians win gold and silver in pairs figure skating! Russia’s Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov – first place; Russia’s Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov – second place
Russia wins team gold in figure skating
Russian athlete Victor Ahn, originally from South Korea, wins 3 golds and a bronze in short track.
Russia sweeps podium in men’s 50K cross-country race! Russia’s gold medal winner Alexander Legkov is flanked by Russia’s silver medal winner Maxim Vylegzhanin, left and Russia’s bronze medal winner Ilia Chernousov at the 2014 Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
At 39, Russian athlete and one of the oldest Olympians, Russia-1 pilot Alexander Zubkov wins 2 golds in 2 and 4 men bobsleigh at Sanki Sliding Center during Sochi Olympics. Zubkov was also the Russian team flag bearer.
Congratulations to Canada for winning gold in both men’s and women’s hockey
American Joss Christensen – gold in slopestyle
*********
Today, like many in the world, I am celebrating the International Women’s Day. Here you can find my original March 8 post with history and lots of nice pics.
I really wanted to mark this day with a lovely post about the Sochi Olympics, which I meant to post still during the Olympics. However, the sad and dangerous events in Ukraine, which hit too close to home for comfort, had made me delay this post.
I have written a number of articles at FuturisTrendcast.wordpress.com in which I have discussed the cultural, historical, geopolitical implications of the Ukraine events, as well as gave my predictions. These articles are written for those who see through hypocrisy and who want to know the truth. Click on link above to read.
Part 2 of the Best of Sochi Olympics Revisited: Closing Ceremony is coming soon!
February 25, 2014
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? And Why Should We Care?
The #Sochi2014 Olympics are over and what an amazing show it was! I enjoyed it tremendously and I hope you did as well! I was preparing a 3 part series on the #SochiOlympics, however, the ugly and sad events in Ukraine stole the spotlight and attention from the beautiful and exciting event that was the Olympics.
That wasn’t an accident. The spotlight was stolen on purpose…
As I was trying to write my new post about the Sochi Olympics, my thoughts kept drifting back to Ukraine. They were very unhappy thoughts. You see, I was born to a Russian father and Ukrainian mother, and I spent most of my childhood in Odessa, which is now a part of Ukraine. When I was young, I spent my summer vacations exploring picturesque Ukrainian towns and villages. I’d wander about north Ukrainian woods and wild flower meadows, chernozem agricultural fields with soils considered some of the best in the world, along Black Sea beaches and hidden river paths, as well as mystical Carpathian Mountains located in western Ukraine. I have such peaceful and gentle memories of that place that it’s hard to imagine what it has now turned into…
As I wrote, I couldn’t concentrate; my mood was poisoned. So, finally, I set aside my post about the Sochi Olympics, and began writing educational and analytical articles about Ukraine. My main goal and desire was to educate, cut through lies, shed the light, and help people understand the TRUTH of what is really happening in Ukraine.
I realize that there is too much propaganda and many have been simply duped or brainwashed into thinking that white is black and black is white. It’s a formidable task, and there are many others like myself who work very hard, trying to help people understand.
If you seek the truth and if you despise hypocrisy, I hope my articles will clarify a lot and shed a Ray of light in the midst of the Western media darkness. In the past 3 days I wrote 4 articles explaining everything, and more are coming, as the situation in Ukraine needs more clarification and as it changes extremely quickly.
My posts re. Sochi Olympics are coming in a few days, as soon as I get the chance to sit down and finish them. I am planning to revisit the opening ceremony, the best of Sochi Olympics and the closing ceremony. As always, count on the exciting extravaganza of Russian history, culture, entertainment, music and lots of awesome, awesome photos!!!
As a separate note: A WELL-DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RUSSIAN ATHLETES ON THEIR HUGE SOCHI OLYMPICS SUCCESS! 13 Gold medals, 33 overall – 1st place! Bravo! Well done!
********
However today, I ask you to read my articles about #UkraineCrisis. It is very important even if you don’t care, even if you think that you are far away and safe from something like this. Why? Because our leaders here in the USA and EU are pushing the world to #WorldWarIII (#WWIII). My readers know that I don’t say things like that lightly, and that I highly prefer to stay positive at all times. If I say this, there must be a very good reason.
The more people know about what’s going on in Ukraine, the more awareness we can spread, the harder it will be for them to keep pushing us in this deadly direction! My articles on world trends, geopolitics and economy usually post at FuturisTrendcast Blog – our past, present and future beyond the obvious. Please read, follow, like, share!
Read my articles about events in Ukraine:
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 1: Analysis
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 2: Predictions
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 3: Ukraine’s Future
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 4: Nazi Coup Succeeds
What is Really Happening in Ukraine? Part 5: US, EU, Civil War and Brankruptcy
Each article highlights different facets and different points of the situation in Ukraine. Each also presents the concise historical, cultural, humanitarian, emotional and geopolitical underpinnings for what is happening. For those who are interested in further study, I have provided a wealth of links, supporting videos and references at the bottom of each post.
All articles are different, so it is advisable to read them all. Those who want to cut to the chase first, may start with Part 4. I am presently writing Part 5, which will analyse what US is doing in Ukraine, what their real goal is and where their stupidity – or design? – is leading the world. But you already knew the answer to this one, didn’t you? I will post links to my new articles in this post as they come up. So, please check back here, or directly on FuturisTrendcast.wordpress.com.
Thank you!
Lada Ray
February 23, 2014
Aloha!
Love this new post by the spiritual blogger Maddie Walsh at @1_Earth_United. The deeper meaning of Aloha!
Originally posted on 1EarthUnited:
Aloha
in the
Hawaiian language
means
affection
February 13, 2014
Practical Feng Shui: Mouth of Chi and the Auspicious Front Door
As we are winding down the 15 days of the New Chinese Year of the Wood Horse celebrations, I wanted to talk about one of the important subjects: the importance of good Feng Shui for your front door.
Traditional Chinese red door with lion, or Pi Yao, protector knockers.
According to Feng Shui, the front door is the “mouth” of your house. It is through here that the energy – CHI – is breathed in and enters your dwelling. Speaking in the ancient Chinese terms, chi is picky so to speak, and the more attractive your front door is, the more of a chance good chi will pick your door for entry. Akin to how we always try to keep our lips well-mosturized and in good shape – women go as far as using bright lipstick to highlight the attractiveness of their mouth – you want to keep your front door clean, in excellent shape and looking as good as possible.
Traditional Chinese doors are bright red, like the red lipstick women had used for ages to highlight their lips. Nowadays, women use more subtle, and perhaps more tasteful colors to emphisize their lips. I personally love red doors, but you don’t have to. One of the best ways to harmonize your front door is to have its color go with the ELEMENT of the sector of your house where the door is located. For instance, if the door is in the north – make it blue or black, to go with the color of water, the ruling element of the north.
So my point is, there are many ways to emphasize and harmonize your front door. But as with anything, balance is key. After all, Feng Shui is the discipline of ultimate harmony and balance. You don’t want your front door to scream: “Pick me!” But of course, you don’t want your door to be invisible to the benevolent chi either.
We have recently moved to our new house. It is an old town Victorian, which are abundant in Upstate NY, and while the house has been renovated and kept in very good condition, we are still in the process of re-energizing and re-modeling it to reflect our presonalities and taste, as well as Feng Shui-ing it to my specifications.
One of the dilemmas we had was with our front door. The previous owner had been using exclusively the back door for years, ever since they lost the keys to their antique front door lock. As custom replacement keys would have been too expensive, they just stopped using the door. Well, it really is NOT a good idea to abandon the usage of your front door – it’s akin to neglecting your lips and mouth. What would happen if you did that? If you use your back door a lot, it is still important to at least once in a while use your front door as well.
Our original massive wood door is thick and solid and, after having researched doors available on the market, we have decided to keep it. The doors available for sale presently are NOT nearly as thick and solid, plus most of them are artificial. Our door is stained wood, which harmonizes very well with the eastern (wood) sector where it’s located, as well as its facing direction.
It is also better to have a door that is solid, without windows. It adds both implied and real protection to the house.
However, with its heavy, dark, antique bronze, non-functioning lock, our dark wooden door looked, well… too dark. We decided not to keep the original antique lock as it failed to add to the door. We needed a slick, shiny brass lock, which would provide a focal point,as well as refresh and brighten up the corner. Also, it was a great idea to contemporize the door a bit, as too much of an antique feel normally weighs down on chi.
Our door after we took out the old lock. I love this photo, which for some reason reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia – it’s like peeking into another dimension:
New lock from the outside:
Front door from the inside. Notice how much the lock brightens up the door. The color of the old lock looked like the electric switch to the left of the door and blended with the door too much.
I am pretty happy with the result. What’s left is to re-stain the door when the weather gets warmer, as right now Upstate is coverd with snow.
Snow, snow, snow from our front porch:
In addition to the front door proper, you want to take good care of the area just outside your door. Protecting your front door with a covered porch, or at least a canopy, is a very good idea, both for practical reasons (as in, it’s easier to fumble for the key when you are not rained or snowed on), and for Feng Shui reasons.
In Upstate, practically all houses have covered front porches, and oftentimes covered back porches as well, since rain and snow here are in abundance. Front porch is also so great to help the chi expand and settle before your front door! And how nice it is to sit on your porch in the summer, sipping tea and chatting with friends…
Our front porch in winter, with snowed in chairs and rugs. Notice our red cardinal flag? In addition to birds generally being excellent Feng Shui, colorful flags upfront are great for attracting chi to your front door. Feng Shui tip: you always want to hang your flag on the left of the door, so the left – dragon side – would dominate over right – tiger side.
This porch is work in progress of course, as in the summer we’ll paint it more interesting colors and add new cool elements.
So, on one hand, you want your entrance to stand out, so benevolent chi could find it and be “interested” in entering your abode; on another hand, you want to protect your entrance from undesirable, or harmful, chi, including incremental weather, as well as excessive activity, to name a few. Of course, for the heavy duty protection even against things like burglary, we use door guardians. The best ones are FU DOGS. We also use lion/ fu dog door knockers.
This antique Chinese door is a good illustration of my points. Notice pretty cinnabar red color, beautiful artwork, red lanters on both sides to raise chi, a canopy, lion knockers, and fu dogs on both sides of the door. Pretty cool!
It is also good to have some steps leading to your front entrance, as being elevated above street level is always good Feng Shui.
My completely snowed in front steps with 2 landings, leading to the porch. Two landings are a lot of climbing, but it’s great from the Feng Shui pespective as it allows the benevolent chi to slow down and meander, which makes the chi even more benevolent (plus, a bit of excersize never hurts, lol). You never want sharp, fast chi entering your door as it creates discord and nervousness in your home.
Notice snow-covered mounds on both sides of steps on first landing? We had so much snow that my guardian fu dogs have been totally burried.
Now that we’ve thoroughly looked on the outside, let’s take a sneak peek at what constitutes good Feng Shui on the inside of the front door.
First and foremost, you want your door to look good, be uncluttered and also have a nice rug, which allows chi to settle and enter your home in style. For now, I chose this very durable red rug with a border of flowers. It brightens my front hall and introduces the element of celebration into my home. It’s auspicious to be surrounded by flowers – you can never go wrong with that.
In addition, notice these elements:
1) Pedestal lantern with rose quartz lamp on top, on the right. Light invites the chi in and the tall lantern also rises the chi. Natural rose quartz is considered one of the best crystal space energizers and harmonizers, as rose quartz is the stone of love. All this is very auspicious.
Just to mention: when I feng shui my home, I design it in such a way that many elements serve multiple purposes at the same time. I can’t mention all of this in one short article, but as an example, the rose quartz lamp here actually fulfills at least five different Feng Shui functions. These are: 1. attracting and welcoming the chi entering front door, 2. being a focal point, 3. rising chi, which lightens up the space. The next 2 are more technical: 4. supressing annual No.3 argumentative star (Flying Star Feng Shui), and 5. energizing natal No.8 Mountain Star residing in this corner (Flying Star Feng Shui), which is responsible for good relationships, popularity and health. It is also good for writers, speakers and scholars. More about Flying Star and other schools of Feng Shui on my Feng Shui page.
2) And now, back to our story! On the left, there is a cozy seating group with handcarved and pearl-encrusted Chinese rosewood chairs. This allows one to feel comfortable right from the moment you enter. Our benevolent chi simply loves that, I tell ya!
3) This is important: the entry hall is very spacious and open. Excellent Feng Shui, called “the Bright Hall.”
As everything in life, my new home is a work in progress. There is so much more I could say about the “Bright Hall” alone: for instance, the auspicious lighting and artwork, the importance and function of an altar in the entry hall, focal points, energizers, protection and more!
And we haven’t even gotten to any rooms yet! But the good news is that the intriguing art and science of Feng Shui is so vast and multifaceted that we have many potential topics of interest, which can be covered in my future posts as we continue our Feng Shui journey!
I hope you enjoyed this new Feng Shui adventure!
Stay tuned, like, comment, subscribe, if you are interested! I need your feedback!
To keep up with new posts, please follow my blog on top right. I am also re-branding my Youtube channel and in the spring I’ll start posting Feng Shui videos, among other things. Subscribe to YT Channel here.
Lada Ray,
Internationally Certified Feng Shui Master Practitioner
Copyright 2014 Lada Ray. No reproduction of any part of this post is permitted without author’s expressed permission. Brief quotations with full credit & linkback, and WP reblogs are welcome.
If you are interested in a distance Feng Shui consultation
Consultations: visit Feng Shui page Read more Feng Shui articles
Practical Feng Shui: Mouth of Chi and the Importance of Your Front Door
As we are winding down the 15 days of the New Chinese Year of the Wood Horse celebrations, I wanted to talk about one of the important subjects: the importance of good Feng Shui for your front door.
Traditional Chinese red door with lion, or Pi Yao, protector knockers.
According to Feng Shui, the front door is the “mouth” of your house. It is through here that the energy – CHI – is breathed in and enters your dwelling. Speaking in the ancient Chinese terms, chi is picky so to speak, and the more attractive your front door is, the more of a chance good chi will pick your door for entry. Akin to how we always try to keep our lips well-mosturized and in good shape – women go as far as using bright lipstick to highlight the attractiveness of their mouth – you want to keep your front door clean, in excellent shape and looking as good as possible.
Traditional Chinese doors are bright red, like the red lipstick women had used for ages to highlight their lips. Nowadays, women use more subtle, and perhaps more tasteful colors to emphisize their lips. I personally love red doors, but you don’t have to. One of the best ways to harmonize your front door is to have its color go with the ELEMENT of the sector of your house where the door is located. For instance, if the door is in the north – make it blue or black, to go with the color of water, the ruling element of the north.
So my point is, there are many ways to emphasize and harmonize your front door. But as with anything, balance is key. After all, Feng Shui is the discipline of ultimate harmony and balance. You don’t want your front door to scream: “Pick me!” But of course, you don’t want your door to be invisible to the benevolent chi either.
We have recently moved to our new house. It is an old town Victorian, which are abundant in Upstate NY, and while the house has been renovated and kept in very good condition, we are still in the process of re-energizing and re-modeling it to reflect our presonalities and taste, as well as Feng Shui-ing it to my specifications.
One of the dilemmas we had was with our front door. The previous owner had been using exclusively the back door for years, ever since they lost the keys to their antique front door lock. As custom replacement keys would have been too expensive, they just stopped using the door. Well, it really is NOT a good idea to abandon the usage of your front door – it’s akin to neglecting your lips and mouth. What would happen if you did that? If you use your back door a lot, it is still important to at least once in a while use your front door as well.
Our original wood door is thick and solid and, after having researched doors available on the market, we have decided to keep it. The doors available for sale presently are NOT nearly as thick and solid, plus most of them are artificial. Our door is stained wood, which harmonizes very well with the eastern (wood) sector where it’s located, as well as its facing direction.
It is also better to have a door that is solid, without windows. It adds both implied and real protection to the house.
However, with its old, dark, antique bronze, non-functioning lock, our dark wooden door looked, well… too dark. We decided not to keep the original antique lock as it failed to add to the door. To brighten up the corner, we needed a bright, shiny brass lock, which would provide a focal point and brighten up the corner. Also, it was a great idea to contemporize the door a bit, as too much of an antique feel normally weighs down on chi.
Our door after we took out the old lock. I love this photo, which for some reason reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia – it’s like peeking into another dimension:
New lock from the outside:
Front door from the inside. Notice how much the lock brightens up the door. The color of the old lock looked like the electric switch to the left of the door and blended with the door too much.
I am pretty happy with the result. What’s left is to re-stain the door, when the weather gets warmer, as right now Upstate is coverd with snow.
Snow, snow, snow from our front porch:
In addition to the front door proper, you want to take good care of the area just outside your door. Protecting your front door with a covered porch, or at least a canopy, is a very good idea, both for practical reasons (as in, it’s easier to fumble for the key when you are not rained or snowed on), and for Feng Shui reasons.
In Upstate, practically all houses have front porches, and oftentimes back porches as well, since rain and snow here are in abundance. Front porch is also so great to help the chi expand and settle before your front door! And how nice it is to sit on your porch in the summer, sipping tea and chatting with friends…
Our front porch in winter with snowed in chairs and rugs. Notice the red cardinal flag? In addition to birds generally being excellent Feng Shui, colorful flags upfront are great for attracting chi to your front door. This porch is work in progress of course, as in the summer we’ll paint it more interesting colors and add new interesting elements.
So, on one hand, you want your entrance to stand out, so benevolent chi could find it and be “interested” in entering your abode; on another hand, you want to protect your entrance from undesirable, or harmful, chi, including incremental weather, as well as excessive activity, to name a few. Of course, for the heavy duty protection even against things like burglary, we use door guardians. The best ones are FU DOGS. We also use lion/ fu dog door knockers.
This antique Chinese door is a good illustration of my points. Notice pretty cinnabar red color, beautiful artwork, red lanters on both sides to raise chi, a canopy, lion knockers, and fu dogs on both sides of the door. Pretty cool!
It is also good to have some steps leading to your front entrance, as being elevated above street level is always good Feng Shui.
My completely snowed in front steps with 2 landings, leading to the porch. Notice snow-covered mounds on both sides of steps on first landing? We had so much snow that my guardian fu dogs have been totally burried.
Now that we’ve thoroughly looked on the outside, let’s take a sneak peek at what constitutes good Feng Shui on the inside of the front door.
First and foremost, you want your door to look good, be uncluttered and also have a nice rug, which allows chi to settle and enter your home in style. I am fond of this very durable red rug with a border of flowers. It brightens my front hall and introduces the element of celebration into my home. It’s auspicious to be surrounded by flowers – you can never go wrong with that.
In addition, notice these elements: 1) pedestal lantern with rose quartz lamp on top, on the right. Light invites the chi in and the tall lantern also rises the chi. Both are very auspicious. 2) On the left, a cozy seating group with beautiful Chinese rosewood chairs. This allows one to feel comfortable right from the moment you enter. Our benevolent chi simply loves that, I tell ya! 3) This is important: the entry hall is very spacious and open. Excellent Feng Shui, called “the Bright Hall.”
As everything in life, my new home is a work in progress. I hope you enjoyed this Feng Shui journey! Stay tuned as more to come. To keep up with new posts, please follow my blog on top right. I am also re-branding my Youtube channel and in the spring I’ll start posting Feng Shui videos, among other things. Subscribe to YT Channel here.
Lada Ray,
Internationally Certified Feng Shui Master Practitioner
Copyright 2014 Lada Ray. No reproduction of any part of this post is permitted without author’s expressed permission. Brief quotations with full credit & linkback, and WP reblogs are welcome.
If you are interested in a distance Feng Shui consultation
Visit Feng Shui page Other Feng Shui articles
