It is no coincidence that the retrograde Mercury which began last week is governed esoterically by Leo, the sign of individuality, of power, and of truth, at a time when our world is in confusion as to whether it wishes to be governed by the Fish or the Water Bearer, illusion or reality, ego or inclusiveness.

As much of the world is consumed by relentless solar fire power, it is no coincidence that the strongest, longest Blood Moon of the century will occur just as heavy storms break the heat and Mercury dances backwards, along with several other planets. The portents of momentous events to come are in place.

The moon is becoming full as I write, and the sky is filled with light even in the middle of this warm June night. Birds are singing quietly in the bushes when they should be sleeping, kept awake by this strange night-light, and the mountains all around me are alert. It is very still, but a thread of wind sighs and stirs.

Another Full Moon – but so special, since the cycle of divine closeness is at its strongest now as the third and last of the great annual spiritual festivals approaches – the Festival of Humanity, the Christ Festival, which takes place, this year, on 29th^st May.

Esoterically speaking, the Easter Full Moon is fixed by its association with the Vernal Equinox and the sign of Aries – it is known too as the Aries Full Moon, and this year it falls on 31^st March, which also happens to be the first day of Passover.

Tomorrow is a special day as the planet celebrates her total balance in light with the advent of the Vernal Equinox, a day welcomed by many in the northern hemisphere as the harbinger of warmth, sunshine and rebirth. This year, unusually, the icy fingers of winter grip my world and that of many others still, reminding us to take nothing for granted particularly where nature is concerned. Surprise is the keyword in these unpredictable times.

Because my life is, comparatively, uncomplicated, the complexities of the world beyond can seem extraordinary.

This is such a special, mysterious time, and we are gifted greatly to be a part of cosmic events of huge significance, now.

It is rare that the first day of a new year is accompanied by a full moon, and rarer still that it is a Supermoon: in the first hours of 2018, this great cosmic gift is given to us.

The Full Moon that is born on Sunday aptly is known as the Cold Moon, or the Moon of the Long Nights, a perfect name as many of us shiver in the arms of a freezing early winter. It will be the only true Supermoon of the year, but the usual quality of amplification that arises as a result of its closeness to Earth will be slowed down by Mercury who is turning retrograde on that day.