This time around in NYC, I’ve really noticed the diversity of the architecture in the city. Myriad immigrants coming in from all over the world bringing their own flavors of architectural style to the city.

Buildings planned out meticulously by architects. Initiated with a deep foundation dug into the earth. Structures of support installed around which brick after brick was laid to allow for the rising up of earthen structures rooted deeply in the Earth, herself - reaching for the sky.

The last four signs of the zodiac reach for the sky. Each in their own way. Sagittarius - an arrow shot with fiery ambition intending to forge an alloy from two metals. Capricorn - earth rising, slowly but surefootedly like a mountain goat scaling a precipitous cliff. Aquarius - an idea rooted firmly in the revolutionary mind that doesn’t give a flying ass about whether the system accepts the idea and is willing to be martyred so that the idea may come to life. Pisces - the culmination, a merger into the whole, the ocean calm and moving at the same time, absorbing everything back to where it came from.

The planet Mars is exalted in Capricorn. An exaltation is a state where the planet (and the part of your being that it represents) is challenged in just the right conditions so that it can reach its highest potential. The home signs of Mars are Aries - the initial fiery spark of coming alive, and Scorpio - fixed flow of emotion. Mars is comfortable being sparky and intense. However, Mars reaches his fullest potential when he is required to work slowly and surely within the system. Plan meticulously towards a distant goal and execute efficiently. The end result standing tall and proud for ages to come. The Capricornian way.

In the Art of War, Sun Tzu talks about how war is necessary sometimes but it’s always painful. Hence, it should be swiftly dealt with. A noble warrior kills quickly. He doesn’t regale in the suffering of his opponents.

To gain swift victory requires intentional planning. For Mars to exalt, he needs Capricornian energy.

The buildings in NYC are full of Capricornian energy. Earth rising, slowly but surely towards the sky.

Bye bye NYC, it’s been a wild ride.