Essential Dignities & Debilities:
Planets in Rulership, Exaltation, Detriment & Fall...
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The energy of each planet combines differently with the energy of each sign. Some combine more easily than others. Traditional astrology organized these combinations into five categories: rulership, exaltation, detriment, fall and peregrine. Rulerships and exaltations are considered easy and beneficial planet/sign combinations, while detriment, fall and peregrine combinations are less influential, restricted or awkward.
A look at the combinations below lends tremendous insight into how these planets and signs show themselves in our personalities. An understanding of them makes it easier to understand how the planets operate through the various signs. |
How comfortable are your planets in their signs?
Traditional essential dignities give amazing insight into this interesting question.
See how the essence of the energy of planets and signs combine.
Traditional essential dignities give amazing insight into this interesting question.
See how the essence of the energy of planets and signs combine.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for a chart of the traditional essential dignities.
Planets in Rulership...
The most fluid and authentic placement is found when planets are in their ruling signs. Their expression is completely uninhibited and raw.
Sun - Ruled by Leo...
The most authentic expression of ego is experienced when the sun is in Leo...The ego is expressed authentically with the brilliant force of the sun when it is in Leo.
Moon - Ruled by Cancer...The most authentic expression of nurturing and emotion is experienced when the moon is in Cancer...Emotion and nurturing are Cancer's way of experiencing life. The moon feels at home expressing its nurturing ways and experiencing emotion when in Cancer.
Mercury - Ruled by Gemini & Virgo...The most authentic expression of analytic thought and ability to communicate is experienced when Mercury is in Gemini or Virgo...Thought processes and communication are seamless when Mercury is in Gemini or Virgo.
Venus - Ruled by Taurus & Libra...The most authentic expression of sensuality and beauty is experienced when Venus is in Taurus or Libra...These two very polite and considerate signs are at home expressing their sensuality and beauty when Venus is in Libra or Taurus.
Mars - Ruled by Aries & Scorpio...The most authentic expression of the power and will is found when Mars is in Aries or Scorpio..These two signs never back down from a challenge or a battle. Mars seeks power and control in a direct and unfiltered manner when it is in Scorpio or Aries.
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Jupiter - Ruled by Sagittarius & Pisces...
The most authentic expression of freedom and boundlessness is found when Jupiter is in Sagittarius or Pisces...Jupiter is at home when it is in the two signs that relish in going beyond limits and boundaries.
Saturn - Ruled by Capricorn & Aquarius...
The most authentic expression of structure and rules is found when Saturn is in Capricorn or Aquarius...These signs respect boundaries and limits. Uranus feels at home accommodating structure when it is in Capricorn or Aquarius.
Planets in Exaltation...
Planets feel comfortable and welcomed in these signs. It's an easy fit and creates an atmosphere where the signs foster the expression of the planets.
Sun - Exalted in Aries...
A comfortable and easy expression of the ego is found when the sun is in Aries...Aries' forthright and daring natures fosters the sun's need to shine and proudly express the ego.
Moon - Exalted in Taurus...
A comfortable and easy expression of nurturing and emotion is experienced when the moon is in Taurus...Taurus' careful, patient and sensual nature easily accommodates the moon's expression of nurturing and emotion.
Mercury - Exalted in Virgo...
A comfortable and easy expression of analytic thought and ability to communicate is experienced when Mercury is in Virgo...Virgo's attention to detail and analytical abilities foster Mercury's need to intellectualize and communicate.
Venus - Exalted in Pisces...
A comfortable and easy expression of sensuality and beauty is experienced when Venus is in Pisces...Pisces' romantic and sensitive ways foster Venus' need for beauty and sensuality.
Mars - Exalted in Capricorn...
A comfortable and easy expression of the power and will is found when Mars is in Capricorn...Capricorn's willingness to struggle with seemingly endless uphill battles fosters Mars' need to exert its will and gain power.
Jupiter - Exalted in Cancer...
A comfortable and easy expression of a need for growth and expansion is found when Jupiter is in Cancer...Cancer's need to care and nurture and helped by Jupiter's need for boundless growth and expansion.
Saturn - Exalted in Libra...
A comfortable and easy expression of structure and rules is found when Saturn is in Libra...Libra's need to exhibit polite, considerate behavior, while balancing its needs with the needs of others is fostered by Saturn sense of rules and structure.
Planets in Detriment...
Planets are in their detriment when they are in the sign opposite their ruling sign. Expression of the planets in these signs is restricted because the energy of the planet is working in the opposite direction of the sign.
Sun - Detriment in Aquarius...
A restricted expression of the ego is found when the sun is in Aquarius...Aquarius' need to think of the group's rules and needs before thinking of themselves is opposite the sun's need to shine and express the ego.
Moon - Detriment in Capricorn...
A restricted expression of nurturing and emotion is found when the moon is in Capricorn...Capricorn's need to be the strong, hardworking, serious father of the zodiac is opposite of the moon's need to nurture and experience emotion.
Mercury - Detriment in Sagittarius & Pisces...
A restricted expression of analytic thought and ability to communicate is found when Mercury is in Sagittarius or Pisces...Sagittarius and Pisces' need for boundless, universal thinking is opposite Mercury's need to analyse and communicate details and facts.
Venus - Detriment in Aries & Scorpio...
A restricted expression of sensuality and beauty is experienced when Venus is in Aries or Scorpio...Aries and Scorpio's need to exert their will and gain power are opposite Venus' need to be polite, sensual and enjoy beauty.
Mars - Detriment in Taurus & Libra...
A restricted expression power and will is found when Mars is in Libra or Taurus...Libra and Taurus' need to be polite, sensual and enjoy beauty is opposite Mars' need for power and to express its will.
Jupiter - Detriment in Gemini & Virgo...
A restricted expression of Jupiter's boundless, universal thinking is found when Jupiter is in Gemini or Virgo...Gemini and Virgo's need to analyse and communicate details and facts is opposite Jupiter's boundless, universal thinking.
Saturn - Detriment in Cancer & Leo...
A restricted expression of Saturn's need for structure and rules is found when Saturn is in Cancer or Leo...Cancer and Leo's need for raw, authentic expression of emotion and behavior is opposite Capricorn's attention to rules and restrictions.
Planets in Fall...
When a planet is in its fall, it is found in the sign opposite its sign of exaltation. There's a sense of inappropriateness and awkwardness felt within the people when expressing these planets through these signs.
Sun - Fall in Libra...
An awkward expression of the ego is found when the sun in Libra...It feels awkward and inappropriate to satisfy the sun's needs to express its ego through Libra, whose need is to be polite, considerate and always balance its needs with the needs of others.
Moon - Fall in Scorpio...An awkward expression of nurturing and emotion is found when the moon is in Scorpio...It feels awkward and inappropriate to satisfy the moon's need to nurture and express emotion through Scorpio, whose need is to gain power and control.
Mercury - Fall in Pisces...An awkward expression of analytic thought and ability to communicate is found when Mercury is in Pisces...It feels awkward and inappropriate to satisfy Mercury's need to think analytically and communicate details precisely through Pisces, whose need is for boundless, universal, emotional experience.
Venus - Fall in Virgo...An awkward expression of sensuality and beauty is found when Venus is in Virgo...It feels awkward and inappropriate to satisfy Venus' need for sensuality and beauty through Virgo, whose need is to be precise and practical.
Mars - Fall in Cancer...An awkward expression of the exertion power and will is found when Mars is in Cancer...It feels awkward and inappropriate to satisfy Mar's need to exert its will and power through Cancer, whose need is to nurture and experience emotion.
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Jupiter - Fall in Capricorn...
An awkward expression of boundless, universal experience and thinking is found when Jupiter is in Capricorn...It feels awkward and inappropriate to satisfy Jupiter's need for boundless, universal experience and thinking through Capricorn, whose need is for structure and boundaries.
Saturn - Fall in Aries...
An awkward expression of adhering to structure, rules and boundaries is found when Saturn is in Aries...It feels awkward and inappropriate to satisfy Saturn's need for structure, rules and boundaries through Aries, whose need is to exert its will and be independent.
Peregrine Planets...
When a planet is in any sign not listed in the chart below as a rulership, exaltation, detriment or fall, it is peregrine. Astrologers dispute the state of peregrine planets. This author sees them as neutral in terms of essential dignity, leaving them only subject to their accidental dignity.
| table_of_traditional_essential_dignities.pdf |
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