Planetary Dignities and Debilitations

 

In my other articles I often mention that planet this or that in their ruling sign have certain special properties. Here I will explain what that means.

Each planet can be anywhere in your natal chart, but not every placement is equal, some placements are better than others. There are 4 special cases of placements: domicile (rulership), exaltation, detriment and fall. Different planets can reach these states in different signs. I will describe what each of these states means for a planet.

Domicile (Rulership). You often hear from astrologers that say Mars rules Aries or Sun rules Leo. While this is not untrue per se, the wording is tad misleading. It does not mean Sun rules over all Leos or Mars over all Aries. What it means is that this or that planet functions best in this or that signs. Planet feels at home in this sign.

Every planet has one or two signs that are best align with it function and purpose. When planet is in its ruling or home (domicile) sign in a role it was born to do, it can function at its true full potential. A planet in its home sign is master of the house, has home advantage and can function completely unrestrained with its full power. 

In contrast any other placements in sings ruled by other planets will limit any given planet ability and force it to adapt to an environment different from its preferred one.

A person who has any planet in domicile, can be certain this planet and abilities it governs will perform well. This is a talent they can use to get ahead in life. Of course, some discretion is advised as just the fact that planet works in its full power does not mean the abilities it governs are needed in any given moment.

You can use chart above under ruler column to tell what sign in home to which planet.

Detriment is the most unfortunate placement for a planet. For each planet detriment is in the sign, polar opposite of its domicile. In detriment a planter is clearly outside its comfort zone and unable to function properly. Like elephant in a China show, no matter what it does, it causes trouble.

Planet in detriment may have to assume a role, very uncharacteristic to it. Mars in Libra does not jump into action but plots and bides time. Venus in Scorpio dresses to avoid attracting attention.

If a person has any planet in detriment, they would be well advised to exercise caution in relying on abilities government by this planet as they can cause them more problems than give benefit. The planet in detriment does not work as its usual self and its futile to expect it of it. Doing so is surefire way to shoot oneself in a foot, it's called detriment for reason. Even if detriment placement can amount to anything it is likely to be very unlike the planet's normal role in the chart.

There are two other placements of special significance Exaltation and Fall.

Exaltation is a lesser dignity compared to domicile. You can compare it to being guest of honor of sorts. Planet is still limited by the purpose and power of the sign it is in, but in much less restrictive manner as the sign gives it enough room shine and be visible, hence term exaltation (praise).

Fall is when planet is not very visible in its effects. In some cases, it can work behind the scenes and even pull strings from the shadows. Unlike detriment however, planet is fully functional, just that its functions are obscured by something.

Finally, there are all other placements that do not fall in any of the above categories. These placements are niche, they are outside of planet's comfort zone, but still allows it to do its thing, even if in a field that is not its own. 

These placements are all situation but could be of great utility to the native if certain conditions are met.

With this information about special placements of each planet one can know how each of these dignities or debilitations can affect them or people they know.

A little final word. Rulership of signs are arranged by their distance from the Leo and Cancer. Closest to Sun Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, furthest from Sun Saturn rules Aquarius and Capricorn. The rest are in between. The picture below.

Mars in Astrology

 

Mars is a God of War. While Mars can indeed be responsible for wars and fighting, in modern times he more often represents physical work and sports. 

In general Mars is responsible for any kind of physical activity from carrying heavy goods to clubbing people to death. Good placement of Mars can make one a good soldier, sportsmen or construction worker or even butcher. 

At the time Mars placement can also require a certain level of physical activity. This is a reason why some people like sports as hobby. it gives their Mars energy a convenient outlet. Lack of such outlet can lead towards violence from some people.

Different placements of Mars in individual natal chart indicate how good one is with psychical activity. Mars in Aries can be it all and can even seriously consider a sports career. While Mars in Libra is better off not doing anything physical at all and limit their sport to chess. Other placements are somewhere in between.

Another thing Mars placement in the chart determines is what kind of work person likes to do. Mars is planet of doing and does indicate what one can do for long periods of time. It is wise to choose one's career based on Mars placement. If not work, then Mars can be a good indicator for a hobby one can enjoy in spare time.

Finally, about Mars role in attraction. Like Venus, Mars is thought to determine how attractive you are to the opposite gender. Just like with Venus there is nothing beyond Mars innate qualities I outlined above. However, women do like men based on how athletic or fit they are. Thus, good Mars placement can help man in the attraction department. Here too however Sun and Moon are more definitive indicator of lasting compatibility.

A little extra. Some like to think that in ages past physical strength used to play higher role in societies. They might further think that law restricts martial tendencies in favor of law. To that I want to say that even on a lawless pirate sheep on in Cossack Host, pirates and Cossacks used to elect their leaders by vote. So, Mercury was a surer way to power compared to Mars even back then.

Mars in astrology determines what kind of things you can and/or enjoy doing. It can help you pick your career or your hobbies. 

Venus in Astrology

 

Venus is responsible for one's physical appearance, both how well (or not) their body looks like as well as what kind of clothes they like to wear. Just that. 

You Venus placement determines how good you naturally look but also how well you can dress. Good or bad Venus placement determines if you are effortlessly attractive or look ugly no matter what you do. With Venus in Libra or Taurus you will be able to dress to impress. In Aries or Scorpio however, Venus will do no good.

In addition to how attractive you are, Venus also determines the style of clothes you prefer to wear. Each sign has colors and vibe associated with it, for example pastel colors for Libra and dark colors for Scorpio. It's the Venus placement that decides what colors are your go to in your choice of clothes.

Venus's placement also determines what one considers attractive. Beauty is in the eye of beholder. That does not mean there is no such thing as something everyone will call ugly, but what one considers beautiful does vary from person to person. Dressing to fit individual tastes are often more important that aim for mythical universal beauty. 

Finally, Venus determines is how much importance one places in looking good. Some people view appearance as paramount and other think it's not that important. Especially women. Women often think that appearance is everything. They both spend a lot of time of their looks and pay a lot of attention to what their potential suitors wear and look like. Even astrological symbol of Venus is the same as that of a female. Some men judge by appearance too.

Some (perhaps many) people also judge others based on appearance, they will think you are competent if you wear a suit and dismiss an opinion of someone unkept. Sure, such people are not very smart themselves, but they are in many places and could be an obstacle for someone with poor looks.

Another thing that often attributed to Venus is determining one's romantic abilities and compatibility. That is rather exaggerated. Aside from winning over people who judge by appearance, the kind I mentioned in the previous paragraph, Venus gives no further help in anything romantic related. Venus can make you look attractive, but it cannot make sure your relationship will work out. Sun and Moon are more important in that regard. 

Venus works the same way in charts of both men and women, however it is somewhat more important to women, as for them appearance generally plays bigger role than for men. Reason for that are psychological differences between men and women. I will go in more detail in my article about Mars.

Good Venus placement can help you dress to impress and win over those who judge by appearance. That is the Venus role in the natal chart and your life.

Mercury in Astrology

 

Astrologers often underestimate Mercury. There are reasons for that. He is not as loved as happy go lucky and energetic Jupiter. Neither is he feared as Saturn or Pluto. Generally, this God of Commerce and Communication has rather bland and uninterested personality, outshined in myth by his dad Jupiter, stepbrother Heracles and many other gods. Even his symbol, Caducei was mistaken for rod of Asclepios and appropriated by American medical organizations. For that Mercury cursed (or blessed) American medicine to be money maker instead of helping people in need.

Astronomical planet Mercury is just as bland as the god it was named after. It is as much of a naked rock as Moon is, just a little bigger. Mercury's closeness to Sun evaporated all that could have been at atmosphere. Its only features are craters left by meteorites that crashed into it.

Despite blandness however, Mercury's importance and power is arguably much greater than those of all outer planets. Closest confidant of Sun, his aptitude, or lack of thereof, is often the reason of success or failure in life. Your Mercury placement is much clearer indicator of success or failure in life compared to Midheaven and such.

All astrologers agree that Mercury is responsible for rational thinking as well as for communication ability. Many just leave it at that and move on to more exciting planets. That is a mistake, however. Rational thinking and communication abilities are what often either enables or prevents one from succeeding in life.

Modern life and society are highly structured and rational. Countless bureaucratic rules take a lot of cerebral power to understand and even more to figure out how to use to one's advantage. Communiation ability is as important. Charismatic speakers sometimes sway the entire nations. Even Russian oligarchs spend a lot of money on their media outlets to be able to speak to and influence society around them. We are long past barbaric times when might made right and Mars could get you far. It's faculties and abilities of Mercury that enables one to get far.

Thus, Mercury's silver tongue and intelligence can either help of impede you on this path. Even the dumbest placement of the Sun can get its dumb ideas implemented if it has support of a well-placed and aspected Mercury. On the other hand, even Smartest Air sign Sun will struggle to get its bright ideas communicated to other people or implemented in real life without well placed Mercury's support. 

Mercury is far not the only brain in the natal chart, but he is the link between you and the others. Sun's role to think big and Mercury's role to figure out path to practical application. Sun is the star genius (or dumass) and Mercury is its loyal assistant.

If you have Mercury in any of the Air signs, consider yourself lucky. Some of the other placements have their niche uses too, but they lack near infinite aptitude of an Air sign Mercury. Air sign empowered Mercury will be able to deliver satisfactory results as miraculously as Genie in Alladin cartoon. Mercury in less fortunate signs, particularly if in detriment will, like Ivan Susanin, lead you to lose your way in some impassible forest.

Just as astronomical Mercury is planet closest to Sun that is always stay close to it, astrological Mercury is Sun's closest confidant and servant. Mercury's role is to use its intelligence and communication abilities to bring in Sun's vison into the world. How good it can or cannot do it depends on its placement. Sure, your Sun can have great ideas and vision, but they will forever remain in your head if you will not be able to get your point across and talk people to your point of view. 

Mercury has intelligence and communication ability, but it has no character or agenda of its own. Mercury will do whatever tasks Sun wishes to delegate to it. Thus, in natal chart Mercury works closest to Sun. Sun decides where the person is going, and Mercury figures out how to get there. That is how they work together to a common outcome.

Astronomical limitations mean that Mercury cannot be more than one sign away from the Sun. Thus, forever Sun placement there could be only three possible placements of Mercury: either in the same sign, one sign behind or one signs ahead.

The most typical scenario is for Mercury to be in the same sign as the Sun. People with this combination tend to say what they think and in general are much closer to the stereotypical image of their sign then those with Mercury in a different sign from Sun. In general, their lives work out more smoothly and straightforward.

Those with Mercury in a different sign from Sun often do not conform with most of their Sun sign stereotypes. On one hand they have greater impartiality and ability to look at things from a distance and see world from points of view, different from their own. On the other hand, this combination may be harder to make work, and such a person will be a late bloomer. Their lives likely to be very unusual. There is however a great potential for unusual and great achievement compared to those with Sun and Mercury in same sign.

Despite not being as flashy as most other planets in Zodiac, Mercury is possibly the most crucial planet that determines your success or failure in the world. He can either help your Sun realize its vision and achieve its objectives or fail and get lost trying to.

Moon in Astrology

 

Sun maybe the center of our Solar System, but Moon is a closest celestial body to Earth. In actuality Sun is many times the size of Moon, but when looked at from Earth they are about the same size in the sky. Their role in astrology do reflect these astronomical parameters.

While Sun concerns itself with high flying issues such as aspirations, ambitions, self-actualization and values, Moon has more mundane everyday role. Moon is all about things such as how tasty is your food, how comfortable your chair, how well did you sleep last night and so on. Everyday stuff that will not make one famous or earn them a Nobel prize, not even friends or family might be aware. Nonetheless this everyday stuff will have an impact on person's day to day life and wellbeing.

If long term large decisions are made in accordance with Sun placement, then mundane Everday issues are often resolved in accordance with Moon placement. One exception to this is marriage or romantic relationship. For a man particularly potential girlfriend or wife's Sun has to be well aligned with his Moon for a relationship to be stable and happy, ideally with her Sun conjunct his Moon. Reverse is much less the case; women often prefer men whose Sun makes good aspect to their Sun rather than Moon. There are other things to consider as well, but this one is the most important aspect of successful relationship.

As for what exactly will make your everyday life fill very sated and comfortable, you have to look for a Moon's placement in the chart. Moon rules Cancer and that placement will mean that things conventionally considered comfortable and relaxing like sumptuous food, soft bed and a vacation in a tropical paradise will work well for you. In contrast Moon in Aries or Capricorn can make you prefer action and adventure or even hardships to conventional comfort.

Effects of Moon in any given sign are often opposite of the effects the Sun placement in the same sign would have. Person with Moon in Aries and Sun in Taurus would be vastly different to someone with Sun in Aries and Moon in Taurus instead. Traditional description of each sign is written for a Sun in any given sign. To find out what happens if Moon is in the same sign instead you should look for Moon placements.

Moon does not generate its own light. Moonlight we see at night is light of the Sun that reflects off the moon and allows us to see her. In the same way one's natal Sun is the light we give to humanity whether it wants it or not. Natal Moon instead indicates what we expect to receive from outside world in return for our light. Thus, if Sun consistently shines on everything almost indiscriminatively, Moon instead seeks the kind of light and can illuminate it and keep it warm and happy. That is how they work relative to one another.

Just like Sun, Moon also indicates what kind of decisions a native will or will not make in life. Moon's authority is second only to that of Sun and can override tendencies from Ascendant or Venus.

Finally, a little bit of what other astrologers say about Moon. Moon governs emotions and sense of security. Having Moon fulfilled can indeed make one feel happy and secure. You can word it this way. Emotions is somewhat misleading, sure one can call desire to go on vacation to Bora Bora an emotional whim, but emotions can be more than just that, Moon governs just some of them.

Moon is often called one of big three and unlike Ascendant it does deserve its title. Understanding Moon is almost as important as Sun to understand psychology of any person. Next, I will cover Mercury, who should complete the big three instead of Ascendant.

Sun in Astrology

 

Typical serious astrologers often underestimate importance of Sun. They often cite how one person with Sun in Leo invented zodiac columns in newspapers that sort all people into 12 groups. Such astrological columns do over stereotype both signs and people. Many natives of this or that sign do not exhibit all or even most of the traits, typically associated with their sign.

However, for every skeptic there are often several believers, who things that astrology gets them, even if a lot of what is written about them hardly applies to them. There is a reason for that. Placement of Sun in your natal chart do not determine or indicate any of the traits associated with your sign. Things like ascendant as well as Mercury, Venus and Mars are primary sources of various traits that people may notice in a person. 

Sun has a different, higher role. It indicates your core motivation to do what you do, driving force behind your life. It also describes your values or a moral compass that guides your decisions, what you personally think right and what is wrong as well as what to do with your life. Such personal and often invisible to other people around you, but nevertheless crucial role that Sun plays in your life and natal chart.

Astronomically Sun is by far the largest celestial body in our solar system, all other planets revolve around Sun. Sun has another role, it emanates light and heat, without it we would live in utter darkness, and everything will freeze to death. Life would be impossible.

This does reflect on Sun's role in a natal chart of any given individual. Sun is a center around which everything else is arranged and without it nothing will work. Some people internalize its role and see it as expression of their personal will or calling in life. Other instead see Sun as God, they serve. The exact personal relationship with Sun depends person to person as well as on Sun's placement in one's chart. However, Sun is always the center to which the rest of the chart serves and answers to.

Sun rules Leo and natives with Sun in Leo are most pure and easy to notice examples of the leadership role that Sun plays in the chart. Sun in Leo clearly leads from the front. In other placements this leadership role could be obscured by other traits, yet behind the scenes or on the sidelines, Sun still directs the individual just as it does for a Sun in Leo person.

That leads towards two primary roles, Sun plays in one's life. One is decision making. Here I mean particularly long-term lasting decisions that shapes one's life like what university to attend, what career to pursue, whom to marry and so on. Even if other traits indicate that one will make good teacher or lawyer this might not work out simply because Sun thinks it's not for me. Smaller decisions too are influenced by Sun but also by moon and other planets. 

Reading about your own Sun placement can give you a lot of insight into what you yourself is capable of. This is the part where people read about their sign and nod in agreement, saying that is really me. Reading about others will give you an idea what kind of things they will agree or not agree on. When someone suddenly makes a U-turn in life, their Sun sign can give you the answers why they did so.

Second is values. Parents and society often teach kids what is right and what is wrong. Early on one might live on, believing in what others told you. However, what do you personally see as right or wrong? Do you agree with your parents, or do you think they are wrong?

Here each placement of Sun indicates a different set of values (of things one sees as right or wrong). Humanity does not agree on these. That is why there are conflicts and wars. Two different sets of principles clash over one or the other issue. To be completely precise there are four rather than 12 distinct sets of values, each indicated by one of natural elements: fire, earth, air and water. Read my separate article about elements and modalities to understand these things.

In relation to Sun, individual placement of Sun, displays one's personal priorities in life. For example, Cancer and Capricorn are very tribal and see themselves and people around them as part of family or community. Aries and Libra are very individualistic and instead see themselves and people around them as atomistic individuals. Taurus prefers ideas that were time tested and rooted in tradition. Aquarius prefer ideas that make sense in theory in their head. Gemini likes new things in general and will try anything new. Pisces like old things instead and preserve "vintage" retro stuff. Leos like to be a center of attention as they think if people are looking at them, they like them. Scorpios prefer to avoid attention, instead thinking that people might hurt them if they notice them.

Sun is fundamental in determining how you get along (or not) with others. Differences in other planets can be worked out, but not the Sun. People would be much more willing to suppress traits from Ascendant or Venus if they get in the way of their relationship, but not the values of their Sun, these they may defend like their lives depend on it. Because of that Sun is fundamental to either building or breaking relationship.

No matter where your Sun is placed, it will trine two other signs, these would be of the same element as your own and are your natural allies. It will further square two more who will share your modality, these will be hardest for you to deal with as your values will clash in the most acute way. Finally, it will sextile to two others from a friendly element, with whom you might get along with as well. This is what you should use to help you decide who you should try to associate with or not.

As for examples of each sign mentality then here are some: Gemini will like new radial ideas, Aquarius makes in his head but will not like retro stuff, Pisces bother themselves with. Capricorn will not like selfishness of Aries or Libra, while they in turn will not like unreasonable undue obligations Capricorn would try to push on them. Capricorn will prefer conservative Taurus or rules minded Virgo. Aries or Libra instead would rather entertain himself with Leo's attention seeking antics or listen to Aquarian wittiness.

In conclusion I would like to re-iterate that in astrology, like in astronomy, Sun is a fulcrum around which the rest of the natal chart revolve. You need to understand it before you can start understanding someone's natal chart of psychology. Other planets do add to this in significant ways, but their role in individual chart is supplementary and supporting of Sun. Sun is the boss and the rest of the chart are his subordinates. Effects of other planets can be altered by the Sun's sheer mass and power. This article will help you understand how Sun functions better.

Elements and Modalities in Astrology

There are 12 different astrological signs that represent 12 distinct types of people. However, there is a neat system that break downs these 12 types into combinations of 4 elements and 3 modalities. Each element represents a set of values a person shares, and each modality instead represents role a person plays in a society. Together these two things make up for a person's type.

Each element has three signs. People with Sun in signs of the same element can mostly agree on values and principles. That allows them to cooperate and get along with each other. Moon and other planets are responsible for other individual traits, I will cover planets in separate articles.

Fire signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius can agree on one set of principles. Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn on other set of principles. Air signs could agree on yet another set of principles and so on. This understanding within the group gives people an illusion that their values are universal and everyone agrees on.

There are four sets of values that fight for control over the world and shape its history. You can notice how decades where Earth and Water placements dominate are often conservative, chaotic, backward (nostalgic) and divisive. In contrast decades of Air and Fire domination are often forward looking, optimistic and often come with significant technological advancements in different fields. This is a reason why Fire and Air elements are called masculine and Water and Earth feminine.

Of all values it is said that Fire can get along with Air even if they have little in common. Earth similarly can get along with Water. In contrast Fire and Water have most disagreement and Air and Earth are not too far behind. In Air and Earth combination one can expect plenty of disputes over values where one would say that A is good, and B is bad and the other will disagree and insist that B is good, and A is bad instead. I can tell from my own experience.

There is also a final division that further divides or characterize each sign and that is modality, that can be either cardinal, fixed or mutable. Each element has one cardinal, one fixed and one mutable sign. Together elements and modality create a system than both divides and makes each individual sign.

Cardinal signs are often called leaders. Cardinal signs are self-assertive and self-driven. They are driven by their desires or a vision of reality that they want to implement. This is the type that wants to shape the world around them to their vision. They see issue or problem and think of a method to solve it to their satisfaction. Cardinal signs have "eyes on the prize" and see end results as the most important thing. They are willing to be creative with their methods of achieving results they want and would try variety of things to get where they want to get. Cardinal sings prefer smart and elegant solutions to problems.

Fixed signs are often called stubborn and inflexible. Unlike cardinal signs that prefer smart strategies, fixed signs rely on sheer force and stubbornness. Fixed signs do not think of better methods to achieve results but instead push through in force with their way of life. They can be either agents of change or opponents to change. For fixed signs methods can be as important as results. In general, fixed signs are easier to understand than cardinal ones, they are much more straightforward. They often say what they think. In Contrast cardinal signs often say what they think will get them best outcomes.

Finally mutable signs are flexible and adopt to situations around them. Instead of fighting for change or resisting it, they go with the flow. Some of them can figure out how to take advantage of any given situation. Most however just accept life around them uncritically and follow trends around them. Mutable signs dislike boredom when nothing happens and often value experiences no matter good or bad. They like various when things happening around them or with them. If cardinal signs are leaders, then mutable signs are followers.

Each element has one cardinal, one fixed and one mutable sign. The full team of 3 to work on their elemental agenda. 

4 sets of values and 3 modalities together create 12 distinct combinations that represent 12 distinct types of behavior. You can subdivide each sign's traits into those that comes from an element and those that come from modality. Doing that would allow you to not only understand each sign better, but also better understand where it fits into a bigger picture.

The same principle further applies to the rest of natal chart, where combining these 12 types with 10 planets produce a very large number of possible combinations, enough to cover pretty much every possible type of human out there. Human psychology may be a complex thing when you look at it as a whole. However, one can better understand it by breaking it down into smaller bits it is made of and study these individual bits separately. Astrology is just the tool to do so, tool proven to work by centuries of practice.