Astrology Basics
Astrology Basics
Getting Started
Chart Structure
Types of Astrology
Planet Characteristics
Planet Characteristics
Visiting Dignitaries
Personal, Social, & Transpersonal
Essential Dignities
Aspects
What is Retrograde?
Sign Characteristics
Sign Characteristics
Ambience in the Room
Constellations vs Signs
Elements
Qualities
House Characteristics
House Characteristics
What's the Subject

Essental Dignities

Ptolemy
The nature of each planet is expressed more easily in some signs than others.   The tradition of assigning Planets to signs according to their compatibility was first recorded by Ptolemy in the 1st century AD and is still the basis of interpretation today.

In the Table of Essential Dignities, Ptolemy groups these expressions into what is called Rulership, Exaltation, Detriment, and Fall.  They are known collectively as Dignities and Debilities.  And there is another kind of dignity as well, called Accidental Dignity.  Accident Dignity occurs when a planet is placed in one of the Angular Houses.

Table of Essential Dignities

GlyphPlanetRulesExaltationDetrimentFall
The SunLeoAriesAquariusLibra
The MoonCancerTaurusCapricornScorpio
MercuryGemini
Virgo
AquariusSagittarius
Pisces
Leo
VenusTaurus
Libra
PiscesScorpio
Aries
Virgo
MarsAries
Scorpio
CapricornLibra
Taurus
Cancer
JupiterSagittarius
Pisces
CancerGemini
Virgo
Capricorn
SaturnCapricorn
Aquarius
LibraCancer
Leo
Aries
UranusAquariusScorpioLeoTaurus
NeptunePiscesn/aVirgon/a
PlutoScorpion/aTaurusn/a
ChironSagittarius ??n/an/an/a

n/a = none assigned at this time

Rulership - Queen Elizabeth II

 

There is one sign, sometimes two, where each planet feels totally at home.  Its energy flows freely and easily there.  For example, the energy of the Sun combines extremely well with the energy of Leo.  This is said to be the sign that the planet rules. 

A planet in the sign it rules is said to be in its Essential Dignity.  It's like being completely at ease in your own home.

Exaltation - Honor and Applause

 

There is usually another sign where the energy of each planet expresses itself quite well too, but it doesn't rule that sign. 

To be exalted is to be admired and praised.  It's like visiting your very best friend.  You're very comfortable and happy there, but it's still not your own home.

Detriment - Damaging and Harmful

Planets are said to be in detriment when they are in the sign opposite the sign that they rule. Things that are detrimental are damaging or harmful. 

Planets in detriment are traditionally considered to have some difficulty expressing their own nature. They are required to conform to the energy of the sign rather than cooperating with it.  You're in a place where you have to conform to someone else's rules and regulations.

Fall - Seriously Harmful

Planets are in their fall when they are in the sign opposite the sign of their exaltation.  As anyone knows who has taken a tumble or two, you can be seriously injured in a fall.

Being in the sign of their fall is the most difficult place for planets to express their nature.  It is an uncomfortable, helpless feeling.  The original Greek word for the sign of a planet's fall was tapeinoma, meaning "humbled, dejected, or depressed".  This is like being forced to be in a place where you are not welcome.