ESSENTIAL DIGNITIES PART 4




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_______The Use of Essential Dignity and Debility_______

There are two basic applications in the practice of analysing the astrology of a horoscope:

* to qualify the essential symbolic nature and condition of any celestial body within the chart.

* to qualify the relationship of a planet to other components of the horoscope – other planets, houses and signs.

Regarding the qualifying of the further nature of a planet

Essential dignity and debility are significant of whether the core archetype of any planet can function with an ease, or conversely, with a great requirement for adaptation and change in its typical mode of expression.  The core template of the symbolism of any celestial body, its ‘zodiacal condition’ (and conditioning) is further reflected by sign placement. 

As must be generally clear by now, a planet in essential dignity is in affinity, inferring a basic smoothness of function.  Traditionally the ‘benefic’ planets (Venus and Jupiter) were given an increase in their potential boons and the traditional ‘malefics’ (Mars and Saturn), when in dignity were considered to be less prone to becoming problematic in their expression.

This symbolic reasoning is logical, as in dignity a planet and a sign are naturally attuned in harmony, which is supporting to archetypal strength and comfort. To offer an illustration: the Moon in its domicile dignity of Cancer is obviously greatly strengthened in essential nature.  The Moon in Cancer is thus functioning from a basis of nocturnal, cold, moist thematic, that is, it can be very ‘lunar’ and fulfil such kind of analysis. 

The Moon within its detrimented sign of Capricorn is now within a cold/dry Saturnian template and within the further template of a cold, dry, earth sign[19].  In this detriment the Moon’s essential cold/moist nature is much compromised, in the sense that it is rendered very cold and its moisture is desiccated.  The Moon in Cancer is archetypally sound, whilst in Capricorn it is archetypally unsound.  Whether this is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is not really the point, it is just the Moon is not very ‘lunar’ (in a ‘saturnine’ manner) when in her detriment and thus will not be naturally reflective of the normally expected lunar symbolisms.

The sign thus may become as a planets crucible, or arena of alchemising.  Traditionally a planet in so-nominated ‘good’ zodiacal condition (strong dignity) will always possess some variety of a ‘gifted’ aspect, to whatever degree or context (and whether this is embraced, empowered, or not). 

Reciprocally, it is also maintained that a planet in so-called ‘bad’ zodiacal condition, as to what it may symbolise, will always be seen to promote some form of ‘care’, no matter how positive its degree of ensuing function.  This view honours the depth of the integral nature of general archetypal premise, in itself a vast discussion, well beyond the constraints of these notes. 

Having put forth all of these statements, what is being addressed here is the essential nature of a planet/sign relationship.  It must further be borne in mind, that off this fundamental astrological partnering, there are other things that will further mitigate, support and modify what is essentially stated.  That is, other planets, aspectual relationships, accidental dignities and so on.  Thus it may be seen that it is of an importance to ascertain the essential nature, power and temperament of any astrological body. 

By its sign placement and zodiacal condition, once the core nature of a planet in a horoscope has thus been further defined, an extension of delineation can then have a further clarity of foundation from which to emerge.

Regarding the relationship between a planet and other chart components

Once all of the basic ‘building blocks’ of an astrological chart are understood, as individual units within the overall construction (i.e.; the signs, houses, planets and aspects).  The ‘art’ in the practice of astrology then truly begins to open to a more philosophically creative level. 

This can begin in spotting and synthesising the interrelationship that the various dimensions of a horoscope may have with one another.  It is through the mechanism of a planet ‘holding dignity’, in the ultimate to varying degrees with any sign, which may offer keys to the doors of a greater astrological exploration. 

Thus aside from contributing to the character of a planet within a horoscope, the signs are as symbolic intermediaries, serving to create a relation between a planet and other birth chart components. 

Thus if the sign of Cancer were on the 2^nd house cusp in a birth chart, the Moon, domicile lord of this sign, would be said to ‘have dignity’ with, or be the ‘dignified lord’ of the 2nd house.  In addition, if for example the planet Mercury was in the sign of Cancer, by the same reasoning, the Moon would have dignity over Mercury.  A planet may be regarded as having a ‘landlord’, or ‘backup’, which is this domicile lord of its natal sign of positing.  The Moon would also be said to be ‘receptive’ to Mercury in Cancer, as the little planet is ‘wearing the cloth’ of the nocturnal light and is tinged with lunar tones. 

Today the more informal and common terminology would tend to speak of the Moon as ‘ruling’ the 2^nd house, or the Moon would be the ‘ruler’ of Mercury.  Nevertheless, it must be noted that the expression ‘ruler’, is certainly of a very loose use (for instance, a planet may also ‘rule’, or have dignity, by exaltation[20], etc).  Through this principle of a planet holding dignity with a sign, that planet may then relate symbolically and add its comment to where its sign of dignity may be and to what it, in turn, may have within its boundaries.
 

The principle of planet/sign dignity will allow a planet to relate to a house cusp or another celestial body.  Via this principle, houses may also be seen to relate to each other, because the lord of one house (whose sign will be on it), may be contained within another house somewhere else upon the wheel. 

In addition this principle can be utilised to gain understanding of the delineation of an apparently ‘empty’ house in a horoscope;  as it will still have one of the twelve signs upon its cusp and thus its further story may be gathered by the state of its ‘ruler’/domicile lord within the greater picture.  Thus the principle of essential dignity may allow for a greater synthesis and expansion of analysis in birth chart delineation.

___The Nature of the Major Essential Dignities & Debilities___

Domicile, Exaltation, Detriment & Fall

The following discussion addresses the four classifications of domicile, exaltation, detriment and fall, as these are the major categories of essential dignity and debility.  They are no doubt, a very important and primary dimension of basic astrological understanding, as in knowing the symbolic utilisation of the zodiac.  It must be noted that some planets, due to having essential dignity by sign placement, may be ‘all dressed up’, on the apparent level, but ‘not going anywhere’ (even though always inherently of a ‘strong’ potential).  Others may present from the apparent challenge of debility, yet, should also not always be judged ‘by their cover’, as ‘rough diamonds’ do happen (nevertheless, in some sense, something must usually always be ‘cared for’). 

In other words, a planet in a sign and the essential condition, although of importance, is always open to further development and adulteration, the horoscope depending  In addition, there is more leeway of context and mode of expression, in today’s world, allowing for the awareness of ‘greys’ within the symbolism.  Thus, the components in any horoscope, although always retaining a core nature, may become subject to other chart conditions.  For this reason, the debilitated can experience a certain reframing, as can the dignified. 

Further variances may occur, even though a planet and its sign of residence, is of a primary importance.  A planet in a sign is a major statement in itself, yet still relatively general, in regards to the further details of delineation to be sought.  This is as the basic symbolic foundation of the combination is still open to be further developed, as a more individualised analysis.  That is chart positioning, thus possible accidental dignities, such as house, angles, or other planets and their relationships/aspects and so on, will also add an extension, to the statement of the fundamental planet/sign astrology.

  Again, the individual ingredients must be discerned and reflected upon, until a more extensive understanding may be attempted to be apprehended.  The sign placement of a planet qualifies this essential ‘zodiacal’ (thus ‘extra-archetypal’) condition – or adds more detail, to the bottom line template from which the purity of a planetary archetype may function.

Domicile[21]__________

Often known simply as ‘dignity’ or ‘rulership’ in the more informal sense, domicile rulership is the strongest category of dignity and concerned with giving a planet strength of archetype.  As already identified, a planet has a sign(s) in which it is considered to be ‘domus’, or ‘at home’[22].  To the ancient astrologer, a planet in its domicile was like a ‘king enthroned’, or within his own stronghold. 

Thus it is noted that a planet within such a dignity is as its own ‘captain’, usually prepared to function with some manner of individual integrity and thus may be prepared to naturally pilot the strength of a more typical expression.  The planetary component in question is symbolised as carrying the fortitude, of an ideally positive potential, at least concerning its essential symbolic template.  When in domicile the planet, or light, concerned may become strongly harmonised with the tone of the zodiacal sign, ideally finding a base of symbolic integration and therefore a sound quality of archetypal expression.

  In domicile placement, the zodiacal environment is ‘familiar’ to the planet and supposedly ‘serving’ its symbolic essence. 

Most ideally, as to what is being represented, the advantage of something being on its ‘home ground’ is a naturally familiar, validating and supporting experience.  A planet in its domal position was considered strengthened or potent in its archetypal principles, for ill or good. 

Although in the astrological tradition, usually any potential maleficence concerning the planet in domicile, may be seen to be salved, to some degree.  Traditionally and generally, being in astrological domicile appeared to be as a very fortunate positing, promising a certain grace of the cosmos, as in being supportive.

Classically some form of ‘gift’/fulfilment concerning the archetypal function may also be potentially indicated.  Whatever the domicile, or the dignity, the core nature of the planet in question, will maintain its central typos and thus also be of a great contribution in ‘affecting’ the nature of what is symbolised.  When planet is ‘domus’, it may be seen to be within its own archetypal/symbolic frame of reference, thus being generally supported, for what it is, within a comfortable reinforcing boundary (i.e.; sign). 

Such a planet may be said to be ‘disposing’ of itself, or giving of itself its own disposition, thus the consideration that it is ‘noble’, self-responsible, or possessive of esteem in inherent character.  For the astrologer, once a very dignified planet is identified, the task then unfolds, as to how and where, this symbolism may further express itself, or not, given its further relationship to the greater holism of the picture.

Exaltation__________

The exaltation positions of the traditional planets are as follows, also listed with the sign and the degrees of exaltation;

Planet        Sign of Exaltation              Exalted degree

Sun           Aries                                    19 degrees

Moon         Taurus                                   3 degrees

Mercury     Virgo                                   15 degrees

Venus        Pisces                                  27 degrees

Mars          Capricorn                             28 degrees

Jupiter      Cancer                                 15 degrees

Saturn       Libra                                    21 degrees