✶ Reference
Planetary dignities
Every planet is strongest in certain signs (domicile and exaltation) and weakened in others (detriment and fall). This system is the foundation for interpreting planetary strength in a natal chart.
Dignity table by planet
| Planet | Domicile Rulership |
Exaltation Uplift |
Detriment Detriment |
Fall Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☉ Sun | Leo | Aries | Aquarius | Libra |
| ☽ Moon | Cancer | Taurus | Capricorn | Scorpio |
| ☿ Mercury | Gemini, Virgo | Virgo | Sagittarius, Pisces | Pisces |
| ♀ Venus | Taurus, Libra | Pisces | Scorpio, Aries | Virgo |
| ♂ Mars | Aries, Scorpio | Capricorn | Libra, Taurus | Cancer |
| ♃ Jupiter | Sagittarius, Pisces | Cancer | Gemini, Virgo | Capricorn |
| ♄ Saturn | Capricorn, Aquarius | Libra | Cancer, Leo | Aries |
| ♅ Uranus | Aquarius | Scorpio | Leo | Taurus |
| ♆ Neptune | Pisces | Cancer | Virgo | Capricorn |
| ♇ Pluto | Scorpio | Leo | Taurus | Aquarius |
Rulers of the zodiac signs
| Sign | Ruler | Co-ruler | Exaltation | Detriment | Fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ♈ Aries | Mars | — | Sun | Venus | Saturn |
| ♉ Taurus | Venus | — | Moon | Mars, Pluto | Uranus |
| ♊ Gemini | Mercury | — | — | Jupiter | — |
| ♋ Cancer | Moon | — | Jupiter, Neptune | Saturn | Mars |
| ♌ Leo | Sun | — | Pluto | Saturn, Uranus | — |
| ♍ Virgo | Mercury | — | Mercury | Jupiter, Neptune | Venus |
| ♎ Libra | Venus | — | Saturn | Mars | Sun |
| ♏ Scorpio | Pluto | Mars | Uranus | Venus | Moon |
| ♐ Sagittarius | Jupiter | — | — | Mercury | — |
| ♑ Capricorn | Saturn | — | Mars | Moon | Jupiter, Neptune |
| ♒ Aquarius | Uranus | Saturn | — | Sun | Pluto |
| ♓ Pisces | Neptune | Jupiter | Venus | Mercury | Mercury |
What do the dignities mean?
Domicile (Rulership)
The planet is «at home» — in the sign it rules. Here it expresses its qualities most naturally and harmoniously. For example, Mars in Aries is strong, decisive and direct.
Exaltation
The planet is a guest of a friendly host — its energy is amplified and directed toward its best expressions. For example, the Moon in Taurus brings emotional stability, a sense of comfort and beauty.
Detriment
The planet is in the sign opposite its domicile. It has a hard time expressing its qualities, but this creates an inner tension that can become a source of growth. For example, Venus in Aries — impulsiveness in feelings.
Fall
The planet is in the sign opposite its exaltation — the most challenging placement. The planet's energy is expressed unnaturally and requires conscious effort. For example, Saturn in Aries struggles with discipline and patience.
Find the dignities of the planets in your chart
Calculate your natal chart to see which signs your planets are in and how strong they are.
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