In astrology, the essential dignities refer to the relative strength or weakness of a planet in a specific sign depending on how the qualities of the planet interact with the qualities of the sign. When we say a planet is in its home sign or we say it is in its detriment, we are referring to the essential dignities.
Domicile is when a planet is in a sign that it rules. We often say a planet is "at home" in its domicile; it's comfortable, familiar, and therefore tends to function rather effectively.
Detriment is when a planet is in a sign opposite its domicile, that is, when it is 180° away from its home on the chart. In this way we see the planet as functioning in unfamiliar territory, where it tends to feel more uncomfortable, reserved, or may need to give a little more to accomplish its usual load.
Exaltation is when a planet is in a zodiac sign it shares compatible qualities with that encourages or validates the planetary energy, so it may function just as well if not even easier than it does it its domicile.
Fall is when a planet is in the sign opposite its exaltation. Now, don't go and freak out when you inevitably see a planet in fall in a (your) chart! This may be an energy a planet has a more difficult time expressing itself through, and may struggle feeling seen, understood, valued, and valid. These placements bring about some of our greatest soul growth when we lean into their lessons, where working a bit harder also means having a harder time taking rewards for granted.
In my 2+ hour Essential Dignities bonus episode, I go through all of the major planets in the table below, their energy, and journey when they are in their domicile, their detriment, their exaltation, and their fall. Enroll in That Witch School for access to my bonus episode library!
Below is a reference chart for the modern essential dignities used in western astrology.
Planet | Domicile/ Rulership | Detriment | Exaltation | Fall |
Sun ☉ | Leo ♌ | Aquarius ♒ | Aries ♈ | Libra ♎ |
Moon ☽ | Cancer ♋ | Capricorn ♑ | Taurus ♉ | Scorpio ♏ |
Mercury ☿ | Gemini ♊ | Sagittarius ♐ | Virgo ♍ | Pisces ♓ |
Virgo ♍ | Pisces ♓ | |||
Venus ♀ | Taurus ♉ | Scorpio ♏ | Pisces ♓ | Virgo ♍ |
Libra ♎ | Aries ♈ |
| ||
Mars ♂ | Aries ♈ | Libra ♎ | Capricorn ♑ | Cancer ♋ |
Scorpio ♏ | Taurus ♉ | |||
Jupiter ♃ | Sagittarius ♐ | Gemini ♊ | Cancer ♋ | Capricorn ♑ |
Pisces ♓ | Virgo ♍ | |||
Saturn ♄ | Capricorn ♑ | Cancer ♋ | Libra ♎ | Aries ♈ |
Aquarius ♒ | Leo ♌ | |||
Uranus ♅ | Aquarius ♒ | Leo ♌ | Scorpio ♏ | Taurus ♉ |
Neptune ♆ | Pisces ♓ | Virgo ♍ | Cancer ♋ | Capricorn ♑ |
Pluto ♇ | Scorpio ♏ | Taurus ♉ | Leo ♌ | Aquarius ♒ |
The essential dignities is a layer of astrology that may seem a little complicated at first look (totally normal if you're feeling that way!), but I promise you when you even just dip your toes into it, it's going to take your awareness of these planets from these names and symbols on a page, to feeling like people you know, with personalities and behavior you genuinely understand.
I have Venus in Scorpio (detriment), Jupiter in Cancer (exaltation), Saturn in Capricorn (domicile), Neptune in Capricorn (fall), Pluto in Scorpio (domicile).
What about you?? Let me know in the comments below!
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