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Dignities, Debilities

Dignities, Debilities - Astrology Encyclopedia

Definition of Dignities, Debilities Conditions of placement wherein a planet's influence is strengthened, are termed Dignities; if weakened they are termed Debilities. These are of two varieties: Essential and Accidental.

A planet in a Sign in which it is strengthened, is in one of its Essential Dignities; in a House in which it is strengthened, in its Accidental Dignity.

The Essential Dignities are: (1) when a planet is in a Sign of which it is the Ruler, when it is said to be in its own Sign, or in its Domal Dignity. It is ambiguous and confusing to call this its House-position. If the Sign which a planet rules is on the cusp of the House in which the planet is posited, the planet may be described as the Lord of the House: but the strength as such depends upon its Essential Dignity by virtue of its Sign placement. Some authorities deem that placement in any other Sign of the same element as that of which it is the Ruler confers a degree of Dignity; (2) When it is posited in the Sign in which it is said to be Exalted, wherein its strength is augmented and its virtues magnified. A planet in its Exaltation is only slightly less favorably placed than when it is in its own Sign; (3) By ancient precepts, the placement of a planet in the same Triplicity as that of which it is the Ruler, in the same Term, or in the same Face, were deemed to be Essential Dignities of varying degree.

Relative values were computed by points as follows: Sign 5; Mutual reception by house, 5; Exaltation 4; mutual reception by Exaltation 4; Triplicity 3; Term 2; Face 1.

In the opposite Sign to that which it rules, a planet is said to be in its Detriment; which is to say, in opposition to its most congenial environment, hence materially weakened.

In the opposite Sign to that in which it would be in its Exaltation, it is said to be in its Fall.

The scale of Essential Debilities arc: Detriment 5; Fall 4; Peregrine 5.

A planet in its Debility is generally to be interpreted as an indication of weakness in that it increases the bad effects of malefic, and lessens the possibilities for good of a benefic.

Of the Accidental Dignities the strongest is placement in Angular Houses: firstly, the Tenth; then, in order, the First, Seventh and Fourth Houses. The Succedent Houses come next, with the Cadent Houses weakest.

Other Accidental Dignities, according to older authorities, are: favorable aspects to Fortune; freedom from combustion; favorable aspects from benefics; swift in motion and increasing in light; and in a House which corresponds to the Sign of its Essential Dignity - as the Sun in the Fifth House, corresponding to Leo; Moon in the Fourth House, corresponding to Cancer; Mercury in the Third or Sixth House, corresponding to Gemini and Virgo; and so on.

Modern authorities, however, usually confine the use of the term to House placement or Elevation. Accidental Dignities are not necessarily benevolent. The increased strength may result harmfully if expressed through unfavorable aspects. The number of planets which are accidentally dignified is a character - index of importance. A planet so placed as to gain strength by way of Essential or Accidental dignity, does not necessarily confer a benevolent disposition. For example, a significator that is exalted, angular, and not afflicted indicates a person of haughty arrogant nature, assuming more than is his due. Charles E. 0. Carter considers that a planet in its own sign benefits quantitatively, but not qualitatively; i.e., its strength is increased, but not necessarily rendered benefic. Point values by which to judge the relative strength of the Accidental Dignities, as listed by Wilson, are:

Ascendant or Midheaven..............................5

Besieged by Jupiter and Venus...................... 6

Partile conj. with Jupiter and Venus............... 5

Conj. Cor Leonis................................... 6

Conj. Spica........................................ 5

4th, 7th or 11th House............................. 4

Direct motion...................................... 4

Partile conj., North Node.......................... 4

Partile trine, Jupiter and Venus................... 4

Partile sextile, Jupiter and Venus................. 3

2nd or 5th House................................... 2

9th House.......................................... 2

Swift of motion.................................... 2

Increasing in light................................ 2

Saturn, oriental................................... 2

Jupiter, oriental.................................. 2

Mars, oriental..................................... 2

Moon, occidental................................... 2

Mercury, occidental................................ 2

Venus, occidental.................................. 2

3rd House.......................................... 1

Hayze.............................................. 1

In the Term of Jupiter or Venus.................... 1

Point values of the Accidental Debilities are:

Besieged by Mars and Saturn......................... 6

Partile conj., Mars and Saturn...................... 5

Conj. Caput Algol................................... 6

Combust............................................. 5

Retrograde.......................................... 5

12th House.......................................... 5

Under the Sunbeams.................................. 4

6th or 8th House.................................... 4

Partile conj., South Node........................... 4

Partile opposition, Mars or Saturn.................. 4

Partile square, Mars or Saturn...................... 3

Decreasing in light................................. 2

Decreasing in motion, or slow....................... 2

Saturn occidental................................... 2

Jupiter occidental.................................. 2

Moon oriental....................................... 2

Mercury oriental.................................... 2

Venus oriental...................................... 2

In term of Mars or Saturn........................... 1

Certain Dignities specifically ascribed to Fortuna are:

Conj., Cor Leonis................................... 6

Asc. or Midheaven................................... 5

Partile conj., Jupiter or Venus..................... 5

Conj., Spica........................................ 5

Not Combust......................................... 5

In Taurus or Pisces................................. 5

Besieged by Jupiter and Venus....................... 6

In Cancer, Leo, Libra, or Sagittarius............... 4

4th, 7th, or 11th House............................. 4

Partile trine, Venus or Jupiter..................... 4

Partile conj., North Node........................... 4

In Gemini........................................... 3

2nd or 5th House.................................... 3

Partile sextile, Jupiter or Venus................... 3

In Virgo............................................ 2

9th House........................................... 2

3rd House........................................... 1

In Term of Venus or Jupiter......................... 1

The Debilities ascribed to Fortuna are:

Conj., Caput Algol.................................. 6

Besieged by Mars and Saturn......................... 6

12th House.......................................... 5

In Scorpio, Capricorn, or Aquarius.................. 5

Combust............................................. 5

Partile conj., Mars or Saturn....................... 5

6th or 8th House.................................... 4

Opposition, Mars or Jupiter......................... 4

Partile conj., South Node........................... 4

In Aries............................................ 3

Partile square, Mars or Saturn...................... 3

Term of Mars or Saturn.............................. 1

The totals of the Dignities in comparison to the totals of the Debilities affords a determination of the potential strength of the planet.

According to the strength each assumes in a nativity, will its power to activate become manifest:

Sun......builds

Moon.....nourishes

Mercury..communicates

Venus....allures

Mars.....energizes

Jupiter..expands

Saturn...endures

Uranus...perceives

Neptune..dissolves

Pluto....consolidates

(Nicholas deVore - Encyclopedia of Astrology)

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