Essential Dignities/Debilities are part of a wider system of measuring the impact (positive or negative) a planet will have in a chart.
Conditions of placement in a chart 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. This report covers Essential Dignities/Debilities.
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. 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 are:
•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 a "malefic", and lessens the possibilities for good of a "benefic".
Below is an Essential Dignities report for Richard Branson...
 Essential Dignities report |
There are various settings you can make for the report. You can change:
•the Term type
•the Triplicity type
•the Peregrine type.
See Chart Calculations for more detailed information.
