The Dignity System

 The dignity rank system (known as the Essential Dignities) is a rank system that helps determine the strength or weakness of a planet's (or point's) zodiac position by sign and degree.  Each planet has one or two signs in which they are dignified and one or two signs in which they are debilitated.  Usually depending on the degree of the planet's position, it could determine how much they are "dignified" or "debilitated". 

Along with dignities by sign and degree in sign, there are also accidental dignities which occur depending on the position of a planet in the natal chart.  There are many different ways to gain a dignity, as well as a debility.

For more information, see the Home Page.

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Essential Dignities: Domicile VS Exaltation

The biggest question newcomers have when being introduced to the Essential Dignity system is whether or not a planet fairs better in domicile or in an exaltation.  Both of these dignities are the highest position a planet can be placed in after all, and because of this it can represent certain gifts or benefits that would be rewarded to a native.  Of course, depending on the planet positioned here, the rewards may vary. 

 

So which dignity will give the most?  Which is the best dignity to have? Well, think about it this way; they both give rewards but in different ways.  However, one of these dignities will represent a less challenging way of obtaining, but no more or less rewarding. 

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When a planet is in domicile, this means the planet is "at home".  The planet is in its place of comfort and acting as such.  The native that has a planetary position in domicile will have a freer, unashamed expression of the planetary energy.  This is a reward to those with such energies because they never have to feel ashamed for who they are or how they feel.  They can always rely on their own energies to make things right in their life.  They can be as creative as they want to be without feeling guilt or pressure. The world is their stage with this energy, and they feel completely fit for the role they are playing.  This free energy can be attractive to others because it feels safe and reassuring.  

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With Exaltation, the planet is an "honored guest" in someone else's house.  How does it feel to be am ambassador to a country or the guest of honor at a person's party? You feel pretty popular and well-liked, honestly. That is the role this planet is playing when it is in the sign of its Exaltation.  If you think about this it also sounds like a pleasant situation to be in.   However, as the "honored guest" the planet must always be on their best behavior, or else they will over stay their welcome.  The native with this position has energies that draw people towards them; people always want to support them because these energies are pure and considerate.  These energies are inspiring because they energize others.  They know how to get those around them enthused or motivated and they make excellent leaders.  These are the rewards of an exaltation, but again those who have this position are not as free (or do not feel as free) to express themselves.  There are limits here that the natives will not dare cross, in order not to shame themselves.  Luckily, they hardly ever feel ashamed because they have a healthy amount of restraint.  This also works in their favor because it gives them more followers than enemies.

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As you can see both give different kinds of benefits, with the difference mainly being that one expresses more often, while the other has more restraint.  The domicile feels more comfortable, while the exaltation does not feel as comfortable, but expresses more gracefully than the domicile. Since dignity rank is judged by level of the planet's naturalness in a sign, the domicile is always ranked higher. However, this does not mean that one is better than the other, but that one is stronger and more powerfully visible than the other. Remember, planetary aspects can both enhance but also hinder such beneficial energies, as well as chart placements.

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Debilities: Fall VS Detriment

Along with the dignities, there is always a debate about whether or not fall is the worse or detriment is the worse debility to have.  Rightfully so, these are the most debilitating of all Essential Debilities.  So of course, no one wants to be in the worst position; everyone hopes to have the least amount of obstacles as possible.  Depending on the planet that is debilitated, there will be varying obstacles.

Debilities do not determine outcome; they only present obstacles that may interfere with one's journey to fulfillment.  Again, whether one is worse than the other depends on circumstance.  Both of them have different obstacles to overcome, but also different rewards should these obstacles be successfully conquered.   

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When a planet is in fall, it is described as being in a "foreign land".  As a foreigner, we don't know the language or customs, so as a result we may disrespect those of the land and we may often get lost. In the end we may not feel like we belong here. The planet feels "weak" in this position, unable to perform at its best or strongest. Therefore, it will not be able to get the fulfillment they want without hard work. While in many cases this feels like a bad situation, a foreigner can always learn the ways of the locals with support.  

Natives with planets in a falling position struggle to express themselves in a tactful manner because the native is always in fear of failure and rejection.  They don't quite know how to express themselves; more than likely they didn't get much practice growing up.  In a way, the falling position can seem like the worst situation because it affects the native's life more on a physical level.  The native will have many physical limitations preventing them from performing at their best.  This means that this native will have to work harder than most to find fulfillment and they may need more support from others.  To add, they will make many mistakes that prevent them from gaining the fulfillment they so desire. This may cause much depression in the native. They have to be careful not to attack or be on defense against people that only mean them well.  The native may always seem like "they are out to get someone".  However, this situation is reversible. They have only "fallen" from grace a few times, but they can always get back up and try again. Usually they are on the right track, they just need a bit of an energy boost. Should they finally conquer their fears and focus more on their strengths instead of their weaknesses, they may gain rewards that way.  

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When a planet is in detriment, it is described as being "exiled" or in the "enemy's camp".  When we are in such situations, it is extremely uncomfortable.  We are considered threats in this land and vice versa.  We are trouble to those around us, and therefore we will eventually be attacked...or we may be the attackers. When a planet is in detriment in a sign it is considered "damaged" or now broken, which will block useful energies.  

Natives with planets in detriment are considered mentally and emotionally debilitated.  Its not as physical as it would be in the case of a fall, which may lead some to believe that it is not as bad of a situation as the falling position.  However there are several factors to consider regarding a detriment that should not be overlooked.  To start, when a planet is in detriment, it cannot be reversed.  It is as described: damaged.  So this means that the native's actions are not mere accidents but a result of inner development that is contrary to the norm.  In other words, people with planets in detriment have a mindset that does not function like everyone else's.  As a result their expression will be unconventional and may even start a little trouble in their lives.  They may even cause long term damage to the situations around them if they are not careful with these energies.  Their biggest obstacle is themselves; they may need counseling to get to the source of their unconventionality.  They tend to be "worried" all the time or plagued by the fact that they just can't seem to get what they want.  They are the opposite of a person in domicile; they are always ashamed of their own energies.  Once they understand that they aren't like everyone else, they will eventually come to accept it.  When acceptance is made they can use their energies as special abilities.  Like a person who was once "exiled" or an "enemy", they can always make trade agreements for peace to end the wars with others. By that I mean they can give something just as good even if different.

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If we're talking about which is worse from a physical level, the falling position most certainly loses.  However, on a mental and emotional level the position in detriment is the loser.  Because their debilitations are on different levels, they will have very different setbacks.  Both struggle to express themselves, with the fall having issues with clumsiness and the detriment having an issue with a less moral expression.  However, the falling position is ranked higher as the planet is just a tad bit more comfortable in the falling position, despite the fact that it does not express as gracefully as in other planetary positions.  With the detriment, however, the planet is overall experiencing discomfort making it very difficult to express itself naturally.  This is why detriment tends to be the lowest ranked position to be in. However, this does not mean that one is worse than the other; both have setbacks but also gifts. It's just that detriment's energy is more unusual and more uncomfortable.  Their expression does not come as naturally for natives with planets in detriment. Remember, aspects can both enhance the planet's energy, but also set the planet's energy back even further, as well as chart placements.