We identify strongly with the signs of the dispositors of our Sun and ascendant. We also, in effect, identify strongly with the elements of those signs.
It tends to get confusing to sort out the dispositors in our birth chart because we must follow the planets back and forth. It’s like playing “Connect the Dots.” The best way is to take it very slow, and have a pen and paper.
The dispositor of the Ascendant is the planet that rules the Ascendant’s sign. This dispositor and its element are important because we identify strongly with the planet that rules our ascendant.
It takes 2 steps to find the element of the dispositor.
- First we must find the dispositor.
- Then we take note of the element of the dispositor’s sign.
1. Find the Dispositor of the Ascendant
To find the dispositor of the ascendant, see what sign is on the ascendant (the Rising Sign), and then see which planet rules that sign. (See Ruling Planets.)
- If the ascendant is in Aries, Mars rules Aries, so Mars is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Taurus, Venus rules Taurus, so Venus is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Gemini, Mercury rules Gemini, so Mercury is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Cancer, the Moon rules Cancer, so the Moon is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Leo, the Sun rules Leo, so the Sun is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Virgo, Mercury rules Virgo, so Mercury is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Libra, Venus rules Libra, so Venus is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Scorpio, Mars and Pluto both rule Scorpio, so Mars and Pluto are the dispositors of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Sagittarius, Jupiter rules Sagittarius, so Jupiter is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Capricorn, Saturn rules Capricorn, so Saturn is the dispositor of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Aquarius, Saturn and Uranus both rule Aquarius, so Saturn and Uranus are the dispositors of the ascendant.
- If the ascendant is in Pisces, Jupiter and Neptune both rule Pisces, so Jupiter and Neptune are the dispositors of the ascendant.
2. Find the Element of the Dispositor of the Ascendant
Once you know which planet is the dispositor, then take note of which sign that planet is in. Whatever this sign is, we take note of the element of this sign.
A few examples:
- If the dispositor is the Sun, and the Sun is in Leo, the element is fire because Leo is a fire sign.
- If the dispositor is the Sun, and the Sun is in Scorpio, the element is water because Scorpio is a water sign.
- If the dispositor is the Sun, and the Sun is in Aquarius, the element is air because Aquarius is an air sign.
- If the dispositor is the Sun, and the Sun is in Capricorn, the element is earth because Capricorn is an earth sign.
Element Key
Fire | Earth | Air | Water |
---|---|---|---|
Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer |
Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio |
Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces |
Now that we are finished with the ascendant, let’s move on to the Sun. We follow the same 2 steps as above: first find the dispositor, then take note of the element of the dispositor’s sign.
Find the Dispositor of the Sun
To do this, look at the sign of the Sun and see which planet rules that sign.
- If the Sun is in Aries, Mars rules Aries, so Mars is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Taurus, Venus rules Taurus, so Venus is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Gemini, Mercury rules Gemini, so Mercury is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Cancer, the Moon rules Cancer, so the Moon is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Leo, the Sun rules Leo, so the Sun is its own dispositor! This is why the Sun is exalted in Leo, and why Leo’s are so bright and “in your face.” (unless their Rising Sign or other factor in their chart somehow puts a damper on them)
- If the Sun is in Virgo, Mercury rules Virgo, so Mercury is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Libra, Venus rules Libra, so Venus is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Scorpio, Mars and Pluto both rule Scorpio, so Mars and Pluto are the dispositors of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Sagittarius, Jupiter rules Sagittarius, so Jupiter is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Capricorn, Saturn rules Capricorn, so Saturn is the dispositor of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Aquarius, Saturn and Uranus both rule Aquarius, so Saturn and Uranus are the dispositors of the Sun.
- If the Sun is in Pisces, Jupiter and Neptune both rule Pisces, so Jupiter and Neptune are the dispositors of the Sun.
Find the Element of the Dispositor of the Sun
Once you know which planet is the dispositor of the Sun, then see which sign this planet is in. Then, take note of the element of that sign. See the Element Key, found above on this page, if you need it.
A few examples:
- If the dispositor is the Moon, and the Moon is in Leo, the element is fire because Leo is a fire sign.
- If the dispositor is the Moon, and the Moon is in Scorpio, the element is water because Scorpio is a water sign.
- If the dispositor is the Moon, and the Moon is in Aquarius, the element is air because Aquarius is an air sign.
- If the dispositor is the Moon, and the Moon is in Capricorn, the element is earth because Capricorn is an earth sign.