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Essential Dignities of Each Planet

This handy list lets you quickly check if a planet has a essential dignity. This lists the essential dignities of the Sun, Moon, and the five classical planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

For each planet, the list includes the signs, and exact degrees where applicable, of essential dignity. This includes essential dignities by sign rulership (domicile), exaltation, Triplicity, Term, and Face (Decan) as given by Ptolemy.

Use this list to tell whether a planet has any essential dignity. Note that even a planet in Fall or Detriment can have essential dignity (albeit a small amount).

How To Use This List

To use this list to check if a planet has essential dignity, you’ll need to know the sign and degree that your planet is in. You will also need to know if your birth chart is a day chart or a night chart. (If your Sun is in house 1–6, you have a night chart. If your Sun is in house 7–12, you have a day chart.)

Look at the section, below, for your planet. If any of the rules apply for your planet, then it has essential dignity.

The Sun’s Essential Dignities

The Sun has the strongest essential dignity when it is in the sign of Leo. The Sun is also dignified in the sign of its exaltation, Aries.

Only in day charts, the Sun also has essential dignity in Sagittarius.

The Sun also has essential dignity in the degrees of his “Face” or “Decan.” These are the spans of degrees for the Sun’s Face (or “decan” or “decanic faces”):

The Moon’s Essential Dignities

The Moon has the strongest essential dignity when it is in the sign of Cancer. The Moon is also dignified in the sign of its exaltation, Taurus. Only in night charts, the Moon also has essential dignity in Virgo and Capricorn.

The Moon also has essential dignity in the degrees of her “Face” or “Decan.” These are the spans of degrees for the Moon’s Face (or “decan” or “decanic faces”):

Mercury’s Essential Dignities

Mercury has the strongest essential dignity when it is in the sign of Gemini or Virgo.

Only in night charts, Mercury also has essential dignity in Libra and Aquarius.

Mercury also has essential dignity in any of these specific degrees for the given signs. These are the “Terms of Mercury” by sign and degrees:

Mercury also has essential dignity in the degrees of its “Face” or “Decan.” These are the spans of degrees for Mercury’s Face (or “decan” or “decanic faces”):

Venus Essential Dignities

Venus has the strongest essential dignity when it is in the sign of Taurus or Libra. Venus is also dignified in the sign of its exaltation, Pisces.

Only in day charts, Venus also has essential dignity in Virgo and Capricorn.

Venus also has essential dignity in any of these specific degrees for the given signs. These are the “Terms of Venus” by sign and degrees:

Venus also has essential dignity in the degrees of her “Face” or “Decan.” These are the spans of degrees for the Face (or “decan” or “decanic faces”) of Venus:

Mars Essential Dignities

Mars has the strongest essential dignity when it is in the sign of Aries or Scorpio. Mars is also dignified in the sign of its exaltation, Capricorn. Mars is also dignified in any of the water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Mars also has essential dignity in any of these specific degrees for the given signs. These are the “Terms of Mars” by sign and degrees:

Mars also has essential dignity in the degrees of his “Face” or “Decan.” These are the spans of degrees for the Face (or “decan” or “decanic faces”) of Mars:

Jupiter’s Essential Dignities

Jupiter has the strongest essential dignity when it is in the sign of Sagittarius or Pisces. Jupiter is also dignified in the sign of its exaltation, Cancer.

Only in night charts, Jupiter also has essential dignity in the fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Jupiter also has essential dignity in any of these specific degrees for the given signs. These are the “Terms of Jupiter” by sign and degrees:

Jupiter also has essential dignity in the degrees of his “Face” or “Decan.” These are the spans of degrees for Jupiter’s Face (or “decan” or “decanic faces”):

Saturn’s Essential Dignities

Saturn has the strongest essential dignity when it is in the sign of Capricorn or Aquarius. Saturn is also dignified in the sign of its exaltation, Libra.

Only in day charts, Saturn also has essential dignity in Gemini.

Saturn also has essential dignity in any of these specific degrees for the given signs. These are the “Terms of Saturn” by sign and degrees:

Saturn also has essential dignity in the degrees of his “Face” or “Decan.” These are the spans of degrees for Saturn’s Face (or “decan” or “decanic faces”):