Planets – Essential Dignities and Debilities 

Astrology uses the concept of Essential Dignities  and Debilities  to determine how strong or weak a planet is based on its zodiac sign placement. These conditions describe the natural power, comfort, and effectiveness of a planet in expressing its qualities.

🔹 Essential Dignities 

1. Domicile

• A planet is in domicile when it is in the sign it rules.
• Very strong and comfortable, can express its qualities naturally.
• Example: Sun in Leo, Moon in Cancer, Venus in Taurus/Libra.

1. Exaltation

• A planet is exalted in a sign where it functions at its highest and most honorable expression.
• Very strong, dignified, noble qualities.
• Example: Sun in Aries, Moon in Taurus, Venus in Pisces.

1. Triplicity

• Each element (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) has planets that rule it by day, night, or participating triplicity.
• Provides moderate strength and stability.

1. Term/Bound 

• Ancient system where each sign is divided into unequal sections ruled by different planets.
• Gives the planet some dignity and control in a limited degree range.

1. Face/Decan 

• Each sign is divided into 3 decans of 10° each, ruled by a planet.
• Weak dignity, but still gives some strength.

🔹 Essential Debilities 

1. Detriment 

• A planet in the sign opposite its domicile.
• Weak and uncomfortable, struggles to express its natural qualities.
• Example: Sun in Aquarius, Moon in Capricorn.

1. Fall 

• A planet in the sign opposite its exaltation.
• Very weak, often expressing qualities in distorted or problematic ways.
• Example: Sun in Libra, Moon in Scorpio.

🔹 Examples of Planetary Essential Dignities & Debilities

• Sun ☉
  • Domicile: Leo
  • Exaltation: Aries
  • Detriment: Aquarius
  • Fall: Libra
• Moon ☽
  • Domicile: Cancer
  • Exaltation: Taurus
  • Detriment: Capricorn
  • Fall: Scorpio
• Mercury ☿
  • Domicile: Gemini, Virgo
  • Exaltation: Virgo
  • Detriment: Sagittarius, Pisces
  • Fall: Pisces
• Venus ♀
  • Domicile: Taurus, Libra
  • Exaltation: Pisces
  • Detriment: Scorpio, Aries
  • Fall: Virgo
• Mars ♂
  • Domicile: Aries, Scorpio
  • Exaltation: Capricorn
  • Detriment: Libra, Taurus
  • Fall: Cancer
• Jupiter ♃
  • Domicile: Sagittarius, Pisces
  • Exaltation: Cancer
  • Detriment: Gemini, Virgo
  • Fall: Capricorn
• Saturn ♄
  • Domicile: Capricorn, Aquarius
  • Exaltation: Libra
  • Detriment: Cancer, Leo
  • Fall: Aries

(Outer planets like Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto are usually not included in the traditional essential dignities system, since this is based on classical astrology.)

✨ Summary

• Essential Dignities = Strength & comfort of a planet in a sign (natural support).
• Essential Debilities = Weakness & struggle of a planet in a sign (natural conflict).
• The system helps astrologers measure how effective and dignified a planet is in expressing its qualities in a chart.