Exaltation
The term is derived from the Greek Synonym hypsoma (ὕψωμα), which means “to raise up” or “exalt” something.
A type of essential Dignity.
The qualities of a planet and its sign of exaltation are similar, so that when a planet is in its sign of exaltation it is thought to express its inherent qualities in a particularly 'pure' form.
Modern astrologers do not agree on signs for exaltations of the "newly discovered" planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, so the exaltations are usually restricted to the seven traditional planets.
A planet's sign of exaltation is always located opposite the sign of the same planet's Fall.
Signs of Exaltation
The traditional exaltations:
| Planet | Sign |
|---|---|
Sun 
|
Aries 
|
Moon 
|
Taurus 
|
Mercury 
|
Virgo 
|
Venus 
|
Pisces 
|
Mars 
|
Capricorn 
|
Jupiter 
|
Cancer 
|
Saturn 
|
Libra 
|
Saturn is exalted in Libra.
Jupiter is exalted in Cancer.
Mars is exalted in Capricorn.
Venus is exalted in Pisces.
Mercury is exalted in Virgo.
The Moon is exalted in Taurus.
The Sun is exalted in Aries.According to the 7th century astrologer Rhetorius of Egypt, the exaltations are auspicious placements for the planets because the Domicile lord of that sign interacts particularly well with the planet that has its exaltation in the sign. In some traditions there are specific degrees associated with the exaltations. According to the Hellenistic sources, the degrees of exaltation are as follows:[2]
Saturn is exalted in the 21st degree of Libra.
Jupiter is exalted in the 15th degree of Cancer.
Mars is exalted in the 28th degree of Capricorn.
Venus is exalted in the 27th degree of Pisces.
Mercury is exalted in the 15th degree of Virgo.
The Moon is exalted in the 3rd degree of Taurus.
The Sun is exalted in the 19th degree of Aries.
The sign that is opposite to a planet’s exaltation is known as its Fall or Depression.
See also
Weblinks
- The Exaltation System in Babylonian Astrology (Gavin White 2009; Skyscript)
- Ramesey on Exaltations and Falls (1653) (Christopher Warnock, 2001)
- The Origin of the Planetary Exaltations - their Signs and Degrees (Andrew Bevan, 1995)
- A new perspective on the exaltation (Blog of Kiril Stoychev, 2015)
Notes and References
- ↑ Wikipedia: Thema Mundi
- ↑ Text partly taken from Chris Brennan's Astrology Dictionary