TRIPLICITIES
When a chart is cast, it is classified diurnal (day), or nocturnal (night), depending on whether the Sun is posited within houses 1-7, above the horizon, or houses 7-12, below the horizon.
If a chart is diurnal, then heavy consideration is placed on the position of the Sun, and the triplicity rulers of the sign position. In general, an individual with a diurnal chart, is more extroverted, less shy or hesitant, and more outgoing.
If a chart is nocturnal, then heavy consideration is placed on the position of the Moon, and the triplicity rulers of the sign position. In general, an individual with a nocturnal chart, is more introverted, shy and less outgoing.
THE FIRE SIGN TRIPLICITY
ARIES – LEO – SAGITTARIUS
- Day Rulers – Sun – Jupiter – Saturn
- Night Rulers – Jupiter – Sun – Saturn
THE EARTH SIGN TRIPLICITY
TAURUS – VIRGO – CAPRICORN
- Day Rulers – Venus – Moon – Mars
- Night Rulers – Moon – Venus – Mars
THE AIR SIGN TRIPLICITY
GEMINI – LIBRA – AQUARIUS
- Day Rulers – Saturn – Mercury – Jupiter
- Night Rulers – Mercury – Saturn – Jupiter
THE WATER SIGN TRIPLICITY
CANCER – SCORPIO – PISCES
- Day Ruler – Venus – Mars – Moon
- Night Ruler – Mars – Venus – Moon
In a diurnal chart, where the Sun is posited above the horizon, you will consider the placement of the Sun and it’s relevant triplicity rulerships to gain a detailed overview of the natal chart at hand.
For example, today’s chart finds a 12th House Sagittarius Sun. The 12th House is a Cadent house, which is deemed not overly positive for determined achievement and public success. Looking towards the triplicity list, we see that the Day Rulers for Sagittarius are the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter is also posited in a Cadent house (not overly strong), which is the Gemini ruled 6th House, and is retrograde, and also considered in detriment. We will discuss detriment placements later on. Saturn in this chart, is posited in the 11th House, a Succedent house, and is ruled by Scorpio, a Succeedent sign. To analyse this for an individual, you could assess that the client would experience a restlessness regards daily direction, and perhaps even struggle with authority figures. There would be an elusiveness regards long-term aspirations and moments of lacking confidence in one’s talents and abilities. You could advise this individual to take small steps regards their long term goals and aspirations, and to encourage them to take the time necessary to explore a possibility fully, as they could be prone to quitting before they even begin. On the upswing, themes such as health and law would be appealing to this individual and would bode well as career possibilities.
To locate the planetary ruler of the chart, you are looking at a lot of mathematical equation. Thankfully, we live within the technological age that makes these equations easy for us, andskyscript has an exceptional listing of the necessary tables for your studies.
DIGNITY
Essential Dignity
Each planet or luminary has a special place in the astrological chart that it calls home. This sacred space is ascertained by determining the sign and degree position of the planet or luminary. In general, a planet or luminary that is deemed to be in ‘essential dignity’ is considered to be most beneficial to the individual.
Here is a link to the essential diginity table
Accidental Dignity
Another important consideration regards Dignity, is accidental dignity, when the strength of a planet or luminary is ascertained by its position to the angles, to other planets, or if it is within its sign of exaltation. In general, a planet or luminary considered to be in ‘accidental dignity’, does have beneficial effects, but it can also be a powerhouse of unpredictability, depending on any negative possibilties that may be experienced by the planet or luminary.
For example, today’s chart finds Mars in accidental dignity. Mars is posited in the 1st House and is ruled by Capricorn, the sign of his exaltation. The basis of this positioning is positive, however, Mars is also experiencing a square to the MC (career or public standing challenges) and a quincunx to Jupiter (authority issues). Possibilties of this placement could be experienced as either positive experiences with others, or within the career realm, or as some level of confrontation or disappointing revelation regards future goals.
EXALTATION and FALL
Exaltation
Each planet is given a time of being in Exaltation, and a time of being in Fall. When in Exaltation, the planet or luminary is deemed to be positive, powerful in beneficial ways, and free to express its energy potential in a natural way. This position of exaltation is deemed by sign rulership and degree placement. However, a planet is considered in exaltation during its entire journey through a sign, with the specific degree position being a particular point of power and strength.
Here is a link to the table of dignities
Below is a list of the degrees of exaltation
- 19 degrees Aries – Sun
- 3 degrees Taurus – Moon
- 15 degrees Virgo – Mercury
- 27 degrees Pisces – Venus
- 28 degrees Capricorn – Mars
- 5 degrees Cancer – Jupiter
- 21 degrees Libra – Saturn
Fall
As a planet or luminary will experience its moment to shine brightly and with purity, it will also experience a time where its light shines dimly, or beneath a dappled shadow. The opposite sign of the planet or luminary being deemed in exaltation, is considered as being in Fall, and an individual with planet or luminary in Fall, will find it tougher to achieve the positive intention of that celestial body.
Below is a list of the planets and luminaries, and their position of Fall
- Sun in Libra
- Moon in Scorpio
- Mercury in Pisces
- Venus in Virgo
- Mars in Cancer
- Jupiter in Capricorn
- Saturn in Aries
IN DETRIMENT
When a planet or luminary is posited in the sign opposite its natural ruler, it is considered to be in detriment. This means that the energy of that planet does not run as freely or as smoothly as it does when in its natural sign position. An individual or situation will need to work harder to achieve the goal of that energy when a celestial body is in detriment, but it is not not essentially a negative. Many notable individuals experience an energy in detriment. For example, Richard Branson experiences Mars in detriment, and Bill Gates experiences both Venus and Mars in detriment, yet both men are considered to be a few of the most successful men of the 21st century.
Below is a list of the home of the planets and luminaries, and where they are considered to be in detriment.
- Sun
- - home = Leo – in detriment = Aquarius
- Moon
- - Home = Cancer – in detriment = Capricorn
- Mercury
- - Home = Gemini and Virgo – in detriment = Sagittarius and Pisces
- Venus
- - Home = Taurus and Libra – in detriment = Scorpio and Aries
- Mars
- - Home = Aries and Scorpio – in detriment = Libra and Taurus
- Jupiter
- - Home = Sagittarius and Pisces – in detriment = Gemini and Virgo
- Saturn
- - Home – Capricorn and Aquarius – in detriment = Cancer and Leo
MUTUAL RECEPTION
A planet or luminary is considered to be in ‘mutual reception’, when they are within each other’s signs. For example:- Mercury in Cancer would be considered in mutual to reception to the Moon, if the Moon was also posited in Capricorn. This is generally a positive union, where the effects are both influences are intensified and powerful. There are however times where this mutual reception is considered to be weakened, or less helpful in effect. This would be when one, or both of the planets or luminaries are considered to be in detriment, or in fall, if the planets or luminaries are not in aspect to each others, or if they are being impacted by an opposition.
If you enjoyed this article and would like to explore Classical Astrology on a deeper level, please take the time to visit these exceptional websites:-
Deborah Houlding’s Skyscript
Renaissance Astrology – William Lilly
