Think Like a Classical Astrologer Part 1: Essential Dignities. © 1996, 2000, 2008, 2010 J. Lee Lehman, Ph.D. 1 4 Essential Dignities Rulerships ■ The modern system of dignities has only two ■ A planet in its own Sign (as Mars in Aries) when types: the rulership, and the exaltation, along it represents a horary Significator, symbolizes a with their respective debilities, the detriment and person able to charge out and get what she or he fall. wants. ■ While these are the strongest of the dignities, the ■ That person is ready and able to do what it takes reason that this system has become truncated in to accomplish the question. modern usage is that the meanings became vesti- gial. 2 5 Rulerships Sect in Rulerships ■ The classical system uses dignity to evaluate a ■ In Hellenistic astrology, the sect (whether day or planet's strength. night) was extremely important. ■ There are seven traditional planets, plus the three ■ Even into the Arabic period in authors such as Outer Planets. Māshā'Allāh, the doctrine of sect was important ■ Not all of these planets are going to be operational in enough to declare planets considerably weaker if any particular moment. they lacked sect ■ The aspects tell us the ways that the planets interact with each other, but not how well. ■ Basically, the dignities tell us which planets stick out like sore thumbs, and which planets will tend to shift into the background. 6 Rulerships Exaltations ■ power ■ A planet in its own Exaltation (as Sun in Aries) ■ owner when it represents a horary Significator, shows a ■ success person who gets things done by having someone ■ prosperity else do it for them. ■ strength ■ In natal astrology, a planet in exaltation repre- ■ productive sents a planet that has others ready to step in to ■ authority do whatever needs doing. ■ The downside, of course, is that another seldom does it exactly the way that the Native might pre- fer! 7 10 Rulerships Exaltations ■ Planets in Rulership score +5 on essential dig- ■ persuasion nity. ■ guest ■ Planets in Rulership are said to have one of the ■ recognition strong dignities (fortis, in Latin). ■ comfort ■ pride ■ majestic ■ grace 8 11 Exaltations ■ Planets in Exaltation score +4 on essential dig- nity. ■ Planets in Exaltation are said to have one of the strong dignities (fortis, in Latin). 9 12 Triplicities ■ In natal astrology, Planets in Triplicity are gener- ally considered lucky. ■ Good things happen not because you necessarily excel at them, but because you stumble upon a good result. ■ This is when the Wheel of Fortune stops on your color. 13 16 Triplicities and Sect Triplicities ■ A day chart means the Sun is in the 12th through ■ lucky 7th Houses. ■ self-made ■ A night chart is one where the Sun is in the 6th ■ fortunate through 1st Houses. ■ well-off ■ The Triplicities have a different Ruler, depending ■ harmony on whether the chart is day or night. ■ favorable ■ auspicious 14 17 Triplicities Triplicities ■ A planet in its own Triplicity (as Jupiter in Aries ■ Planets in Triplicity score +3 on essential dig- at night) when it represents a horary Significator, nity. gives someone who gets his or her desires by be- ■ Planets in Triplicity are said to have one of the ing in the right place at the right time – by luck, strong dignities (fortis, in Latin). in other words. 15 18 Terms ■ Nobody exactly knows what the Terms were meant to be. However, we can see a logic for how they were constructed. ■ The planet which is the ruler by Sign, Exaltation, or Triplicity tends to get the first term position most frequently. This falls off dramatically after the first position. As one may note from the ta- bles, Mars or Saturn gets the final position. 19 2 2 Terms Terms ■ A planet in its own Term (as Mercury at sixteen ■ In Hellenistic and Arabic Astrology, the Terms degrees of Aries) when it represents a horary were rated much more strongly than many later Significator, gives a person who looks the part, sources but may not have any skill at all in the matter at ■ In Rhetorius, there is some evidence that an as- hand. pect of the Moon completed within the same ■ Still, having the appearance of competency, the Terms was viewed as being much stronger. person may yet pull it off. ■ In some Hellenistic sources, the Terms are called the Bounds. 20 Terms Terms ■ In natal astrology, the watch word for Planets in ■ competency Term is “dress for success.” ■ clone ■ You can get what you want by appearing to al- ■ adequate ready have it. ■ settled ■ Protective coloration is everything. ■ facsimile ■ mimics ■ acceptance 24 21 Terms Face ■ Planets in Term score +2 on essential dignity. ■ In natal astrology, the anxiety issue also predom- ■ Planets in Term are said to have one of the weak inates. dignities (debilito, in Latin). ■ There is another use: rather like the idea of a mask. The Face may show the persona that this natal planet wears to portray itself to the world. 28 25 Face ■ The Face table looks exactly like the concept of decanates, as far as construction is concerned. ■ The decanates that most modern astrologers are familiar with are actually Vedic. These tradtional western Faces are also called Chaldean de- canates. 26 29 Face Face ■ A planet in its own Face (as Venus at twenty two ■ fear degrees of Aries) when it represents a horary ■ climber Significator, gives someone fearful about the ■ danger whole process. ■ anxiety ■ As a result, while this really isn’t much of a dig- ■ denial nity, the person’s attention is focused!. ■ concern ■ Loathing 27 30 Face Developmental Model ■ Planets in Face score +1 on essential dignity. ■ I envision the difference dignity and debility ■ Planets in Face are said to have one of the weak through a developmental model. dignities (debilito, in Latin). ■ In any society, the people with panets in their rul- ing signs will naturally act like that society's ex- pectations for that planet. ■ Accordingly, people with planets in Detriment or Fall may learn to operate via a contrarian model, which is easier than qualities nothing like the preferred type. 31 Mutual Receptions ■ Can occur between any of the five different dig- nities ■ Those between Rulership, Exaltation and Triplic- ity are much stronger ■ Reception means the planets will "help" – but this can be negative as well 32 35 Debilities Peregrine Planets ■ The Detriments are the signs opposite the ruler- ■ Peregrine planets have no dignity by any of the ships, as Mars is debilitated in Libra and Taurus five essential dignities in their degree. ■ The Falls are the signs opposite the exaltations, ■ "Peregrine" comes from the same Latin root as as Jupiter is in Fall in Capricorn "pilgrim." ■ Debilities mean that you start the race behind ev- ■ Note: Noel Tyl decided about 30 years ago to re- eryone else cycle the word “peregrine” to mean unaspected. ■ At the time, classical astrology was virtually un- known, so that no conflict was originally presented by this redefinition. ■ However, since then, his choice has created consider- able confusion. 33 36 Peregrine Planets What is Free Will? ■ In horary, peregrine planets represent damaged ■ Is it possible to exercise free will in every mo- goods, or persons unable to control their own fate ment? ■ In natal, peregrine planets come without an ■ No, because the practice of free will requires stopping owner's manual – the Native has to learn how to the brain to consider choices. use them, and gets little support for this learning ■ No, because the process of thinking slows down the body process ■ No, because most people cannot focus on the present moment for very long. ■ Every time you do something without thinking, you are not exercising free will. 37 Why this Emphasis on free will in Debilities Astrology? ■ Furthermore the debilities are just as strong as ■ Psychological practice has good reasons to em- the dignities. phasize the exercise of free will as a good and ■ The debilities may be thought of as being bad in worthy process. the modern slang context, as we will see. ■ Most people who come in for counseling have reached a barrier in their lives. ■ That particular experience feels like there are no op- tions. ■ A counselor who can assist the client in realizing that there are really choices has generally helped that client along in the healing process. 38 2. The Matrix of Classical Astrology Free Will and Choice ■ We conflate free will and choosing. ■ Much of choosing is more an exercise in co- sumerism than a statement about free will. ■ The consumerist approach has presented us with so many choices that many people have metaphorically retreated to the fetal position. ■ The last time you bought a car, did you really read through and consider every possible accessory, or did you settle for that red one that was already there on the lot? Psychology of Free Will Carter's Doctrine of Subsumption ■ Psychological studies have demonstrated that people become increasingly unable to exercise choice the more stressed they become. ■ For example, a study of German parole judges demonstrated a huge effect of time of day of the review upon the outcome of a parole application. Human “Wiring” Prediction in Astrology ■ An adult human being has learned to do most ■ Prediction in astrology is working with the tasks on semi-automatic pilot. 90-99% of the time that a person is not making ■ This leaves the brain free to contemplate what conscious choices. Mary said to Naomi yesterday. ■ Thus, even the most rigid classical method does ■ This tendency is precisely why even dangerous not address whether the Native can or will exer- tasks like monitoring the safety of a nuclear reac- cise free will, but only the likely outcomes of not tor end up becoming so monotonous that acci- doing so.