EXALTATION, DETRIMENT AND FALL

Along with a planet located in its natural sign (which is very strong and works positively), a planet can also be in exaltation, detriment or fall.  A planet is very at home when located within its natural ruling sign.  The energy of the planet is released easily and finds avenues of expression that suit it. 

When a planet is in exaltation, it is comfortable and utilizes the energies well.  It is provided with strength and its energy is released in a positive manner.  The Sun in Aries, the Moon in Taurus, Jupiter in Cancer, Saturn in Libra, Mars in Capricorn and Venus in Pisces are all indicators of planets in exaltation.  They are able to work more easily with less restriction and function on the high level of that planets energy.

A planet in detriment is suggestive of a planet that does not function very well in a sign.   It has difficulty releasing its energies and is said to be rather negative in its function.  It has to work very hard to achieve what could be much easier to release if it were in exaltation.  Its action is considered negative in that there is difficulty in its expression.  It is weakened due to the sign it is operating in and in some cases if not properly channeled can almost make its natural function absent.  The Sun is in detriment in the sign of Aquarius, the Moon is in detriment in the sign Saturn, Mercury is in detriment in the signs of Pisces and Sagittarius, Venus is in detriment in the signs Aries and Scorpio, Mars is in detriment in the signs Libra and Taurus, Jupiter is in detriment in the sign Virgo and Saturn is in detriment in the signs Leo and Virgo.

When a planet is in its fall, it is incapacitated by the sign and loses all its strength and the energy of the planet is severely restricted.  The energy has a very difficult time releasing and it functions on a very limited basis.  The Sun is in its fall in the sign Libra, the Moon is in its fall in Scorpio, Venus is in its fall in the sign Virgo, Mars is in its fall in the sign Cancer, Jupiter is in its fall in Capricorn and Saturn is in its fall in Aries.  Although these planets are in what is termed their fall, they can be modified by stronger influences within the horoscope and the Sun in Libra may be the easiest to soften.

These indicators are not to be over-accentuated but should be used in moderation when deciphering an Astrology Chart.  They do, however, provide reliable clues with respect to the planetary energies and their release.  The Planets in detriment and in their fall need more maintenance, and you should take into consideration how this may stifle the individual’s expression.  You will need to evaluate the overall Chart and find positive ways to relinquish the challenge that some of these positions may indicate.  

If an individual had several planets in detriment and/or in fall, there may be underlying implications that are affecting the self-expression or challenging them to find their path in life.  It would indicate a life that may be filled with challenging situations and obstacles, but these life interferences would undoubtedly push individuals to try even harder to make sense of it all.  These individuals would gain strength as they overcome these obstacles in their life.  There are no bad aspects in a Chart.  There are only challenging conditions that will require attentiveness and assertive action to overcome. 

Use this information as a guideline not as a definitive stranglehold on an individual’s overall development or in contrary, ease in development.     

Visit Holm Astrology at www.facebook.com/HolmAstrology for more information on Astrology and to read our food for thought posts.  If you would like to keep your questions confidential or would like to speak to us concerning the preparation of a chart, please contact us at holmastrology@gmail.com