Astrology Glossary

Essential Dignities

37 terms with definitions, classical sources and practice notes.

37 Terms
All Categories
Arabic: el-Muktamin / Latin: Victor, Almuten / English: Almuten

The planet with the most essential dignity points at a specific degree; the 'true lord' or 'victor' of that degree.

English: Essential Dignity Point Score / Lilly's Table of Dignities

William Lilly's evaluation system that assigns numerical points to each essential dignity and debility layer.

English: Table of Essential Dignities / Arabic: Cedvelü'l-İ'tibârât

A reference table showing each sign's domicile, exaltation, triplicity, bound and decan rulers; the fundamental tool of astrological calculation.

Latin: Dignitas et Debilitas / Arabic: eş-Şeref ve'l-Hubût

A comprehensiand evaluation system that determines a planet's position between strength and debility based on its sign and degree.

Latin: Gradus Azimeni / Arabic: ed-Derecâtü'z-Zamîne

A classical concept where planets at certain degrees of the zodiac are associated with physical defect, disability or impairment.

English: Ptolemaic Terms/Bounds

The alternatiand bound system proposed by Ptolemy in Tetrabiblos; differs from Egyptian bounds in certain assignments.

English: Ptolemaic Triplicity Rulers

The alternatiand triplicity system presented by Ptolemy in Tetrabiblos; assigns only day and night rulers without a common ruler.

Arabic: Cezâlet / English: Generosity

A planet receiving another planet from its own dignity position; one-way reception.

Latin: Dispositor / Arabic: el-Mutasarrıf / English: Dispositor, Ruler

The domicile ruler of the sign where a planet is located; the 'landlord' responsible for that planet's condition.

English: Dorothean Triplicity Rulers

The triplicity ruler system givthe most in Dorotheus' Carmthe most Astrologicum; includes day, night and common rulers.

Latin: Casus / Arabic: Hubût / Greek: Tapeinoma

A planet being in the sign opposite its exaltation sign; essential debility (-4 points).

Greek: Oikos / Latin: Domicilium / Arabic: Beyt (çoğul: Buyût)

A planet in its own sign; the most powerful layer of essential dignity. Sun-Leo, Moon-Cancer, Mercury-Gemini/Virgo etc.

English: Domicile Assignment Rationale

An explanation of how sign rulerships are derived from planetary positions in the Thema Mundi and the Chaldean order.

Face/Decan Scoring

The determination of decan (face) rulers formed by dividing each sign into three equal sections and dignity scoring.

Greek: Prosopon / Latin: Facies / Arabic: el-Vücûh

The weakest type of essential dignity, where each sign is divided into three 10-degree sections assigned to planets.

English: Final Dispositor / Latin: Dispositor Ultimus

The planet reached at the end of the rulership chain, in its own domicile; the chart's 'final dispositor'.

English: Mixed Mutual Reception

Two planets forming a mutual reception relationship through different layers of dignity; for example, one in domicile, the other in exaltation.

Latin: Receptio Mutua / Arabic: İstikbâl Mütekâbil

Two planets located in each other's domicile or exaltation providing mutual support; a powerful bond that mitigates debility.

English: Chaldean Terms

The third and least known bounds system; a terms table attributed to the Babylonian tradition but of uncertain origin.

English: Egyptian Terms/Bounds

The most widely used terms (bounds) system; assigns rulership to five planets by dividing each sign into five unequal sections.

English: Modern Rulership vs. Classical Rulership Debate

The debate over whether assigning outer planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) to sign rulerships disrupts the classical system.

English: Modern vs. Traditional Rulership

The fundamental debate between the modern system assigning sign rulership to outer planets and the seven-planet classical system.

English: Mutual Reception by Detriment or Fall

Two planets forming a negative connection by being in each other's exile or fall signs.

Latin: Peregrinus / Arabic: Garîb / English: Peregrine

A planet having no layer of essential dignity in its sign and degree; a debility of -5 points.

Peregrine

The condition of a planet having no essential dignity at its degree and its astrological consequences.

Latin: Receptio / Arabic: el-Kabûl

Types of relationships where two planets exchange mutual power and support by being placed in each other's dignities.

Greek: Horia / Latin: Termini / Arabic: el-Hudûd

An essential dignity system in which each sign is divided into unequal degrees assigned to the governance of five planets.

Latin: Detrimentum, Exilium / Arabic: Garîb (Yabancı), Vebâl / Greek: (spesifik terim yok — karşıt ev)

A planet being in the sign opposite its own domicile; the most severe form of essential debility (-5 points).

Latin: Dignitas Essentialis / Arabic: Şeref-i Zâtî, İ'tibâr-ı Aslî

A five-layered hierarchical system determining a planet's natural power at its sign and degree.

Terms/Bounds (Detail)

The different systems and applications of term rulers formed by dividing each sign into five unequal segments.

Greek: Trigonon / Latin: Triplicitas / Arabic: el-Müsellese

A dignity system in which signs are grouped by element and assigned day, night and participating rulers.

Greek: Trigonokrator / Latin: Dominus Triplicitatis / Arabic: Sâhibü'l-Müsellesât

Planets assigned as day, night and participating rulers of each element group (fire, earth, air, water); the third layer of essential dignity.

English: Domicile Rulership Scheme

The systematic distribution structure of assigning the seven planets as domicile rulers of the 12 signs; the Sun and Moon at the centre, the others symmetrically arranged.

Greek: Hypsoma / Latin: Exaltatio / Arabic: Şeref

The essential dignity layer where a planet gains extraordinary power in a specific sign and degree; the most powerful position after domicile.

English: Exaltation Degrees / Arabic: Derecâtü'ş-Şeref

The specific degree in each planet's exaltation sign where the exaltation effect is most intense.

Exaltation Degrees (Detail)

A list of the planets' exaltation signs and degrees, their historical origins and methods of interpretation.

Greek: Prosopon / Latin: Facies / Arabic: Vech (çoğul: Vücûh)

The the weakest layer; each 10-degree decan assigned a planetary ruler according to the Chaldean order (+1 point).