The Sun was regarded as the principal among the planets and King above the others because of its exceptional heat and brilliance. Since Aries is the principal point, the first sign, and the boss of the zodiac, the Sun was given Aries as the sign of his exaltation. The other superior planets, such as Mars in Capricorn, Jupiter in Cancer, and Saturn in Libra, are assigned to the other cardinal points. [See Coley, p. 87] Exaltations are given to signs with less strategic weight on the inferior planets.
The diurnal planets were exalted according to their trines, with the Sun moving from Leo to Aries, Jupiter from Pisces to Cancer, and Saturn from Aquarius to Libra, according to Porphyry (233303 AD), who recorded this in his commentary on the Tetrabiblos. (Pg. 306 of Maternus)
The nocturnal planetsthe Moon from Cancer to Taurus, Venus from Taurus to Pisces, and Mars from Scorpio to Capricornare exalted in accordance with their sextiles.
Only Mercury shares the same sign for both his exaltation and his rulership. This is due to Mercury’s mutable nature; he can be either male or female, or diurnalrising before the Sun and setting after itor nocturnal. Mercury was exalted in his own sign, according to Porphyry, because he was worn out with his frequent risings and setting. The more likely argument is that Mercury is so easily influenced by other planets that his virtue can only be cleansed and strengthened in his own sign of Virgo.
The planets cast their exaltations according to the time, which goes against the signs’ natural order. Mars and Jupiter are the exceptions because they are male planets that are exalted in female signs. In contrast to the others, they cast their exaltations.
The planetary exaltations have been associated with particular degrees since antiquity. Following is the proper list:
The Sun is in the sign of Aries, the Moon is in Taurus, Mercury is in Virgo, Venus is in Pisces, Mars is in Capricorn, and Jupiter is in Virgo. Saturn in Libra at 21 degrees, the North Node of the Moon at 3 degrees, and Cancer.
Because the entire zodiac is a 360-degree circle and 19 is the square root of 360, the Sun exalted at 19 degrees Aries. Exaltation details can be found at 18AR56.
The Moon is exalted by three degrees. Taurus because she first appeared to have left the Sun at 14 degrees and then emerged from the Sun’s rays to become visible. According to Al-Biruni, a planet that appears by direct motion from 15 degrees under the Sun’s rays is vazarite (Al-Birunip486) and in a state of great fortitude (see alsoBonatuspar54,p25). Hence, the Moon’s exaltation degree.
Mercury receives his exaltation at 15 degrees of Virgo because once he has moved forward and is 15 degrees from the Sun’s supremacy in Leo, he is considered to be free from the Sun’s rays and will be visible in the evening sky shortly after the Sun has set.
In 27 degrees, Venus is exalted. Pisces since she still has two degrees to go and is in good shape at the end of the previous sign. This represents fulfillment, contention, tranquility, and relaxation.
Mars is exalted in Capricorn at 28 degrees because he is there in the sign’s height, which stands for the accomplishment of goals. The degree of his exaltation touches the 29th degree, but a planet in the final three degrees of a sign is already seeking for the next, so he is also prepared for reorientation (derived from Bonatus aph.30,p19& Lilly, CA p122). He becomes agitated and restless as a result, ready to pursue new objectives.
Jupiter has a 15 degree elongation. Because Cancer shines as a star in the Eastern hemisphere just before dawn when he has, in direct motion, fled the Sun by 15 degrees, here represented by Leo.
Saturn is exalted in Libra at 21 degrees because he is 2 degrees in the opposite sign from where the Sun is exalted. He is then facing complete devastation. Anything represented by a planet near two degrees of the Sun’s opposition will be upended and ruinous (CA aph 23, p300).
Because the nodes follow the Moon, the northern node of the moon, also known as the dragon’s head, is exalted in 3 degrees Gemini. The southern node of the moon, often known as the dragon’s tail, is exalted in the sign of Sagittarius at 3 degrees.
According to Henry Coley (16331707 AD), a person symbolized by a planet in its own sign or its exaltation was lucky and living in affluent circumstances. He had no desire for material possessions and felt secure and comfortable in his own fortress. Coley, p. 8687
According to William Lilly (160288 AD), a planet in his exaltation symbolizes a person who is pompous and haughty. He is conceited and gives himself more credit than he deserves.
A planet that is in exaltation is in its peak ascension and has unrestricted power to express itself. A planet is better and stronger placed in its exaltation than in its own sign when concerns like war, competitions, and nations arise. All other queries perceive this to be the contrary.
When the planets line up with fixed stars of the same kind, they are also classified as exalted.
In my practical work, I frequently see how a planet’s disposition is determined by the relationship between a planet’s exaltation degree and its planetary significator. The exaltation degrees enter the picture and stand in for the same planet. The Sun, at 19 degrees Aries, disposes of a planet that is two degrees from its exaltation. If that planet is a signifier, the individual may have been born under the sign of Leo, be well-known, or originate from a region ruled by Leo, such as Italy. The exaltationdegree of the Sun being in a key location always offers the chart a warning or a noteable significance.
a vulnerable spot at 28 degrees Mars is exalted in Capricorn, which represents violence, intense desires, hastiness, and devastation. If there is a planet in this degree that is significant, that person may experience unfavorable situations. Applying an orb exceeding two degrees via conjunction, square, or opposition is not permitted. If the encounter is by aspect, the individual has witnessed violence, however they need not have been the target of the hostile behavior.
Venus’ exaltation degree signifies joy, beauty, and the arts, whereas Venus’ decline in 27 degrees The interest that must be paid on loans is related to Virgo. It might be a sign of a physical disease or weakness. The fall of Venus is the price that must be paid for the incarnation or attachment to matter.
Mercury’s exaltation degree denotes mental alertness, significant information or decision-making, business or the signing of legal documents. The fall of Mercury, however, portends a strange tongue, confusion, theft, forgery, or falsehood.
Exaltations of the luminaries signify honors and powerful persons. Illness brought on by the Moon’s descent.
In This Article...
Do the numbers on your birth chart matter?
Astrology is much more than just your sun sign and daily horoscope when you go deeper into your birth chart. The degrees of some planets, with each sign having a particular “critical degree” at the moment of your birth, are just one of the numerous variables that affect a birth chart.
What does astrological 0 degrees mean?
Note from the editor: This piece first ran in The Mountain Astrologer in December 2012 and has been reposted with permission.
I’ll be discussing the significance of a sign’s first degree and, in particular, its last degree in this article. I’ve selected three instances where Scorpio, the most mysterious sign, has the Sun at its 29th degree.
The Ingress
A planet is conversing with the planetary ruler of the sign when it is at the very start of that sign, having entered new territory (a new element and mode).
Planets or points near the zero degree of a sign in the natal chart adopt a position that either indulges in or embraces the sign’s extremely pure, undisturbed essence. A planet has a new, unexplored property at this level. Some of the most well-known, first obvious characteristics associated with that sign will be readily apparent in the person’s character, but the actual substance of the sign and the difficulties the planet must face and embrace on its journey are still being unearthed and must still be conquered. Simply put, there is a lot of work to be done and a new language to learn. The planet at position 0 seems quite excited to encounter what it will eventually become as it sets out on this journey.
A planet’s Solar Arc making a direct move into a new sign denotes a “a year of learning that sign and starting to feel its essence In other ways, it serves as a portenta marker, condensing (and intensifying) much of what we might anticipate for the next thirty years into the first twelve months. (1) According to astrologer Fernando Guimaraes, the first degree is similar to a “Operatic overture: an opening that establishes the tone for the rest of the performance.
The Middle Degrees
The planets or points between 14 and 16 degrees seem to be deeply ingrained in the purpose of that sign. The planet or point is actively involved in the process of progressing while coming up against difficulty and conflict while it is in a cardinal sign. The planet is most stable, robust, and permanent in its mid-fixed degrees, yet it can also become trapped or immobile at times. It is most adaptable and diversified in changeable, but also unstable, dispersed, and subject to fluctuations.
What does the astrological sign 23 degrees mean?
Mars is concentrating a lot of energy into this extremely condensed region of the Zodiac, so if you have any planets between 22 and 24, you should be mindful of it. Because Uranus, the planet of electricity, surprise, and lighting, is at degree 23 of Aries, where Mars will station in the coming weeks, this particular degree is extremely engaged.
Mars is the planet of violent action retrograde; although he acts differently, the results can still be disastrous. This week’s news has provided us with two noteworthy instances of this. Jo Cox, the MP who was shot dead on the street yesterday, has Chiron (the wound) in her natal chart at 23 Aries square to Uranus (shock) at 23 Libra. The Orlando shooter Omar Mateen has his Sun at 24 Scorpio and Mars at 23 Aquarius (community).
Meatloaf, a musician, fainted yesterday on stage with transiting Mars Rx conjunct Jupiter (24 Scorpio), the planet of excess, at the top of his chart (in the public eye or “on stage).
There is also much strength in conceding during a Mars Rx. Bernie Sanders has withdrawn his candidacy for president and endorsed Hillary Clinton, but he is advancing his program in the process. His natal chart has Venus at 22 Libra and Mars Rx at 23 Aries. He makes a capable partner. Elizabeth Warren, a senator for the Democratic Party and the left’s ideal choice for the position of vice president, has her North Node exactly on 23 Aries as well. What about Clinton herself, you ask? It’s a turning point for her when the south node is at 23 Scorpio. She will need to change direction and give Sanders and Warren credit, though.
Correction: Bernie Sanders hasn’t abandoned his campaign. More so, Clinton’s lead has become stronger. (As of 20 June. He hasn’t finished contributing to the discussion, that much is certain. He must be regrouping right now. Making sure that real change occurs may be more crucial than actually being president. *****
When used properly, this energy can spark a significant shift in course. US Senator Chris Murphy, who last week engaged in a 14-hour filibuster to clear the way for anti-gun legislation, has Mercury (communications) at 23 Cancer, which is in a straightforward trine to Mars Rx. His speech was aimed to address the worries of cancer while also defending his nation and its youth.
Mars is 24 degrees into its retrograde transit in Scorpio. Mars will turn direct on June 30 after stationing here and reaching the number 23 in a few days. Mars, though, will remain there until July 11. When Mars turns direct in Scorpio, his own sign, a lot of energy could be released.
In addition, Uranus, the planet of shocks, explosions, and electricity, is precisely in the sign of 23 Aries (Mrs Cox was having her Uranus Half-Return). The nurturing asteroid Ceres will shortly join Uranus here for the last week of June.
Chiron (age 25) is trine Mars Rx from the mournful sign of Pisces. Today, there are a lot of tears being shed.
The solstice Full Moon is expected to be especially strong. At sunset, both the Sun and the Moon will be discernible in the sky, regardless of the polarity of communications (29 Gemini-Sagittarius). Although this may herald a verbal conflict (which, as we all know, is currently taking place), it also strongly suggests that now is the time for talk and discourse, as well as for exchanging ideas, listening, and learning new things. Action might go horribly wrong.
You have the chance to quickly manifest that altering energy if your planet is in Cancer or Pisces at 23 degrees. The energy is more dynamic if you have something at 23 Fixed or Cardinal.
What do astrology “strong degrees” entail?
Have you ever viewed your horoscope and questioned the significance of all those odd degrees and minutes? You’re not alone, after all!
Learning the principles behind a birth chart is one of the most challenging aspects of studying astrology at first. In fact, check at your own birth chart before continuing to read this post so you can understand what we’re talking about as we break it down into degrees and minutes.
The degree circle and minute sign commonly cause math averse people to start sweating. You don’t need to worry; this is not advanced calculus. In fact, no matter whose birth chart you’re holding after reading this succinct tutorial, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking at in terms of degrees and minutes.
With a FREE tailored report, learn what’s on your birth chart. Get a customized report for an in-depth examination of YOUR birth chart.
Let’s start with decans
Let’s start by explaining how many degrees the horoscope wheel contains. There are 12 signs in the zodiac, as we all know, however you might not be aware that each sign is made up of 30 degrees. There are three sets of decans that make up each zodiac sign, and each set of decans can be up to 30 degrees.
Any sign’s first decan spans the hours, minutes, and seconds from 0 to 9 degrees. After 59 minutes and 59 seconds, the second decan rises from 10 degrees to 19 degrees. In the third decan, the temperature rises 59 minutes and 59 seconds from 20 to 29 degrees. No matter what sign you’re observing, this is true. Also take note that although there are 60 minutes in each degree, we don’t utilize them as a benchmark. Instead, the timer counts down from 0 (the first minute) to 59 minutes (which is really the 60th minute).
The mysterious number 360 is obtained by multiplying 12 by 30. You may be confident that the horoscope you are holding has 360 degrees, whoever wrote it. All rules apply!
These 360 degrees are a fantastic representation of one 24-hour day. As a result, a full birth chart will depict the motion of one 24-hour day on Earth.
Even more intriguing significance emerges when you delve deeper into each sign’s 30 degrees. In a birth chart, some degrees are seen to have more significance than others. Common names for these degrees include critical degrees.
The key degrees are 0, 13, and 26 for the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn). They are 8-9 degrees and 21-22 degrees for the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius). They are 4 and 17 degrees for the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces). Do any of these degrees in your chart correspond to a planet or sensitive angle? If so, you can anticipate that aspect of your life receiving more attention.
Working with anaretic degrees
Furthermore, due to the karmic nature of being at the beginning of the sign, 0 degrees of any sign is seen as a critical degree. According to legend, whichever planet or point is at 0 degrees will be beginning to acquire lessons associated with that point. In contrast, a planet or point is said to be anaretic if it is at 29 degrees of any sign and represents the karmic completeness of that planet or point’s energy.
If a person has multiple planets or angles in their birth chart at the Anaretic Degree, it’s conceivable that they have a very old soul. There could also be a sense of urgency or a need to complete something connected to the energies of that planet or those locations.
What occurs when a planet is at 29 degrees and 59 minutes, then? This was demonstrated by the birth of Prince George. He was born while the Sun was at 29 degrees and 59 minutes in the final degree of the sign of Cancer. The Sun would have entered 0 degrees Leo if he had been born a little later.
Leo and Cancer have extremely distinct energies! This is why it’s crucial to be familiar with a planet or point’s degrees and minutes combined. It aids in establishing the actual astrological location of a planet or point. A planet is still in that sign if it is at 29 degrees 59 minutes of any other sign. not to mention to such a point.
What does the astrological sign 29 degrees mean?
The following are traditional critical degrees:
degrees of the cardinal signs 0, 13, and 26 (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn)
These are regarded as delicateand occasionally strengtheningpoints. If a natal planet is discovered at a crucial degree, it is believed the it will be highlighted and will have more power in the native’s life as a result of its placement.
Numerous astrologers also see the 0th and 29th degrees of any sign as crucial. Particularly in prediction work, the 0 and 29 degrees are more crisis-oriented locations.
NOTE: Although astrologers refer to the 29th degree as the Anaretic degree, it is actually the 30th degree. It actually refers to a planet or other body that is anywhere between 2900’00 to 2959’59 in the sky.
It can be difficult to make decisions in the area of the personality that the natal planet represents if it is discovered at 29 degrees of any sign, often known as the Anaretic degree. The native may analyze and re-analyse issues one day before acting, then act immediately the next day without thinking things through first! For instance, if Mars is at 29 degrees, the native may create numerous plans of action, stress excessively about the potential actions and other paths to follow, and then spontaneously select a new course of action!
I know a woman who, despite having a lot of beliefs about how to treat relationships properly, rushes into them when Juno is at 29 degrees. A man with 29 degrees of Mercury struggles with life decisions and wavers between saying a lot and not enough.
Along with difficulty making decisions, hesitancy, and rushing into situations without thinking, the 29th degree is also linked to a feeling of urgency. The qualities and associations of the particular sign can feel more urgent because it’s the final degree of the zodiac sign. A general deficiency in this area might also exist; it can be a source of unwise decisions, challenges, crises, or overcompensation.
The anaretic degree is considered to be more of a debilitating position than the previous classic critical degrees, which are regarded to provide the planet or body more strength.
In progressions, the native’s year may be crisis-focused if, for instance, the Sun enters the 29th degree. For instance, if the Sun advances to 29 degrees of Libra, partnerships may feel urgent and in crisis. This eagerness might lead to divorce or hastily entering a new partnership. A significant transformation in the workplace could occur if the Sun advances to 29 degrees of Virgo. Generally speaking, decisions made at the 29th degree can be rash.
We meet more Anaretic degrees of the Moon than we do with other planets and luminaries because the advanced Moon moves the fastest of the planets. We meet 12 Anaretic degrees of progressed Moon every 28 years (or roughly every 2-1/2 years), as the secondary progressed Moon completes a full round of the chart and the signs once every 28 years.
When working with a mom whose child was attending college, I saw that her daughter’s advanced Moon was transiting the ninth house at 29 degrees. Additionally, Uranus was moving into her daughter’s ninth house and was approaching her Sun in a square. I advised the parent to keep a close eye on her daughter at this point since she might be prone to making drastic, rash changes in her course of study or possibly deciding to drop out entirely. In spite of her parents’ advice to the contrary, the daughter actually did leave school and start working. She subsequently came to regret her decision to leave school and went back to complete her degree.
Carol Rushman makes a strong argument for the significance of crucial degrees, including the traditional ones stated at the beginning of this page, in predictive work utilizing the advanced Moon in her book The Art of Predictive Astrology: Forcasting Your Life Events.