The same planet can give very different results depending on the sign it occupies. Dignity describes how comfortable a planet is where it sits: in its exaltation sign it works at its best; in its debilitation sign it struggles, unless something rescues it.
Exaltation and debilitation
Each planet has one sign of exaltation (uccha), with a point of deepest exaltation, and the opposite sign of debilitation (neecha).
| Planet | Exalted in | Deepest at | Debilitated in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Aries | 10° | Libra |
| Moon | Taurus | 3° | Scorpio |
| Mars | Capricorn | 28° | Cancer |
| Mercury | Virgo | 15° | Pisces |
| Jupiter | Cancer | 5° | Capricorn |
| Venus | Pisces | 27° | Virgo |
| Saturn | Libra | 20° | Aries |
For Rahu and Ketu, traditions differ: many use Taurus and Scorpio for Rahu's exaltation and debilitation (and the reverse for Ketu), others Gemini and Sagittarius.
The ladder of dignity
From strongest to weakest, a planet can be:
- Exalted: confident, generous with its results.
- Moolatrikona: a special portion of one of its own signs, where it acts with authority (for example the Sun in the first 20° of Leo).
- Own sign: at home, steady and reliable.
- Great friend's / friend's sign: comfortable.
- Neutral sign.
- Enemy's / great enemy's sign: uneasy, mixed results.
- Debilitated: weakened, its significations harder to obtain.
Friendship here combines natural friendship with temporary friendship (planets 2, 3, 4, 10, 11 or 12 houses from each other in the chart are temporary friends).
Debilitation is not the end of the story
A debilitated planet can be rescued by neecha bhanga, cancellation of debilitation, for example when the lord of the sign it occupies is in a kendra. Such a planet can even produce a Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga, rising from difficulty to success. Always check before concluding that a debilitated planet is "bad".
Dignity is one factor among several
A well-placed planet in poor dignity can still do well, and an exalted planet in the 8th house or combust may deliver less than expected. Dignity is read together with house placement, aspects, the Navamsa (where a planet can gain or lose strength) and its role for your Lagna.
Our free birth chart marks each planet's dignity for you.