Chapter 5

Let's Not Throw Out Exaltations: Extended Dispositors

Contemporary astrology is very busy exorcising old devils, paring dead wood, eliminating meaningless chestnuts that apparently never really worked for the traditional practicers. The Cosmobiologists no longer use Houses; other contemporaries read a 93• dissociate Square as a Trine because of the mutual elements; and still others reject ancient assignments of planets to exalted positions in certain Signs. Yet I think that the casting away of the tried-and tested exaltations leaves astrology with little bath water, but also fewer babies.

In Finding the Person in the Horoscope Zip Dobyns [10f.] puts the issue succinctly and well as she speaks of the "exaltation fallacy.U She mentions that the dignities were from the Arian Age, most likely, when valor for men and maternal domesticity for women were prized attributes. Of Mars' exaltation particularly she says, "Mars, representing personal initiative, courage, self-willed action, when placed in Capricorn could indicate the warrior who made his own will into law."

She then goes on to show that our current age no longer elevates such valor, that the 20th Century gives more [audits to Air potentials of compromise, cooperation, etc. In fact, she concludes that "Mars in Capricorn today [often] signifies a person who is self-blocking sometimes to the point of illness."

Certainly this interpretation of the Capricornian Mars position is adequate, but it represents a detail, not the principle. It is a result that a person may or may not actualize, but it doesn't explain to us the principle of Mars' exaltation, as it once did in the Arian Age.

What I believe is being overlooked here is that there is definitely a need for reinterpretation of the exaltations for the contemporary age, since modern aspirations and values have severely altered; but this in no way diminishes the use that exaltations have for the understanding of the planetary energies.

We must remember that when we are talking about the abstract condition of Mars in Capricorn, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A PERSON. We can only do that in terms of the whole chart and the interactions of the aspects of that person's specific Mars. For this reason, there is no problem about even applying the ancient interpretation of the warrior to today's desperate need for role models who stand for the hero or achiever.

So, keeping in mind that we are looking at abstracted qualities that show the possible optimum manifestation of each planet, rather than of specific persons, I will discuss each of the exaltations, updating the archetypal interpretation.

The Sun's exaltation in Aries doesn't require an lliad or Gilgamesh role model to explain it—partly because we are still not speaking about persons, but mainly because the initiatory Cardinality of Aries satisfies the rebirth of the self in 2000 A.D., as much as in 2000 B.C. The implication is that the personality expression that is so compulsive in the Leo rulership (Sun) has spiraled up to a sense of being and fulfillment in Aries (perhaps the seldom-seen Pluto co-rulership of Aries activating in the exclusive and reborn star-child). The Sun's exalted position here at the outset of life probably needs less defense than any of the other planets.

Taurus represents not only physical matter, but also cosmic matter (the seed ground), resulting in values and self-esteem. Therefore the Cancerian Moon, coming with its worry, self-doubt, inhibiting past-orientation, and domestic needs, finds fulfillment in the practical, home-constructing, status-achieving Taurus. On a grander scale the self learns stable strength and self-confidence in the ideal understanding of this Taurean exaltation. But the personal needs would take an impossible leap if the Moon were exalted anywhere else; the fact that a person with this position may choose to be possessive or stingy is irrelevant. That person is seeking self-esteem through this process.

Though the exaltation of Mercury is still debated in some quarters, most writers still assign this mental planet to Aquarius. Clearly the daily mentation and communication activities become electrified into intuitive potential or action. The questioning,

demanding, and myopic Mercury takes its collating efficiency into humanitarian realms that expand consciousness, rather than libraries or offices. Analysis becomes awareness. And the uncertain somewhat self-seeking Mercury gains exaltation as part of a team or a cause for something greater than itself.

Venus enjoys comforts and gratification in both Taurus and Libra, forms of personal indulgence that is transferred and transformed ideally in Pisces. Of course a person with Venus in Pisces might continue to self-indulge and pay the price. But the archetypal symbolism and responses are losing the self in idealistic compassion and love and beauty. Taurus and Libra are gathered together, so to speak, in the fullness of the ideal, and love is understood in the selfless action and service. Exaltation is a form of transmutation or transfiguration of the planetary energy, but of course, whether or not the person actualizes such an achievement of consciousness is utterly irrelevant here.

That Mars exalted in Capricorn was once seen as the glorified warrior is no more significant today than that Mars exalted in the Renaissance was probably interpreted as the ideal merchant—the real go-getter who stood up to the lords and barons.

Each age, each generation, each astrologer must interpret the ideal of the planetary energies in the signs and ultimately in themselves. Like any symbol, like all of Shakespeare's plays, each interpretation is a new creative act and necessary for personal growth of both individuals and collective evolvement.

The ultimate use of the ego and action-oriented Mars is to utilize the driving talents for the creative endeavor on the physical world of achievement, rather than in the intellectual world of Jupiterian-Mercurial ideas, where Martian energies are gauche. Ultimately leadership takes on real form, and the Martial forces are organized in meaningful activity that should bring in practical idealism, rather than in pure self-assertion.

It has been argued that the only glorification for the woman was in childbearing, accounting for Jupiter's expansiveness in Cancer, but why select a fiery planet? We might well see Jupiter's capacity and need for meaning to take its origin in the womb of Cancer, which initiates the birth of the ego into the world.

Jupiter exalted in Cancer shows how spiritual gestation produces ultimate results for growth--both in maternal pregnancy, and in the cosmic cocoon that this plane represents for the evolvement of mankind. Jupiter's wandering on one hand, and dogmatism on another, gains nutrition, nurturing, location, and essential deeds of cosmic caring that makes its zealousness have real and directed meaning.

The exaltation of Saturn in Libra is quite apparent, for the sober control of Saturn in the ideal is welcomed in the somewhat flighty but justice-oriented Libra. Saturn's material and inhibited orientation takes on wings and soars to purposes regarding others that Saturn is unable to do without so much self as in other signs. The other-directedness (seeking approval or friendship) of Libra improves the co-rulership of the Aquarian Saturn, which still struggles with breaking shackles of limitation versus independence. The issue for this Libran exaltation is one of unbiased fair-witnessing, which can then initiate the just action and just thought.

We have experienced the values of Uranus' exaltation in Scorpio, as we watched the Aquarian zeal being directed into the specific and overwhelmingly difficult task of exhuming and shattering entrenched hidden emotions on the personal level and in the masses. The energy dealt effectively with governmental games and collective defenses and sham during the 1970's. No other planet could be equal to the occasion. In any other Sign the exaltation of Uranus would be too devastating, but would also not be transmuting its own energies which are moving towards rebirth and actualization of its love energies, the only power (along with Uranian-ruled TNT) that can dislodge Scorpionic resistance.

While I have in no way attempted definitive statements of these exaltations, these descriptions ought to lead to the conclusion that a knowledge of exaltations is remarkably helpful to understanding planetary energies which might potentially be integrated into the personalities of the individual.

On no account however does it seem feasible to dismiss these valuations simply because most persons do not exhibit the high potential implied in the study of exalted placements.

Let's look at how we might use this knowledge in concrete interpretation, now that we can see that keeping the exaltations is worthwhile.

It's not that the understanding of Venus in Pisces or Mars in Capricorn is different from other syntheses. That these planets are exalted or in debility does not make them preferable or deficient positions in terms of personality. A person's Piscean Venus may result in laziness, and Capricornian Mars may lead to avarice. In other words no varied approach is needed for synthesis when the planet is in its dignity, exaltation, detriment, or fall. (Rulerships and exaltations are often called dignities, while fall and detriment are referred to as debilities.)

The value for us works in similar fashion to what we saw with the dignities or rulership in Chapter 4.

First we may better grasp the implications of a planet because we can draw upon its meaning suggested by its exaltation, fall, and detriment as we considered earlier in this chapter. Jupiter's nature is more roundly understood when we add into its meaning what we know about its qualities in Cancer (exaltation), in Capricorn pall), and in Virgo (detriment). This comprehension has nothing to do with the sign that Jupiter is actually in on the chart. Such intimations of Jupiter simply round out how that planet may manifest in any Jupiterian context.

Jupiter in Aries still carries with it a need for grounding or practical outlets for its fiery nature, as indicated by the fall and detriment in earthy signs. Much effort would be needed of course to bring about such practicality and structure; and an Arian Jupiter would be little prone to explore those concerns. Still the potential is implied, just, as the criticalness of the Virgoan detriment. In Aries Jupiter would need to learn to cooperate with others and not find his own way to be the best and perhaps the only one.

While one value of the knowledge of dignities and debilities helps us reach deeper awareness of the planets, another gain comes from the enrichment we garner regarding the houses. We have seen how we need to go to the position of a planet to understand dispositors and house cusps. Well we also have the option of doing the same with exaltations and debilities.

We can examine this phenomenon in detail in Figure 9 with the chart of a 36-year old woman we'll call "Carrie" Most outstanding in Carrie's life unfortunately have been some crippling nervous breakdowns. We'll focus upon these, while illustrating our point at hand.

Starting with the obvious we have Saturn in its detriment in 1 2th house Cancer. Combinations of #10 and #12 are difficult to express in the personality, often leading to escapism, repression, and collapse. The placement in Cancer aggravates the issue because further inwardness or introversion makes expression even more inaccessible. Additional emphasis is directed to a parent, probably the father (Saturn) in some support-retarding manner. Such was the case for Carrie, except for the twist that she adored him, making matters the worse.

The cusp for Saturn's exaltation (Libra) rests on the 3rd house, pointing up a significant illustration: While Capricorn, on the 6th house suggests illness for Carrie the exaltation shows the specific nature of mental illness because of the 3rd house. One of the factors had to do not only with what has been said about her father, but also that her brothers (#3) took her sexually when she was a child (#3). All this implication is repeated with 12th house Cancerian Mars in its detriment in 3rd house Libra and exalted in 6th house Capricorn.

Some positives that develop out of these configurations are that she loves social gatherings in which she can conduct a kind of salon (#3) and has become intricately concerned with healing and natural diet (#6) as a means of communicating (#3) with and helping (#6) others who are ill (#6).

Saturn's fall and Mars' dignity in her 9th house Aries have corresponded with Carrie's move towards diminishing the heavyweight moral attitudes she gleaned from her family, allowing her to be able to institute her own ultimate values, encouraging her to grow from living in another country and from taking up unconventional spiritual approaches.

Her Venus sitting in its dignity of Taurus in her career house indicates her desire to teach music. She has an especially good singing voice as such a dignification implies. This is amplified by the other dignity of Venus in Carrie's chart with the 3rd house Libra, suggesting teaching of some talent or art. The detriment from 4th house Scorpio shows how her career has been affected by her family through the illness, through her mother's steadfast support, and through her enforced separation from her child, owing to the illness and hospitalization.

The exaltation of her Venus is seen in her 8th house, wherein she had so much joy, pain, and attachment; and its fall is found of course on her 2nd house indicating her incessant financial complications (#2, #2, #6).

Her Sun at Midheaven ruling her Ascendant shows how intricately she identifies her self-image with her place in society (much the same as with Venus). Its detriment for the 7th house repeats her familial problems with marriage and relationships, none of which succeeded or developed to her satisfaction. We've already seen the emphases upon the 9th and 3rd houses where her exaltation and fall rest respectively.

These "echoes" or repeated themes help to reassert the story of Carrie's needs and unfoldment.

While we will be addressing the spiritual portion of the consciousness tetrad in Part Two we'll be able to note a few characteristics in this Part. For instance her Neptune residing in 3rd house Libra shows how potentially spiritual her teaching music is for her; such applies for her sexuality along with her developing interest in healing which may be seen with this dignity. Neptune's detriment in the 2nd house shows how confused Carrie would be about her values -a powerful struggle for her throughout her life. The exaltation in the 1 2th house once again brings us back to the deep Cancerian issues that led her to her breakdowns, the overcoming of which has profound spiritual gains for her. Neptune's fall in the Capricornian 6th house further amplifies (perhaps to the point of our boredom here) the emphasis of past rigidities resulting in ill health—a powerful requirement to establish spiritual service to maintain wellness.