In Jyotish, a planet's essential dignity is determined primarily by the sign it occupies. From strongest to weakest: own sign (sva), exaltation (uccha), great friend's sign, friend's sign, neutral sign, enemy's sign, great enemy's sign, and debilitation (neecha).
A planet in exaltation expresses its highest, most refined qualities. It is comfortable, powerful, and able to fulfill its significations without obstruction. The exaltation signs are: Sun in Aries (highest at 10°), Moon in Taurus (highest at 3°), Mars in Capricorn (highest at 28°), Mercury in Virgo (highest at 15°), Jupiter in Cancer (highest at 5°), Venus in Pisces (highest at 27°), Saturn in Libra (highest at 20°).
A planet in its own sign is comfortable and confident, like a person in their own home. It may not reach the heights of exaltation, but it is stable, reliable, and fully able to express its natural qualities. Sun in Leo, Moon in Cancer, Mars in Aries or Scorpio, Mercury in Gemini or Virgo, Jupiter in Sagittarius or Pisces, Venus in Taurus or Libra, Saturn in Capricorn or Aquarius.
A planet in debilitation is uncomfortable, constrained, or unable to express its best qualities. The debilitation signs are the opposite of the exaltation signs: Sun in Libra, Moon in Scorpio, Mars in Cancer, Mercury in Pisces, Jupiter in Capricorn, Venus in Virgo, Saturn in Aries.
A debilitated planet doesn't simply "not work" — it works differently, often with friction, internal conflict, or through struggle. A debilitated Sun may struggle with confidence and paternal relationships, but may also develop an unusually deep humility and capacity for empathy as a result. Dignity describes the ease or difficulty of a planet's expression, not its absolute strength or weakness in the life.
When specific conditions in the chart cancel a planet's debilitation, the result is Neecha Bhanga — a reversal of weakness into potential strength. See our dedicated article on Neecha Bhanga Raja Yoga for a full treatment of this important concept.
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