This probably would be the last series of articles I would write; i.e. the reasons behind exaltation and debilitation of planets. Why this could be the last series of articles? Because I have already written almost everything that is important and necessary. There are about 1400 articles posted on site and as I see, I have covered almost every important topic on astrology and I am in no mood to repeat myself by writing same things again and again. So, unless and until I get some brand new idea to write something again, I won’t start any new series. Instead, I will be more active in Facebook and YouTube through Live Sessions from New Year and would try my best to help people. Of course, I will be writing about important annual transits during the year but consider this one and remaining articles of Planets through Nakshatras as my last series for a long while and see you all more regularly at Facebook and Youtube.

This is one of the basics of astrology but it causes great confusion in understanding as to why a planet gets exalted in a particular sign and why a planet gets debilitated in particular sign? Moreover, bigger confusion can be why a planet gets exalted in a particular nakshatra and why a planet gets debilitated in a particular nakshatra?

As I plan to write separate articles for each planet regarding their exaltation and their debilitation, we may be able to understand the reasons in a better way. In this article, let’s try to understand the confusions and the reasons behind those confusions on following points –

Concept of Exaltation and Debilitation of Planet.

Enmity and Friendship between the Planets.

Conducive Environment and Restrictive Environment.

Why a specific Nakshatra for Exaltation and Debilitation of Planet?

Exaltation and Debilitation of Nodes.

Conclusion.

Let’s cover all points one after the other –

Concept of Exaltation and Debilitation of Planet – As we know that every planet has different signs assigned for understanding its dignity and strength. These signs are known as Exaltation Sign, Mool Trikon Sign, Own Sign, Friendly Sign, Fall/Detriment Sign, Enemy Sign and Debilitated Sign.  A Planet in its Exaltation Sign is considered as the strongest and a Planet in its Debilitation Sign os considered as the weakest. Easiest way to remember the Exaltation and Debilitation Signs of any Planet is that they are always 180 degree apart or opposite to each other. Like, Sun is considered as exalted in Aries and Sun is considered as debilitated in Libra. Aries and Libra are opposite to each other at the distance of 180 degree. Simple reason behind it is that if you are strongest at a specific position then you will be weakest at exactly opposite position. That’s why; every planet’s exaltation sign and debilitation sign are opposite to each other or 180 degree apart. But obviously, there are other reasons behind exaltation and debilitation of a planet which we will discuss in this series.

Enmity and Friendship between the Planets – The biggest mistake we make while understanding exaltation and debilitation of a planet is that we try to link it with Enmity and Friendship between two planets. For ex, how many times we get this thought that how Venus can be debilitated in Virgo when Virgo’s lord Mercury is friend with Venus? Or how Mars can be exalted in Saturn’s sign Capricorn when Mars and Saturn are enemies to each other and moreover Saturn gets debilitated in Mars ruled sign Aries?

So, 1^st thing we need to do to understand this series of articles is to don’t apply rules of Enmity and Friendship between the Planets. I am not saying that Enmity and Friendship between the Planets is not important or useful. It has its own importance in interpreting a chart but those rules can only bring confusion here. Rules regarding Enmity and Friendship between the Planets are here - https://www.astrosaxena.com/feplanets and have their own importance.

Conducive Environment and Restrictive Environment – The reason behind Exaltation and Debilitation of Planet is more based on where a planet gets most conducive environment (for exaltation) and most restrictive environment (for debilitation) to explore its energy. In another words, we can say that wherever a planet gets most dignified environment to exhibit its energy, it gets exalted. Likewise, wherever a planet gets most unsupportive environment to exhibit its energy, it gets debilitated.

For example, Moon is debilitated in Scorpio. It is because Moon is Mind and Scorpio is sign of instabilities, changes and chaotic events etc. Human Mind doesn’t want to be in any situation of instability and changes. It doesn’t want to be part of Chaos. Hence, when Moon is in Scorpio, Moon’s energy is not finding a supportive environment to exhibit itself positively. Most of its energy is going into stabilizing things. So, person is unable to utilize his Moon in doing anything productive or creative. Hence, it is debilitated. On the other hand, Moon gets exalted in Taurus. Taurus is sign of Wealth, Assets, Securities and Conveniences etc. Moon in Taurus sign shows a Mind which is feeling secured and convenient. This shows that person is not fearful of his life situations and can utilize Moon’s energy in productive or creative activities.

So, it largely depends on the environment of sign which decides whether any planet is going to be exalted or debilitated in that sign.

Why a specific Nakshatra for Exaltation and Debilitation of Planet? – Now, it doesn’t depend only on a zodiac sign to decide about Exaltation and Debilitation of Planet because every zodiac sign is consisted of 2.5 Nakshatras. Here, we need to understand the difference between Exaltation Sign and Exalted Planet or Debilitation Sign and Debilitated Planet.

When a planet is in the sign where it is exalted then it is called its Exaltation Sign. But when a planet is at the exact nakshatra/pada/degree where it gets exalted then it is called Exalted Planet.

Likewise, when a planet is in the sign where it is debilitated then it is called its Debilitation Sign. But when a planet is at the exact nakshatra/pada/degree where it gets debilitated then it is called Debilitated Planet.

So, not only a planet’s sign position decides if a planet is in exaltation/debilitation sign or not but we also need to see in which nakshatra that planet is placed to ascertain the exact strength/weakness of a planet. As always, the nature/representations of nakshatra and its mythological story can be indicators to know that why a Planet gets exalted in a specific nakshatra within a sign.

Exaltation and Debilitation of Nodes – As per my understanding, Nodes are neither exalted nor debilitated. You can understand my views on this topic here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xicr4dwpuM4. So, in this series, we will cover only 7 visible planets and the reason behind their exaltation/debilitation in a particular sign/nakshatra.

Conclusion – Again, nothing is completely black or completely white in this world. Life is grey. Likewise, in Astrology too, we can’t say that exalted planets are all good and debilitated planets are all bad. Every planet in every situation represent something positive and something negative. It all depends on us where we are putting our energy in to. We need not to forget that Mark David Chapman had 4 exalted planets and still he ended-up in killing John Lennon - https://www.astrosaxena.com/KCS-JM. On the other hand, Friedrich Nietzsche was born with Rahu-Moon in Scorpio and still he became one of the deepest thinker and philosopher of all times. So, it only depends on where we want to explore energy.