In episode 255 of the podcast astrologers Chris Brennan and Benjamin Dykes unveil a new discovery about the origins of the exaltations, derived from a lost Hermetic text preserved by Abu Ma'shar in his book called “The Great Introduction to Astrology”. Abu Ma'shar explains exaltation schemes in a unique way by citing a lost Greek text attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.
1. Principals
a. Planets in 15˚ are the strongest (robust)
b. Two planets can not be assigned to the same sign
c. Degrees of benefics should be before degrees of malefics
d. Exaltation means rising to the peak
e. The concept of exaltation based on increasing / decreasing in light. Aries – Cancer is related to benefics because the light is increasing. Libra – Capricorn is related to malefics because the light is decreasing.
2. Explain signs of exaltation
i. Aries (Day time start to increase) – Sun is assigned to Aries which is coherent with the increasing light theory
ii. Cancer (Day time reaches its maximum point) – Jupiter is assigned to Cancer because it is the greater benefic
iii. Libra (Day time start to decrease) – Saturn is assigned to the place opposite to Sun
iv. Capricorn (Night time reaches its maximum point) – Mars is assigned to the place opposite to Jupiter
When we put 4 planets in Thema Mundi[1] [2] chart where Cancer is rising, we see that all of the planets are placed in an angular house.
Jupiter in 1st house / Sun in 10th house / Mars in 7th house / Saturn in 4th house
(1st, 10th and 11th houses are called “excellent houses”)
v. Sun and Moon are always together. Once we have the Sun in Aries, we can place the Moon in Taurus or Pisces. It is not placed to Pisces because then Moon will be decreasing in light. Thus it is put to Taurus.
vi. Venus can be maximum 47 degrees away from the Sun. Taurus has the Moon thus Venus is placed in Pisces. This is also ideal in terms of planetary quality. Pisces is a wet sign and Venus’s planetary quality is also wet.
vii. Mercury can not be away from Sun more than one sign. But Taurus and Pisces are already full. Thus, the selection is made according to planetary quality. Since Mercury is dry, it can be placed to earth signs. Virgo is the only free earth sign. (Taurus has Moon. Capricorn has Mars.)
3. Explain degree of exaltation
In general principals it is told that planets are strongest in 15˚. When we cast a chart where ASC is 15˚ of Cancer in equator, MC becomes 18˚ Aries. The logic behind the degree of exaltation lies under the same principle. (increasing light) Thus the placement needs to be advancing towards the angles or on the angle.
i. Jupiter in placed on the ascendant (15˚ Cancer)
ii. Sun is on the MC (19˚ Aries[3])
iii. Moon becomes first visible at 2˚ Taurus in equator.[4] He uses visibility instead of 15˚ to place Moon. A planet is also weakening under the beams of Sun. 2˚ Taurus is also 12˚ away from the Sun.
iv. Mars should be placed to 15˚ Capricorn but then Jupiter and Mars will be in exact opposition. This will take away other planet’s power. We can move Mars 12˚ right ascension forward or backward in Capricorn. If we subtract 12˚ Mars will withdraw (dynamically cadent) and weak at the beginning of Capricorn. Then we add 15˚+12˚ right ascension =26˚ Capricorn. Mars is placed 27˚ Capricorn with another change. (This change is made because of Venus placement as explained below)
v. Mercury and Venus will harm each other if they will be both in 15˚. We can move Venus 12˚ right ascension forward or backward in Pisces. If we subtract 12˚ right ascension, it will be close to 8th house. Late Pisces will be closer to an angle. Thus 15˚+12˚ right ascension equals to 28˚ Pisces Venus. Mars will be applying to her degree. A malefic should not apply to benefic degree.[5] (Mars 26˚ Capricorn, Venus 28˚ Pisces) Mars is set to 27˚ Capricorn whereas Venus is set to 26˚ Pisces.
vi. Mercury is 15˚ of Virgo. It does not harm Jupiter because they are sextile.
vii. Saturn cannot be 15˚ because it will an exact square to Jupiter. It is not an opposition thus 6˚ (12˚/2=6˚) right ascension will be added or subtracted. Subtraction will carry it away from the angle (IC). Thus 15˚+6˚ right ascension equals to 21˚ Libra.
Miscellaneous
The oppositions are coherent with each other in exaltation scheme:
Venus (Pleasure) – Mercury (Wisdom)
Sun (Light) – Saturn (Dark)
War (Mars) – Jupiter (Peace)
Diurnal planets have their exaltations in trine.
Nocturnal planets have their exaltations in sextile.
Summarised by: Aylin Tezcan Beyazoğlu
[1] The Thema Mundi was a mythical horoscope used in Hellenistic astrology that shows the supposed positions of the seven visible planets (including the Sun and Moon) at the beginning of the universe. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thema_Mundi) [2] The Thema Mundi was used as a teaching tool or a conceptual device in Hellenistic astrology, and in that system it provided the rationale for sign rulership, the exaltations, the nature of the aspects, and certain significations of the signs. (http://horoscopicastrologyblog.com/2007/06/11/the-thema-mundi/) [3] 19˚ Aries = 18˚00 - 18˚59 [4] Why he uses first visibility degree for Moon in equator instead of his general 15 degrees principal? [5] Principal: Degrees of benefics should be before degree of malefics.