Dignity of the Planets. The characteristics of the planets and their influences are to be interpreted according to the positions that they occupy in the signs, and are linked to the specific nature of these. Comparing the nature of the planets with that of the signs we find a concordance or discordance that astrology has codified as "planetary dignity." This means that when the planets are placed in symbols which are in harmony, their influences are increased positively when dealing with signs instead of an entirely different nature or contrary to their nature, their influences are reduced or inharmonious. Therefore, a planet placed in the sign best suited to his attributes, is said to be the "master" of that sign, that "rules" that sign, and that is in "home", while if it is in diametrically opposite sign is said in "exile", and in this case its power will be attenuated and dissonance. In addition to the 'domicile' and to '"exile" there are other signs in which the qualities of the planets considerably increased power and harmonize with those of the sign host in a perfect communion. It is said then that these planets are in "exaltation." The sign diametrically opposite to that in which the planet is exalted becomes that of the "fall". Under these conditions, the influences of the planet are reduced and also changed negatively.

The origin of this classification is very old, and as for the home and exile there have been no subsequent changes, the exaltation and fall are still under discussion.

As the Sun and the Moon have only one domicile, respectively in Leo and Cancer, all the other planets have two: one day and one night. This location is particularly important for the interpretations. In the nocturnal house the influence of the planets is expressed on the personality and behavior, while in the diurnal occurs on the practical life. Of course, the planets may also be in characters other than those which characterize the domiciles, exiles, exaltations and falls. In this case they are called "peregrini» and their influences are merged with those of the signs host in a more flat and without tips.