The “Dignity Portrait”                             

June 2024

copyright © 2024 by Judith Hill

Have you seen one of those ‘Rorschach’ psychological tests?

The viewer is presented with10 ambiguous black-on-white inkblot images and asked to describe what images they see within them. It appears that some of us see the positive image formed by the black ink, whereas others see the less obvious negative image formed by the white paper surrounding and enclosing the inkblot design. It is the same way with planetary dignity! How might that be?

Most of us consider a planet’s sign-determined state of ‘dignity’, or conversely, ‘debility’, to occur when that planet actually tenants the said sign at birth (or by current transit) wherein it enjoys the qualities pertaining to a state of assigned ‘rulership’, ‘exaltation’, ‘detriment’ or ‘fall’. The first two conditions strengthen and augment a planet’s natural temperature and function, whereas the latter two states subvert, convert, inhibit, or weaken that planet’s natural functions. This does not mean they are “bad”. It means they act differently. Sometimes a planet in rulership or exaltation is quite literally too much of a good thing!

An important point brought out in my new book, The Twelve Zodiac Sign Syndromes of Medical Astrology (2024), emphasizes the “unseen” side of planetary dignity. Each sign has what I call a “dignity portrait”. You instantly see this in the same manner you would see an unexpected design hidden in the negative space around a Rorschach inkblot! ‘Dignity Portrait’ is a perfect descriptive term because it exactly states what occurs.

For example, Capricorn is ‘ruled’ by Saturn. Mars is ‘exalted’ in Capricorn, whereas Jupiter unhappily ‘falls’ in this sign, and Luna knows her regretful ‘detriment’ here.  However, one does not need to have these planets in this sign to experience and/or express their dignity or debility. You only need to be born in Capricorn!

The character of the sign Capricorn automatically expresses its unique Dignity Portrait physically, mentally, emotionally, and vocationally. Let us look more closely at this one example:

Example

CAPRICORN’S ‘DIGNITY PORTRAIT’ (partial descriptions)

• Saturn (rulership) is in its most astringent state, providing exceptional endurance, achievement, organizational skills and slow-building over time;

• Mars (exalted). The exaltation status of Mars lends earthy Capricorn the qualities of enterprise, ambition, slow energy burn, stamina, and strength. However, Mars’ natural excretion function turns retentive, and drying, often outletting at the skin.

• Moon (detriment) Capricorn is astringent to Luna’s natural moisture, (drying mucus membranes and skin, and sometimes producing lower female hormones, uterine issues, or stomach sensitivity, and lack of nutrient absorption. The native shoulders an excess of responsibility.

• Jupiter: Jupiter governs the liver, and fats. “His” Capricornian (fall) presents a dry, fastidious, efficient liver (poor lipid distribution, dryness, weight issues either up or down, and a possible potential for slowed or toxic liver or gallbladder issues, or bile problems).

So goes for each sign. Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, etc., all have their own, distinctive ‘Dignity Portraits’ that informs their character, health idiosyncrasies and vocational talents.  We can take this a step further by noting which planets may rule signs that stand averted to one’s sign of interest. I will be teaching this, and a great deal more in my upcoming class: “The Twelve Zodiac Sign Syndromes and Body Types: Physical, Medical, and Vocational Expressions.”

I am writing about this here because although touched upon in the book, I have realized that the stated concept of ‘Dignity Portraits’ could benefit from a more detailed treatment. Neither have I seen this approach described elsewhere, although the venerable Robert Carl Jansky used opposite sign rulers to determine a heightened tendency for nutrient deficiency.Consider this as an addendum to the book.I’ve personally found this concept fruitful in describing and explaining, at least in part, the traditional character, vocations and health tendencies of each sign. Perhaps you will too!

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