A SLIP-UP WITH THE FALLS? Deborah Houlding Not for lack of theory or proposed conceptual designs, the origin of the exaltation degrees remains as mysterious as Agatha Christie’s disappearance. The 3rd-century Syrian astrologer, Porphyry, was impressed by the pattern by which the diurnal planets (M, h, i) yield trines between their signs of rulership and exaltation, while the nocturnal planets (c, `, R) yield sextiles. But Porphyry gives no reason for the varying degrees he lists for each planet – why, Porphyry, is the Sun exalted in the 19th degree, the Moon the 3rd, Venus the 27th, &c? Also, I don’t buy Porphyry’s explanation that Mercury has the same sign for its rulership and exaltation because “its ray is dimmer”.1 He is basically saying that diurnal planets get trines, nocturnal planets get sextiles, and Mercury gets a conjunction. It’s a neat pattern to observe but not a satisfactory explanation.
Planetary exaltations M ~ 19th degree R Ä 3rd degree i Ö 20th degree h Ç 15th degree c à 28th degree ` ä 27th degree _ Ñ 15th degree ¡ Signs of exaltation for diurnal planets trine a sign of rulership Signs of exaltation for nocturnal planets sextile a sign of rulership ¢
In terms of explanation, we have two models to follow. One views the degrees as recorded positions in a year of special astronomical significance (note: the degrees are describing distinct planetary phenomena within that year, not depicting planetary positions for one moment of time – we can rule that out since Mercury cannot be in Virgo when the Sun is in Aries). The other diverts attention away from the specific degrees, as Porphyry does, and builds a theory that the relationships of the signs reflect some kind of interplay between the planets. Although both models come from different perspectives, they unite in one persuasive detail.
CYRIL FAGAN in 1969
Let’s consider first the proposal of Cyril Fagan, as the leading example of the “recorded positions” theory. In his 1950s book, Zodiacs Old and New, Fagan explained his fascination with a cuneiform tablet from the era of Nebuchadnezzar (604-561 BC), which lists the Moon’s exaltation in the Pleiades. He noted how its position aligned with Moon’s historically reported exaltation in the 3rd degree of tropical Taurus, proving that planetary exaltations were established before the widespread adoption of the tropical zodiac, hence, ruling out any theories that their rationale is based on the relationship of the 12 equal zodiacal signs. The same tablet also records the Sun’s exaltation in the Hireling, the Babylonian constellation later known as Aries.
1 Porphyry’s Introduction to the Tetrabiblos, translated by James Holden, (AFA, 2009), p.10.
Skyscript newsletter # 2: September 2022
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