There are four types of relationships between planets and signs: ownership (ruler), exaltation, debilitation, and moolatrikona. 

Ownership
The Sun rules Leo; the Moon rules Cancer; Mars rules Aries and Scorpio; Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo; Venus rules Libra and Taurus; Jupiter rules Pisces and Sagittarius; and Saturn rules Aquarius and Capricorn.

A planet located in its own sign has a powerful and benefic influence. The ownership of a good or bad house can modify the natural good or bad effect a planet may have. Natural benefics, such as Jupiter, the Moon, or Venus, can be transformed into malefics if they own bad houses.

Some authorities on Vedic astrology do not assign ownership of a sign to Rahu or Ketu. Other authorities, however, say that these subtle planets represent the lords of the sign in which they are located. 

Exaltation
A planet is exalted when it is in a particular sign. When a planet is exalted, it has a greater influence to do good than when it is in its own sign. When a planet is at a particular point in that sign that makes it exalted, it is said to be at its maximum exaltation. When an exalted planet is in retrograde motion, however, it usually brings inauspicious results. 

Debilitation
When a planet is debilitated, it brings the opposite result of an exalted planet. Astrologers find the point of debilitation by adding 180º to the point of exaltation. The seventh sign from an exalted sign is a debilitated sign.

Moolatrikonas
A moolatrikona is a favorable position for the planets. A planet in Moolatrikonas is considered to be strong and positive and in a better position than if it were in its own sign. This placement, however, is not as powerful as exaltation.

Copyright ©2001 John Howley and Spiritual Guides