Exaltation is the second Essential Dignity received by the Planets from each of the twelve signs in the Zodiac. The following Essential Dignities work slightly different than that of the Houses (and Triplicities) because they incorporate specific degrees into their dignity. It has long been overlooked that the degree of the Exaltation is the apex of the power of the Exaltation. This means that from when any Planet enters a Sign at 0° that is considered his Exaltation, the more close he comes to his degree of Exaltation, the more fortunate and benevolent he becomes. After this apexing degree however his benevolency decreases and he is not as powerful as he was prior and during his apex. This apexing is much the same way that aspects work, the closer they come to the apex point the more powerful the dignity is. The Fall of each Planet will also be treated here, as the Fall (the apex in which height is decreased) is opposite to that of the Exaltation (or peak from rising). With that said we shall start with the Exaltation of the Sun.
The Exaltation of the Sun is the place in which the Sun reaches its maximum Northern point in the sky, that being of 19° Aries. When the Sun reaches this point, it is like a Planet reaching the Midheaven, it reaches its apex, or highest point and therefore it is supreme over the rest. This is a great place of power and dignity (although House having more power). During this time when the Sun enters this point, being the giver of life, his power to bring life is increased and therefore on the Earth we find things bloom and blossom, everything waxes green and the earth becomes alive and prosperous. The heat is increased and the length of daylight is increased and lengthened. The Exaltation of the Sun is said to be more powerful than that of the House because of its ability to produce and propagate life on Earth. The Fall of the Sun is that of Libra, who is opposite unto Aries and therefore during this time life ceases to flourish, the days get shorter and coldness increases, all of which is enemy unto the Sun.
The Exaltation of the Moon comes from her first conjunction of the Sun in Aries and shows herself unto us first in Taurus as she is then increasing in light (or waxing) and separating from her conjunction with the Sun (or called a New/Dark Moon). To this she is given the 3° of Taurus because that is her greatest point of exaltation. Her Fall is that of Scorpio because it is a sign which is opposite to that of Taurus and therefore the sign in which her power and light decreases. She is also receiving the first light from that of her conjunction of the Sun while he is in Libra, the sign before Scorpio in which the Moon goes into after her conjunction and therefore her Fall is considered such.
Saturn's Exaltation is found because he is of the opposite nature of the Sun and therefore his enemy. Thus his Exaltation is the 21° of Libra, in which the Sun has his Fall. In this placement Saturn is at his highest peak and therefore most powerful. Saturn rejoices in the pain of the Suns demise. Libra is also the aign in which the heat of the Sun is diminished and therefore Saturn, being a dry and cold Planet, takes comfort in this position because while the heat has diminished, the dryness is still prevailent. The Fall of Saturn happens in the Exaltation of the Sun, which is Aries because of the increase of the nature which is opposite unto his (Heat & Moisture).
Jupiter finds his Exaltation in 15° of Cancer and his Fall in Capricorn being that it is opposite unto Cancer. The purpose of this is because Jupiter has the greatest strength and joy in the upper parts of Heaven and thus has the most control. Since Cancer is a watery Sign, his placement here increases fertility and life in nature and therefore opposite occurs when he is placed in his Fall.
The Exaltation of Mars is found in the 28° of Capricorn being that Capricorn is a Southern Sign and when the Sun is found in the Southern part of Heaven it is most hot and dry, being around Noon time. His Fall is found in Cancer because it is opposite to that of Jupiter. The reason behind this is because Mars is considered violent and unstable, which of the opposite nature of Jupiter being stable and temperate and thus Exaltation and Fall are found thus.
Venus is Exalted in 27° of Pisces because Venus is by nature moist, and when the Sun enters into Pisces, all the ice brought on by Capricorn starts to thaw in Aquarius and completely unfreeze in Pisces making it very moist and therefore prime for the rebirth of life (brought on by its entering into Aries as aforementioned) and procreation, Venus is thus given this as her Exaltation. When the Sun enters into Virgo, the earth withers and dry's and becomes barren, opposite of Venus' nature and therefore Virgo is the Fall of Venus.
Mercury being of the opposite Nature of Venus as he is cold and dry, he is given the opposite Exaltation and Fall of Venus. Thus Mercury is Exalted in 15° Virgo and his Fall is in Pisces because that is the Sign that is opposite to his Nature.
With regard to the ranking of this Dignity it is given a 4 (or 4+) because it is second in power to that of the House placement. It should also be noted that a Planet placed on the exact degree of Exaltation is also more powerful and potent then if it is placed after that specific degree because as aforementioned, the Planet gains power to that point and therefore after that it declines. As for the Fall being a debility it receives a 4 (-4) being the opposite to that of the Exaltation.
