Natural benevolency and malevolency is the natural inclination of a Planet which has been given that characteristic from its creation. However simply being benevolent or malevolent by nature does not make it benevolent or malevolent just by essential quality. Therefore there are two types of benevolancy and malevolency. The first type is, as aforementioned, the Natural inclination or Essential benevolency & malevolency. Jupiter is naturally or essentially benevolent and more benevolent then Venus whom also shares minor benevolency (their purposes explained in the House treatise concerning the Houses of the Planets). Therefore Jupiter is termed the Greater Fortune and Venus, the lesser. The same follows for Saturn being the greater Misfortune and Mars the lesser Misfortune. However Natural inclinations only have a general signification once the Planets have been charted.

Thus follows the second type which is called Accidental benevolence or malevolence. When the term accidental is used it makes reference to the placement of the Planets onto a physical medium, such as a chart. When a Planet is strongly dignified and accidentally fortified in its placement, it is benevolent regardless of its natural inclination. When a Planet is debilitated in its accidental location (or where it happens to fall) the Planet is thus termed malevolent. With this type of accidental benevolency or malevolency every Planet can be either strongly benevolent, even if it is naturally a malevolent, or vise versa. For example, Saturn placed in Aquarius in the 10st House is highly benevolent for it receiving dignities in this position and therefore is Accidentally benevolent even though he is naturally malevolent and tending to corruption.

To each Planet there are designated significations of a positive or negative quality (called Dignities and Debilities), the adept astrologer who is master in his art knows how to separate these significations. To judge the degree of benevolency (or malevolency) obtained by the significations, as stated above it is important to look at the accidental benevolency. With knowing this the astrologer can designate the appropriate significations to the condition of the Planet. If a Planet may have some dignities as well as some debilities the Planet is usually a lesser accidental benevolent or malevolent and therefore receives significations of a lesser value than those that have greater dignities (or debilities).

There is technically a hidden application of benevolence or malevolence of the Planets and this happens when a Planet is either dignified or debilitated and rules over either the Native (Ascendant) or his enemies (7th/12th). For if Mars is well dignified, in Aries or Scorpio and placed in the 7th House (being the Lord there also) we know that the power, while naturally because it is dignified and well placed, is actually quite malevolent to the Native. This brings malevolency onto the Native through his enemies and spouse. The same can occur in the 12th House which rules over secret enemies. Now if this Planet be stronger then the Lord of the Ascendant (especially if there be aspect between both) it is to be interpreted that the enemies of the Native are stronger than the Native and shall overcome him (especially if they are ruled over by the stronger Planet). The same applies with the Lord of the 12th and if the opposite occurs interpret the contrary.

Finally it should be noted that the Sun, Moon, and Mercury are all neutral in their natures. Specifically for the Sun & Moon, their placement being dignified essentially or accidentally brings out the benevolent qualities because of their comfort and joy; of course the contrary is true if you find the contrary. With regard to Mercury, he takes on the natures of the Planets that are aspecting him. If a malevolent is to aspect Mercury he inflicts his malevolency on Mercury and therefore Mercury takes part in this malevolency with him, thus strengthening him.