Planet Scoring in Modern Astrology
Many people who start their involvement with Traditional
Astrology without knowing how Modern Astrology works (a type that has been
increasing in recent years, in the past there was no such phenomenon) seem to
be surprised to learn that in Modern Astrology there is no similar system of
planetary scoring as in Traditional Astrology. There are no bounds,
triplicities, faces, or what in traditional astrology is called essential or
accidental dignities. However, this does not mean that modern astrology in turn
does not use some planetary scoring criteria, even if it does not call the
whole process scoring. A prime example of this being the case is the fact that
we all often say that someone is "plutonian", "uranian",
"neptunian" person. What do we imply by this? We are suggesting that
we unconsciously prioritize a planet, believing it to be "strong" in
the chart and dominating the personality of the fellow.
What criteria could we use in modern astrology to judge
whether a planet is strong or not? The truth is that there are quite a few,
they just haven't been codified by modern astrologers as of yet. Some of them
are a legacy of traditional astrology of course, such as rulership or
exaltation in a sign. But others have to do with a more modern understanding,
such as the relationship with midpoints.
Below is an attempt to codify such forces. Of course, here
we should be mindful of the fact that all of these together should be
considered in combination. None of the following elements either positive or
negative can "lift" the force of a planet or reduce its force.
However, as long as a planet shows 4, 5 or 6 or more elements on one side or
the other we can begin to discuss its strength or weakness.
PRO
1. Rulership or Exaltation
2. Situated in an angular house
3. High on the map
4. Conjunct with MC ,
ASC
5. Many aspects,
preferably with personal planets and benefic
6. Close orbit
aspects (same degree preferably)
7. If we are talking
about Sun and the Moon, the Sun is strong in a day chart, the Moon is strong in
a night chart
8. If it a planet
aspects the Luminaries
9. If it makes a
positive aspect to Jupiter or the North Node
10. If it makes a
trine to ASC, MC
11. If it is the
dispositor of the Sun or the Moon or has a mutual reception to them
12. If it conjuncts a
favorable fixed star
13. If it's in
conjunction or opposition to a favorable midpoint, e.g. Sun Jupiter
14. If it makes
favorable aspects to its dispositor or the ruler of his house
15. If its dispositor
or ruler of his house is in a good sign and with good aspects
16. If it is at the
top of a formation such as a bucket or grand triangle, and sometimes a T-square
if it can manage controlling the other planets.
CONTRA
1. Detriment or Fall.
2. Situated in a
malefic house i.e., 6, 8, 12
3. Situated Low on
the chart
4. In succedent or
cadent houses
5. Has few aspects or
aspects with planets which do not play a major role in the chart
6. Has more malefic
than benefic aspects
7. Aspects with wide
orb
8. If we are talking
about the Sun and the Moon, the Sun is weak in a night chart , the Moon is weak
in a day chart.
9. Retrograde or
stationary
10. If it makes a
negative aspect to Saturn or Pluto. For Moon or Mercury possibly with Uranus or
Neptune (this of course is a bit subjective)
11. Conjunct a
malefic fixed star
12. Conjunct or
opposed by an unfavorable midpoint e.g. Saturn Mars
13. Situated in the
last degrees of the sign, i.e. 28 and 29.
14. Makes malefic
aspects to its sponsor or ruler of the house or none at all
15. Its sponsor or
ruler of his house is in a bad sign and has bad aspects
16. It is conjunct,
opposing or squaring a nearby eclipse
17. It is at the apex
of a T-square or YOD formation in relative weakness to manage the other
planets.
Feel free to experiment to the charts on your own following
the above guidelines.
