Article on Planetary Weaknesses
Question: You have already given detailed views on combustion. (see Ron's Combustion Article) What would you say would be the effect of the other weaknesses and how these weaknesses affect the behavior of planets?
Ron: Planetary debilitations are listed in the following order (from the weakest to less weak):
1. Combustion 2. Bad placement 3. Debilitation 4. Old age 5. Infancy 6. Debilitation in Navamsa 7. Weak dispositor .
My views on the different types of weaknesses are these:
Combustion: already elaborated extensively on this.
Bad placement: It is my view that the houses represent the environment in which a planet must operate. Therefore, I consider that a benefic planet placed in dusthana is weakened ONLY because the planet must try to promote/protect its own natural and functional significations within an environment characterized by either opposition (6th house), obstacles and humiliations (8th house) or losses and expenses (12th house). To the extent that a planet is distracted by such difficulties, time is expended and taken away from attention to other areas that could be more easily advanced - were itnot for such distractions. For example, the lord of the 10th going to the 6th house means that the person will be surrounded by conflict and opposition when it comes to professional pursuits. So, the person's professional pursuits are weakened because he will be opposed frequently. However, I think that describing such a planet as weak can be quite misleading. If we assume that a person with the lord of the 10th in the 6th cannot reach significant levels of success, then we will be sadly mistaken many times. We cannot say that such a person will have low professional success; we can only say that s/he will see much conflict. In fact, such a position may be seen in the charts of lawyers, police and military.
Debilitation: It is my view that such planets are weakened only because the significations of such planets manifest within an environment of unhappiness, disharmony, and restlessness. Due to such factors, the person will often make changes within the affected area. This means that the affected significations are constantly being uprooted and not given time to take root and properly develop.Again, using the 10th lord as an example - if the 10th lord is debilitated, then the person will find it hard to be happy in their job. Such a person will constantly make changes in order to find that elusive factor of happiness. Additionally, such unhappiness becomes apparent to one's employer and limits advancement potential.
Old Age: Old age is much like it is in human existence. A human, in old age, has grasped the energy of life, but is beginning to lose the ability to retain that energy and use it under the guidance of the wisdom acquired over a lifetime. On an astrological scale, the graha has already grasped the energy of the constellation, or zodiac sign, but is reaching a point where it is losing its grasp and will be therefore increasingly unable to transmute that constellational energy for use in the promotion/protection of the planet's own natural and functional significations. Such a planet means that the person has the wisdom and understanding to promote/protect the planet's significations, AND may even yet have some desire to do so. But, the time is past and the energy is no longer there to support the desired actions. In the case of old age, the person may still obtain the planet'ssignifications by means of one's wisdom and understanding, which may compensate for the lack of energy. Such a person must work smart - not hard. However, if such a planet is benefically aspected and conjoined in such a way that energy is added, then the weakness of old age is greatly offset.
Infancy: Infancy is much like it is in human existence. A human, in infancy, is full of energy, but has not yet developed the ability to manifest that energy through coordinated efforts that exhibit much understanding or wisdom, which only come through years of experience. On an astrological scale, the graha is beginning to grasp the energy of the constellation, and that energy is growing in power. But, there is little understanding or wisdom of how to manifest what one envisions as possible. Such a planet means that the person is acquiring the energy and desire to accomplish a great deal, but does not yet have a firm hold on the energy needed, nor the understanding and wisdom necessary, to bring into manifestation one's dreams and goals, which will probably change anyway as one matures. In the case of infancy, the person may still obtain the planet's significations through desire, determination, and relentless pursuit - even though there may be a lack of wisdom. Interestingly, if a benefic aspect/conjunction adds that wisdom to the planet, then the weakness of infancy is greatly offset.
Debilitated in Navamsa: This carries the same meaning as debilitation in the rasi, but primarily with respect to general fortune in life, as well as marriage.
Weak Dispositor: In my view, this is perhaps the worst of all weaknesses because it represents a lack of strength and integrity of the environment in which the planet must operate. A weak dispositor means the planet has compromised foundational strength - nothing or little to stand upon. A weak dispositor means that the dispositor, due to one of the above factors, is necessarily distracted and dissipating its energy along other channels. Therefore, such a distracted and weak dispositor has littleenergy to lend to the promotion of the significations of planets residing in the house containing its MT sign. To illustrate on human terms, if you are living in the house of your parents and they are very elderly and require a lot of care, then it naturally can be concluded that your parents can do very little for you. And, in fact, your energy will be expended in supporting them, which leaves little time toadvancing your own goals.
These are all my intuitions and experiences on the subject. I don't know if anyone else agrees or disagrees. So, take this all as you will. Further, I would say that I think it is a mistake to assume that any of the above "weaknesses" means poor success. If we look at Bill Clinton's chart, for example, we see that he has Jupiter in infancy. Now, regardless of which ascendant you use for him, he has had the greatest power during his Jupiter dasa. So, how can we explain that? Well, if you take my above explanation about infancy, it fits quite well. He gained political power through great desire,determination, and relentless pursuit. Yet, he lacked a great deal of understanding and wisdom. It was that lack of wisdom that got him into scandal after scandal.
This is not just a conservative twist on things. Many of his own party, including his own wife, have been furious that he would be so foolish as to discredit and tarnish everything they had worked so hard to accomplish. So again, I think many are greatly mistaking what the above weaknesses actually will bring.
This has also been quite evident with respect to the USA chart that I've been advocating. Many cannot get past the weakness of Mercury in that March 1st 1781 chart, but it is due to their lack of understanding about these principles of astrology that such misgivings arise.
Finally, even though I have joined in on using the term "weakness", I don't like it. I think it causes misunderstanding and simplistic views within the astrological community.
Question: The descending order for the weak planets is a combust planet, bad placement, debilitation, old age, infancy, debilitated in navamsa and the weak dispositor?
Ron: Yes, this is true, however, it is a general statement of descending order of weakness and must be considered in that context. For example, while combustion is listed as the greatest weakness, there are modifiers to this:
1) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, and both planets are benefic.
2) combust, and outside the 5 degree orb: ben/mal status of Sun and combust planet doesn't matter in this case.
3) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, the Sun is a malefic, and the combust planet is a benefic.
4) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, the combust planet is a malefic, and the Sun is a benefic.
5) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, both the Sun and the combust planet are malefics.
In case #1, the combust planet is actually given a very nice boost to its significations, and will only suffer under slow malefic transit. In such a case, I would definitely not describe the combustion to the client in a negative tone; other than to warn of malefic transits against the combust natal position.
Question: I also understand from the above that if the planet is debilitated, but has no other form of weakness or affliction, then one may expect inconvenience or some sort of delay in the sub-periods of such a planet, is this correct?
Ron: My opinion would be that the delay or inconvenience in the bhukti of a debilitated planet may be more perceptual than reality. After all, if it is as I have indicated, then the person has success, but is not happy about it. For such a person, success never comes quickly enough and is perceived as a delay.
Debilitation doesn't affect the level of success or ability. Instead, it means that those significations will manifest within either an unhappy, unfriendly, inharmonious, or uncomfortable environment.
Question: From what I recollect, you had mentioned that most of the weaknesses can beovercome and are not really weaknesses. Even the weakness caused by combustion is conditional. The most important thing that you mentioned as being able to mostly take away the planet’s ability is the weakness of the dispositor. Am I correct so far?
Ron: Yes, that is my personal viewpoint.
Question: This brings me to my next question. What do we consider as weakness of a dispositor, if the other weaknesses are relative. Is it that the dispositor must be suffering from more than one weakness such as being in infancy as well as being in a bad place itself?
Ron: Even though I have used such terms in the past, I really do not like the terms “weak”, “strong”, “malefic”, “benefic”. I think such binary terms cause us to think in simplistic ways about the energies exerted by the planets. If I were to coin my own phraseology, I would refer to “weak” planets as “distracted” planets. Given that, the various conditions put forth in the SA as weaknesses, in my opinion are types of distractions for the planets. I have previously described what that entails. Therefore, any planet that has its energy distracted, or channeled elsewhere with other concerns, will be of compromised use in helping those planets residing in its house - whether those distractions come about as a result of infancy, debilitation, old age, etc.
By the way, perhaps my way of stating things is not necessarily better. It is just a different perspective that might turn on a light for some by thinking of things in this manner. So, if it is useful, great. If not, discard it.
As a side note, it is also my view that perhaps one of the best combinations for strength is a conjunction, or mutual aspect, by a benefic planet in infancy and a benefic planet in old age.
Question: Would you say that a planet can only express itself through its dispositor? Could there be another way of looking at it? For example, if a planet is ‘distracted’, it is busy fighting its environment to be able to look after its MT house. Would its MT house become like a non-MT house in that case? And it ceases to dispose a planet within, rather than weaken the planet within?
Ron: I would not say that it becomes as a house containing a non-MT sign, since planets in such houses are not harmed by the status of their dispositor. In the case of planets in a house containing an MT sign, the planets is such a house are harmed.
Question: I have read so many books on astrology which just seem to repeat principles without analysis. Your style is very refreshing and the perspective is very thought provoking. I hope you do not get fed up!
Ron: Not at all - the questions/comments are very much welcomed. I don’t expect that everyone will agree with my points of view, but if they merely cause people to re-examine principles that we have always taken for granted, then my introduction of a little chaos into the astrological mix has served its purpose. I too become discouraged with the numerous astrological parrots who repeat without every thinking about things very deeply. It’s not that I don’t think they have a right to publish a book if they see fit, but the propagation of such works makes finding the books of real teachers as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. The more books there are out there, the greater your karma has to be to stumble upon the legitimate stuff. Anyway, so much for my pet peeve. I’ll get off the soap box.
Question: Yes, this would follow from your logic of clubbing wisdom/experience with the energy of youth. Of course, for the aspect to be strong, it would have to be extreme old age coupled with extreme infancy. How powerful are weak aspects?
Ron: I’m not sure that it has to really be extreme old age and infancy. Two such planets retaining 50% strength still benefit each other with what they have to contribute.
- Ron Grimes
Ron: Planetary debilitations are listed in the following order (from the weakest to less weak):
1. Combustion 2. Bad placement 3. Debilitation 4. Old age 5. Infancy 6. Debilitation in Navamsa 7. Weak dispositor .
My views on the different types of weaknesses are these:
Combustion: already elaborated extensively on this.
Bad placement: It is my view that the houses represent the environment in which a planet must operate. Therefore, I consider that a benefic planet placed in dusthana is weakened ONLY because the planet must try to promote/protect its own natural and functional significations within an environment characterized by either opposition (6th house), obstacles and humiliations (8th house) or losses and expenses (12th house). To the extent that a planet is distracted by such difficulties, time is expended and taken away from attention to other areas that could be more easily advanced - were itnot for such distractions. For example, the lord of the 10th going to the 6th house means that the person will be surrounded by conflict and opposition when it comes to professional pursuits. So, the person's professional pursuits are weakened because he will be opposed frequently. However, I think that describing such a planet as weak can be quite misleading. If we assume that a person with the lord of the 10th in the 6th cannot reach significant levels of success, then we will be sadly mistaken many times. We cannot say that such a person will have low professional success; we can only say that s/he will see much conflict. In fact, such a position may be seen in the charts of lawyers, police and military.
Debilitation: It is my view that such planets are weakened only because the significations of such planets manifest within an environment of unhappiness, disharmony, and restlessness. Due to such factors, the person will often make changes within the affected area. This means that the affected significations are constantly being uprooted and not given time to take root and properly develop.Again, using the 10th lord as an example - if the 10th lord is debilitated, then the person will find it hard to be happy in their job. Such a person will constantly make changes in order to find that elusive factor of happiness. Additionally, such unhappiness becomes apparent to one's employer and limits advancement potential.
Old Age: Old age is much like it is in human existence. A human, in old age, has grasped the energy of life, but is beginning to lose the ability to retain that energy and use it under the guidance of the wisdom acquired over a lifetime. On an astrological scale, the graha has already grasped the energy of the constellation, or zodiac sign, but is reaching a point where it is losing its grasp and will be therefore increasingly unable to transmute that constellational energy for use in the promotion/protection of the planet's own natural and functional significations. Such a planet means that the person has the wisdom and understanding to promote/protect the planet's significations, AND may even yet have some desire to do so. But, the time is past and the energy is no longer there to support the desired actions. In the case of old age, the person may still obtain the planet'ssignifications by means of one's wisdom and understanding, which may compensate for the lack of energy. Such a person must work smart - not hard. However, if such a planet is benefically aspected and conjoined in such a way that energy is added, then the weakness of old age is greatly offset.
Infancy: Infancy is much like it is in human existence. A human, in infancy, is full of energy, but has not yet developed the ability to manifest that energy through coordinated efforts that exhibit much understanding or wisdom, which only come through years of experience. On an astrological scale, the graha is beginning to grasp the energy of the constellation, and that energy is growing in power. But, there is little understanding or wisdom of how to manifest what one envisions as possible. Such a planet means that the person is acquiring the energy and desire to accomplish a great deal, but does not yet have a firm hold on the energy needed, nor the understanding and wisdom necessary, to bring into manifestation one's dreams and goals, which will probably change anyway as one matures. In the case of infancy, the person may still obtain the planet's significations through desire, determination, and relentless pursuit - even though there may be a lack of wisdom. Interestingly, if a benefic aspect/conjunction adds that wisdom to the planet, then the weakness of infancy is greatly offset.
Debilitated in Navamsa: This carries the same meaning as debilitation in the rasi, but primarily with respect to general fortune in life, as well as marriage.
Weak Dispositor: In my view, this is perhaps the worst of all weaknesses because it represents a lack of strength and integrity of the environment in which the planet must operate. A weak dispositor means the planet has compromised foundational strength - nothing or little to stand upon. A weak dispositor means that the dispositor, due to one of the above factors, is necessarily distracted and dissipating its energy along other channels. Therefore, such a distracted and weak dispositor has littleenergy to lend to the promotion of the significations of planets residing in the house containing its MT sign. To illustrate on human terms, if you are living in the house of your parents and they are very elderly and require a lot of care, then it naturally can be concluded that your parents can do very little for you. And, in fact, your energy will be expended in supporting them, which leaves little time toadvancing your own goals.
These are all my intuitions and experiences on the subject. I don't know if anyone else agrees or disagrees. So, take this all as you will. Further, I would say that I think it is a mistake to assume that any of the above "weaknesses" means poor success. If we look at Bill Clinton's chart, for example, we see that he has Jupiter in infancy. Now, regardless of which ascendant you use for him, he has had the greatest power during his Jupiter dasa. So, how can we explain that? Well, if you take my above explanation about infancy, it fits quite well. He gained political power through great desire,determination, and relentless pursuit. Yet, he lacked a great deal of understanding and wisdom. It was that lack of wisdom that got him into scandal after scandal.
This is not just a conservative twist on things. Many of his own party, including his own wife, have been furious that he would be so foolish as to discredit and tarnish everything they had worked so hard to accomplish. So again, I think many are greatly mistaking what the above weaknesses actually will bring.
This has also been quite evident with respect to the USA chart that I've been advocating. Many cannot get past the weakness of Mercury in that March 1st 1781 chart, but it is due to their lack of understanding about these principles of astrology that such misgivings arise.
Finally, even though I have joined in on using the term "weakness", I don't like it. I think it causes misunderstanding and simplistic views within the astrological community.
Question: The descending order for the weak planets is a combust planet, bad placement, debilitation, old age, infancy, debilitated in navamsa and the weak dispositor?
Ron: Yes, this is true, however, it is a general statement of descending order of weakness and must be considered in that context. For example, while combustion is listed as the greatest weakness, there are modifiers to this:
1) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, and both planets are benefic.
2) combust, and outside the 5 degree orb: ben/mal status of Sun and combust planet doesn't matter in this case.
3) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, the Sun is a malefic, and the combust planet is a benefic.
4) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, the combust planet is a malefic, and the Sun is a benefic.
5) combust, and within a 5 degree orb, both the Sun and the combust planet are malefics.
In case #1, the combust planet is actually given a very nice boost to its significations, and will only suffer under slow malefic transit. In such a case, I would definitely not describe the combustion to the client in a negative tone; other than to warn of malefic transits against the combust natal position.
Question: I also understand from the above that if the planet is debilitated, but has no other form of weakness or affliction, then one may expect inconvenience or some sort of delay in the sub-periods of such a planet, is this correct?
Ron: My opinion would be that the delay or inconvenience in the bhukti of a debilitated planet may be more perceptual than reality. After all, if it is as I have indicated, then the person has success, but is not happy about it. For such a person, success never comes quickly enough and is perceived as a delay.
Debilitation doesn't affect the level of success or ability. Instead, it means that those significations will manifest within either an unhappy, unfriendly, inharmonious, or uncomfortable environment.
Question: From what I recollect, you had mentioned that most of the weaknesses can beovercome and are not really weaknesses. Even the weakness caused by combustion is conditional. The most important thing that you mentioned as being able to mostly take away the planet’s ability is the weakness of the dispositor. Am I correct so far?
Ron: Yes, that is my personal viewpoint.
Question: This brings me to my next question. What do we consider as weakness of a dispositor, if the other weaknesses are relative. Is it that the dispositor must be suffering from more than one weakness such as being in infancy as well as being in a bad place itself?
Ron: Even though I have used such terms in the past, I really do not like the terms “weak”, “strong”, “malefic”, “benefic”. I think such binary terms cause us to think in simplistic ways about the energies exerted by the planets. If I were to coin my own phraseology, I would refer to “weak” planets as “distracted” planets. Given that, the various conditions put forth in the SA as weaknesses, in my opinion are types of distractions for the planets. I have previously described what that entails. Therefore, any planet that has its energy distracted, or channeled elsewhere with other concerns, will be of compromised use in helping those planets residing in its house - whether those distractions come about as a result of infancy, debilitation, old age, etc.
By the way, perhaps my way of stating things is not necessarily better. It is just a different perspective that might turn on a light for some by thinking of things in this manner. So, if it is useful, great. If not, discard it.
As a side note, it is also my view that perhaps one of the best combinations for strength is a conjunction, or mutual aspect, by a benefic planet in infancy and a benefic planet in old age.
Question: Would you say that a planet can only express itself through its dispositor? Could there be another way of looking at it? For example, if a planet is ‘distracted’, it is busy fighting its environment to be able to look after its MT house. Would its MT house become like a non-MT house in that case? And it ceases to dispose a planet within, rather than weaken the planet within?
Ron: I would not say that it becomes as a house containing a non-MT sign, since planets in such houses are not harmed by the status of their dispositor. In the case of planets in a house containing an MT sign, the planets is such a house are harmed.
Question: I have read so many books on astrology which just seem to repeat principles without analysis. Your style is very refreshing and the perspective is very thought provoking. I hope you do not get fed up!
Ron: Not at all - the questions/comments are very much welcomed. I don’t expect that everyone will agree with my points of view, but if they merely cause people to re-examine principles that we have always taken for granted, then my introduction of a little chaos into the astrological mix has served its purpose. I too become discouraged with the numerous astrological parrots who repeat without every thinking about things very deeply. It’s not that I don’t think they have a right to publish a book if they see fit, but the propagation of such works makes finding the books of real teachers as hard as finding a needle in a haystack. The more books there are out there, the greater your karma has to be to stumble upon the legitimate stuff. Anyway, so much for my pet peeve. I’ll get off the soap box.
Question: Yes, this would follow from your logic of clubbing wisdom/experience with the energy of youth. Of course, for the aspect to be strong, it would have to be extreme old age coupled with extreme infancy. How powerful are weak aspects?
Ron: I’m not sure that it has to really be extreme old age and infancy. Two such planets retaining 50% strength still benefit each other with what they have to contribute.
- Ron Grimes