Domicile & Detriment Dignities in Your Birth Chart

Posted on November 13, 2020

A globe rests in a persons hands. Glowing light comes from their hands.


Astrology indicates energy forecast patterns and shares practical wisdom for how to handle all the ups and downs. Too many times, however, we can take these more shaky transits and image the worsts outcomes.

One such area of astrology that can tend to cause some unwanted stress is the interpretation of the birth chart. Each person’s birth chart is a vessel of information and knowledge just waiting to be shared out. The birth chart does hold many wonderful truths but also some harder aspects as well.

If you or someone you know has a hard aspect (and every chart has at least a few), it is nothing to be overly concerned about because it is all in how we handle these more difficult things that can produce the best results.

Each natal chart has so many layers that I cannot possibly tell you everything to consider in one article. However, I will share with you one ancient astrology technique involving the planets and the signs that fall within your chart.

This ancient technique is working with the dignities of planets.

Brief Background of the Dignities of Planets

There are four different dignities: domicile, detriment, exhalation, and fall.*

Sometimes you might hear other words used for these terms, but it’s essentially what an astrologer means when referring to a planet’s ruling sign, or a sign’s ruling planets, or “this planet rules this sign.”

We’re going to dig deeper into two of the four dignities — Domicile and Detriment. To learn throughout this process, please have your birth chart handy.

Don’t already have a birth chart? Download your free birth chart right now before continuing to read!

Once you have your chart, see if you have any domicile or detriment planets based on the list of plants and signs shared below. Once you’ve mastered your own, you can learn the planets that are attributed to other zodiac signs’ domicile and detriments. This will enable you to learn more about yourself and others.

*If you want a deeper dive into this topic, make sure to check out this YouTube video on day and night charts.

The Comfort of Being Domicile


  • Sun is domicile: in Leo
  • Moon is domicile: in Cancer
  • Mercury is domicile: in Gemini and Virgo.
  • Venus is domicile: in Libra and Taurus.
  • Mars is domicile: in Scorpio and Aries.
  • Jupiter is domicile: in Sagittarius and Pisces.
  • Saturn is domicile: in Capricorn and Aquarius.
  • Uranus is domicile: in Aquarius
  • Neptune is domicile: in Pisces
  • Pluto is domicile: in Scorpio

Domicile in astrology is as the word implies.

This is the sign that a planet feels most at home. When you are at home, I hope it is the place that you can truly be yourself. Imagine how comforting it is to lay down in your bed at night and grab your food from the fridge. You know which drawer has your yoga pants and which has your socks (I cannot assume everyone has a specific place for all articles of clothing like I do because I’m a Virgo Rising, but bear with me on the analogy).

The essence of this idea is that just as you are more comfortable in an environment that is familiar to you. The planets are too. They can shine as their true essence!

The Other Side of Domicile Planets

There is also this idea of the comfort zone. Maybe you’ve heard of it?

It is when we are so comfortable with the status quo that we can grow to be complacent and can even lead to laziness. Imagine a rainy day, you’re at home, and instead of doing the errands you planned to do for the day because the inertia wasn’t there in the beginning, you then end up not accomplishing anything you needed to get done.

A planet in domicile can be so comfortable that it is not easily changed when change is due. It may then be difficult to start something or be honest with what needs to be done. Unfortunately, we cannot ignore our responsibilities.

Make sure to read this next: Do You Know Your Second Ruling Planet?

Questions to Ask Yourself

  1. Where do I see some recent complacency in my life? What are some practical steps I can take towards making small changes? Is there someone I trust to hold me accountable?
  2. Where do I feel most myself? What do I notice about the environment I am in when I do have those “at peace” or “truly myself” feelings? How can I bring more of these types of things into my life?

The Angst of Being Detriment


When a planet is in detriment in astrology, it is the opposite of being in domicile.

This is a sign that a planet doesn’t feel as comfortable in. It’s like the planet needs a while for it to acclimate to the scenery. Imagine when you take a quick trip and are staying in a hotel room for the first night, or imagine that jet-lagged feeling when adjusting time zones. It’s also kind of like that first day of school feeling, it’s just a little awkward, and the future is a bit unclear.

You’re trying to understand so many things at once that it can even be overwhelming. You can even be shyer than you may typically be.

This is what it’s like to have a planet in detriment. The planet is out of context and just normally not in its fullest expression… immediately.

The Brighter Side of Detriment Planets

Now, even if you might be uncomfortable at first, it takes this sort of growth to come into a greater sense of self. The strength and resilience it requires to eventually get to a place of better understanding and expertise are character traits that will stay with you for a long time.

And while the planet may express itself a bit differently or have certain atypical characteristics, it is what makes us all unwise and keeps life interesting. Whatever role the planet does find itself playing is unique and quintessentially of your essence, so nothing is boring about that.

Questions to Ask Yourself

  1. Where do I find myself not living in my full self? Are there some beliefs I am telling myself about the situation that may not be true? What positive affirmation can I tell myself to help me through those times?
  2. What am I grateful for? What are two traits of mine that I appreciate, and how can I share those more?

Now that you know a little bit more about domicile and detriment dignities in your birth chart, it’s time for you to explore even further. Who knows what you might uncover about yourself?

Related article: How Are the Planets Connected to Our Zodiac Signs?



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