The dignities
In traditional astrology, a planet is not "worth" the same in every sign. There are positions where it operates with all its resources at hand and positions where it works against the current. The dignities are the system that measures that strength or weakness according to the sign each planet occupies. It is one of the oldest and most powerful tools of the tradition, and the base on which finer techniques such as the Almuten rest.
It is worth clearing up a misunderstanding from the start: the dignities are not a moral judgement. A "weak" planet is not bad and condemns nothing. It is, simply, a planet that expresses itself with more effort —and that effort, worked on, often produces the most solid results. Strength is not a synonym for ease.
The system has two poles. On the side of strength, two main positions:
Domicile — the planet is in the sign it rules, "at home". It has full authority and expresses itself without obstacles. The Sun in Leo, the Moon in Cancer, Venus in Taurus or Libra, Mars in Aries or Scorpio, and so on for each.
Exaltation — the planet is in a sign where it operates with special brilliance, like a guest of honour who receives the best resources of the place, even though it is not its home. The Sun is exalted in Aries, the Moon in Taurus, Venus in Pisces, Mars in Capricorn, Jupiter in Cancer, Saturn in Libra, Mercury in Virgo.
On the opposite side, two weaknesses:
Detriment — the sign opposite the domicile. The planet works in foreign territory and its function is expressed with more difficulty. The Sun in Aquarius, for example.
Fall — the sign opposite the exaltation. The position of greatest disadvantage, where the planet is most questioned. The Sun falls in Libra, the Moon in Scorpio, Saturn in Aries.
There are also minor dignities —triplicity, terms and faces— that refine the evaluation even further, distributing degrees of authority within each sign. They are more subtle layers added when precision is sought, but domicile and exaltation are the two that weigh most.
How they are used in a reading: the dignities tell you which planets in a chart are the most reliable resources —the ones that deliver what they promise consistently— and which ask for more conscious work. A Venus in domicile handles affection and worth with ease; a Venus in fall does not prevent loving, but asks for more awareness in that terrain. To read a chart by dignities is to read it as a system of strengths and challenges, not as a flat list of positions.
It is worth remembering that the dignities belong to the Hellenistic and medieval tradition, recovered in recent decades thanks to the work of researchers who translated and returned the original texts to practice. AstroAtlas 3i calculates them on your real chart, with your exact positions.
Once you know how to assess the strength of each planet, you can take the next step: discovering which of them all has the most authority over your chart. That is the Almuten Figuris.