Exaltation and Debilitation of the Planets

Planets move in the sky in their orbits around the Sun. Since this path of their movement is elliptical (not circular), so their distance from the Sun/earth also varies. In this movement when these planets are closest to earth/Sun they seem to be the most illuminated. This position of the planet is called exalted. Same way when the planet is at the farthest position from earth it seems to be the least illuminated. This position is called debilitated. Planets are at their strongest and most favorable positions when placed in their exaltation signs while in debilitation they are at their weakest and least favorable situation. Exaltation and debilitation sign of any planet is always opposite of each other (180 degree apart) as given in following table.
Traditional astrologers teach it in very entertaining manner:

• When the king Sun arrives in the house of army commander Mars (1st sign) he gets the utmost respect (exalted) but if it arrives in the house of queen’s maid Venus (7th sign) it gets the bad name in society (debilitated).
• When queen Moon arrives in the house of queen’s maid Venus (2nd sign) it gets all the respect (exaltation) but same queen going in the house of army commander Mars (8th sign) it gets humiliated (debilitation).
• When Prince Mercury arrives in his own house (6th sign) it gets happy (exaltation) but child Mercury going in the house of teacher Jupiter (12th sign) feels sad (debilitation).
• When commander Mars arrives in the house of servant Saturn (10th sign) it gets all the respect (exaltation) but same Mars going in the house of queen Moon (4th sign) feels unwelcome (debilitation).
• When guru Jupiter arrives in the house of queen Moon (2nd sign) he receives warm welcome (exaltation) but same Jupiter going in the house of a servant (10th sign) it gets humiliated (debilitation).
• When female priest Venus arrives in the house of learned Jupiter (12th sign) it gets respect for its knowledge (exaltation) but in the house of prince of Mercury (6th sign) acts as a maid (debilitation).
• When servant Saturn arrives in the house of queen’s maid Venus (7nd sign) it gets all the fun (exaltation) but same Saturn going in the house of army commander Mars (1th sign) stands outside the gate (debilitation).
• When soldier Rahu arrives in the house of prince Mercury (3rd sign) it tells its stories (exaltation) but same Rahu going in the house of great Jupiter (9th sign) it gets humiliated (debilitation).