What house in your natal chart does your chart ruler find its exaltation in? This is a thought that I’ve been tinkering around with. I have a lot of astrology related thoughts because I do a lot of chart readings for people. That means I read a lot of charts.

In astrology, an exalted planet is a planet that receives invitations and honors. That planet is like Ben Kingsley’s cameo in The Sopranos. He goes to these award shows and collects tens of thousands of dollars worth of free stuff just because he’s a celebrity and people want his endorsement. An exalted planet, unlike a domicile planet who is in its own home, doesn’t get to control what gifts it receives. It might get sunglasses that make it look like a dweeb or a little purse for a pocket dog.

A planet in its exalted place is usually thought of as a planet that has high honors. This can look like a lot of things. People usually say that exalted planets are entitled but I don’t think that’s the case. Exalted planets are idealistic. That means that they have high moral expectations for themselves and for other people. They have high hopes. That also means that they don’t like to be disappointed.

The Sun exalts in Aries. Aries Sun doesn't like to disappoint people. The Moon exalts in Taurus. Taurus Moon doesn’t like to be uncomfortable. Mercury exalts in Virgo. Virgo Mercury doesn’t like dumb anything down. Venus exalts in Pisces. Pisces Venus people don’t like to disappointed romantically. Jupiter exalts in Cancer and Saturn exalts in Libra. Cancer Jupiter doesn’t like to be disappointed politically and Libra Saturn doesn’t like to be disappointed socially.

But did you know that you have all twelve zodiac signs in your chart? You have every single sign between Aries to Pisces in your natal chart and you also experience all seven transiting through all twelve signs at some point in your life. That means that every single person will experience all seven planets in their exalted states.

Your chart ruler is the planet in astrology that represents you. The place where your chart ruler exalts will be the place where you place your highest hopes.

Let’s break it down by rising sign since we can do that here.

Aries rising is ruled by Mars. Mars exalts in Capricorn which is the tenth house for Aries rising. That means that Aries rising people place their highest hopes in their public impact and desire for accomplishment.

Taurus rising is ruled by Venus. Venus exalts in Pisces which is going to be the eleventh house for Taurus rising people. The eleventh house is the place of friendship and that means that Taurus risings will place their highest hopes in big movements and friendship.

Gemini rising is ruled by Mercury. Mercury exalts in Virgo which is found in Gemini rising’s fourth house. That means that Gemini risings look for their highest hope in history, land, and family.

Cancer rising is Moon ruled. The Moon exalts in Taurus which is Cancer rising’s eleventh house of friendship and collective mobilization. Cancer rising has hope in friendship.

Leo risings are represented by the Sun and the Sun is exalted in Aries. That’s Leo rising’s ninth house. The ninth house is the house of education and beliefs and that’s why Leo risings place high importance on what they believe to be true.

Virgo rising is a weirdo because it’s the only one that exalts in itself. It’s ruler is Mercury and Mercury exalts in Virgo, making Virgo risings put their highest hopes in themselves, their bodies, and their lifestyle.

Libra rising is Venus ruled. Venus exalts in Pisces. That’s Libra rising’s sixth house of labor. Libra risings place their highest hopes in work and their own competency.

Scorpio risings are Mars ruled. Mars exalts in Capricorn, Scorpio’s third house of connection and intimacy. The third house are the people who you see at night. Scorpio risings place a lot of hope in the idea of connection and kinship.

Sagittarius rising is Jupiter ruled. Jupiter exalts in Cancer which is Sagittarius rising’s eighth house of shared resources. Sagittarius risings place their highest hopes in mutual aid, in resource sharing, and show their hope by giving.

Capricorn risings are Saturn ruled. Saturn exalts in Libra, Capricorn rising’s tenth house of public impact and accomplishments. Just like Aries risings, Capricorn risings also put their hopes in their achievements.

Aquarius risings are also Saturn ruled but Libra is Aquarius rising’s ninth house. Just like Leo risings, Aquarius risings put their highest hopes in the place of education and spiritual beliefs.

Pisces risings are Jupiter ruled and Jupiter exalts in their fifth house of pleasure. Pisces rising is the only rising sign to place their highest hopes in love affairs, pleasure, and joy.

Do you relate? I’ve talked to several people to test out this theory and a lot of people I’ve talked to have told me that the place in their chart, that specific area of life, is incredibly important to their emotional well being. A lot of people I’ve talked to have told me that the area of life described by the place where their chart ruler exalts is a big part of what motivates them, keeps them going, and keeps them hopeful.

And I’m Aquarius rising. I publish two articles a week and community run publishing platforms are literally what gives me a feeling of aliveness. I don’t know what it is. I just like the thought of everyone being able to share their mind. I guess I put a lot of hope into the idea of belief and speaking your mind.

What about you? What is your rising sign, your chart ruler, and do you put your highest hopes in the place in your chart where you are honored?