The Sun in Exile: Individualism in the Age of Aquarius
What essential dignity might tell us about personal identification in an Aquarian landscape
While all planets have astrological significance it's difficult to argue against the elevated importance of the Sun. Considered by ancient astrologers to be the Shining Prince of the planets, the popularization of personal natal astrology has only emphasized this. Even if you don't know anything else about astrology, you know your Sun Sign--you identify with it.
That's because it is an indicator of identity.
Everything in astrology is a spectrum of expression, and the Sun covers a wide range of life's topics from childhood development to highest potential. But most commonly the Sun is where we find our own personal Hero, the main character of our story.
This quality is emphasized by its rulership of Leo, the sign which reminds us of our own centrality and encourages individuation.
But rulership is part of a larger concept known as Essential Dignity. Each planet is elevated or diminished by the qualities of the signs as it transits the zodiac, allowed to showcase its greatest potential or crushed into non-expression. These dignities--Dominion (or Rulership), Exile, Exaltation, and Fall--allow us to explore even greater nuance within individual charts, seasons, and events and bring a wealth of tools to the student of astrological magic.
If the Sun rules Leo, that means its exile, the place where it feel most alienated from its own innate qualities and expression, is Aquarius.