# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Astro*Dictionary by Michael Erlewine

 

 

 

 

3 articles for "Dispositor"

Dispositor [Astro*Index]

Planetary ruler of another planet's sign generally rulership. The Sun is the dispositor of Mars in Leo. Jupiter, by exaltation, is the dispositor of Venus in Cancer.

See also:
♦ Ptolemy ♦ Exaltation
Dispositor [Prima]

A term largely absent from modern books on astrology except in regard to horary astrology, where it is prevalent and indicates a relationship between two planets in which one "arranges" or has influence over another by virtue of a system of rulership and dignity. A dispositor is the planet which rules or dignifies the sign in which another planet is found. For example, Mars is the dispositor of Venus in Aries; this is disposition by rulership. The Moon is the dispositor of Mercury in Taurus; this is disposition by exaltation (the Moon is exalted in Taurus). In this case, Venus, the ruler of Taurus, is also a dispositor of Mercury. Venus and the Moon are the dispositors of any planet in Taurus, although astrologers generally consider disposition by rulership to be stronger than disposition by dignity.

See also:
♦ Ptolemy ♦ Exaltation
Dispositor [DeVore]

(to dispose of)

The Ruler of the Sign on the cusp of a House disposes of, or is the dispositor of, a planet posited in that House. When the dispositor of any planet taken as a significator, is itself disposed of by the Ruler of the Ascendant, it is deemed a strongly favorable indication. In a Solar Figure, the Ruler of the Sign is the Dispositor of a planet posited therein. The assumption is that when a planet is in a Sign that is ruled by another planet, it is supposed to be so influenced by the planet that rules the Sign in which it is placed, as in effect to alter its nature. Thus, if Saturn is in a Sign ruled by Jupiter, the Jupiterian influence is presumed so to permeate the Saturn influence as to render it more Jupiterian and less Saturnian. This idea is expressed by saying either that "Saturn is disposed of by Jupiter," or that "Jupiter is the dispositor of Saturn." Definitions of various authorities are somewhat vague and apparently contradictory, but a study of older texts appears to justify the simple explanation here given. of course the term must not be interpreted too literally, for most authorities argue that a planet actually in-a-House is more potent in its influence over the affairs of that House than is the Ruler of the Sign on its cusp, or of a Sign intercepted within the House. The extent to which the Dispositor nullifies the influence of the planet of which it disposes, is a matter of judgment based upon the strength of aspects and the character of the aspecting planets as affecting both the Dispositor and the planet of which it disposes.

In his dictionary Alan Leo gives a reverse definition to that offered by Sepharial, but evades the issue by remarking that "it is probably of more importance in Horary Astrology, though it must have some value in Nativities." However, too many ancient texts base judgments on the "dispositor of Mercury" to admit of Mercury not having a Dispositor -- which under Leo's definition that "a planet in the House of another disposes of that planet," would occur if no planets were in Gemini or Virgo. However, since Mercury must always be in some Sign, the designation of the Ruler of that Sign as Mercury's Dispositor becomes a logical application of the term. The Ruler of the Sign Mercury posits is thus a determining factor in the qualities of disposition that the fluctuating Mercury will develop.

See also:
♦ Ptolemy ♦ Exaltation

 

Astro*Index Copyright © 1997 Michael Erlewine