Planets: Earth—ray 3 (non-sacred)

Ray 3 triangle

W Ray 3 (non-sacred planet)

Method: The field of human experience

Rulerships: Orthodox: none Esoteric: Sagittarius Hierarchical: Gemini
Dignities: Exaltation: Libra Fall: Aries Detriment: Gemini
Paired planet (Ray 3): Saturn
Symbol: W An equal-armed cross surrounded by, or surmounting, a circle below
Earth triangles:

Earth: general information

The Earth can only be placed in the individual geocentric horoscope from a heliocentric viewpoint—in the sign opposite (or complementary to) the Sun sign. As a heliocentric “visitor” to the geocentric horoscope the Earth for an individual becomes a pointer towards working with the complementary sign (with associated planets and rays etc.) so the individual can eventually resolve the “pairs of opposites” and reach a balance between the Sun sign and its complementary. This can often be regarded as “the other”—being in reality that part of the inner self that is may be projected outwards onto another person (in seventh house fashion), towards an “othered” group, or even the world in general (perhaps from the perspective victimhood). It can in later stages even symbolise the “shadow” that we gradually learn to own as part of us, and the “dweller on the threshold” that appears as the sum of all personality traits to be integrated and transcended during intitiation.

As a Ray Three planet, the qualities of the planet are inescapable, being where we live (move and have our being). Yet human evolution is an essential part of the planet’s own development, humanity being one of the three planetary centres (third principle), with the Hierarchy (second princple) and Shamballa (first principle). For the bigger picture on the three planetary centres, see Leo-Capricorn-Pisces and the entry for Humanity in the Glossary.

More to follow.

Earth: Rulerships

Orthodox: none

Earth has no orthodox rulerships.

Esoteric: Sagittarius

Details to follow of Earth as esoteric ruler of Sagittarius.

Hierarchical: Gemini

Details to follow of Earth as hierarchical ruler of Gemini.


Earth decanates

The Earth as used in esoteric astrology rules no decanates.

Earth Dignities

Although, strictly speaking, the Earth has no allocated dignities, detriment could be extrapolated (in the traditional way) as the opposite of Sagittarius, where Earth is the esoteric ruler; while Exaltation and Fall could follow the paired Ray 3 planet Saturn. This is a suggestion only:

  • Exaltation: Libra (as with Saturn, opposite Sun in Aries)
  • Fall: Aries (as with Saturn)
  • Detriment: hierachical ruler of Gemini as the “waning brother” to Venus (EA 361), and opposite esoteric rulership Sagittarius,

Exaltation in Libra

To follow

Fall in Aries

To follow

Detriment in Gemini

To follow