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Neecha bhanga: debilitation cancelled

A planet in its sign of debilitation (neecha) struggles to express its qualities. But the classics describe conditions under which the debilitation is cancelled — neecha bhanga. The planet then not only recovers but sometimes gives outstanding results through overcoming.

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In short

Debilitation signs: Sun — Libra, Moon — Scorpio, Mars — Cancer, Mercury — Pisces, Jupiter — Capricorn, Venus — Virgo, Saturn — Aries.
Neecha bhanga is the classical cancellation of debilitation under certain conditions.
The main conditions involve the lords of the debilitation and exaltation signs.
A cancelled debilitation often brings growth through early difficulty.
JyotiSoft checks neecha bhanga by the chosen calculation school.

What debilitation is

Every graha has a sign of exaltation, where it is strongest, and the opposite sign of debilitation, where it is weakest. The Sun is exalted in Aries and debilitated in Libra; Jupiter is exalted in Cancer and debilitated in Capricorn. Debilitated, a planet does not disappear, but its themes show with difficulty, through compromise or late.

The classical conditions

Debilitation is cancelled (or greatly reduced) if: the lord of the debilitation sign is in a kendra from the lagna or the Moon; the lord of the planet's exaltation sign is in a kendra from the lagna or the Moon; the lords of the debilitation and exaltation signs aspect each other or are conjunct; the debilitated planet is exalted in the navamsha; the debilitated planet is aspected by the lord of its sign. Texts list the conditions differently, so schools disagree in the details.

Neecha bhanga raja yoga

When debilitation is cancelled by several conditions at once, it is called neecha bhanga raja yoga. Tradition links it with people who start with hardship and rise high: weakness becomes the point of growth. But like any yoga it delivers in the dasha of its planet and with the support of the chart as a whole.

An example

Venus in Virgo is debilitated. If Mercury (Virgo's lord) is in a kendra from the lagna and Jupiter (lord of Pisces, Venus's exaltation sign) aspects Venus, the debilitation is cancelled. In relationships the person may at first be too demanding, but learns to accept and builds a lasting union.

How JyotiSoft checks it

JyotiSoft determines debilitation from the planet's position and checks the neecha bhanga conditions by the calculation profile. A reading mentions cancellation only when it is really present in the chart, and says by which rule.

Questions

Is a debilitated planet always bad?

No. Debilitation is often cancelled, and besides the sign, house, aspects, navamsha and functional role for the ascendant all matter.

Where is debilitation deepest?

At the same degree as exaltation, in the opposite sign: Sun 10° Libra, Moon 3° Scorpio, Mars 28° Cancer, Mercury 15° Pisces, Jupiter 5° Capricorn, Venus 27° Virgo, Saturn 20° Aries.

Do Rahu and Ketu have debilitation?

Schools differ; JyotiSoft sets the nodes' dignities by the chosen profile.

Which is stronger, exaltation or cancelled debilitation?

Exaltation gives easy results, cancelled debilitation results through overcoming. Both can be strong.

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