Mutual reception

Meaning

Two planets are in mutual reception when each is in a place that belongs to the other. The simplest case is an exchange of signs: Mars in Venus's sign Taurus, and Venus in Mars's sign Aries. Each planet is the host of the other. They are like two neighbours who each hold a key to the other's house.

Mutual reception is a special case of reception. One-way reception makes the guest dependent on the host; mutual reception makes the two planets allies. Even a planet with no dignity of its own where it stands gains support, because the planet that owns its sign is in turn obliged to it.

Origin and history

The idea grows out of the older doctrine of reception, in which a planet in another's sign is looked after by that owner. Hellenistic authors knew the pattern of two planets in each other's signs, and reception in the Hellenistic sense already depended on the host seeing the guest [5]. The systematic doctrine of reception, mutual reception included, is chiefly a development of the medieval Arabic tradition.

Al-Bīrūnī describes it clearly. A planet that applies to another while standing in one of that planet's dignities is received; if the planet being applied to is also in a place proper to the first, the reception is mutual, and it is stronger the richer the dignities involved, especially when the aspect between them shows no enmity [1]. Sahl ibn Bishr uses reception, and mutual reception, as a key sign that a matter will be completed [2]. (The section number in Sahl's Introduction has not been checked for this article.)

Lilly gives the definition most astrologers now use: two significators in each other's dignity. His example is the Sun in Aries and Mars in Leo, reception by house, which he calls the strongest and best. He adds that it can be by triplicity, term or face, and gives examples by triplicity and by term [3]. He then states its practical value: when the aspects deny a matter, or the significators have no aspect at all, mutual reception between them can still bring the thing to pass, quickly and to the satisfaction of both parties [3].

In his table of fortitudes Lilly gives a planet in mutual reception by house the same five points as a planet in its own house, and reception by exaltation four, the same as exaltation [3]. The logic is that the exchange lets each planet borrow the other's dignity.

Houlding points out that Lilly's definition is, more exactly, one of mutual reception, where the two planets exchange dignities on an equal basis. She distinguishes mixed reception, where the two dignities are unequal, for example Mars in Mercury's triplicity while Mercury is in Mars's exaltation [4].

How it is used

Each planet in the pair receives the points. On this site, only exchanges by domicile and by exaltation are scored, following Lilly's table [3]. Other forms are described in the planet's detail but add nothing to the score.

In interpretation, mutual reception shows two planets, and the matters they rule, able to help each other. In horary it is one of the strongest testimonies that the matter asked about can be arranged. Astrologers who use it also note that each planet can, in a sense, act as if it were back in its own sign, which is why some modern authors speak of "exchanging" the planets to see how they would work at home.

Where authorities differ.

• Is an aspect needed? In the older doctrine reception is tied to an aspect or application between the planets [1] [2]. Lilly's definition, and most modern use, do not require one [3]. Many traditional practitioners still give more weight to a reception with an aspect.
• Which dignities count? Medieval authors and Lilly allow all five [1] [3]. Much modern practice counts only domicile, sometimes exaltation.
• Points? Scoring mutual reception as equal to domicile is Lilly's choice [3]. It is a convenience, not a claim that the planet is literally in its own sign.
• Bad company? A reception between a planet and a malefic in poor condition does not guarantee a good result. The host must be able to help.

Examples

• Venus in Aries and Mars in Taurus. Each is in detriment by sign, yet they are in mutual reception by domicile. On this site each gets +5 for the reception and −5 for detriment, so the exchange cancels the detriment in the score (unless the planet also holds a term or face at its degree, in which case the site scores that lesser dignity instead of the detriment). The meaning: two planets that struggle alone but cover for each other.
• The Moon in Capricorn, Saturn in Cancer. Each is in its detriment, and each is in the other's domicile: again mutual reception by domicile.
• The Moon in Taurus, Venus in Cancer. The Moon is exalted in Taurus, which is Venus's domicile; Venus in Cancer is in the Moon's domicile. This is a domicile exchange (+5 each on this site), and the Moon is also exalted.

See also

Start with reception for the general idea and the older, aspect-based form. The point values sit within the wider dignity score.