Aphetics of the sidereal zodiac

I used the aphetic tables of the tropical zodiac as a basis, but made some adjustments to it:

• I don't take into account the day and night sign rulers.
  Firstly, because it's possible to clearly identify pairs with a similar nature based on planets and constellations: the Sun is unambiguously associated with Leo, Uranus - with Aquarius, etc. These pairs are listed below in the table of planetary domiciles.
  
  Secondly, there is no point in dividing into day and night. I read a lot astrological literature, and I asked astrologers many questions, but no one could really explain me the benefits of the daily division in interpreting planets in signs.
  
• Since Ophiuchus is an integral part of the sidereal zodiac, I consider Proserpine to be the ruler of this constellation, because it's characterized by similar fiery nature. I wrote about it here in more detail.

The remaining justifications are given below.

The domicile and detriment of the planets

There are no questions about domicile: there is a clear and consistent correspondence between the nature of the planet and the zodiac sign or astrological house associated with it. Locating in the domicile, the planet most strongly manifests its essence (both positive and negative one), because the atmosphere of its native sign and house creates the most comfortable conditions for it.

But if a planet is located in a discomfort zone (opposite to the domicile), then it's considered that the planet is in detriment. It means that it has at its disposal a minimum of resources for successful self-realization.

For example:
The moon (a planet of the Water element): it's absolutely natural for her to show emotions and take care of people more than about herself, because she embodies maternal qualities. But if the Moon is in Capricorn or the 10th house (the Earth element), which are associated with career and ambitions, she'll become more callous and calculating, because otherwise she won't survive there. She's forced to demand, not to take care of people; to think more about work to the detriment of the family.

The houses and signs of the domicile and detriment are in opposition to each other.

Note:
regardless of the astrological system, Mercury is the ruler of two signs at once - Gemini and Virgo, because it combines the curiosity of Gemini and the analytical mind of Virgo. Based on this, Mercury is also the ruler of two astrological houses - the third and sixth ones, because its main skills are well-developed communication (3rd house) and efficiency (6th house).

This is a vivid example of the fact that there are exceptions to the rules in astrology.

Exaltation and the fall of the planets

There is a lot of confusion about the planetary exaltation in astrology, which is why every author interpret it in different ways. In my interpretations, I don't consider exaltation and falling as a significant factor at all. I just use it when calculating a planet power. I don't see any more benefit.

Some astrologers believe that exaltation is stronger than the domicile, but I fundamentally disagree with this. There can be nothing stronger for a planet than its domicile. The exaltation is just a kind of kinship of the planet with a certain sign or an astrological house. It shows how a certain planet can manifest itself in an alien area. See the examples below.

Houses and signs of exaltation and fall are in opposition to each other. Unlike exaltation, falling is determined by a sector of the horoscope that has little to do with the nature of the planet.

I will give you some reasons why I put the planets in certain signs of exaltation:

• Aries and 1st house is the Sun's exaltation:
  this is a traditional opinion, and it seems true, because:
  - all these objects have a fiery nature, it represents the human "self" and always strives for self-affirmation. It directly relate to a person's behavior and their selfish (in a good way) intentions. Both Aries and 1st house help self-realization and the manifestation of leadership skills that are inherent in the Solar nature;
  - the emphasis on their own goals (natural for the Sun) is the opposite of Libra and 7th house, which on the contrary encourage us taking into account other people's interests and delegating them our responsibilities. It's unnatural for the Sun, so Libra and 7th house are its fall.
   
• Taurus and 2nd house are the Moon's exaltation:
  this is a traditional opinion, and it seems true, because:
  - these objects represent the feminine principle. The Taurus's values are very close to the Moon, which focuses on basic needs: food, household supplies, material security and comfort;
  - on the contrary, values of Scorpio and Ophiuchus (which oppose Taurus) frighten the Moon, deprive it of a sense of security. The Moon will never hurt anyone (like Scorpio) and won't take the risk voluntarily (like Ophiuchus), because her main aspiration is protection. But 8 house embodies danger, worries about herself and other people, as well as dependence on their funds, which doesn't make her confident.
   
• Aquarius and 11 house are the Mercury's exaltation:
  this interpretation is not considered traditional, but it seems to me to be true because:
  - these objects belong to the Air element. Mercury, which embodies intelligence and communication, fits well well into the Aquarius value system, because this constellation is associated with the search for like-minded people and a great interest in science,
  - while Leo (the place of Mercury's fall) is more focused on creativity and individual self-expression; he is more interested in HOW he says, not WHAT he says. Generally, Leo doesn't accept the routine and small nuances that are familiar to Mercury. Leo's vanity often makes him inattentive and unreasonable, because he like to impress and speak out, not to listen to people;
  - The 5th house essentially looks like a kindred area for Mercury, because this planet is personified with youth; the issues of games, children and fleeting immature love is close to him. But Mercury is essentially a nerd and a hard worker, not a creative person. As for love, Mercury's mind is always opposed to matter of the heart. As Stanislav Lem said: "There is nothing sexual about intelligence, there is nothing rational about sex".
   
• Pisces and 12 house are the Venus's exaltation:
  this is a traditional opinion, and it seems true, because:
  - Venus (the planet of the Earth element) and Pisces (the sign of the Water element) share a craving for spirituality and artistic expression. In such conditions, Venus can love, decorate, enjoy the world through the senses, and educate her soul naturally;
  - Virgo, the constellation opposite to Pisces, is too cool and sterile an environment for Venus, where everything is done for the sake of benefit, by calculation, not by inspiration. Venus doesn't tend to science, routine and logic, but she lives by feelings and basic physical needs, therefore Virgo and 6 house are the place her fall.
   
• Capricorn and 12 house are the Mars' exaltation:
  this is a traditional opinion, and it seems true, because:
  - Capricorn's selfishness, ambition, and single-mindedness are very close to Mars. Both like to be at the forefront, rather than at the end of the line,
  - Cancer is devoid of ambition, and it concerns for family values, so it's the least conducive to the development of Mars' fighting skills. A domesticated Mars doesn't look like to a typical representative of its class - a hero, an innovator, an alpha male; so Cancer and 4 house are a place of his fall.
  

The position of a minor planet (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) in the zodiac sign determines only the type of person, not his/her personality. Planetary aspects give us much more important information, taking into account which astrological houses are connected. The position of major (giant) planets in the zodiac signs is irrelevant in the natal chart, but the location and aspects of these planets are extremely important both for describing a person and for forecasting.