Mutual reception


In astrology, mutual reception is when two planets are in each other's signs of rulership.

Definition and applications

Two planets are in mutual reception when they are in each other's signs. If the condition of each planet in mutual reception is strong, they will strengthen and provide assistance to one another. Some modern astrologers believe they will also take on some of each other's attributes.
Whenever planets are in mutual reception, they provide the native with additional forces to overcome difficulties that present themselves during transits affecting their signs and houses. Ancient astrologers called this condition "exchange of signs," and it was but one example of various forms of astrological reception, that is, assistance provided by one planet for another one which falls in signs where the first planet has dignity.
However, there are conditions where this helpful relationship is much weakened:
  • If one of the planets is in a sign of its detriment or fall, it is not likely to have the resources to be of much assistance to the planet it rules;
  • If the condition of one or both of the planets is otherwise impaired—such as by being placed in a sign that does not aspect the Ascendant sign, or retrograde, or combust or under the beams, it will similarly be of less use to the planet it receives, in proportion to how poorly it is positioned;
  • If the two planets are not in astrological aspect to one other, may be helpful to Venus. But the relationship is further impaired by the fact that the signs Virgo and Libra are in aversion to one another—that is, they are not in aspect—and hence there is no easy way for these two planets to work together.
Mutual reception is not limited to exchange of the signs of dignity of rulership. Ancient and medieval astrologers gave equal force to mutuality obtained by planets being in each other's signs of exaltation—for example, Jupiter in Taurus in a chart where the Moon is in Cancer. Jupiter is exalted in the sign of Cancer; Moon is exalted in the sign of Taurus. This is a very powerful mutual reception, not only because Taurus and Cancer are in a sextile aspect to one another, but also because the Moon is also in its own house in Cancer. This placement would tend to give a notably generous and probably religious individual, with a good deal of luck and talent.
Ancient and medieval astrologers also considered mutual reception by triplicity rulerships, and by terms or bounds rulerships. Even mutual reception by face was considered, although, unlike the other four dignities, of very little overall impact. Furthermore, "mixed" mutual reception is also taken into account—for example, when one planet is in the sign of another planet's exaltation, and the second planet is at the same time in the sign of the first planet's rulership.