Diurnal and Nocturnal planets : Philosophy of States of Exaltation

Venus exalts in the enemy sign of Jupiter; Mars exalts in the enemy sign of Saturn; the Moon exalts in the sign of Taurus. Jupiter exalts in the friendly sign of the Moon; Saturn exalts in the friendly sign of Venus; the Sun exalts in the friendly sign of Mars; Mercury exalts in its own sign.

Here, the common ground comes from the diurnal and nocturnal differentiation, where Venus, the Moon, and Mars are nocturnal planets, and Jupiter, Saturn, and the Sun are diurnal. Mercury is both diurnal as a morning star and nocturnal as an evening star.

Diurnal means day, having a heated masculine energy, while nocturnal means night, having a nurturing feminine energy.

Here, the planets that exalt in the signs of enemies are nocturnal, and those that exalt in the signs of friends are diurnal, showing a hidden astrological philosophy.

Also, both categories exalt in the element opposite to their diurnal or nocturnal nature, which shows that for a planet to reach its highest expression, it has to find a balance of its signified energy in an opposite nature out of its comfort zone. This is so it can flourish, or it would otherwise become destructive. If Mars’s natural fiery destructiveness is put in nocturnal coolness and in the exaltation of a cold planet’s sign (Saturn), it will be able to channel its immense energy in a constructive way. Thus, Mars’s warlike quality is given the discipline to use it from Saturn’s energy.

Venus, being a watery nocturnal planet, has a basic nature of self-love, beauty, and materialistic things. With its exaltation in the diurnal sign of Jupiter, the warmth needed for universal love, love for spirituality, and other beings comes into play. Therefore, a change from selfishness to selflessness in Venus’s traits can only happen with the uncomfortable stepping into the boundaries of its enemy, Jupiter.

Nocturnal planets are given their "enemy" as an exaltation because it forces them to master their own difficult qualities. Mars learns discipline from Saturn, and Venus learns selfless love from Jupiter. They reach a higher state of being by integrating their opposite.

Diurnal planets are given their "friend" as an exaltation because it allows them to reach their peak potential in a familiar and supportive environment. The Sun's will is amplified by Mars's action in Aries, and Jupiter's wisdom is made tangible by the Moon's nurturing in Cancer. They find their highest expression by being fully themselves, in a context that is uniquely suited to their nature, but again, they go opposite their elemental nature to find their complete state.