The Lord of the Geniture

What is Lord of the Geniture?

The Lord of the Geniture is, to put it simply, the most powerful planet in the natal chart (by essential dignity) which has the power to assist the native. Essential dignity is straightforward enough to determine, however a strong planet with weak accidental dignity, such as one in the 8^th or the 12^th house, is not going to be of much use to the native and therefore does not satisfy the conditions necessary to be Lord of the Geniture.

How is it calculated?

In his magnum opus Christian Astrology, William Lilly describes three methods that were used by the ancients to determine the Lord of the Geniture and then describes his own method. These methods are as follows:

1. The method of Firmicus. Here we consider the sign that the moon is in, and take as Lord of the Geniture, the Lord of the subsequent sign. For example, if the Moon is in Aries, then Venus, as Lady of the following sign of Taurus, is Lady of the Geniture; if the Moon is in Leo, the Lord of the Geniture is Mercury, ruler of Virgo.
2. The hylegical places method. The planet with the most essential dignities in the degrees of the ascendant, the mid-heaven, the sun, the moon and the part of fortune is taken as Lord of the Geniture
3. The method of the Greeks. The Lord of the Geniture is taken to be the planet with the most dignities in the degree of the moon or mercury (who rule over the body and the spirit respectively).

Lilly's own method is to take that planet that has the most essential and accidental dignities and is “posited best, and elevated most in the Scheme” as Lord of the Geniture, with any other planet with almost equal strength acting as a modifier of the influence of the Lord of the Geniture.

How will knowing it help me?

Along with the temperament, the Lord of the Geniture has an overarching influence over the entire nativity and, to quote Lilly again, “the whole actions of the Native will more or less partake of the nature of that Planet and so his Conditions, Complexion, Temperament and Manners shall be much regulated to the properties assigned that Planet”.

As the most dignified planet in the nativity and with high accidental dignity, the Lord of the Geniture is also the planet most able to assist the native in fulfilling his destiny and it acts as a guide as well as a helper. It is, as the astrologer John Frawley describes it, our Internal King and ”as king, it is this planet's job to steer the ship of state.” (Real Astrology Applied)