Combust

A planet is combust when it's within approximately 8 degrees of the Sun but outside cazimi range (17 arc-minutes). The Sun's overwhelming light "burns" the planet, making it invisible in the night sky and weakened in the chart. In traditional astrology, combustion is one of the most debilitating conditions a planet can suffer, reducing its ability to function independently. Picture trying to have a conversation next to a jet engine -- your voice still exists, but nobody can hear it. The combust planet's significations get overshadowed by ego concerns (Sun) or simply can't manifest clearly. Venus combust might struggle to express affection openly; Mercury combust can feel like your ideas get swallowed by someone else's spotlight. As the planet separates from the Sun, its strength gradually returns. The threshold varies by tradition -- some astrologers use a stricter orb for certain planets, and the Moon is sometimes considered combust within 12 degrees.