I'm going to go off what I'm thinking you're trying to grasp. A planet being dignified means that it is in its home and is free to roam, such as Sun in Leo and Mercury in Gemini. Having planets in these signs works better for them since they are used to being in these signs, but they still retain their flaws and aren't the best placements.
Exaltion means that the planet is most powerful when in the sign. Examples include Sun in Aries and Mercury in Virgo. They work best in these signs because the signs can cultivate the energy in the most efficient, effective way possible, allowing for the best use of it. I like to look at houses to better understand how the exaltion of these planets work.
Hope that helps
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Aquarius Sun, Merc, Venus, Uranus, Neptune
Scorpio Mars conj. Asc in First
8th House Moon opposite Pluto, Trine Uranus
Have you caught onto the predicament I'm in yet?