[dr. farr]

For the Hellenists (and earlier Islamic transitional era astrologers) exaltation referred to sign (and therefore = an essential dignity) and Joy referred to house (and therefore = an accidental dignity) So, exaltation would be "more intense" than Joy; however, say Sun in the 9th house in Libra: Sun would be in its Fall and therefore debilitated, however it would also be in its Joy, and this would mitigate the debilitation (to a considerable extent)...