[Week 19: Saturn in Aries] Sect 🔦
The concept of sect in astrology
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Hi, there!
How are you doing?
Hope you are having a lovely summer, and a cozy Cancer season at the same time.
Since this week is quiet astrologically, I don’t want to focus on current transits.
Instead, I’ll teach you about the concept of sect in astrology and its impact on your Saturn return.
Without further ado, let’s go.
What is sect in astrology?
“Sect” is a concept in traditional astrology born in Alexandria, Egypt, around the 2nd century B.C.
The concept of sect distinguishes between a diurnal birth chart and a nocturnal birth chart.
A diurnal birth chart is one where the Sun is located above the Ascendant-Descendant axis (in houses 7 to 12), while a nocturnal birth chart is one where the Sun is located below this axis (in houses 1 to 6).
Being born during the day or at night can give clues about your Saturn return. In short, those born during the day will have a more friendly Saturn return, while those born at night will have a more complex one.
The sect shows the qualitative differences in how planets act in a natal chart.
In a diurnal chart, Saturn embodies its most constructive qualities, such as hard work, awareness of what needs to be done, and leadership.
On the other hand, in a nocturnal chart, this planet’s more challenging characteristics will emerge, such as losses, fears, or various types of restrictions.
Planets in astrology and their sect
For the ancients, all traditional planets belonged to either the diurnal or nocturnal sect. Although the Moon and Sun are not planets, they are still included in this classification.
The diurnal planets are the Sun, Jupiter, and Saturn, while the nocturnal planets are the Moon, Venus, and Mars.
Mercury is versatile and can belong to either sect depending on other factors in the natal chart.
Each sect has three members:
Luminary: Sun in a daytime chart; Moon in a nighttime chart.
Benefic planet: Jupiter in a daytime chart; Venus in a nighttime chart.
Malefic planet: Saturn in a daytime chart; Mars in a nighttime chart.
Benefic planets receive this characterization because they have the power to affirm or enhance certain spheres of existence.
On the other hand, the so-called “malefics” have the power to negate or harm certain areas of life.
Saturn is considered a malefic planet in traditional astrology because it brings limitations and responsibilities. However, it is more “comfortable” in a daytime chart than a nighttime chart and can yield better results for those born during the day.
To sum it up, people born during the day experience their Saturn return and all the other transits of this planet more positively than those born at night.
On the contrary, people born at night may face challenges and adversities whenever Saturn activates their natal chart.
Here’s a visual aid that may be helpful:
Chris Brennan’s comments about sect in astrology
In episode 24 of The Astrology Podcast, Chris Brennan argues that the sect of a natal chart is the first consideration when analyzing the Saturn return.
He also states that psychological astrology does not consider the notion of sect. This is because the concept of sect was rediscovered in the late 20th and early 21st centuries thanks to translations that began to emerge from ancient astrology texts.
Brennan explains that since the concept of sect was unknown to modern astrology until relatively recently, it was not considered when analyzing Saturn returns in the 20th century.
The technical distinction between a diurnal birth chart and a nocturnal birth chart allows for a more precise description of the type of Saturn return (positive or negative, to simplify) that a person will experience.
For this reason, traditional astrologers working today want this fundamental notion to be used.
But the concept of sect “goes against,” so to speak, the view of psychological astrology, which holds that only your effort and willpower will determine the “success” of your Saturn return.
The sect of a chart indicates that a person born at night will have a more complicated transit, no matter how much willpower, effort, and hard work they exert.
Of course, willpower, effort, and hard work always help, but obstacles will appear nonetheless.
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Prompts for Week 19
Write [Week 19: Saturn in Aries] Sect on top of the page and the week we’re in, just like in the last edition.
Look at your birth chart. Identify the Sun. Is it above the horizon (in houses 7 to 12), or below the horizon (in houses 1 to 6)? If it’s above the horizon, you have a diurnal sect. If it’s below the horizon, you have a nocturnal sect. Write your sect down.
If you were born at night, write 5 activities your Moon enjoys doing by house and sign. If you were born during the day, write 5 activities your Sun enjoys doing by house and sign.
Write 10 strategies you would implement when things get tough. Check this text about regulating your nervous system for more ideas: 9 Things I Did To Regulate My Nervous System During My First Saturn Return
That’s it for now.
Thank you for being here, and until next time!
With love,
Valentina
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