Astrology of sect

The term "sect" originates from the Latin word "secta," meaning "way," "path," or "party," derived from "sequi," to follow. In astrology, it was adopted to denote distinct groupings or "ways" of celestial influence, specifically related to the Sun's position relative to the horizon, marking a fundamental division in Hellenistic and later astrological traditions.

Sect is an ancient astrological concept in which the seven traditional "planets" (including the Sun, the Moon and the five starry planets) are assigned to two different categories: diurnal or nocturnal sect. As can be seen by the example of Mercury, which is more obscured by being occidental, sect is a form of astrological polarity, much as the distinction between masculine and feminine planets. Since some planets were seen to be stronger in a positive or masculine environment, and others were...

The notion of "sect" in ancient astrology, particularly within the Hermetic tradition, offers a compelling lens through which to view the universe not as a uniform field of forces but as a dynamic interplay of opposing yet complementary energies. This division of the celestial luminaries and wandering stars into diurnal and nocturnal groups reflects a deep-seated human intuition for duality, a theme that echoes across philosophical and psychological landscapes, from the Yin and Yang of Taoism to the anima and animus described by Carl Jung.

Consider the Sun, the ultimate diurnal planet, whose very essence is illumination and outward expression. Its nocturnal counterpart, the Moon, governs the hidden realms, the subconscious, and the ebb and flow of tides, mirroring the unseen currents of the psyche. Mercury, often called the "planet of communication," could be either diurnal or nocturnal, its nature shifting depending on its position relative to the Sun, much like a messenger whose clarity of message depends on the surrounding light. This inherent flexibility of Mercury, as noted by Blavatsky, highlights how even seemingly stable influences are subject to the prevailing conditions.

The practice of assigning planets to these sects wasn't arbitrary; it was tied to observable phenomena and a sophisticated symbolic system. A planet's sect was believed to augment or diminish its inherent qualities. For instance, a planet in its own sect was considered more potent and aligned with its natural significations. This echoes the hermetic principle of "as above, so below," suggesting that the macrocosm's organization, with its cycles of light and darkness, directly mirrored the conditions under which astrological influences would manifest. It invites us to consider how our own environments, our "day" and "night," shape our inner workings and our outward expressions, urging us to find balance between the visible and the invisible.