Skyscript Astrology Forum

The sect affinities of the planets are rejoicing conditions, that is, conditions under which they function most beneficially. From that perspective, a natural benefic would be at its most helpful when permitted fully to express its inherent beneficence, that is, under circumstances that amplify its nature and give it free rein. A natural malefic, on the other hand, would be at its most harmful under the same circumstances, and more helpful in settings that temper its natural qualities. (We needn't think of this solely in the Aristotelian terms of hot/cold and moist/dry, although Ptolemy liked to do so: the concept of sect predates Ptolemy.)

If we consider it carefully, we might argue that every planet except for the Sun could be classified as nocturnal, as they are primarily visible during the night. When the Sun is up it dominates the sky, making the other celestial bodies invisible. Therefore, the Sun must indeed be considered the quintessential diurnal planet.

The Moon, when visible above the horizon at night (which doesn’t occur during a New Moon) is by far the brightest and largest object in the sky, making it the "Queen of the Night".

For the other planets, however, distinguishing between diurnal and nocturnal classifications is less clear.

For instance, why is Jupiter considered diurnal while Venus is classified as nocturnal? Both are the brightest objects in the sky after the Sun and the Moon - Venus ranking third, and Jupiter fourth. Venus is typically visible in the twilight sky, shortly before sunrise or after sunset, while Jupiter can remain visible throughout the night when it is in opposition to the Sun. Given this, doesn’t it seem that Jupiter might have a stronger association with the night compared to Venus, which stays relatively close to the Sun?

Astrophilus wrote: Tue Apr 01, 2025 9:02 pm If we consider it carefully, we might argue that every planet except for the Sun could be classified as nocturnal, as they are primarily visible during the night. [...]

This argument presupposes that visibility should be the/a chief consideration underlying the concept of sect. Turning it around and looking at the question historically instead, we can conclude that the astrologers who formulated the concept did not, in fact, base it on planetary visibility. What they did base it on isn't explicitly discussed in any ancient source that I can recall (although I haven't read everything, and my memory isn't perfect). But to me it seems likely that similarities and dissimilarities of astrological symbolism are at the bottom of it.

The Sun and Jupiter are both considered masculine, both associated with honours, authority, nobility and so forth, whereas the Moon and Venus are both feminine and associated with love, sexuality, fecundity, etc. So Jupiter belongs to the solar sect (a not uncommon synonym for the diurnal sect), Venus to the lunar. The malefics, as already discussed, seem to have been considered better off (rejoicing) in the sect where their harsh natures are tempered.

Martin Gansten wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 1:27 pm So Jupiter belongs to the solar sect (a not uncommon synonym for the diurnal sect), Venus to the lunar. The malefics, as already discussed, seem to have been considered better off (rejoicing) in the sect where their harsh natures are tempered.

Interesting terms, "solar" and "lunar sects". To me there's only one diurnal planet (Sun), two twilight planets (Mercury and Venus), and four nocturnal ones (Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn).

Day is defined as Sun above horizon, night as Sun below. Thus night is nothing else but the absence of the Sun, just like darkness is the absence of light.

JUPITER

• Greater benefic

• Moderately hot and moist

• Sanguine

• Author of temperance, modesty, sobriety, justice

• Magnanimous, glorious, honorable, religious

• Judges, lawyers, senators, bishops, priests, scholars

• Metal - Tin

• Day - Thursday

• Greater Years - 79

Jupiter is the greater benefic. He is moderately hot and moist. He represents the sanguine temperament associated with a dynamic, joyful, and enthusiastic personality. Jupiter is the author of temperance, modesty, sobriety, and justice.

Jupiter signifies judges, senators, councilors, all ecclesiastical men, bishops, priests, ministers, cardinals, doctors of civil law, young scholars and students in a university or college, lawyers, clothiers, and wool drapers.

When well dignified, Jupiter is magnanimous, faithful, and honorable, and bestows abundance, prosperity, and success. When ill dignified, Jupiter can indicate laziness, one who is stubborn, ignorant, and maintains false tenets in religion.

Jupiter rules over the metal tin. Among the days of the week, he rules Thursday and his greater years are 79.

Discussed and presented here:
https://youtu.be/DOtW6MQEPrg?si=9U5QdoAAr9PJdDyW

MARS

• Lesser malefic

• Excessively hot and dry

• Choleric

• Author of quarrels, strifes, contentions

• Tyrants, conquerors, soldiers, physicians, alchemists, thieves, carpenters

• Metal - Iron

• Day - Tuesday

• Greater Years - 66

Mars is the lesser malefic. He is excessively hot and dry. He represents the choleric temperament associated with courage and action. Mars is the author of quarrels, strife, and contentions.

Mars signifies princes ruling by tyranny and oppression, tyrants, usurpers, conquerors, generals of armies, soldiers, physicians, alchemists, butchers, thieves, smiths, bakers, watchmakers, tailors, barbers, cooks, carpenters, and tanners.

When well dignified, Mars bestows success in war, invincible courage, boldness, confidence, and a strong independent streak. When ill dignified, Mars represents someone who is violent, a prattler, always involved in quarrels, thieves, promoters of sedition, frays and commotions, a traitor, perjurer, and oppressor.

Mars rules over iron. Among the days of the week, he rules Tuesday and his greater years are 66.

Discussed and presented here:
https://youtu.be/xKI3CGB-s3o?si=Cds-Tr7G5mbmC6dY

VENUS

• Lesser benefic

• Moderately hot and moist

• Author of mirth and joy

• Wives, mothers, virgins, musicians, painters, jewelers, perfumers, silk-men, linen-drapers

• Metal - Copper

• Day - Friday

• Greater Years - 82

Venus is the lesser benefic. She is moderately hot and moist. She is the author of mirth and joy. Venus signifies musicians, silkmen, linen drapers, painters, jewelers, embroiderers, wives, mothers, virgins, fiddlers, singers, and perfumers.

When well dignified, Venus bestows beauty, cheerfulness, and a loving nature, one who is interested in music, dance, arts, decorations, and merry-making. When ill dignified, it can signify a shabby, unclean person, a drunkard, and a lazy person.

Venus rules over copper. Among the days of the week, she rules Friday and her greater years are 82.

Discussed and presented here:
https://youtu.be/8JuLxC3ndWk?si=0uM7xzZaKOi1eyfC

Sounds great—thanks for sharing! I'll definitely check out the channel. Always excited to learn more about traditional natal astrology, especially with a fun and engaging approach. Happy Aquarius New Moon! For anyone exploring regional astrology trends or events, this global postcode database can be quite handy.

Thanks Louise!

I don't see 'Aquarius New Moon' nearby though

I like planet Venus. It's so bright that people sometimes mistake it for an UFO or some other "strange flying object" in the sky. I guess Venus rules aliens.

But seriously, does anyone know why this planet was named after a certain female deity? Did the Babylonians and Greeks call it "Venus" (or Ishtar/Aphrodite) because they had observed that this planet's signification were linked to topics like love and beauty in astrological charts, i.e. taking an empirical approach - or was the name channeled down by some "superior being" and then people assumed this planet must be astrologically linked to love because of the name they had been given for it?

Astrophilus,

I think it has to do with Venus being the brightest object (other than the Moon) in the night sky and her evening appearance.

Relevant article here ->
https://www.skyscript.co.uk/venus2.html

Thank you satya7,

for your answer and link to the article. So you think the name "Venus" was given to the planet before astrologers had discovered its natural meaning in charts?

Like I mentioned earlier above, Venus and Jupiter both appear pretty similar in the sky to our naked eye, you only see major difference with a telescope. Maybe Venus was considered feminine because it's an inferior planet below the Sun's sphere like Moon and Mercury (which sometimes is female too), while Jupiter is a superior planet and thus masculine like Mars and Saturn.

Just as a note, I read that the name of dwarf planet "Pluto" was suggested by a 11-year-old (!) girl named Venetia Burney, at breakfast in 1930. Modern astrologers which use Pluto in their practice will often ascribe meanings to the planet which come from the mythological figure, for example death and underground activities. Thus I guess in this case, the modern name came before exploring its astrological meaning.