Day And Night Charts & The Principle Of Sect
Astrology offers a deeper insight into the intricacies of your psyche and life experiences. But beyond basic Sun sign astrology, the differences between a day chart and a night chart are often overlooked. This is known as the Principle of Sect, and it profoundly impacts natal astrology charts. So, what does it mean to be diurnal or nocturnal? Let’s find out!
Where Does The principle Of Sect Come From?
In ancient times, Hellenistic astrologers distinguished between people with day charts and night charts. The reason behind this can be found in nature: nocturnal and diurnal animals, although they may share many characteristics, do not behave in the same way.
Their fears, their habits, and even their motives are different. The same goes for people born with the sun above or below the horizon. The word “sect” itself comes from the Greek word hairesis, which literally translates as choice or option, especially with political, philosophical, or religious factions and parties.
In this sense, planets are divided into two distinct sects: a diurnal (or daytime) sect and a nocturnal sect.
Diurnal sect PLANETS:
Sun (sect light)
Saturn (malefic of sect)
Jupiter (benefic of sect)
Nocturnal sect PLANETS:
Moon (sect light)
Mars (malefic of sect)
Venus (benefic of sect)
The principle Of Sect, In A Nutshell
The Principle of Sect is based on the natural day and night cycle. Based on when you were born, you will have more ease with the sect in power during that time of the day. The opposing sect will act as the villain in your birth chart, sending you more hardships and pronounced challenges when activated.
The planets belonging to your opposing sect will represent the merciless hurdles you face along the way and the lessons you have to face. On the contrary, the planets of your sect will favor you, granting more support, beneficial circumstances, and auspices.
Even if these planets are ill-aspected or unfavorably placed in your natal chart, these experiences will be watered down. If one sentence could sum up how planets express their mystery in your natal chart based on your sect, it would be the quote by Peru’s General Óscar Benavides: “For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.”
Disclaimer: Nothing is ever set in stone. Based on the rest of your chart and your level of self-awareness, your relationship with your opposing sect can transform, mature, and soften over time.
The notion of benefic and malefic planets also comes into play when we speak about the principle of sect. The words benefic and malefic may be outdated if they are understood in a fear-mongering/deterministic way, but here’s a simple way to grasp what these terms stand for astrologically.
A benefic planet is like your cheerleader, saying AMEN and HELL YES to your birth chart placements. But, on the other hand, the malefic planet plays the role of the buzz-killing gatekeeper, shouting HELL NO to you much more often than you’d like to hear.
Do You Have A Day Or Night Chart?
If you were born during the day, you have a day chart. If you’re born during the night, you have a night chart. But determining your sect if you’re born during sunset or sunrise may be a little more intricate.
Head over to astro.com (or your favorite online astrology calculator) and pull your circular birth chart. Then, pinpoint where the sun is located.
As a reminder, the sun’s glyph is a circle with a dot in its center. If the sun is in the bottom half of your birth chart, you have a night chart. If the sun is above the middle horizontal axis, you have a daytime chart.
The Day Chart / Diurnal Sect
The diurnal sect is associated with the energy of the Sun, which represents the masculine principle and is said to be more active, dynamic, and assertive. If you were born during the day, the sun is your life’s central focus and driving force!
Your benefic planet is the expansive Jupiter, and your most malevolent planet is good ol’ Saturn. Being born during the day implies that you embody the main characteristics of your Sun sign, with an overall optimistic, cheerful, light, and expressive approach to life.
Just like the Sun, your energy comes from within and radiates all around you. As a day chart person, you are the real star of the show. Dimming your light won’t serve your highest good, and going the attention-seeking route won’t help either.
Finding a sweet spot between genuine self-expression and discretion will be of the utmost importance to you. Blessed with a strong aura and an electric presence, your actions, words, and life are inviting, social, and friendly. As a beacon of light for others, you are here to create, make things happen, serve, and give.
But remember, an empty cup cannot fill another. Ask for help when needed. Allow others to take the lead. Rest and trust in others can help you honor your day chart sect without burning out (or burning bridges).
Evolutionary strategies:
Learn more about your Sun sign characteristics. What qualities about your star sign do you appreciate? What traits do you shy away from, dislike, or misunderstand?
Locate Jupiter in your birth chart. What are Jupiter’s sign, house, and aspects? What does this placement say about you? How can you use these insights to better your life?
Find Saturn in your birth chart. What sign, house, and aspects are activated by your chart malefic? What can you learn from this placement? How can you integrate these lessons to reach more alignment?
The Night Chart / Nocturnal Sect
The nocturnal sect is associated with the energy of the Moon, which represents the feminine principle, and is said to be more receptive, nurturing, and intuitive. You may relate more with your Moon sign if you’re born at night.
For you, the Moon is the central focus in your birth chart; the benefic planet is Venus, and the malefic is Mars. Receptive, reflective, and magnetic, your hidden superpower is your almost psychic emotional awareness.
Saturn, the planet of restrictions and limitations, is an ally in your chart and a strength you can utilize. However, while Jupiter grants riches and blessings, it may be less inviting, giving you more of a challenge before you can attain its boons.
Trusting your intuition in life will be your biggest investment, as the Moon allows you to feel the subtler energies of life. Introverted and empathic, you may be the type of person who needs lots of alone time to recharge your energy and regroup.
Curating environments, relationships, and circles in which you can bask in positive, empowering, and high-vibe energy is vital. As often as possible, let go of toxic situations and people who drain your energy and lower your spirit.
The following tip applies to all humans but specifically to night chart people: trust your inner voice! Your gut feeling is your guardian angel, do not let it repeat a message twice. That’s usually when it’s too late.
Evolutionary strategies:
Learn more about your Moon sign characteristics. What qualities about your lunar sign do you appreciate? What traits do you shy away from, dislike, or misunderstand?
Find Venus in your birth chart. What’s the sign, house, and aspects activated by your benefic planet? What does it say about you? How can you use this placement to better your life?
Find Mars in your birth chart. Pinpoint the sign, house, and aspects of your natal malefic. What can you learn from this placement? How can you integrate these lessons to reach more alignment?
The Bottom Line
Incorporating the traditional astrological technique of the sect is a fantastic way to understand your natal chart. As you learn more about your ruling luminary and benefic/malefic planet, you will begin to unlock some of your strongest powers.
Fatima-Zahra, founder of Living Simplyy, is a Holistic Astrologer, Modern Mystic and Spiritual Mentor with the desire to guide people to the sacred remembrance of their true divine nature. You can follow her on her website livingsimplyy.com, YouTube or Instagram.
