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Troublemakers: Malefics Out of Sect
T
he traditional concept of sect is one that is extremely important in the
judgement of a planet and its ability to produce what it promises. Sect has its
origins in the Hellenistic tradition and unfortunately, due to the loss of much of
the Hellenistic astrological corpus, the principles of sect have not been transmitted fully. It
is only over the last fifteen years, through the efforts of modern astrological translations,
that astrology is developing a greater understanding of sect.
The Greek origins of ‘sect’ comes from the term, hairesis and means ‘choice’ or ‘option’.
On-line sources define it as:
taking sides, choice, course of action, election, decision; this term (plural, haireseis) refers to any group
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of people perceived to have a clear doctrinal identity.
The concept centres on the idea of choosing a specific view, or belief system. This meaning
of sect has been passed on in our language when we speak of religious sects. Christianity
has various sects from Greek Orthodox to Baptist; Judaism has the Hasidic sect while Islamic
sects include the Shi’ite and the Sunni, to name a few.
Our English term sect however is derived from the Latin, seco which means ‘to cut’ or ‘to
divide’. Sect then can be considered in two ways: as an option or choice which represents a
specific view or mindset; and a division. They are not contradictory but, to my mind,
describe astrological sect quite well. Additionally, the concept of choice and division also
reflects why it was considered so important in traditional astrology.
Greek Thinking
In order to understand both the concept and its importance we must first come to grips
with the Hellenistic mindset. Greek philosophy had roots in pre-Socratic principles which
were elaborated on by later thinkers such as Aristotle and Plato. The basis of this was that
all matter was made up of opposing principles: active-passive, masculine-feminine, lightdark, and so on.
Additionally, there were four qualities which described the composition of all matter and
how it acted and reacted. These four qualities were: HOT, COLD, WET and DRY. Two of
these are active qualities: HOT and WET and the others are passive qualities: COLD and DRY.
The planets partake of these qualities which help define and describe their nature.
HOT – movement, action
COLD – slowness, passivity
WET – connection, adhesion DRY – separation, isolation
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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The seven planets therefore act according to their qualities:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sun – HOT/DRY – moving quickly to stand apart
Moon – COLD/WET – moving slowly to make connections
Venus – COLD/WET – moving slowly to make connections
Mars – HOT/DRY – moving quickly to stand apart
Jupiter – HOT/WET – moving quickly to make connections
Saturn – COLD/DRY - moving slowly to stand apart
Mercury can be either HOT/WET or COLD/WET depending on its position in relation to the
Sun.
The Moon, Venus and Jupiter were considered benefic and Mars and Saturn were
considered malefic.
Determining Sect
How then do we determine sect? It is as easy as night and day. The diurnal or day planets,
Sun, Jupiter and Saturn rejoice being in a diurnal or daytime chart2. They are with their kin
and so will act and produce (within dignity and condition) the best of what they promise.
The nocturnal or night planets, Moon, Venus and Mars rejoice being in a nocturnal or
nightime chart3. They too, are with their kin but more importantly, especially with the
malefics, being in sect gives moderation and so, they are forced to produce their better side:
Saturn in sect is upstanding, respected and credible in a diurnal chart while Mars is
courageous, stalwart and protective in a nocturnal chart.
Planets and Sect
The seven traditional planets are then divided into two sects or factions: the diurnal sect,
with the Sun as leader includes Jupiter and Saturn; the nocturnal sect, with the Moon as
leader includes Venus and Mars. Mercury is again special as it can be either diurnal or
nocturnal.
Ptolemy described them thus:
“...since the two most conspicuous of the intervals which make up time are these, and the interval of
the day happens to be more masculine because of the heat and vigour in it, but night is more feminine
because of its moisture and gift of rest, they have accordingly handed down that the Moon and the
star of Aphrodite [Venus] are nocturnal, but that the Sun and the star of Zeus [Jupiter] are diurnal, and
the star of Hermes [Mercury] common in regard to this, being diurnal in the morning figure and
nocturnal in the evening figure. And they also assigned to each of the sects the two planets of the
destructive essence, not however for the same physical reasons but for the opposite ones. For, when
stars that are similar to stars of a good mixture become familiar with them, they make their beneficial
character greater, though when unfamiliar to the destructive stars hold intercourse with them, they
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undo much of the affliction. Whence, since the star of Kronos [Saturn] is productive of cold, they
apportioned it to the heat of the day. But since the star of Ares [Mars] is dry, they apportioned it to
the moisture of the night. For, thus each star, in meeting with due measure by mixture, is made akin
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to the sect that provides the tempering.”
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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Having established the nature of the planet [benefic or malefic] and their sect as per the
Greek notion of hairesis, Ptolemy tells us that the Moon and Venus belong to the nocturnal
sect because they have the quality of WET in common, that is the drive is to connect; the
Sun and Jupiter belong to the diurnal sect because the HOT quality unites them, their drive
is to move quickly.
Mercury as we said before, can be of either
sect depending on which planets it is
associated with. Porphyry says:
“...However, they say that the star of Hermes [Mercury]
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is common indeed; for in whatever figure (schema) it
may happen to be present, it familiarises itself to this
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[light]: to Helios when it is of the morning, to Selene
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when it is of the evening.”
Ptolemy then goes on to say that the malefics
are each given a sect which is contrary to their
nature. Saturn’s dominant quality is COLD, its
driving force is to move slowly and it is placed
diurnally in order to provoke action. Mars, whose dominant quality is HOT and its driving
force is to move quickly, is placed nocturnally in order to slow it down and counter rashness
and its accompanying dangers.
Planets are grouped as Diurnal: Sun, Jupiter,
Saturn. Nocturnal : Moon, Venus, Mars.
Mercury can be either Nocturnal or Diurnal.
In Sect and Out of Sect
Sect therefore provides a planet with a particular way of doing or seeing things according to
its sect of choice and as a consequence of this ‘belonging’, the planet can then produce the
best of what it promises. Thus a diurnal planet will go about its activities in an active and
forthright way while a nocturnal planet will do so in a reactive and responsive manner.
The fact that the two malefics, Mars and Saturn are placed in the sect contrary to their
nature is a way of ensuring that the malefics can act in a ‘less destructive’ manner. Saturn
becomes less cold, with the heat provoking it to action while the and light of day gives
Saturn focus and allows it to stand out in matters of discipline and structure.
Mars, on the other hand, by being placed nocturnally, would be less hot, slowing down its
actions and the moisture of the night provides Mars with a sense of connection. Mars is at
its best when it can act with this sense of connectedness rather than simply taking action
because it can. Sect provides the planet with a context which helps it act in the best
possible manner. Robert Hand in his monograph, Night and Day quotes Antiochus:
“... when the malefics are well situated.....they often magnify the fortunes, while if the benefics are
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badly situated, they hinder them”
Another traditional astrologer, Dorotheus of Sidon tell us:
“A malefic...if in its own place, its evil becomes lighter and decreases.”
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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The inference then is that a planet was affected by being ‘in sect’ or ‘out of sect’, its power
being diminished and expression inhibited. However, this diminution of power is different
for malefics than it was for benefics. Benefics out of sect have their quality and quantity
reduced – they cannot produce all the benefits that their nature promises. Malefics, on the
other hand, are made more malefic in quality while the quantity of their power is not
lessened. A malefic out of sect is a planet whose destructive nature is emphasised: Saturn is
destructive through restriction and remoteness while Mars is destructive through rash
action and disconnection.
There are two other factors for sect:
•
•
A planet’s placement – that is whether it is placed above or below the horizon
A planets’ sign – these too, are diurnal [Aries, Gemini, Leo, Aquarius, Sagittarius,
Aquarius]; and nocturnal [Taurus, cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, Pisces]
According to Robert Hand12, the condition of the chart i.e. whether it is nocturnal or diurnal,
is the most important of the factors as this is the one that is continually mentioned in many
of the Greek texts, whereas little is said of the other two.
To summarise then, being ‘out of sect’ suggests that the planet is in foreign territory much
like a stranger in a strange land unable to access familiar things and so uncomfortable and
alienated. Thus, a planet that is benefic coming from the mindset of increase and fruition,
and when it is out of sect it does not have the support to produce the bounty in promises.
Its power is lessened and minimised.
A malefic on the other hand, comes from a mindset of separation and destruction and when
out of sect becomes more dangerous and destructive as it does not have the support system
that would otherwise keep these tendencies in check.
Applying Sect to a Chart
When delineating a chart, sect should always be one of the first things to look for, and the
first planet to consider is the ‘out of sect’ malefic. Simply put, find the malefic that does not
fit into the sect of the chart and you will find the ‘troublemaker’. For a daytime or diurnal
chart, the ‘out of sect’ malefic will be Mars because Mars prefers to be in a nocturnal chart.
Conversely, for a nightime or nocturnal chart, the ‘out of sect’ malefic will be Saturn
because it prefers to be in a daytime chart. ‘Out of sect’ malefics will always cause some
level of difficulty for the individual and this will be emphasised by its condition [essential
and accidental dignity].
Saturn ‘out of sect’ produces ignorance and apathy and action only from necessity.
Firmicus Maternus tells us that Saturn ‘out of sect’ causes the greatest difficulties,
misfortunes, destruction and loss as a consequence of apathy, lack of action or ignorance.
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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Mars ‘out of sect’ produces rashness, separation, physical danger and action without
thought of consequences. He tells us that Mars ‘out of sect’ causes perils as a consequenc e
of raw, instinctual actions which cause mayhem and destruction.
Having outlined the basic tenets of sect, let us look at how we can apply this and look for
the troublesome planet in a chart.
A m y Ja d e Wi n e h o u se
N at al C h art
14 Sep 1983, Wed
10:25 pm BST -1:00
London, U nited Kingdom
51°N 30' 000°W10'
Geocentric
Tropical
Whole Signs
Mean N ode
00° ‹ 00'
Ü
00'
00°
Ï
Ì
08°
‹
30'
00'
00°
Š 00'
11°
Š
54'
00°
Ý
¶ ‰00'
00°
‰
À
26'
26°
00°
28'
ˆ
29' ˆ 05°
19' ˆ 04°
00°
‚
¿
½
00'
00°
ˆ
00'
26'
17° ‚ 15'Œ
‚
Ë 20°
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56'
‡
59'
01°
†
27°
00°
ƒ
00'
S
32' 12'
„ „
00°
„ 00'
20° 23°
¼»
Œ
01'
29'
…
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00°
23°
21°
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00'
00° … 00'
Amy Winehouse, was an English songwriter and performer credited as an influence in
the rise in popularity of female musicians and soul music, and also for revitalising British
music. Winehouse was found dead on 23 July 2011, at her home in London as a result of
alcohol poisoning. Winehouse led a turbulent life punctuated by drug and alcohol addiction
as well as a propensity for physical violence and self-harm.
This is a nocturnal chart and the ‘out of sect’ malefic is Saturn in Scorpio in the 6 th house
with a Capricorn Moon making an applying sextile. Saturn rules the 8th and is the Moon’s
dispositor. Saturn ‘out of sect’ is in trouble suggesting difficulties with a propensity to
injury and calamity as it is in the 6th. Saturn rules the 8th and 9th houses suggesting that loss
and calamity (8th) and beliefs (9th) are the underlying factors brought out by Saturn . The
aspect to the Moon, although a sextile must be taken into account as Saturn is the Moon’s
dispositor and as such is obliged to give something to the Moon which, in this case is
harmful and destructive to the body (Moon). Additionally, the Moon in Capricorn is in
detriment suggesting that lunar issues will cause difficulty for her. Modern astrology would
also consider the out of sign conjunction of the Moon-Neptune and the Sun -Neptune square
as indicative of her addictions.
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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T ig e r Wo o d s
M al e C hart
30 D ec 1975, Tue
10:50 pm PST +8:00
Long Beach, C A
33°N 46'01' ' 118°W11'18''
Geocentric
Tropical
Whole Signs
Mean N ode
R ating: AA
Lois R odden Astro D atabank
ƒ
00° ‚ 00'
00°
̼
23°
„
½
15°
00°
Ü
Ü
29'
¾ 01°
„
Ý 00'
17°
‚
‚
55' 33'
Œ
00'
00°
00°
00'
00'
06'Œ
00°
00°
…
‹
00'
00'
00°
Ë
†
00'
24°
…
24'
25'
59'
† 39'
10° †
Ï 11°
Á
00°
‡ 00'
‰
26°
21'
‡
06°
¿
Œ
18' 31'
‡ ‡
30'
ˆ
19° 28°
É»
57'
‰
23'
ˆ
12°
À
00'
º Š
00°
08°
¸
22°
¶
00°
‰
00'
00° ˆ 00'
Tiger Woods is a professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the
most successful golfers of all time. This is also a nocturnal chart and the ‘out of sect’ malefic
is Saturn in Leo in the 12th house. Saturn ‘out of sect’ is in trouble suggesting difficulties
with a propensity to anxiety, captivity, and terror in all things as it is in the 12 th.
Additionally, Saturn in Leo is in detriment, it is retrograde and is in a square aspect to the
modern outer planet, Uranus.
With Saturn out of sect, and in the 12th there is already the indication that the difficulties he
experiences come from secrets or hidden enemies which will be destructive. Saturn rules
the 5th and 6th so here we have an indication that sensual delights (5th) and obligations (6 th)
will be underlying factors. The aspect to Uranus suggests that the consequences of Saturn’s
actions come as a result of either provocative conduct, running away from realities or the
consequences of struggling against restrictions.
Woods’ ‘undoing’ was the revelation of marital infidelity and the ensuing scandal saw the
breakup of his marriage and the erosion of his reputation. Saturn is problematical for
Woods and anything hidden or kept secret will always be a potential danger.
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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M a r ti n a Na vr a ti l o va
N atal C hart
18 Oct 1956, Thu
4:40 pm -1:00
Prague, Czechoslovakia
50°N 05' 014°E26'
Geocentric
Tropical
Whole Signs
Mean N ode
R ating: A
00° ‰ 00'
Š
00'
00°
Ì
05°
‰
59'
00'
‹
00°
¾É
ˆ 00'
00°
00°
ˆ
ˆ
48'
39'
Œ
00°
‡
00°
¼ 13° ‹
À 00'
29°
†
58'
25° ¸
14' †
35'
14' † 09°
40' † 01°
00°
Ü
00'
º 00°
Ï †
19' … 21°
25' …
½
14°
»
Ü 18'
¶ 12° Ü 37'
Ë 14°
58'
00°
„
29°
Ý
42'
„
00'
00'
00'
Á …
00°
06°
¿
00°
‚ 00'
00°
„
00'
00° ƒ 00'
Martina Navratilova is a former tennis player and a former World No. 1 , winning
18 Grand Slam singles titles, including the women's singles title at Wimbledon a record 9
times.
This is a diurnal chart and the ‘out of sect’ malefic is Mars in Pisces in the 12 th house. Mars
is in opposition to Venus, who is also out
out of sect and in fall and Jupiter in detriment.
At first glance, this Mars already tells us that trouble is brewing and that it comes as a
consequence of haste, rashness and a seeming lack of connection. It brings hidden conflicts
and motivations out into the open and the person suffers for them.
The opposition to the Venus-Jupiter conjunction suggests that over optimism in
relationships triggers the conflicts or the oppositions. Venus is also the ruler of the 7 th so
here we have the ruler of the 7th in opposition to the ‘out of sect’ malefic – a big pointer to
the matters that Mars will affect. Mars rules the 1st and the 8th suggesting that her own
motivations (1st) and crisis, loss and fatalities (8th) are the underlying factors brought out by
Mars.
Additionally, Mars is the ruler of the Aries Ascendant suggesting that her dealings with the
world are driven by a need for freedom of action realised through independence and
challenge and as a consequence of actions in what seems (to others) conducted with
seeming disregard for anyone, difficulties ensue. The Moon conjunct the Ascendant makes
this even more difficult as emotional security and stability are tied up with the actions of the
Ascendant, brought down by the Mars, out of sect in the 12th.
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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Navratilova was a brilliant tennis player, an outstanding athlete and a great champion but
her Achilles heel has been her relationships. Her life is littered with ex-lovers who have
caused crisis and mayhem in her life, and to whom she has paid inordinate ly large sums of
money, the latest in 2010. Mars rules the 8th where a person’s loss becomes another’ s gain
and Martina’s losses have always been to the advantage of her ex-lovers.
A n g e l in a Jo l ie
N atal C hart
4 Jun 1975, Wed
9:09 am PD T +7:00
Los Angeles, C alifornia
34°N 03' 08' ' 118°W14'34''
Geocentric
Tropical
Whole Signs
Mean N ode
R ating: A
00° Ü 00'
Ý
00°
00'
̽
00°
‹ 00'
00°
Š
28°
Ý
¸ 13° ‚
00°
10°
17° 13° Ü
17°
Ü
Ü
42'
Ü
25'05'
52'
00'
‚ Ï
00°
¶¼
00'
33'
25'
º 22° ‚ 19'Œ
00°
ƒ
‰
00'
00'
23'
17° ƒ 09'
ƒ
28°
53'
ƒ
Œ20'
ˆ
10°
Œ24'
ˆ
¾
» 28°
00° Ë
00°
„
Œ
31'
†
00'
06°
00°
… 00'
Á
À
É 00'
ˆ
Œ
47'
†
00°
28°
¿
00°
‡
00'
00° † 00'
Angelina Jolie is a successful actor noted for promoting humanitarian cau ses and cited as
the world's "most beautiful" woman.
This is a diurnal chart and the ‘out of sect’ malefic is Mars in Aries in rulership in the 10th
conjunct the Moon and Jupiter.
The consequences of action, anger, haste and a lack of connection will be disruptive and
public or, as a result of public actions or status. Mars rules the 5th and 10th houses
suggesting that sensual delights, pleasures and children (5th) together with career and status
(10th) will be the source of difficulty in her life.
Mars is in rulership and dignified and one would say that a planet in dignity must act in the
best possible way according to its nature hence Mars in rulership is a brave risk-taker, an
honourable warrior and an active and energetic leader. The fact that it is out of sect will be
of detriment to her and this may come in the form of risks or conflicts. The fact that the
Mars also conjuncts the Moon suggests that this may also result in some level of physical
harm.
As a teenager, Jolie was very troubled and later commented:
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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"I collected knives and always had certain things around. For some reason, the ritual of having cut
myself and feeling the pain, maybe feeling alive, feeling some kind of release, it was somehow
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therapeutic to me."
Here we see the risk taking and the literal translation of Mars as knives and her fascination
with them. In 2001, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider made her an international superstar. Jolie was
required to undergo extensive martial arts training. Here we see the Mars, working to its
strengths and propelling her to promised success via the vehicle of physical prowess. Mars
continues to provide Jolie with both success and difficulty even down to the fact that her
body is covered in tattoos: another expression of Martian nature manifested in her body
and also reflecting the Mars-Moon conjunction.
In summary, every chart will have planets in and out of sect but the important ones to
consider will be the ‘out of sect’ malefic as it will literally describe the difficulties,
tribulations and calamities that befall a person.
The ‘out of sect’ malefic can to some extent be seen almost as an ‘Achilles heel’ as the
person will struggle with the outcomes brought about by the actions of the planet. Essential
dignity may help the planet to some extent but because of the nature of malefics, even the
‘good’ that comes out of it still takes its toll on the individual.
Next time you look at a chart, ask yourself, “who is the trouble maker?” You may be
surprised at just how close to the truth you can get.
Mari Garcia
th
Copyright Mari Garcia 2011. Mari Garcia is a consulting astrologer who has been involved with astrology since 1990. She
has lectured widely both in Australia and the USA and has published articles in Australia and overseas and writes for several
local and national publications. She runs a consulting practice in Adelaide and is co-principal of ASTRO MUNDI, which
offers a four year course in astrology as well as special interest workshop and Master Classes. Mari can be contacted on 08
8563 9182 or check out the website at www.astromundi.com. Keep abreast of developments at Astro Mundi on
FACEBOOK.
1
Definition found at http://www.dictionaryofspiritualterms.com/public/Glossaries/terms.aspx?ID=300
[accessed 14/11/2011]
2
th
th
A diurnal or daytime chart has the Sun above the horizon i.e. in any of the 7 to 12 houses.
3
st
th
A nocturnal or nightime chart has the Sun below the horizon i.e. in any of the 1 to 6 houses.
4
Here we have the notion that a benefic planet is a planet whose nature is improved when that nature is
reinforced while a malefic is a planet whose nature is made better when it is negated or counteracted.
5
Ptolemy, C Tetrabiblos, Book I, Chapter 7. Trans J Ashmand.
6
This is a reference to aspects.
7
Helios is the Greek name for the Sun.
8
Selene is the Greek name for the Moon.
9
Porphyry as quoted in The Astrological Record of the Early Sages: Definitions and Foundations, Vol. 2 trans. R
Schmidt. Project Hindsight, 2009. Page 87.
10
Antiochus, Part I, Chapter 2 as quoted by R Hand, Night and Day: Planetary Sect in Astrology, ARHAT, 1995.
page 21
11
Dorotheus of Sidon, Carmen Astrologicum [trans] D Pingree. Ascella Publications, 1993. Book I, Chapter 5.
12
R Hand, Night & Day: Planetary Sect in Astrology, ARHAT, 1995. Page 6
13
Sourced at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelina_Jolie {accessed 15/11/2011]
Troublemakers: malefics out of sect. Copyright M Garcia ©2011
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