Considerations

In the chapter before [6], Ptolemy wanted us to know that planet also have sex and gender, and that will influence their “behavior” at the root. 

In the (this) next chapter [7] “Of Diurnal and Nocturnal Planets” Ptolemy then will discuss the planets if belonging to Nocturnal or Diurnal Arcs [Sun or the Moon sect?], and although he won’t tell the position or place of the planet would be better in (ex. the Joy of Saturn being in the 12th House/Place), I decided to put a few examples so we can understand better what Ptolemy explains.

Of Diurnal [Sun] and Nocturnal Planets [Moon]

Day and Night are human’s observable division of time in practical reality. Ptolemy in chapter 7 explains the Sects of the planets, how a planet came to be in a Sect of the Sun and not that of the Moon and vice-versa. Why would we prefer a planet to perform better during the Day and not during the Night? Greater benefic Jupiter has a Heat as primary temperament, and thus should be applied along with the Sun, while the lesser benefic Venus has Wet (Moist) temperament as primordial and thus put alongside the Moon and its quite feminine general energy, and the malefics were then put alongside the Sect they can actually be equilibrated, taken their edges and extremes off and “offer them a better deal”. 

Saturn shall then be above the horizon circle [in the Heat of the day] and put in the 12th place to control and organize chaos, not to metion he will not look up to the Ascendant as Aspect but an Aversion, while Mars is put opposite [in the Wetness of the night] in order to take out the virginity/purity of things with conscent while bringing pleasure about it without destruction, and like Saturn, it is put in Aversion to the Asc so it won’t destroy/threat it.

Read how Ptolemy puts it:

“Similarly, since of the two [Day and Night] most obvious intervals of those which make up time, the day is more masculine because of its heat and active force, and night more feminine because of its moisture and its gift of rest, the tradition has consequently been handed down that the Moon and Venus are nocturnal, the Sun and Jupiter diurnal, and Mercury common as before, diurnal when it is a morning star and nocturnal as an evening star. They also assigned to each of the sects the two destructive stars [Mars + Saturn], not however in this instance on the principle of similar natures, but of just the opposite; for when stars of the same kind are joined with those of the good temperament their beneficial influence – is increased, but if dissimilar stars are associated with the destructive Ones the greatest part of their injurious power is broken. Thus they assigned, Saturn, which is cold, to the warmth of day [Sun Sect], and Mars, which is dry, to the moisture of night [Moon Sect], for in this way each of them – attains good proportion through admixture and becomes a proper member of its sect, which provides moderation.”

The “Malefics” were put in Sect contrary to their nature in order to “promote” moderation. While the Benefics were put in their right position matching their temperament so they can increase the goodness their already own in their nature – A simple method to divide planets into 2 Sects, that of the Sun [Diurnal] and that of the night [Nocturnal].

Malefics: When you notice that someone’s chart that “the coldness of Saturn” is above the horizon in “the heat of the day”, let’s say, in the 12th house, and the chart is diurnal, let’t say Sun in the 9th house, you may predict this person won’t have such noxious but quite helpful and moderated Saturn instead, even when in hard aspect to a personal planet let’s imagine. Or imagine the chart is nocturnal and “the Dryness of Mars” is in the “wetness of the night” in the 6th house etc

Benefics: When you notice that someone’s radix is nocturnal and the wetness of Venus is below the horizon, let’s suppose in the 5th house, you may predict this person will have great lovers in life or at least good companions and further partnerships etc. and suppose it also trine Jupiter in the 10th house etc. Or imagine that the chart is Diurnal and the heat of Jupiter is let’s say in the 11th house, you may predict the basic thing that the person will have specific wishes really fullfiled, not matter the quality overall, or that many of the times lucky is really by someone’s side etc. 

Enforced or Higher Steem Position: Planets considered weak and without dignities at the radix and seen at first, can become enforced and lightened if in right Sect, while planets in already well dignified are clearly held in higher esteem. 

Note: I always utilize the method of observing the planets above or below the horizon circle rather than the diurnal and nocturnal signs of the Zodiac as indicators.

Conclusion

To conclude, the position of the planets relative to the Sun is the basis for the planetary temperament documentation (Orbs of the Planets), the planet’s overall binary quality “Benefic & Malefic”, and the dividion of the planets concerning Sun or Moon Sects, or, if a planet is better being Nocturnal or Diurnal.

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References

Go back to Ptolemy’s Way and read the references