The Ascendant: More than just your Rising Sign
And some free bonus tools to help you learn
Why it Matters on a Day to Day Basis
The Ascendant in the birth chart describes how you instinctively interact with the environment. Because it is instinctive rather than conscious, others may perceive you differently than you are conscious of feeling. I find that the Ascendant (also called the rising sign) varies in how prominently it is expressed, because your instinct will vary as your environment varies.
In new situations, your conscious mind has no data and will therefore revert to its instinctive and unconscious characteristic energy (rising sign). In more familiar environments, you are able to consciously choose which energies are expressed, or quite often your subconscious chooses from a familiar repertoire based on the stored data. You can see how conditioning would therefore override instinct or conscious choice in environments such as home, school, or work where you spend the bulk of your time.
To me, it seems beneficial to at least understand how you are coming across to others in new environments, as well as have awareness when conditioned behavior is overriding your instinct. Being unaware could put you or keep you in unwelcome or even harmful situations.
As an example, I have Scorpio as my rising sign. In new situations, my instinct is to be wary, suspicious almost. However, my Leo Sun wants to be playful. I can recall many times as a kid when I would find myself on the outskirts, really sad that I was missing out on the fun the other kids were having.
On the converse, I could see how having a gregarious rising sign and more self-protective Sun sign could cause someone to find themself in over their heads.
There will always be a component of the Ascendant that is unconscious, therefore it will always bring vulnerability to the life. The question is, will you accept that vulnerability with humility and the intention to learn the inherent lessons of your Ascendant, or will you resist? I will discuss this larger significance in a bit. First, the nuts and bolts.
The Astronomy
Here is the astronomical explanation from astro.com, which I find very helpful:
The Ascendant is the point of intersection between the Eastern horizon and the ecliptic. Due to the rotation of the Earth around its own axis this means that, viewed from any given location, roughly every two hours a different sign of the zodiac ascends on the Eastern horizon. This causes the Ascendant to traverse the whole of the zodiac during the course of a day. Two individuals born at the same time but at a great distance from each other would have different signs on the Ascendant.
Your birth chart represents the position of the planets relative to the horizon at the time and location of your birth. The Ascendant changes sign approximately every two hours, give or take 30 minutes. The Ascendant and other angles also determine the placement of planets in the 12 houses, which represent different areas of life. This is why astrologers hound you for an exact birth time in advance of a reading/consultation. If you do not have your time of birth, there is still information to be gleaned, but it will not be as comprehensive.
Why it Matters on a Big Picture Basis
The Ascendant is also said to indicate a life’s path. In the lineage of evolutionary astrology I practice, the Ascendant and other angles correlate to the current evolutionary intentions of the soul. Aside from the rising sign itself, whether there are planets in the birth chart making aspects to the Ascendant, the planets placed in the first house, and the location and aspects to the planetary ruler of the rising sign are all significant to the interpretation of the Ascendant in the life and in the soul’s plan.
One can also see that when transiting planets make aspects to the Ascendant, it may change you in fundamental ways, which would then impact your life’s path and manner in which the soul’s plan manifests. Especially a transit by Pluto, for example, making a conjunction, square, or opposition to the Ascendant. Because Pluto represents transformation, and Pluto takes 248 years to transit the 12 signs, it is always impactful when a critical aspect is made to the Ascendant.
The planetary ruler of your Ascendant will impact your life; at its most basic, it brings in features of the house and sign it is located in into your behaviors (or where key events in your life play out) in some manner. How it is situated with relation to the angles and other planets will also have significance in the major themes of your life. This is the type of nuance you can delve into with an astrologer or as you continue learning on your own.
The Ascendant, Sign by Sign
For now, I will turn to astrologer Steven Forrest and summarize from The Book of Water: Healing, Regeneration, and Recovery, where he outlines the energies of each Ascendant/Rising sign. He writes four paragraphs for each sign, but I attempt to pull out the gist of it below in a few sentences.
Aries: This is about “learning how to be effectively assertive in skillful ways”. People may perceive you as straightforward, aggressive even. In unfamiliar situations, you tend to exhibit more bravery than you may actually feel.
Taurus: This is about learning the true value of comfort and security. People may see you as earthy and natural, secure as you are. In unfamiliar situations, you may play it very safe and feel like you aren’t able to try anything new because it would be too risky.
Gemini: This is about exploring where your curiosity takes you, and using this to connect to others and find your authentic voice. People may perceive you as an easy talker, interested in a variety of topics. In new situations, it may feel like you are compelled to fill in blank space with words or distractions.
Cancer: This is about exploration of your healing abilities via caring or protecting others, knowing how to nurture yourself, and finding a harmonious approach with these instincts. People may perceive you as having a huge capacity for nurturing, as well as being sensitive. In new circumstances, you may alternate between rushing in to nurture others or being in a self-protective mode, depending on the situation.
Leo: This is about allowing your authentic self-expression to come out and play. People may perceive you as confident, able to take and apply the spotlight. In unfamiliar environments, you may slip into playing the role you think others want to see rather than showing you really feel.
Virgo: This is about ‘finding a path of meaningful service - work that matters’. It will involve discernment: exploring what brings meaning to the self where it intersects with the highest good of the collective. People may perceive you as willing to be of service and wanting to make sure everything is the best it can be. In new environments, you may zero in on the things that could be improved in the situation.
Libra: This is about learning about alliances and true harmony. People may perceive you very pleasing and aligned with them. In new circumstances, you may seek harmony as a priority, even if that hides what you are really feeling.
Scorpio: This is about exploring one’s honest desires and understanding others’, as well, even if that means going where most do not wish to proceed psychologically. People may perceive you as intense and having the capacity for difficult conversations. In new situations, you focus intently on ‘reading the room’, alert for things that are not what they appear to be.
Sagittarius: This is about continually expanding your horizons with travel and learning, coming up with a philosophy of life that feels natural and fair. People may perceive you as ‘larger than life’, always ready to amp things up, including having sweeping conversations. In new situations, you may appear to know it all, being generous in every way, but hiding any subtleties of your character.
Capricorn: This is about defining “a prize worthy of attaining and then to keep my eye on it, pursuing it relentlessly”. People perceive you as serious and mature. In unfamiliar situations, you may take an authoritative or businesslike approach, feeling that extraneous activity is a threat.
Aquarius: This is about learning how to be comfortable with all your quirks, and express your ideas, no matter how different. People may perceive you as unusual or eccentric in some way, or wanting to stand apart. In new situations, you may feel compelled to rebel against whatever agenda is being made primary or to remain distant, and you may have strong feelings for what could be possible.
Pisces: This is about exploring consciousness, your own and how we are each connected to one another and the universe. People may find you hard to pin down, but agree you are kind. In unfamiliar circumstances, you may simply go with the flow, surrendering to the whole experience and people’s energy. You may sense whether there is the presence or absence of an underlying deeper meaning.
I hope this information inspires you to continue learning the ancient practice of astrology, and applying it to your own life.
I have some new free reference tools available, which you can save to your phone for ease of reference:
The following Maria Luz’s Conscious Curiosities podcast episodes offer info complementary to this post, because they cover topics related to the Ascendant or First House, and I link to the companion written Substack posts below:
Episode 1 3.19.24 or written Substack post: The Big Three in Astrology: Your Sun, Moon, & Risings Signs
Episode 26 7.11.24 or written Substack post: Astrological Houses
Episode 28 7.18.24 or written Substack post: Master Your Birth Chart: Discovering Patterns and Themes in Astrology
Fascinating, Maria Luz. I only recently discovered how significant the rising sign is. Mine's Gemini. Full of curiosity, for sure.
My Virgo rising totally fits!