Have you ever had a friend who seemed so kind — until you got to know her? Did you ever encounter anyone who seemed distant and cold at first but warmed up later on? Do you know anyone whose devil-may-care, lighthearted attitude masks a calculating, manipulative mind? And have you ever wondered how you strike other people, especially when they don’t know you well?
Your horoscope provides the answer. While your Sun sign may not be apparent to people, they definitely notice your Ascendant. It’s your image, your facade, your persona, your surface personality, your vibe. Or think of it this way: Your rising sign is like the clothes you wear; those outfits aren’t exactly you, but they aren’t irrelevant either. They convey a powerful, unspoken message to others — and even you may come to associate them with your deeper self.
Whether it clashes or harmonises with your Sun sign, it describes the way people see you and the impression you make. Indeed, some astrologers consider the ruler of the Ascendant — that is, the planet that rules the rising sign — to be the overall ruler of your chart.
The Ascendant (ASC) and the Medium Coeli (MC), are the two most important significators in a Horoscope. The Ascendant is the point zero, which signifies our entering in this world. The MC is the point which signifies our completion as personalities.
On most House Systems the Ascendant coincides with the 1st House. We then start casting the rest of the Houses, thus we can see the different aspects of a person's life. That is why it is of great importance to know your birth time, as accurately as possible, because the ASC changes every two hours.
The information the ASC gives us moves through the spheres of the literal and the symbolic.
On the first level, we see the formation of the body, as the rising sign will give us its attributes. A second piece of information that we can get, particularly from the ruler of the rising sign, is the health of the native, as it is one of the main indicators of this.
On the second level, we see the mentality of the person. As the Ascendant represents the environment, we see how the native grew up as a child, how his temperament was developed through the years, how he moves about in his personal environment, and also how he wants to be seen by the others. The ASC is characterised as a mask, as we see only its visible facet. It is that intimate feeling when we approach another person. How many times did we fall "prey" to someone's charms because of his/hers ASC? Until of course the moment we see more of his personality (his Sun and Moon respectively).
On the third level, the Ascendant acts like a filter that processes the information of the collective unconscious. Because it changes every two hours and with it and the whole collective unconscious, the native has the ability or inability to remain untouched by this. What does that mean? Let's imagine a new fashion trend comes out. Those who have developed this filter will embrace or reject this trend consciously. But those who have not developed their filter enough cling right away. This is the reason we all suddenly start to look alike.
E.g. Someone has a Taurus Ascendant. Because of his prudence as well as his elegance which distinguishes him, may well reject these choices, while someone with a Leo ASC may not, especially if it's expensive and kitsch.
On the fourth level, in the sphere of the metaphysical, every soul has chosen the time of his birth in order to get the experience he needs for his spiritual evolution. These experiences will take their form by the newly casted horoscope. And here we have a moral dilemma, as the large number of unnecessary caesareans is believed to inhibit the natural course of the soul.
There is a myth concerning the Ascendant. This one tells us that we become the rising sign of the ASC after thirty! The Ascendant is always us, and as we evolve with the passing years so does our ASC. So, sooner or later we pick up the attributes of the next sign (progressive horoscope) and we incorporate them.
ALSO: The Midheaven (MC) and How it Affects your Natal Horoscope
How does the rising sign influence the Ascendant?
Aries Rising: The native with Aries Ascendant has a provocative behaviour in order to attract the attention of his environment. His behaviour is self-centred. He is active, assertive, adventurous, headstrong, and sometimes accident-prone (especially on his head). Reckless and extroverted, with an abundance of energy, he invigorates everyone around him. He takes pride — for good reason — in his ability to get things moving. When he knows what he wants, he goes after it boldly. But he can also be competitive and insensitive. And when obstacles block his path, his patience (which is never his high card) may evaporate. When he flirts he is hardly polite and he has a very intense sexual instinct. He likes to be involved in activities that bring out the feeling of adventure he hides within him. He loves to be there at the start of an enterprise when the excitement is building. Later on is another story.
Taurus rising: The native with Taurus ascendant is a warm and affectionate person. There’s something reassuring and calming about his steady presence. He is pragmatic and patient — a reasonable person who doesn’t let little things get to him. He cares about appearances — and he isn’t indifferent to money either. It brings him the security he needs. He is generous, loyal, and a delight to be around, even if he is slow to open up and resistant to change. He is sturdy, he seeks safety and he is not easily bent from difficulties. At the same time, he is affectionate and pleasure-loving, with a deep appreciation of food, drink, art, and the pleasures of the body. On the other hand, he is pretty lazy when he has to deal with something.
Gemini rising: The native with Gemini ascendant loves to communicate. Hence he is very talkative. He picks up information in a flash and quickly adapts to changing circumstances (even if he also likes to complain about them). He is uplifting, cheery, excitable, funny and enthusiastic. He has a curious mind and may have writing ability. It soothes his anxious mind to have two of everything: two best friends, two part-time jobs, two of his favourite pens, two books he is in the middle of reading. He likes to flirt with many different people. He greatly appreciates friendship and he likes to be independent. He likes to travel, to learn and to use his hands bored, with a tendency to scatter his energy. He is also restless, nervous and possibly an insomniac.
Cancer rising: The native with Cancer ascendant is quite sensitive. Moody, sensitive, and imaginative, he lives at a high emotional pitch. He likes to take care and protect his loved ones. He is attuned to other people and skilled at nurturing and protecting them, yet he may feel drained by their needs and resentful of their requests. He is shrewd and ambitious, but his carefully drawn plans may crumble in the face of his emotional reactions. When he feels besieged by the needs (or criticism) of others, he withdraws into the privacy of his shell. Usually he cannot distinguish the difference between emotion and passion. He likes working at his home or near the sea. He is particularly vulnerable in assimilating negative emotions from his environment. Home, food, family, and financial well-being are essential to his peace of mind.
Leo rising: A person with Leo ascendant is a natural born actor and likes to dramatise situations. He has great personal pride. The very opposite of a wallflower, he can’t stand not being noticed. He is flashy, fun-loving, charismatic, and friendly. If he feels that he can be himself he can become an ethical, honest and loyal person. He does his best to appear lighthearted and confident, and he usually succeeds. He is the life of the party — and more. He is characterised by a strong desire for success. He also has unmistakable leadership ability. He is empathetic, with a benevolent heart and a noble desire to make life better for other people. No wonder they want to bask in his glow. He wants to love and be loved and he is always looking for that special person. He likes to get involved in anything that causes him joy!
Virgo rising: The native with Virgin ascendant seeks order in his life. A natural conversationalist, he has a quick, incisive mind and a thoughtful, controlled demeanour. Methodical and articulate, with an ability to juggle details that astound the rest of the world, he communicates effectively, picks up knowledge effortlessly, and is highly observant (which is one reason he is so much fun to talk to). He is polite, soft-spoken, cultured and compassionate. He likes to talk and to share his ideas and thoughts. He usually feels very nervous in the presence of people. He makes a concerted effort to engage with the world on a mental level, but emotional displays make him want to hide. Despite what he may think, his efforts to keep his feelings hidden aren’t always successful. He likes to study. He usually chooses to be in quiet places. He has a tendency to worry about his health.
Libra rising: A person with Libra ascendant seeks harmony and balance, which means he can’t bear to be in a hostile environment (and he may disengage if he finds himself in one). He is engaging, tactful, charming, refined, attractive, and easy to be around. He is also artistic and intellectually engaged, with a powerful sense of justice. He likes to be in quiet and peaceful places. It feels much better when he shares his environment with a fellow person. Partnerships, romantic and otherwise, are essential to him. His greatest flaw is indecisiveness. He likes discussions, art and anything that doesn’t tire him.
Scorpio rising: Traditional astrology claims that the Ascendant determines appearance. To my eye, that influence is usually a subtle one — with one exception: Scorpio rising. Dark or light, the native’s intense eyes and personal magnetism draw people to him. The native with Scorpion ascendant craves for action, passion and major transformative experiences. In some cases he causes a claustrophobic atmosphere that few can take. He is compelling, mysterious, and sexy, with a strong sense of privacy and often a deep well of pain that can occasionally cause him to lash out. He lives and breathes for sex. He likes to solve mysteries. Despite whatever pain he may have experienced in the past, he is a survivor who takes control in periods of crisis.
Sagittarius rising: A person with Sagittarius ascendant is the centre of joy in any environment, because of his cheerful and optimistic nature. He is very spontaneous. He is outgoing, restless, and reckless. He doesn't like restrictions. It is difficult for him to sacrifice his freedom. He likes to be involved in activities that energise both his body and the spirit. In his optimistic search for a larger, more exciting life, he cultivates people from many backgrounds, travels as widely as possible, immerse himself in all kinds of philosophical systems (be they religious, academic, or professional), and can get all wound up over an idea. Witty and excitable, he is a lucky person with a breezy personality, many friends, and an independent attitude. When opportunities come his way, he grabs them instinctively.
Capricorn rising: A person with Capricorn ascendant is a quiet, patient, austere person, with a strong sense of duty. His greatest problem is the acceptance of feelings. He is serious, reserved, reliable, and determined, with a method for everything. He likes to deal with practical issues. He is serious, reserved, reliable, and determined, with a method for everything. Ambitious and competitive, he prefers to work within an established system. He wields authority effectively and has a strong sense of ethics. His personal confidence is faltered between success and the lack of faith in his abilities. He may be rigid and prone to depression, and learning to relax can be a challenge. Chaos makes him crazy. Though his childhood may have been difficult, his outlook improves as he ages (and thanks to his healthy habits, he maintains a youthful appearance).
Aquarius rising: The native with Aquarius ascendant has a strong, independent nature and a need to protect his private life. If he strikes other people as willful or eccentric, well, that’s their problem. He has dozens of interests, multitude of friends, and a cool, amiable personality. But he maintains a certain distance that can make him seem disinterested or remote, and he is unwilling to limit his options for the comfort of others. Unexpected events, especially in childhood, made him wary and conscious of the need to protect himself. More than that, he resists change and authority. Why should anyone else have power over him? He can’t think of a single reason. But he is there for those who need his help. In his free time he is engaged in social struggles and politics.
Pisces rising: The native with Pisces ascendant becomes one with the environment to a degree that he can become lost in it. He is very sensitive and has a vivid imagination. Moody and idealistic, he has powerful artistic and psychic abilities. He is romantic, impressionable, sentimental, kind, and so empathetic that sometimes just being around unhappy people is more than he can tolerate. He has the tendency to become involved with other people’s problems and tries to solve them. On the other hand, the native does not accept the praise of others because he considers himself unworthy. He likes to get involved with anything artistic. At his most self-actualising, he can mobilise his inner forces and turn daydreams into realities. But when wishful thinking gets out of hand, he can be gullible, passive, and too submissive for his own good. I’m sorry to say that substance abuse is a danger for him. Fortunately, he also has a yearning for creative and spiritual fulfilment that can keep him on track.
