Astrology 102: Your Rising Sign (Ascendant) is Your First Impression

The Rising Sign (Ascendant)

Your rising sign is the first impression you present to the world.

Your first impression.

Your outer self. Think of your rising sign (also know as your ascendant) as the first layer of the onion that is you. I also think of it as a mask we present because you may or may not relate to it at various stages of life. Now, if your rising sign happens to be the same sign as either your sun or moon sign -- or both, then you resonate with its energy heavily because it's more concentrated. Your rising sign is the default gear you operate from in new situations and encounters.

It's the lens through which you view the world and vice versa. Your rising sign informs how you perceive the world (your view of self), how you're perceived by the world (how you relate to others through your descendant), and how you generally move through life (house placements in chart). If you don't come across as a quintessential version of your sun sign, your rising might have a lot to do with that because it's likely a different sign with a different kind of energy.

What does the rising sign have to do with anything?

Well, when you're asked what time of the day you were born and where -- as in location -- having this info reveals the sign rising on the horizon at your birth. This sign changes every two hours and is very personal. Let's say that your sun sign is Leo, which is typically known to outwardly express confidence and be the center of attention. Yet, your rising sign is Cancer, which is typically known to be more nurturing and love the comfort of home.

When you're meeting someone for the first time or showing up to an unfamiliar place, you'll give more comforting and sensitive vibes. Folks will pick up a Cancerean energy from you at first because this is your default or first gear when you interact with and present yourself to the world.

How does your rising sign affect your life?

While other planets traditionally rule certain signs and carry on the energy of them, there isn't a default or traditional sign and planet that rules the rising sign. The ascendant or rising can fall into any sign. It's completely dependant on time and place of the moment you took your first breath, bringing your past life, current worldview, and compartments of life into your very existence. This sign sets the tone for your natal chart because it falls in your first house of self and dictates the order of where subsequent houses fall for you and in which sign.

"The ascendent is how you see the world and the descendent is how you see yourself when interacting with other people." - Alice Sparkly Kat

A natal chart is made of 12 houses that fall in any of the 12 zodiac signs. The 12 signs appear in a sequence beginning with Aries and ending with Pisces. Each house in a natal chart represent a different part of life such as career, health, romance, etc. The sign that house is ruled by in your chart is what colors your personality and life matters.

For example, if your rising sign is Capricorn, your natal chart begins with with this sign in your first house of self expression. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the planet of discipline, structure and lessons. This essence rules your chart and how you show up in the world. And your second house would then fall in Aquarius or maybe even Pisces depending on which house system is used.

Your rising sign colors your personality and sets the start of your natal chart houses. Learn more about it here.

Do you know your rising sign?