What is the Rising Sign?

The Ascendant, or rising sign, is one of the most important positions in your birth chart. It is the sign of the zodiac that was rising over the Eastern horizon at the exact time that you were born. It is often referred to as ‘the mask you wear’, as this is the part of your personality that is most visible to the outside world. The sign of the Ascendant is always opposite your Descendant, the sign that sets in the West.

The Ascendant describes how you approach the world, your general style of relating to others, and your overall identity. It is the filter through which you see and assess the world. This sign describes your approach to problem solving, and the way you relate on the surface level.

What Does the Rising Sign Mean?

The influence of your Ascendant is more than just the outwardly visible traits. When looking at the birth chart, the Ascendant is the point of first impressions, describing how we approach the environment and interpret the environment. The Ascendant is reflexive and interpretive, what does this imply about the other people and events in our lives?

When we look at the Ascendant in an individual birth chart, it provides us with clues as to how we interact with the world around us. It reflects the style of relationship we immediately form with those we meet, our initial instincts and the way many outside experiences are filtered through our unique personality. It should be taken into consideration when you are interpreting the rest of your chart.

What Influence Does the Rising Sign Have?

The influence of your rising sign can be seen in all aspects of our lives and the position of the ascendant in the natal chart will shape our outward interactions. Your Ascendant influences basic personality traits, like how you respond to new people and situations, and how you come across to others. It can describe how you form relationships, how intuitively and cleverly you approach difficult situations and how cooperative you are in unfamiliar territory.

The Rising Sign shows how we work to create a sense of security in our lives and how we instinctively deal with our fears and weaknesses. It is an indication of how we view ourselves in the world and how we instinctively cope with stress and emotional chaos. In short, it is reflective of how we conduct ourselves in public, how we come across to strangers and how we interact with the world around us.

The Rising Sign is an important piece of the astrological puzzle and should never be overlooked. Understanding the position of the Ascendant in your natal chart can provide insights into your relationship patterns, the way you respond to outside stimuli and your ability to cope with the demands of day-to-day life.