Your rising sign - How others see YOU!
Your rising sign is one of the most important elements of your horoscope. Your rising or ascendant determines the way your chart is constructed and reveals the location of planets in each sign. As the earth turns, a different sign passes over the horizon every two hours. This can help us understand why two babies who were born in the same place, but earlier or later on the same day would have a different chart, even though their Sun signs would be the same. The planets occupy the same sign (Sun sign, i.e. Aries, Leo etc.) but the rising sign would be determined by the actual time of birth and this changes the entire landscape of the chart.
It is very general to say that Aries with Leo is a compatible pairing, and while it's true, there are many other factors to consider. Although generally correct, once you integrate your Sun sign with your rising sign, Astrology really begins to make sense. I have researched this extensively and applied this to myself, friends and family. When I first began studying Astrology, I couldn't relate to my Sun sign. So I can understand the people who tell me that they don't believe in Astrology. I tell them that just knowing your Sun sign is not really astrology. It's like saying two plus two equals four and therefore, that's mathematics, ignoring geometry, algebra and calculus. So commonly when people look only at their Sun sign and ignore the other planets and houses involved, they come to the conclusion that astrology is not to be taken seriously. They are ignoring the fact that it is based on astronomy and is one of the oldest practices existing in societies throughout the world for centuries. To really understand astrology it must be emphasized that we are not only our Sun sign but that there are other planets that affect us on a daily basis. Your rising sign is the 1st House in your horoscope.
Your rising sign plays a crucial and important relationship to your Sun sign. Some rising signs can complement a Sun sign; while others may act in opposition.It is difficult and would be a lucky guess to determine a person's Sun sign from his or her outer appearance. For example, a Leo with a conservative Virgo ascendant would come across as more serious and less dramatic than a Leo with a strong rising sign like Aries. Since your rising sign is the first impression you make on others and how others see you, it is important to know yours. Once you learn this, you might view astrology in a new light. As I learned after many years of study, I personally feel more aspects of my rising sign than my Sun sign. Where the other planets fall in your personal horoscope and in whatever House they reside in create the full picture and give you insight to who you uniquely are.
It is crucial for an accurate reading to know your exact time of birth. The more precise your birth time, the more accurately an Astrologer can analyze and interpret the position of the planets at your birth and provide a spot on reading.
If you are unsure about your time of birth, know it within a few hours or don't know it at all, I have created a list to help you see which image you feel best applies to you.
Aries Rising: High Energy, Energy Energy
You are an aggressive person with a boundless and plentiful energy that can take you anywhere you feel free to roam. Watch for a tendency to overreact emotionally or lose it altogether when things don't go your way. This is a passionate ascendant that can be seen as impetuous by others. You are competitive, a positive asset to any business or athletic team and you like to move quickly and precisely and you tend to get impatient with others too easily. Guard against this tendency. This could lead to headaches, head injuries and accidents involving your face and head. You walk with your head forward which is very characteristic of Aries. You love to wear bright, beautiful colors, especially red. You also love to drive fast and want to be the first one to get in line when a new item becomes trendy. You are the trendsetter of the rising signs.
Taurus Rising: Creature Comforts
You tend to be slow moving, with a beautiful and distinctive speaking or singing voice that is naturally melodious and can make others feel soothed and relaxed. This ascendant yearns for the good life. You most likely surround yourself with good food, great comforts, luxurious surroundings and other sensual pleasures. You could be a collector or own a collection of anything you consider to be rare and valuable. You are a homebody who prefers others to come over to your house. In fact you love welcoming just about anyone into your home rather than socializing elsewhere. You have a natural talent for business, especially trading, real estate and import/export ventures. This ascendant gives the impression of a well fed physique. You tend to gain weight easily and this can cause you to withdraw. Females with this placement however, tend to be very seductive with their curvaceous figures.
Gemini Rising: Communicate and disseminate
This a social, open and fun individual to be around. Naturally outgoing, with lighter, ethereal mannerisms than others of your own sign, especially if you're female. You love nothing more than to communicate with people of all walks of life. You can express your thoughts, ideas and opinions very easily and effectively. This placement has a natural talent for writing, speaking and communication, verbal and non-verbal. This is someone who thrives on variety, in an ever changing atmosphere and MUST have a lively social life. You might come across as surface, however deep down you can relate to most and others do not realize the depth you possess. You are also far more loving, caring and nurturing than you tend to project. This ascendant is usually widely travelled, changes partners and even jobs more than once. You might even try to have two loves at one time. This placement is always torn between two people, places or things. Physically, watch out for your central nervous system. You could be prone to anxiety when you nerves get sensitive. It would be a great idea to occasionally take breaks or short trips to get away from all of the chaos and noise around you. This would benefit not only you but those you are close with as well. Bottom Line: You need breaks from all that socializing. This brings a sense of calmness into your chaotic life.
Cancer Rising: Tender emotions
This ascendant is naturally acquisitive, private, sensitive and a natural money maker. You are very private on the surface. However, once someone gets to know you they realize that you can also be possessive (you can't help it) and you tend to overreact to things that really don't matter. You can read the minds of others with this placement. You can see through the feelings and thoughts of others. This is an excellent asset to have when channeled wisely. Use your intuition in business, the arts, and personal relationships. And pay attention to your emotions around the Full Moon. This rising sign tends to take things way too personally and react to imagined slights, especially near the Full moon periods. Find creative outlets for your nurturing talents instead! Helping the less fortunate, feeding and taking care of others and psychology would be ideal areas to make a fortune. Your nurturing nature also makes you a loving parent and you do well with children. You could be fond of the past, wearing romantic and sexy clothes and you could collect antiques or have a collection of some sort. Try to spend time near water to soothe tension. You also love to dine on exquisite foods but you must be careful and watch your diet as retaining fluids easily is part of your physiology.
Leo Rising: The life of any party!
You make an instant impression when you enter a room. You may, however, come across more confident and more regal than you really feel. But this does not stop Leo rising from giving his or her audience exactly what they want. A Leo ascendant gives you a natural flair for drama as others could accuse you of stealing their spotlight. You project a confident, outgoing and sunny disposition. You come off extremely confident even when you're not feeling well. This ascendant makes sure to please their friends and their fan club. You always put your best efforts into your appearance. The right clothes, a good hairstyle (you have beautiful hair with this ascendant - usually a luxurious mane with thick hair and lots of it) and if you're a female, you often dazzle others with your jewelry collection. You look like royalty without trying. This rising sign is lucky with children, animals and games of chance.
Virgo Rising: Details are super important
You can appear very critical and mistakes of any kind make you very nervous. This ascendant has a tendency to be his or her own worst critic. Virgo rising needs to learn to be less hard on others and even less hard on themselves. Fussy, critical and meticulous, you seem neat, orderly and more particular than others of your Sun sign. People around you might feel that they have to live up to your high standards. Even though you might be well meaning, you need to let those closest to you know that you only want the best for others, really and truly. It's not that you over analyze every detail, it's just that you want it done right. Is that so wrong? No way. Just remember to take it easy on others and easy on yourself as well. You have a sharp eye for details and would make an excellent editor or financial advisor. Your literary skills are top notch and could lead you into jobs that involve teaching and publishing. Anything relating to healing is right up your alley. Health care professions, service oriented careers and making sure everything is in its proper place are important to you. Don't think your way is the only way! This is a lesson you need to learn!
Libra Rising: The beautiful social butterfly
This ascendant bestows the beauty that comes with Libra, thanks to Venus, and makes this one of the best and most compatible signs to have as an ascendant. Charming, social and non-confrontational (you will avoid confrontation at any cost) this placement is usually relationship oriented and needs a partner in order to feel secure and thrive in his or her life. Physically, your face is symmetrical, beautiful and also a dimpled smile are typical of those with Libra rising. You are interested in all sides of a project, relationship or friendship - which can work for or against you. Being indecisive when a situation calls for decisiveness is not your strong point. You possess natural beauty, grace and can talk to anyone, especially a romantic partner, into getting your way. You will receive many compliments on your seductive and sultry smile. You are attractive, have good taste, and usually have an interest in fashion, home decorating and exploring the topic and adventures of true and lasting love. You are an excellent debater and could be attracted to careers that involve the law, public relations and or any other career that can utilize your diplomatic skills.
Scorpio Rising: Charisma and mystery
There is more to you than meets the eye. You project an image of intrigue, mystery and sex appeal. You also possess power when you combine this ascendant to any other Sun sign; it is favorable for most signs to have Scorpio as a rising sign. You have eyes that others instantly notice and physically you could have the appearance of intensity. Whether it's your hair, the way you dress or the look on your face, this ascendant is known for having a physical feature that is intense, prominent and stands out in some way. Whether it's their beautiful penetrating eyes or their physique, there is something about this placement that gives this individual a sense of power and being in control despite the world falling apart around them. You might feel like sharing your hopes and wishes with others and you also could keep your affairs to yourself. Highly private, you may have an interesting past history with love affairs. There might even be a secret love or two in your closet. Legendary in love, others find you hard to let go of. Your mystery is intensified whenever you wear black and you might find this to be your favorite color.
Sagittarius Rising: Freedom to Roam, travel and seek independence
You have a strong love affair with travel with this ascendant. You are interested in the outdoors, have a sporty side and possess an athletic, casual and laid back look. This ascendant can change moods in a split second. Occasional dark moods may be disguised with optimism or a philosophical outlook. Deep down, you are idealistic, have a fantastic sense of humor and loved to be loved. On the surface, you have strong, athletic legs and you are physically strong. You might not feel as attached to things and people as others are. You are more interested in travel, higher learning and the spiritual side of life than your other peers are. Not one to hesitate to speak your mind, you are able to laugh at yourself (a great quality) and your troubles (even better) more easily than others. You are also one of the funniest people in the room. Jupiter (the planet) of luck and expansion will be the genesis of your life. This is a prosperous placement for Sagittarius.
Capricorn Rising: Officially "all" Business
You are not typically a big spender. In fact, you are known as being careful with cash (like Cancer is) but you will occasionally splurge if you can afford it. You come across as serious, disciplined and very goal oriented. You have a very strong work ethic. Goals and ambitions are formed from an early age and you somehow manage to set out to achieve them and usually do. You tend to be more traditional and conservative in your personal relationships. In fact, you come across as formal and businesslike in all important relationships. This placement functions BEST in a corporate and well structured environment where you usually start and the bottom and work your way slowly but surely to the very top. A born executive - you always know who has the power - but in your love relationships, you might tend to go solo if the going gets too tough. You love to mix business with pleasure but need to remember that love is just as important as prestige. Otherwise, you might end up alone playing the role of mother AND father to your children. Learn to be more expressive with romantic partners!
Aquarius Rising: The Innovative Dreamer
Eccentric is your keyword. Something about your appearance is unique and memorable. This ascendant loves to be with groups, in the company of friends and with a constant stream of companions 24/7 if they could have their way. You could also be strongly drawn to a prestigious lifestyle. Not one to care what others think at all, you go after your goals your way. No one can tell you what to do. You can outsmart, outwit and outlast your competitors but be careful of a tendency to come across as selfish or uncaring. You might feel that you show your loving tender side, but sometimes you suffer from foot in mouth syndrome. This placement needs the freedom to roam and most likely will not follow convention. This ascendant can make money from a hobby and turn it into an empire. This placement also needs to have a strong sense of unity with friends, family and his or her peers to bring out their BEST qualities. You tend to leave a lasting impression when you come from a place of sincerity. You also have an affinity for electronics, spirituality, the metaphysical and other far out ideas.
Pisces Rising: Romantic, poetic and dreamy
This is an intuitive, psychic and nurturing placement for an ascendant. This is a creative, spiritual, sensitive and dramatic at times personality. Dreamy eyes and an air of poetry surround this elusive and emotionally tender sign. This rising sign is all about the arts, theater (Neptune rules the entertainment industry), dance, film, photography and other forms of creative expression. Very susceptible to mood swings, it will be very important for this ascendant to find a creative and fulfilling outlet for his or her tender emotions. This will naturally heighten already amazing intuition. Try to focus on the positive and don't be so quick to fall for sob stories. You can be a sucker for someone playing on your good nature so don't make others problems yours. You are the rescuer of the zodiac. Stray animals and people who are weak, sick or addicted will tend to tug at your heartstrings. With so much foresight, this rising sign needs to be aware of a fondness for escapism. Drugs and alcohol are potential areas that could be alluring to you. It will be important for this ascendant to utilize moderation in these particular areas as they could easily get out of hand. Try to avoid addictive substances as they will appeal to you strongly, especially during Full Moons.
