ascendant | rising sign.
The Ascendant | Your rising sign
The moment of the place we were born is what sets our unique astrological journey apart from everyone else. This moment is the index point of “me;” it is where our journey begins.
The ring of the zodiac, all 360 degrees, infinitely encircles our earth and every few minutes, one degree hovers at the horizon and then rises, quickly followed by the next. As we emerge into this physical incarnation, our first breaths are taken as a particular zodiacal degree breathes life into the same physical landscape, of which we become a part of at birth, from the horizon.
The Ascendant holds great bearing for one’s life cycle and for centuries was the primary focus of astrological natal chart evaluations, having greater consequence than one’s Sun or Moon, even. The planet which rules the Ascendant’s zodiac sign is known as the “Chart Ruler.” It has primary importance towards our self-understanding and awareness. In a natal chart, the Ascendant reflects immeasurable and detailed depths of our;
identity and personality,
physical body, how we look and carry ourselves, our health and style,
how we approach and respond to new and unplanned situations,
the first impression we give off when meeting others or in social engagements with acquaintances, and
who others think we are.
Sometimes, when we learn the sign of our Ascendant and think of it in context with its application, the story may not seem to fully match our lived experiences. The reason is that the story of our Ascendant goes far deeper than the sign and degree, although it is the practical starting point for all the implications of the Ascendant. From here, our exploration yields greater refinement with an additional evaluation of;
the planet that rules the Ascendant’s zodiacal sign, its condition[1], placement and how it connects or does not connect with other planets and the Ascendant angle itself,
the element[2] and mode[3] of the Ascendant’s sign and its weight within the chart,
other planets within the 1st House; the House of the Ascendant, their conditions, motivations and inclinations,
the temperament and quality[4] of the Ascendant sign and its planetary ruler,
Decanic[5] properties of the Ascendant and its planetary ruler,
the progression of the Ascendant and its planetary ruler as we age, and
connections made to the Ascendant and its planetary ruler by transiting astrological activity.
The Ascendant helps us answer questions like, Who do other people think I am? How do I come across to other people? Why do I tend to act this way? Why do I often have these health problems? People always think I am this kind of person. Most often, these keywords describe my day-to-day personality
[1] Essential dignity (exalted, rulership, fall, detriment)
[2] Fire, Earth, Air, Water
[3] Cardinal (Initiating), Fixed (enduring), Mutable (changing)
[4] Dry, Hot, Wet, Cold
[5] The 36 divisions of the 360 degree Zodiac