Your Rising sign, also referred to as your Ascending or Ascendant sign is your exterior, the face you give to the world, the way you appear to others. Some people describe and consider it as the mask you wear that prevents the world from getting to know the real you.
This is how we see the world and how the world sees us.
Well, it’s the sign that makes up the part of your chart called the Ascendant, which is at the cusp of the 1st house. Cusp is an astrological term used to describe the lines between the Sun signs and the lines between the houses.
Since your Rising sign is the first placement of your natal chart, it has a huge impact on your life and sense of self.
This sign represents the astrological sign that was rising over the eastern horizon at the time and in the location, you were born.
Not sure what your Rising sign is? Use our free birth chart calculator to find yours!
There are 12 astrological houses and each one relates to a different area of your life. The Rising sign is the sign that is in the 1st house of your natal birth chart, which is the house that rules your personality and your countenance.
Your Rising sign can only be determined if you know your time and place of birth as well as your date of birth. The houses of the birth chart cannot be accurately placed without this information as the Rising signs change every 2 or so hours and constantly change throughout the day.
Because the houses change every two hours, it’s very important that you know the exact time, date and location of your birth. This is why astrologers always ask for that information because even an hour different can give you different results.
When you’re trying to make a good impression on someone—for romance, or maybe a job—you’ll unconsciously play up the good points of your Rising sign. If you have a planet conjunct to your Rising sign, it will have a major impact on your personality.
Here’s where you start to look when you don’t identify at all with your Sun or Zodiac sign. “I don’t feel like a Gemini,” may be a common complaint—but don’t write off astrology altogether. You just need a little more information to get really specific about your own unique personality.
Another way to look at this is that your Rising sign speaks to the initial impression you give to others, which may not at all be what you feel like inside!
Vice versa, when you tell people your Sun sign and they look confused, they’re judging your Rising sign personality, not your Sun sign, which can remain more hidden.
For example, if you tell someone you’re an Aquarius, they might expect you to be a bit kooky, coming up with 8 million ideas, and avoiding public affection. But you actually have Scorpio Rising, which will come across as a personality who appreciates privacy and is much more guarded and mysterious than outgoing Aquarius.
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Look at your natal chart as though you’re looking at a wall clock. Your Rising sign is located exactly where the 9:00 position would be. The sign that appears in this position represents your Ascendant.
While your Sun sign is considered the dominant foundation of your personality, your Rising sign is the lens through that persona shines.
If you’ve ever been told “Huh, I’d never peg you as a _____“ when telling people your sign, it’s probably because you have a Rising sign that’s especially strong-willed, or even contradictory to your Sun sign.
The interplay between these primary three signs (Sun, Moon, and Rising), known as the primal triad of your natal chart, gives more insight to your personalities, motivations, emotions, and perceptions than relying on just your Sun sign alone.
The strength of your Rising sign depends on where your Sun sign is in your natal chart. If your Sun sign isn’t in a particularly strong position, you may even behave more like your Rising sign than your Sun sign. It could account for why your Sun sign’s traits sometimes don’t match your personality.
The Rising sign will most definitely influence your immediate, unfiltered reactions to new people, unexpected events, or anything else that surprises us. It’s then no shock to learn that your Ascendant will have a deep impact on the way we communicate and the way people perceive us—especially in situations that are tense or unpleasant.
When we do not have the space to retreat behind the confident armor of our Sun sign or the time to process complicated thoughts through our emotional Moon, the reaction that often presents itself at these times of friction is our Ascendant – just as this sign was Rising in the sky at the moment of your birth, so too will this aspect of your personality “rise to the occasion” in a difficult situation.
These placements both represent, to an extent, who you are at the core, yet they function differently. They exist in the same part of the natal chart and play off of one another.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “nature versus nurture?” The 1st house of your natal chart basically encompasses this idea. Your 1st house represents not only who you are at the core, but the environment and upbringing that makes you who you are today. The nurturing that you received helped to create who you are and your 1st house placements represent that nurturing.
Sometimes, when people characterize you, you might feel like you don’t identify with that characterization. Learning more about your 1st house can help you reconcile these discrepancies. The difference lies in your Rising sign, which is how people see you. Sometimes who we are isn’t exactly who people perceive us to be.
The 1st house surrounds how we show ourselves to others, and understanding this placement in conjunction with our Rising sign – the way we project our personalities onto the world around us – can help you understand even more about who you are.
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While the 1st house may shed more light on your environment, the Rising sign shows you how you present yourself to the world.
The 1st house represents the self, the fundamental center of who you are, the ego, the id. The 1st house is the foundation of your individuality, as well as being the starting point on your journey around your natal chart.
The 1st house placements of your chart will give you clues into your countenance, your mannerisms, your approach to life, your disposition. Understanding more about this portion of your chart will give you a greater understanding of who you are in general.
Learning more about your 1st house can help you understand why you wear the masks that you do, and which masks might prove more effective. After all, wearing a mask is not always a bad thing, especially if you do it with care and precision. You don’t want to share every single aspect of who you are with everyone you encounter, after all.
Understanding your 1st house will help you wear the most protective, fiercest mask in your closet.
Read this next: Using Your Rising Sign to Accept & Adapt to Change
Making an impact on the world you live in is important to you, and you’ll want to conquer as you go. This is a Fire sign of action, and the 1st sign of the zodiac, so first impressions are even more important. “Enthusiastic” could be your middle name and you throw yourself into new projects, plans, and ideas with primal energy. You may appear to be perpetually in a hurry, as though you cannot wait to get where you’re going.
Physical activity is critical to keep that energy flowing in a positive way. Roadblocks and the word, “no,” will be met with instant frustration, but flare-ups are like fireworks – loud and vibrant, but not long-lasting.
When things begin to shift around you, try to learn to take a moment and breathe in the present before making any rash decisions. It’s okay to savor the flavor of the moment before making plans and forging ahead with them.
Aries Risings are natural leaders, and those who master their Aries’ traits can have a huge impact on those who would follow their inspired path.
Activity for its own sake is not important to you. Value is critical to Earthy Bulls, so in your 1st house, this lends a more thoughtful and patient lens to the way you see and react to the world. Being rushed will be met with characteristic Taurus stubbornness; you’re not resistant to change, but it must come in your own, good time.
This is a pragmatic placement, and it’s likely you’ll do your best to avoid drama.
Try to take a moment to reassure yourself that everything happens for a reason, and reach into your heart to find that trust in the universe that you need to remain calm in times of change. Remind yourself that everything will be alright because it will.
Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet that cares deeply about beauty and harmony, so an eye for the finer things in life is applied here as well. You may find yourself to be more outwardly affectionate and loyalty plays a much larger role in your world than with other signs.
This placement creates an air of intellect and thoughtful responses to events and circumstances, but it also comes with a difficulty in making decisions.
Channeling your intellectual energy into lifelong learning can keep the fires burning, and ensure you don’t become disappointed if those around you can’t seem to keep up. These are storytellers, entertainers, and more often than not, the social butterflies of the group – ever up for a new challenge or idea to bat around.
You love to question the nature of reality and dig within yourself for answers, which are sometimes hard to find. During times of change, try to ground yourself in your intuition and understanding. You have more of the answers than you realize, they’re just lying dormant and waiting to be discovered. Discover that inherent truth within yourself to make those changes easier to face.
Be prepared for people to come to you for help, for tender-hearted Cancer is terrifically nurturing. You might be described as initially shy, and people may be surprised to find such a kind and compassionate soul beneath your outer shell of privacy.
Protecting family and home are key, and dedicating time to both is a likely focus. At worst, a hurt Cancer can be passive-aggressive—or a crier—but that usually indicates a sensitive personality who doesn’t yet know where to put hurt feelings or disillusion. You instinctively try to protect yourself, retreating within your shell and attempting to avoid discomfort.
Sometimes the best things in life happen outside of your comfort zone, however. Try stepping out of that shell and learning to face the discomfort of change. You’ll be proud of yourself and surprised at how strong you are when you push yourself.
Learning to channel and become more comfortable within your strong emotions can lead you to be a powerful influence on the people lucky enough to be in your inner circle.
Leo connects to the influence of the 5th House of Pleasure and are ever-seeking joy in the world.
This is another physical Fire sign, looking to direct that intense energy somewhere. But Leo is more social than independent Aries; team sports, clubs, and group efforts are highly desirable. A strong inclination to be creative lives here as well, and finding ways to wow the VIPs in their lives can take interesting and even provocative forms, especially in the bedroom and with social events.
While you are self-aware, you sometimes tend to react too quickly to situations that disturb or upset your center. You might act out during unexpected changes, and while you don’t intend to hurt anyone, it can be jarring for those closest to you.
Try to remain focused and calm when things seem to be turning upside-down, and remember that your charm and personality will carry you through any of life’s surprises. If you remain centered, everything around you will appear calmer and easier to take on.
The world is a place that needs routine, and you have a need to serve. You might be described as thoughtful, quiet, and even intense. Virgo Rising has a lot going on their head but isn’t always keen on sharing those thoughts with the world. They want as much information as they can gather in order to solve problems, which can leave little room for spontaneity.
Virgos have a powerful desire to help others, so an interest in caregiving, volunteering, or even combining their interest in health by being a personal trainer or nutritionist is likely. You are probably very particular about certain areas of your life—your appearance, your eating habits, even the car you drive. Having things just so gives you comfort.
Be patient and know that you can’t know everything. There will be unexpected happenings that you can’t control, and that’s okay. Learn to trust the Universe and try to understand that sometimes, being out of control can be liberating. Once you realize this, you will be much calmer in the face of change.
Libra Rising does not want to offend anyone and tends to be careful in choosing their words. You may be known as diplomatic and willing to collaborate; this is a sign that enjoys working with others and relationships will be a huge focus.
When you’re knocked off balance, it’s important for you to find that focus again, and the easiest way to do this is to accept the transitory nature of life. Remember that balance requires there to be imbalance from time to time as the Universe constantly shifts.
Trust that you’ll once again find your center when the dust has settled a bit.
Appearance is important here as well, and it is common for many Libra Rising signs to be considered stylish and fashionable. Also ruled by Venus, beauty and harmony play key roles in the choices of Libra Rising.
Fairness and balance in all things will pervade the life of this sign.
Self-control is key and there may be a strong desire for power in some way, shape, or form. People often find Scorpio Rising mysterious—or at least unpredictable—and you have no trouble keeping a good secret, especially when it’s about yourself.
Remember that patience is a virtue, and the answers won’t always be given to us immediately. You must learn to be patient with the universe, and trust its process. When you soften a bit and learn to see the world through more accepting eyes, your destiny will unfold naturally.
Try not to take things too seriously, as life can be as much fun as you make it. While you may have many deep feelings running through your soul, don’t let those outweigh feelings of love, light, and positivity.
Just remember that everything happens for a reason in the Universe, and when one of your projects falls through, the universe is likely making room for a more fortuitous venture.
Don’t fret when things don’t seem to work out despite your efforts, there is always another opportunity around the corner. In fact, Jupiter brings fortune to this sign. Try to look for signs of your luck and feel fortunate every time things do go your way.
Adventure and travel are prominent themes in the Sagittarius Rising’s routine. You may even find that these concepts are involved in your career or daily life somehow. Trust in your intuition to lead you toward the appropriate adventures.
You want to see every corner of the world. Capitalize on your curiosity and make this Earth your playground.
Remember that you are capable and competent and will succeed in any area that you put your focus into.
Don’t be discouraged when life pushes you down a new or unknown path, you’re probably on your way to something amazing. Success is a prominent concept in the Capricorn vernacular, and as a Capricorn Rising, you may be obsessed with the thought of becoming successful. Just remember how important personal relationships are in life, too.
Success, self-control, and manipulation of your environment and reputation are key.
There may be a muse that’s trying to make its way into your sphere, or an idea meant only for you. Keep your eyes and heart open. It’s important to take note of the ideas that flow your way because Aquarius Rising folks have a million inventive, innovative ideas that may take the world by storm.
Your uncharacteristic point of view can have varying effects; your innovation, altruistic nature is helpful, while your stubborn point of view can turn others off.
Learn that you can go with the flow while still focusing on the things you desire and the goals you wish to achieve. There is something to be said for remaining focused in times of change.
Deep feelings can lead to intense emotions or frequent anxiety. You may have to carve your own routine out to avoid these negative experiences. Spiritual and metaphysical practices can help you relax into your beingness with a sense of self-love and confidence.
You know how to flow with life’s currents, but you may have a hard time creating boundaries that suit you. Learning how to live within reality rather than escape it can prove difficult.
Learning about your Rising sign helps you understand the energy that you’re putting out there, which in turn can help you better evaluate the energy you’re receiving in response.
And remember, there is no such thing as a “bad” sign, whether it’s a Sun sign, a Moon sign, or a Rising sign.
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