The Ascendant (AC)

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The Ascendant marks the moment of your birth. That moment marked your first breath and – throughout your life – it continues to mark your personal ‘firsts’. It describes how you approach life, it describes the first impression you make on the world around you. Your looks, preferences, personality, attitudes and demeanour are all heavily influenced by your rising sign, so much so that if someone is playing the old party game, ‘Guess My Zodiac Sign’, they are almost always going to be guessing your rising sign as that’s the one they see – it’s your personality. Planetary placements in the first house of your natal chart will also influence your personality.

Your rising sign qualities are a major influence in how you see yourself. In fact, it is often said that your ascendant is the lens through which you view the world, as your experiences and perceptions are filtered through your rising sign. This rationale can be seen in your natal chart wheel. In both quadrant systems and equal house systems of house division, your life experiences follow in sequence from the moment you were born.

Depending on which house system you choose, your ascendant degree marks the beginning of your first house (or falls in your first house) and takes on the characteristics of the zodiac sign rising at the time of your birth. This is why it is so important to know not just your place of birth – but also an accurate time of birth.

So, what are the effects of each zodiac sign on your outlook, attitudes and personality? You are a unique combination of astrological factors and genetics, however, you cannot hide behind your rising sign; you look at the world in exactly the way you were born to do – by expressing your essential nature in the manner of the sign rising at the time of your birth.

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Aries Ascendant

With Aries on the Ascendant, your Aries qualities were stamped on you at birth. You may have arrived into the world rapidly and noisily – and we usually start the way we mean to continue. This means the full force of your outer personality is Aries personified with the bold, forceful and direct personality to match. You may appear to be an Aries archetype with Aries visibly stamped on your appearance. For example, you may have red hair (or no hair), be heavily involved in sport, love a uniform, pick up too many speeding tickets and have more fights and arguments than average. Does that sound familiar?

Aries themed things interest you because they come so naturally to you. If your sun sign is a different zodiac sign (and that’s usually the case) you will express your solar nature with the enthusiasm and directness that reflects your bold and assertive approach to life. So, you’re likely to be the person who takes the initiative or who refuses to stand on the sidelines. You make a good leader because you push things forward with confidence and enthusiasm. You see yourself as a direct and honest person – and not many people would disagree with you on that – it’s how you live your life.

Taurus Ascendant

If it walks like a bull, talks like a bull then it must be Taurus Rising! Your ascending sign is often more visible than your sun sign, so your Taurus personality will be plain for all to see, You may have come into this world as every parent’s dream child. Placid, good natured – with only the occasional tantrum – you will have established your own coterie of favourite people and things, eaten and slept well and may even have been regarded as a sturdy and strong child with a very friendly and companionable personality. You will be appear to be a creature of habit with strong likes and dislikes. Your approach to life is consistent.

Taurus themed interests and activities – music, food, the arts, gardening – interest you because they come to you so naturally. If your sun sign gives you a completely different inner character, your Taurean personality means you will often express your Sun’s characteristics in a Taurean manner – steadily, practically, realistically and reliably. If your sun sign means you have an unreliable or changeable character – you will be reliably unreliable! Those of you with Venus in the first house may also share some of the traits of Taurus rising – particularly if there is an earth sign emphasis in your natal chart.

Gemini Ascendant

With Gemini on the Ascendant, you came into this world with pen in hand, and you will have wasted no time in absorbing as much information as you could. As a child you would have been a fast learner and no doubt managed to walk and talk ahead of many of your peers. You developed a personality that is demonstrably Gemini. You will be the chatty one, the social butterfly with a packed social diary.You move with ease between groups of friends and acquaintances and it is almost impossible to pin you down to any course of action where there aren’t several options available to you.

You act, look and behave like a Gemini. All things Gemini come easily to you and you are happy in the world of ideas because Gemini enables you to express the qualities of your Sun Sign at the mental level. You see the world through a Gemini lens regardless of your Sun Sign and it is this that makes you such an effective communicator on every subject under the Sun. Those of you with Mercury in the first house may also identify with Gemini traits, particularly if you have an emphasis on air signs in your natal chart.

Cancer Ascendant

With Cancer on the Ascendant, you were born with a defensive shell. You take your time getting to know people and situations. You have to trust and feel comfortable before you come out of your shell. Underneath your carapace, you are a kind, caring person who may appear shy, vulnerable and lacking in confidence. However, you can be tough when you need to be – and one thing you are not is a fool. You are far too intuitive and self-protective for that. Watch out for jealousy though – you can be prone to green eye. In fact, you may have green eyes, as Cancer rules your appearance.

You often act, look and behave like a Cancerian – even if your Sun Sign has completely different characteristics. Cancer-type themes are prominent in your life and Cancer-type activities come naturally to you. You may tend towards being frugal, your home will be important to you, you will be nurturing, may cook well or be a great collector. Whatever your sun sign, you will express yourself in ways that resonate with your Cancer ascendant. Those of you with a strong Moon in your natal chart – especially in the first house – will also share some traits with Cancer rising.

Leo Ascendant

You can’t buy charisma, so it’s just as well, Leo rising, that you were born with a lifetime’s supply of that precious commodity. Regardless of your sun sign, the way you express yourself is, dramatic, theatrical and funny. You make people laugh. It’s a superpower so use it well. You know how to get people – and keep them – on your side. Courageous and extroverted you are comfortable being yourself. However, you expect the world to accept you as you are – if not, your roar will be heard for several miles.

You may look – or aspire to look – Leonine. Your hair will receive a lot of attention (it may need a lot of attention too) and you will be fond of jewellery and things that glisten and shine. You dress well and take pride in your appearance and you may have a singular sense of style that makes you stand out in a crowd. You are popular and sociable and you’re likely to be the centre of your social networks. Beware, however, of blowing your own trumpet a little too hard. You may bring music into people’s lives, just don’t turn up the volume too loud.

Virgo Ascendant

With Virgo as your rising sign you most likely came into this world on time. As you picked off your developmental milestones, one by one, you will have impressed your elders with your facility for learning, talking and understanding and your, no doubt, excellent behaviour. So far so good, but – the downside – you may have been fastidious about what you ate and probably won the prize as the youngest vegan on the block. And I hate to say this, but ‘Geek’ is probably a word you’re way too familiar with.

So, Virgo rising, the way you view the world is Virgo-style in nature. Virgo-themed activities and interests come easily to you and you express the qualities of your Sun Sign in a Virgo manner – precisely, diligently and with considerable forethought. Your Virgo ascendant can make you an authority on any subject that catches your undivided attention; you research any subject that interests you to in great detail. As a Mercury influenced sign, you communicate your interests to the world at large with excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation. You know that the devil resides in the detail.

Libra Ascendant

With Libra as your rising sign, you must have been a beautiful baby, or you were a well dressed child who sulked if you weren’t allowed to express your own preferences style-wise. Passive aggression is something you may have perfected at an early age, as tantrums were not for you. You may be outwardly stylish, amenable and polite, but you know how to get your own way. Your gentle outer nature masks a steely determination to see justice done. You try to present yourself as fair and equitable, but your reluctance to take sides can become an issue.

You have a Libra persona, even if your sun sign has blessed you with a completely different core character. Libra themed activities and ways of being come easily to you, and you express your sun sign’s qualities in the style of Libra – politely, intelligently, gracefully and cooperatively. Your partner will be important to you because being part of a relationship is how you see yourself. Be careful not to lose your own identity, as you tend to smooth over differences between people in you attempts to keep the peace. Those of you with Venus rising in the first house may share some traits with Libra rising.

Scorpio Ascendant

With a Scorpio Ascendant your entry into the world may have been traumatic. Born during a storm, earthquake or life threatening circumstances? That’s you. Even if your birth was less dramatic, you will have become aware of life’s undercurrents at an early age and adapted your personality to suit your circumstances. Scorpio rising is often, a master of disguise, as you use your outer personality to protect the soul beneath; you may be described as ‘impenetrable’, as you give nothing away. You may be outwardly manipulative or defensive at times.

You approach life with Scorpio-style intensity, and you may make and re-make your self-image throughout your life. You express the qualities of your sun sign with intensity and passion, yet you also appear sensitive and empathetic. Your Scorpio ascendant makes you a force to be reckoned with, and you have a charismatic personality that makes people notice you. However, your need for secrecy can make you an unknown quantity; people may find it difficult to know the ‘real’ you.

Sagittarius Ascendant

With Sagittarius Rising you came into this world with a backpack and guidebook. At an early age, you packed your teddy bear and favourite toy into a bag and declared you were running away from home – only to reappear next mealtime. As a child, you may have been a ferociously quick learner and precociously aware of the world around you. The environment, natural world, foreign languages and cultures probably intrigued you and you immersed yourself in tales of adventure and exploration – and you may still do that to this day.

You are happiest expressing who you are through the wide lens of Sagittarius’s bold, adventurous, active, carefree and intellectual world, as this allows you to be your solar self in a cerebral, yet enthusiastic manner. You see the world through Sagittarius eyes and this makes you an impressive intellectual force. It may also affect your eyesight. You push the boundaries of human experience while others stand and stare. If you have Jupiter rising or a ninth house emphasis in your natal chart, you may share some Sagittarius characteristics.

Capricorn Ascendant

With Capricorn on your Ascendant, you no doubt came into this world as a well behaved sensible child. You will have been the one your parents didn’t have to worry about – or maybe you were a late addition to the family and most certainly worth the wait. You would most likely have been diligent and dutiful and never late for school. All of this may make you seem perfect, but underneath it all you have a streak of mischievous humour and this – together with your natural empathy – make you friendly and popular.

So, Capricorn Rising, the way you view the world is essentially ‘Capricornian’ in nature. Capricorn things come easily to you and you express the qualities of your Sun Sign in a Capricorn manner – with discipline, patience, reliability and a sense of humour. Your Capricorn Ascendant gives you an air of authority and can bestow leadership skills as you naturally display the seriousness of intent that can take you far in many fields. You can be patient, fair yet uncompromising as you play by the rules and expect others to do the same.

Aquarius Ascendant

With Aquarius on the Ascendant you probably entered the world unexpectedly – and possibly with a little technological assistance. Once there however, you would have been an independent natured child with lots of interests and you didn’t really care whether anyone shared those interests – or not. It’s fair to say, though Aquarius Rising is a sociable person, you’re also more equipped than most to cope with life on your own. You find solitary time useful to recharge your batteries and usually have your best ideas when alone.

You act, look and behave like an Aquarius – which means you have the freedom to create your own persona and be whatever you feel suits you best – regardless of your Sun Sign. You are comfortable with Aquarius’s intellectual approach to life and your express the qualities of your Sun Sign in an Aquarian manner even if your underlying character is somewhat different. So, regardless of Sun Sign you will hold firm opinions and not be shy of expressing them. You will be intellectually creative, an outrider for whatever is new and exciting. Those of you with Uranus in the First House will share similar traits.

Pisces Ascendant

With Pisces on the Ascendent you may have entered the world looking like an angel. You were probably a quiet child whose unassuming gentle demeanour masked a keen involvement with the affairs of others and a noted interest in the wellbeing of the toys, children and animals you collected along the way. You could have been treated like a Prince or Princess – however, you were more likely to have imagined yourself as one. Pisces Rising can be remarkably upwardly aspirational or mobile – even if it’s veiled in beauty or vulnerability. At a young age you learned that an air of innocence can unlock many doors for you.

You act, look and behave like a Pisces; it’s easy for you to hide your underlying character from the world at large – and that’s how you prefer it to be. You are comfortable with a spiritual approach to life and you express the qualities of your Sun Sign in a ‘Piscean’ manner. Your Solar qualities may be softened by this Rising Sign. They will be expressed more gently and you may be a notably kind person who makes space in your life for others – especially those in need. You may be regarded as a guru by some – and a victim by others. However, you will be happiest when meeting your own spiritual needs – and they will take many and varied forms.

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Next: Descendant (DC) | Midheaven (MC) | Imum Coeli (IC)

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Further Reading

The First House

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Picture credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

© Sara Shipman