Now that you've learned the basics of astrology and seen what a birth chart looks like, we can talk about the ascendant, also referred to as the rising sign. The ascendant is calculated based on your birth time and location. It's called the ascendant or rising sign because it is the sign that is on the horizon at the time of your birth. On the natural wheel, the ascendant axis separates the 12th and 1st houses, with Aries in the first house.
The natural wheel shows Aries in the first house.
The sign you have on the ascendant acts like an opening handshake, or a nametag reading "Hello, My Name Is." It is the sign that represents you to the world: your goals, objectives, personality quirks, likes and dislikes. The rising sign partners with your Sun sign to help define who you are.
The rising sign is one of the most important parts of a chart because it describes the influences that become a part of a person's being the very moment he takes his first breath....It is the rising sign that indicates an individual's particular outlook on life. - Jeanne Avery, The Rising Sign: Your Astrological Mask
The ascendant is your personality's nametag. It tells people what to expect when they meet you.
Adventurous, leader, activist. Can be impulsive and accident prone. Tends to come across as friendly.
Placid, stubborn, enjoys having nice things. Tends to be sociable and may be musically or artistically inclined.
Excitable, witty, restless. Can come off as friendly but somewhat detached.
Sensitive to others' feelings, moody, prudent. Does well in situations that require them to be tactful.
Benevolent, dramatic, great sense of humor. Can have dignified bearing that exudes confidence.
Logical, hard working, detail-oriented. Looks to others for mental stimulation.
Charming, discriminating, indecisive. Can come off as sociable.
Linda Kaye explains the rising sign and its potential impact on someone's physical appearance.
Intense, secretive, keen observer. May come off as offensive to protect their feelings from the world.
Idealist, honest, freedom loving. Has cheerful, pleasant manner.
Quiet, reliable, strong-willed. Enjoys work and social activity.
Progressive, intelligent, inflexible. May tend to make big plans for self and others.
Artistic, romantic, sentimental. May appear soft and helpless, but will fight for what they believe in.
So what can you do with all this newfound knowledge of astrology? You can begin to apply it to your daily life.