The ascendant, also known as the rising sign, marks the eastern horizon at the time of an individual’s birth. As the Earth rotates counterclockwise around the sun, one of the twelve zodiacal signs will be ascending on the horizon, shaping the beginning of a person’s journey in life. The ascendant in a horoscope represents the actual moment of our birth and the planet ruling or located within it holds significance in shaping our early events. In turn, these early influences play a role in shaping our perception and thoughts about the world around us. Understanding the ascendant can provide valuable insights into how we engage with the social world, how we adapt to unfamiliar situations, and the lens through which we view life. It showcases the fundamental aspects of our personality and sets the stage for further exploration and interpretation of our astrological chart.  

Interestingly, the ascendant holds great significance in astrology, serving as the gateway to understanding one’s personality and the initial style of expression adopted when engaging with the world. In astrology, there is a belief that the Sun and the Moon, known as the major luminaries, express themselves predominantly through the ascendant. The ascendant plays a vital role in shaping our perspective on life and influencing how we perceive new experiences and approach the journey of life itself. It serves as a symbolic lens or filter through which we perceive the world, infusing our interactions with its unique color and influencing our outlook and behavior.

The Ascendant’s Threshold: Crossing into a New Realm of Self-Awareness

Liz Greene beautifully describes the ascendant as a gateway, a mystical connection bridging two realities. In the realm of astrology, Aries takes the reins of this domain, infusing it with the dynamic energy of Mars. As such, this entry point symbolizes new beginnings, a blank canvas upon which we can paint our lives anew. Often referred to as the persona, the ascendant represents the face we present to the world, the mask through which we interact with others. However, it is essential to remember that labeling the ascendant as merely superficial would be a grave oversimplification, as its influence runs much deeper. Interestingly, the ascendant tends to be more immediately apparent than our Sun or Moon sign when others first encounter us. Its celestial counterpart, the Descendant, sits directly opposite our birth location, representing what we project onto others. These qualities are an inherent part of us, yet they may be reflected in the people we encounter. However, there are instances where the ascendant’s characteristics are so closely intertwined with our being that we might struggle to fully grasp their impact.

The Ascendant’s Pathway to Self-Expression

The ascendant is a profound and multifaceted aspect of our astrological makeup, connecting us to the world and shaping our initial impressions. It serves as a pathway to self-expression, personal development, and the interaction between our inner and outer identities.Exploring our ascendant provides us with a deeper understanding of our true selves and enhances our awareness and clarity in human interactions. The ascendant holds a powerful influence over our personality, offering valuable insights into an essential aspect of our evolving identity. It stands as the key element in the birth chart, determining the placement of planets in the houses, setting the wheels of the horoscope in motion.

When embarking on the journey of chart interpretation, an astrologer directs their attention to the sign residing in the ascendant, akin to eagerly standing at the entrance of a person’s personality, ready to explore its depths. As astrologers and keen observers of human behavior, we bear witness to the wide range of responses individuals display when confronted with unfamiliar situations. One person may approach new experiences with hope, openness, and joy, exemplifying the influence of Jupiter or Sagittarius rising. On the other hand, some individuals may tread cautiously, filled with apprehension and defensiveness, reflecting the traits of Saturn or Capricorn rising. By examining the Rising Sign and any planets in the first house, we can gather invaluable insights into how life experiences are filtered through the ascendant.

Divine Mentors

The ruling planet of the rising sign serves as a kind of “God parent,” influencing our journey and offering guidance. In modern society, the role of a godparent encompasses offering additional support to the child’s parents, symbolizing the Sun and Moon in astrology. Similarly, the ascendant and its associated ruling planet play a significant role in our lives, influencing our choices and molding our character.  

According to Liz Greene, the deity or goddess in charge of childbirth is whoever rules the ascendant.

The ascendant ruler is a personification of the sign on the ascendant. In mythic language, it is the god who presides over one’s birth. In many fairy tales as well as myths, there is a deity or supernatural being present at birth, who bestows particular blessings on the child. But the child must grow up and seek these blessings consciously, or fight for them, or wait patiently for them until the time is right. The idea that a certain spirit, fairy or god presides over every child’s birth is very old. It’s one tutelary deity, and this deity – which in astrology we call a planet – is the governor of the individual’s path in the outer world.