This sensitive sign is the gateway to understanding not only how the world perceives you, but also how you perceive the world, and it can give valuable insights into your life’s path and purpose

By Allyssa Carlton

We all know how useful it is to know our sun sign, but did you know you have an ascendant sign too? Also known as our rising sign, our ascendant is the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at the exact time of our birth. Our entire birth chart is based on this powerful sign as it appears in our 1st House of Self. 

Our ascendant sign is the image we portray publicly; it shapes the outer facade through which we interact with the world. Serving as our first impression, it influences our demeanor, appearance, and approach to life. The rising sign is a protective shield, determining how we navigate life and express ourselves. But it doesn’t stop there; your rising sign also represents a roadmap to your entire life experience, including the themes and patterns that repeat themselves in your life. It encompasses not only how you are perceived, but also your own perceptions of the world.

So you can see how knowing our rising sign provides valuable insights into our strengths, weaknesses, and personality, as well as our individual soul’s path here.

ARIES ASCENDANT

With a commanding and powerful presence, you are the warrior of the zodiac. Intensely competitive, you see life as a series of competitions. A trailblazer, you don’t ask for permission before recklessly leaping into your next adventure. 

Brave, independent, and opinionated, you act on your instincts, which, luckily for you, are usually correct. Inspiring and a natural motivator, you are honest and straightforward, sometimes hurting others with your bluntness.

TAURUS ASCENDANT

Practical and down-to-earth, Taurus is known for its slow and steady approach to life. The first Earth sign, you enjoy working and being creative with your hands.

Stubborn to a fault, you can be highly inflexible. Change is hard because you like routine, security, and things done a certain way. Appearing materialistic as you enjoy the finer things in life, rest easy because you have earned this luxury with all your hard work.

GEMINI ASCENDANT

As Mercury is Gemini’s ruling planet, you are charming, well-spoken, and an excellent communicator. Inspired by everything, your highly creative mind churns out ideas quickly.

Unable to focus on one thing for too long, as you like to change activities on a whim, you come across as scattered. You can be very picky when choosing a mate, but only because you are looking for your perfect match.

CANCER ASCENDANT

Usually associated with nurturing, crab signs are family-orientated, and your home is your castle. You love routine and care deeply for those you love. Sensitive beings, Cancers have a hard shell that can be difficult to crack. Ruled by the moon, you are in tune with your emotions. 

However, you can also come across as moody and manipulative as you are very good at getting what you want. 

LEO ASCENDANT

Confident, charismatic, creative, and a leader – what more could you want? Oh yes, fantastic personal style, full of vitality, and love being in the spotlight. However, your flair for the dramatic can turn demanding, and you appear reckless and impulsive. You seem bossy and arrogant, but you simply have faith in your abilities. Leo’s chart ruler is the Sun; you embody that sunny, carefree energy.

VIRGO ASCENDANT

Organized, reliable, and put-together, you are a fantastic communicator. As Virgo is the healer of the zodiac, you care deeply for those around you and people who come to you for advice. But you must make time for yourself as you can give too much. You are a hard worker and take pride in your achievements. However, your work ethic can easily tip into perfectionism, which intimidates others. Your attention to detail can make you seem fussy and exacting.

LIBRA ASCENDANT

A social butterfly, you love connecting with other people. Diplomatic to the core, you dislike conflict and are a natural mediator. Gentle, charming, and creative, people flock to you for your excellent taste and eye for beauty. 

Wanting everyone to be happy, you seem indecisive as you take an age to weigh up the pros and cons of a situation. You want everyone to be satisfied, but you must be more assertive. Giving in quickly in a dispute because you value harmony so highly, you abandon your needs and wants. 

SCORPIO ASCENDANT

Fiercely intense, those with Scorpio ascendant are highly independent, with a strong need for control. You exude a magnetic energy that can be intimidating to some; your inherent sensuality is alluring and mysterious, leaving others wanting to know more about you.

Often hard to read, you harbor secrets that have caused you to put up your guard, even to those closest to you. Idealistic, you are a painstaking perfectionist and extremely hard on yourself as you know your flaws. 

SAGITTARIUS ASCENDANT

The optimist of the zodiac, the glass is always half full for you. With a zest for life, intelligence, and a fabulous storyteller, you are the life of the party. A natural adventurer, you love interesting people, new experiences, and exploring off-beat topics with friends. 

With a tendency to tell things exactly how they are, you can end up with your foot in your mouth. Opinionated and outspoken, your bluntness can lead you into trouble. But as you apologize quickly and make amends, you come out on top.

CAPRICORN ASCENDANT

The last of the Earth signs of the zodiac, you are hardworking, organized, and driven. Striving for greatness, you expect the same of others. Ambitious, you have laser-like clarity for reaching your goals. Saturn rules Capricorn, which gives distinct disciplinarian vibes. 

You seem reserved, often appearing cold and unemotional, which belies your great sense of humor. To your friends, you reveal yourself to be honest, steady, and consistent.

AQUARIUS ASCENDANT

The humanitarian of the zodiac, you are determined to make lasting change and strongly believe in the power of community and cooperation. Fiercely independent, you are often the first regarding new trends and ideas; you love to let your freak flag fly!

You are allergic to small talk, which makes you seem distant and aloof. And only being able to see things your way makes you seem stubborn, critical, and judgemental. If your independence feels threatened, you withdraw quickly.

PISCES ASCENDANT

The last sign of the zodiac you carry all the other signs in you. Your ruling planet is Neptune, making you seem mysterious and alluring. Psychic and highly intuitive, you pick up on the energy and emotions of those around you. 

Highly imaginative, you get lost in daydreams and have your head in the clouds. You come across as not paying attention to people as your mind is elsewhere. You can have difficulty knowing the difference between what is real and what isn’t. 

The Ascendant moves into a different sign every two hours. To find out what your Rising Sign is, you’ll need to know your exact time of birth, in addition to your birth date. Once you’ve got your exact time of birth in hand, visit an astrology website and enter your information to receive your full birth chart. We recommend Alabe.com for a free natal chart.

Allyssa Carlton is a writer who has always had a deep interest in spirituality but has only recently started writing about it. Happy to age but not to get old, she has a passion for tea and biscuits, walking the dog, and adding to her tattoo count