Rising Signs
The Ascendant in Astrology
Your Rising Sign, otherwise known as an Ascendant, is the
Zodiac Sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the moment you were born. It can be abbreviated on a birth chart as ASC or AS. When you know the time you were born, your Ascendant Sign can be calculated to the exact degree.
Because the Ascendant Sign is specific to the time and place of the individual birth, it represents the environment and conditioning a person may be influenced by during their childhood and is considered as important and significant as the Sun and Moon Signs, because all other aspects on the chart are filtered through this Sign.
The Ascendant is said to be the mask one wears in public… it is the first impression we make when we meet new people. Often, if you are confused at how others have described you, it is because they are describing this aspect of your personality. The Ascendant takes part in your appearance and personality, going as far as influencing physical characteristics sometimes. The Sign becomes expressed in your image, style and mannerisms. It is also expressed in how you act. Some astrologists theorize that the Sign becomes weaker after a person reaches 30 years of age, as their confidence grows in who they are.
Your Rising Sign appears as the first personality traits you exhibit. It is your autopilot
it responds to your environment. Your
Sun Sign gradually becomes more noticeable over time. The two Signs will eventually blend, creating an outer layer and an inner layer, enclosing the
Moon Sign deep inside.