The ascendant in astrology: Discover your ascending sign

What do others see in YOU? Your ascendant, or rising sign, determines your appearance, attitude and behavior.
Okay, you know your sun sign, but the star chart doesn't stop there! Your rising sign, also called ascendant, is the sign that was rising above the eastern horizon when you were born.

To calculate your rising sign, you need to know the time of your birth - exact if possible, approximate otherwise. Advanced Astrology Tip: When you look at your birth chart as an image, you can find your rising sign at the 9:00 position on the zodiac wheel. This is the starting point of the theme, which is indicated by a darker line.

The rising sign: The “first impression”

In astrology, your rising sign determines the first impression you make, from your appearance to your attitude and behavior. Are you warm and welcoming, or reserved and a little awkward? Do you prefer bright colors and jewelry, or are you more comfortable in an Armani suit? All of these factors can be easily identified by the rising sign of your birth chart.

If people always mistake you for a sign other than your own, don't be surprised to discover that it's actually because of your rising sign.

For example, a more reserved Capricorn sun sign person with a Leo ascendant may appear to have Leo-type characteristics. She may have messy hair, an outgoing personality, and a more expressive style than the average Capricorn. The rising sign can also determine your direction in life. A normally shy Cancer sun sign person born with a direct and aggressive Aries ascendant may be bolder and more direct than, for example, a Cancer sun sign person born with a gentle and harmony-seeking Libra ascendant.

If people always mistake you for a sign other than your own, don't be surprised to discover that it's actually because of your rising sign. You can also think of your rising sign as a "filter" or "hue." If your sun sign made you blue, your rising sign determines whether you're a powder blue, indigo blue, or dark navy blue.

The rising sign changes about every two hours, so you need to know your birth time to get an accurate answer. Unfortunately, some birth certificates do not indicate the time of birth. You will therefore have to rely on the memory of a parent or ask a professional astrologer to "reconstruct" your chart and make their best estimate of your ascending sign.

We tell you everything in detail, choose your ascendant:

Aries Ascendant Aries Aries Taurus Ascendant Aries Gemini Ascendant Aries Cancer Ascendant Aries Leo Ascendant Aries Virgo Ascendant Aries Libra Ascendant Aries Scorpio Ascendant Aries Sagittarius Ascendant Aries and Capricorn Ascendant Aries Ascendant Aquarius Aries Pisces Ascendant Taurus Aries Ascendant Taurus Taurus Ascendant Taurus Gemini Ascendant Taurus Cancer Ascendant Taurus Leo Ascendant Taurus Virgo Ascendant Taurus Libra Ascendant Taurus Scorpio Ascendant Taurus Sagittarius Ascendant Taurus Capricorn Ascendant Taurus Aquarius Ascendant Taurus Pisces Rising Gemini Ascendant Aries Gemini Taurus Ascendant Gemini Ascendant Gemini Gemini Cancer Ascendant Gemini Ascendant Leo Gemini Ascendant Virgo Gemini Ascendant Libra Gemini Ascendant Scorpio Gemini Sagittarius Ascendant Gemini Ascendant Capricorn Gemini Ascendant Aquarius Gemini Pisces Ascendant Cancer Ascendant Aries Cancer Ascendant Taurus Cancer Gemini Ascendant Cancer Cancer Ascendant Cancer Ascendant Leo Cancer Virgo Ascendant Cancer Ascendant Libra Cancer Ascendant Scorpio Cancer Sagittarius Ascendant Cancer Ascendant Capricorn Cancer Ascendant Aquarius Cancer Ascendant t Pisces Leo Ascendant Aries Leo Ascendant Taurus Leo Ascendant Gemini Leo Cancer Ascendant Leo Ascendant Leo Leo Ascendant Virgo Leo Ascendant Libra Leo Ascendant Scorpio Leo Ascendant Sagittarius Leo Ascendant Capricorn Leo Ascendant Aquarius Leo Pisces Ascendant Virgo Ascendant Aries Virgo Taurus Ascendant Virgo Gemini Ascendant Virgo Cancer Ascendant Virgo Ascendant Leo Virgo Virgo Ascendant Virgo Libra Ascendant Virgo Ascendant Scorpio Virgo Sagittarius Ascendant Virgo Capricorn Ascendant Virgo Ascendant Aquarius Virgo Pisces Ascendant Libra Ascendant Aries Libra Ascendant Taurus Libra Ascendant Gemini Libra Ascendant Cancer Libra Ascendant Leo Libra Ascendant Virgo Libra Ascendant Libra Libra Ascendant Scorpio Libra Ascendant Sagittarius Libra Ascendant Capricorn Libra Ascendant Aquarius Libra Pisces Ascendant Scorpio Ascendant Aries Scorpio Ascendant Taurus Scorpio Ascendant Gemini Scorpio Ascendant Cancer Scorpio Ascendant Leo Scorpio Ascendant Virgo Scorpio Ascendant Libra Scorpio Ascendant Scorpio Scorpio Ascendant Sagittarius Scorpio Ascendant Capricorn Scorpio Ascendant Aquarius Scorpio Ascendant Pisces Sagittarius Ascendant Aries Sagittarius Ascendant Taurus Sagittarius Ascendant Gemini Sagittarius Cancer Ascendant Sagittarius Ascendant Leo Sagittarius Ascendant Virgo Sagittarius Ascendant Libra Sagittarius Ascendant Scorpio Sagittarius Sagittarius Ascendant Sagittarius Ascendant Capricorn Sagittarius Ascendant Aquarius Sagittarius Pisces Ascendant Capricorn Aries Ascendant Capricorn Taurus Ascendant Capricorn Gemini Ascendant Capricorn Cancer Ascendant Capricorn Leo Ascendant Capricorn Virgo Ascendant Capricorn Libra Ascendant Capricorn Scorpio Ascendant Capricorn Sagittarius Ascendant Capricorn Capricorn Ascendant Capricorn Aquarius Ascendant Capricorn Pisces Ascendant Aquarius Ascendant Aries Aquarius Taurus Ascendant Aquarius Ascendant Gemini Aquarius Cancer Ascendant Aquarius Leo Ascendant Aquarius Virgo Ascendant Aquarius Libra Ascendant Aquarius Scorpio Ascendant Aquarius Sagittarius Ascendant Aquarius Capricorn Ascendant Aquarius Ascendant Aquarius Aquarius Pisces Ascendant Pisces Rising Aries Pisces Rising Taurus Pisces Gemini Ascendant Pisces Cancer Ascendant Pisces Leo Ascendant Pisces Virgo Rising Pisces Libra Ascendant Pisces Scorpio Ascendant Pisces Sagittarius Rising Pisces Capricorn Rising Pisces Aquarius Rising Pisces Pisces Ascendant

How does the rising sign determine my “ruler of heaven”?

Each zodiac sign has a ruling planet (e.g. Libra is ruled by Venus, Cancer is ruled by the Moon, etc.) Known as the "ruling planet", the ruling planet associated with your ascendant gives a better insight into your overall personality – and even the type of people you attract into your life. For a person whose ascendant is Sagittarius, jovial and expansive Jupiter (the ruler of Sagittarius) is the ruling planet of that person's entire chart.

In short: The cycles and movements of Jupiter will have a particularly strong influence on this person's life. A Sagittarius Ascendant person will also have strong "Jupiterian" themes in their life: They may enjoy travel, have international and multicultural friends, and possess a spirit of eternal optimism.

Aries rising sign:

If your ascendant is Aries, you make a bold and unforgettable first impression. The Aries rising sign can be seen as a dynamic go-getter, but you can also be seen as overwhelming or aggressive. Learn more about Aries ascendant

Taurus rising sign:

If your ascendant is Taurus, you have a strong, unwavering presence, a strong work ethic, and an eye for design. The style of the Taurus rising sign is classic and also a little harsh. You are made to last!

Gemini rising sign:

If your ascendant is Gemini, you are a natural communicator who talks a mile a minute, gesturing with your hands. The Gemini rising sign's style is playful: you're not afraid of a bright color or an attention-grabbing pattern.

Cancer rising sign:

If your ascendant is Cancer, you are an empathetic and caring person who is deeply sensitive or intuitive. The Cancer rising sign's style is feminine and thoughtful, with a touch of classic glamour.

Leo rising sign:

If your ascendant is Leo, you are dynamic, warm and powerful. Leo rising sign people are impossible to ignore, with their loud laughs, colorful outfits, and signature manes.

Virgo ascendant sign:

If your ascendant is Virgo, you are observant, analytical and you may seem serious or lost in thought. Virgo rising sign people may have "baby faces" and may decorate or dress in white or neutral colors.

Libra rising sign:

If your ascendant is Libra, you are charm personified. You are graceful, well dressed and sometimes, you speak softly. Libra rising sign people are gentle but hate conflict and can go too far to keep the peace.

Scorpio rising sign:

If your ascendant is Scorpio, you exude power and sensuality. Your presence in Scorpio rising sign can be felt without saying a word. You may be considered intense and be attracted to spiritual activities.

Sagittarius rising sign:

If your ascendant is Sagittarius, you can be frank, wise and sharp - a know-it-all at times. The Sagittarius rising sign is attracted to big ideas and hates small talk. Your style is colorful, worldly and eclectic.

Capricorn rising sign:

If your ascendant is Capricorn, you present yourself as a worker, a leader and a refined man. Your Capricorn rising sign gives you strong business acumen but can also be perceived as heavy-handed or too serious.

Aquarius rising sign:

If your ascendant is Aquarius, you follow your own rhythm in your attitude and style. The Aquarius rising sign adds a rebellious side to your vibes, as well as a passion for social justice or forward-thinking ideas.

Pisces rising sign:

If your ascendant is Pisces, you may have luminous eyes that reflect the suffering of the world. Pisces rising sign people are sensitive artists who can be powerful healers, but are prone to addiction.