Astrology: Ascendant/Rising Explained, Part 1

I have been writing astrology hubs, on hub-pages for a while, 10 months to be exact. Even so, I wrote hubs on most of the signs and planets.

One “planet” I haven’t talked about is the ascendant/rising sign. Technically their isn’t one sole specific planet that rules over the ascendant/rising sign. The sun rules over Leo, mercury rules Virgo and Gemini, etc. There isn’t a direct and specific planet that rules over the ascendant/rising sign.

It is true that the first house (which is ruled by Mars and Pluto) can be considered the same as the ascendant/rising sign. But it depends on your time of birth and it is a different sign for anyone. Someone with a Leo rising will have Leo/The Sun ruling their first house. Someone with a Scorpio rising will have Scorpio/Pluto ruling their first house. So technically all the zodiac/planets signs rule over the ascendant/rising/first house. Even so, getting that out of the way, let me explain briefly what your Ascendant/Rising sign is?

Your ascendant (or rising sign, these terms are both used interchangeably to mean and describe the same thing) is oftentimes (but not exclusively) how you appear others. It is the zodiac sign people think you are. The zodiac sign that you act like when you first meet others, par exemple:

You are an Aries sun sign but you have a Capricorn rising. To others you may appear a bit shy, cold, and serious. You are not in someone’s face, you aren’t bold, and don’t appear to be confident. After a while when someone gets to know you, they realize, that wait you are not shy or rigid or boring (no offense Capricorn risings!!). You’re quite confident, warm and fun.

Or how about this you are a Pisces Sun and a Leo rising. To others you appear uber confident, loud, bold, gregarious and proud. People flock to you and you radiate confidence and happiness. Even so, after a while people begin to see your sun sign. You are not proud, but quite humble and sensitive. You have your moments when you are loud, but for the most part you are quite quiet and introverted. You can shape shift into an extroverted self but since you are a Pisces, you prefer to float under the radar in your own dreamy world.

One thing you must consider is the element your rising sign. The examples above show how you actually appear to others maybe different than who you are in the inside. Generally these are how the ascendants appear according to each of the four elements.

I will be running through the four elements (fire, earth, air, and water) ascendants/rising using celebrity examples with pictures. For this example all the celebrities will be the Sun sign of Gemini to show the difference a rising sign makes in a person's persona/appearance.

The fire signs are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Fire signs ascendants are extroverted, energetic, bold, and confident. They oftentimes present them in a fiery way. They dress, speak/communicate, act, and behave brazenly.

Celebrity Example

Marilyn Monroe

Rising/Ascendant: Leo

Sun: Gemini

The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth signs ascendants can be both, extroverted and introverted (centroverts), practical, grounded and rational. They present themselves in the most practical matter. They dress, speak/communicate, act, and behave in a grounded, earthy way and are the most likely to appear to live up to society’s mores and codes.

Celebrity Example

Tom Jones

Rising/Ascendant: Capricorn

Sun: Gemini

Air sign ascendants

The air signs are Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Air signs ascendants are extroverted communicative/talkative, social and intelligent. They can present themselves in a very smart, intelligent way. They dress, speak/communicate, act, and behave in way that makes them appear clever.

Celebrity Example

Juliette Lewis

Ascendant/Rising: Gemini

Sun: Gemini

Water sign Ascendants

The water signs are Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. Water signs ascendantsare more introverted sensitive, intuitive, moody, and emotional. They can oftentimes present themselves a strong confident matter. Even so, they wear their hearts on their sleeves (especially Pisces and Cancer) in an emotional, sensitive way. They dress, speak/communicate, act, and behave according to their feelings and the vibes they feel in others.

Celebrity Example

Kanye West

Ascendant/Rising: Cancer

Sun: Gemini

Cardinal Quality

The cardinal quality signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn. Cardinal quality signs are movable, goal-oriented. This means that they take initiative and get things going, though this nature doesn't allow them to finish the things they start. They often leave that task to the other qualities.

Fixed Quality

The fixed quality signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. Fixed quality signs are known for their stubborn personalities that make it hard for them to adapt to change. Even so, they are loyal, committed, and very motivated to completing things.

Mutable Quality

The mutable quality signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces. Mutable quality signs are changeable, adapting to change rather easily (and quickly). This makes quite impressionable and very shape shifty.

Along with rising signs you also have to consider the decan/degree, planets on your ascendant and aspects. Actually in the other personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars) you have to consider these factors too.

Overall you have to think of the elements and qualities when you think of ascendant signs. You have to of other factors too when discussing ascendants. I will be talking about these factors in my next hub, titled, Astrology: Ascendant/Rising Explain, Part Two.Thank you for reading this hub. Please be free to comment below.