The Ascendant:
Strength of the Ascendant:
There are a few factors that influence how strong or weak a force in the chart the Ascendant may be.
Firstly, the closer toward the beginning of the sign the Ascendant falls, the stronger it will be. This is because most of the first house will fall into that sign. If the Ascendant falls late in a sign, most of the first house will fall into the following sign, and thus weaken the effect of the Ascendant’s power.
The Ascendant is thought to be stronger in influence when the Sun is in a weak position in the chart. For example, it is traditionally believed that the Sun is in a weaker position when it is placed at the bottom of the chart, near the IC. This is because the Sun was literally on the other side of the earth when the subject was born, hidden from view.
According to some, the Sun may also be weaker in influence if it is unaspected, in other words if it forms no major aspects (conjunction, opposition, trine, square, or sextile) to the other planets. According to other astrological observations, unaspected suns and planets show greater than usual effect and are more free.
The Sun in a sign that is intercepted, meaning its does not have a house cusp, may also be weaker and put more emphasis on the Ascendant and house cusp of the solar house in such a chart.
Another factor concerning the effect of the Ascendant is the theory that people become more like their Sun sign after 29+/- years old, as they grow older and more confident, as the Sun embodies essential ego energy and self-esteem, and thus perhaps have less of a need to present a public face to others. It is also theorized that when the progressed Ascendant moves into the following sign, it weakens the influence of the natal Ascendant.
Planets and the Ascendant:
Planets have added importance in the birth chart due to their relationship to the Ascendant. The planet that rules the astrological sign of the Ascendant is called the chart ruler, and is said to be of particular importance. So for example, if the Ascendant sign is Gemini, Mercury will be the chart ruler, and so “set the tone” for the chart in many ways.
In addition, the planet(s) nearest to the Ascendant ~ especially those located in the First House ~ is/are usually called the Rising Planet(s) and have a particular significance in the chart. However, if a planet in the Twelfth House is very close in orb, (within one or two degrees), to the Ascendant, then it can be taken to be the Rising Planet instead. However, if a planet is actually conjunct the Ascendant, (within 3° degrees of the Ascendant), it then becomes vitally important in its effect on the personality, to the extent of being as important as the Sun.
Finally, any planets in the First House will always have an added emphasis to them.
The Elements and the Ascendant:
The Element of the Sign of the Ascendant modifies the character of the Ascendant in specific ways.
Fire Signs: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius are noted for their energy, enthusiasm and optimism. When a Fire sign is on the Ascendant the outer manner is friendly, uncritical and non-hostile, which makes these people good mixers and public relations executives. They typically send out friendly, but professionally competent vibes which draw out friendly yet respectful responses from others. Aries rising gives out a well-organized, slightly military bearing which makes them fit for any kind of military or civil service organization. Leo rising subjects have a dignified and rather formal manner which inspires confidence; while Sagittarius rising people have a cheerful, pleasant and witty outer manner which suits all kinds of teaching, training and public speaking situations.
Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are usually considered as calm and stress resistant individuals. The effect of an Earth Sign Ascendant makes people more material, reserved and collected, which means they are excellent manifestors. A Taurus rising is a lusty, passionate person who is utterly loyal and who is well-suited to careers in land, real estate and general finance. Virgo rising people are analytical, detail-oriented and make excellent statisticians and scientists, who have a ceaseless drive to improve and perfect themselves. Capricorn on the Ascendant are patient, persistent organizers and do well in business and as social planners. Earth Sign Ascendants don’t tend to show their emotions and can be, or appear to be, cold. This particular effect is manifested to the least extent in Taurus.
Air Signs: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius are noted for their communication skills. When an Air Sign is on the Ascendant, the subject is friendly and sociable, but also independent and relatively detached. A Gemini Ascendant likes to be busy, fully engaged in a kind of juggling act with many activities on the boards at any one time. The Libra riser are relationship oriented and often occupy themselves with business schemes which may need the aid of a more earthy partner to make them come into fruition. Aquarius on the Ascendant people make wonderful plans for themselves and/or others and do best when working with groups. The Air Sign Ascendants lend themselves to social activities that involve communicating with, and learning from, others.
Water Signs: The Water Signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are usually recognized for their intuition and feeling. When a Water Sign is on the Ascendant the subject will hide their true feelings and have a strong need to protect themselves from the world around them. What you see is often not what you get with Water Ascendants. In other words, the signals they send out are consciously or unconsciously chosen for effect. Cancerians appear chatty and helpful and they do well in any situation that requires tact. Scorpio risers can use many different forms of camouflage with people they do not know, one of their favorites being offensiveness and an off-putting manner. Pisces risers appear soft, gentle, self-sacrificing and sometimes even helpless, but this is misleading, as they will fight strongly for what they think is right. Pisces are also known to be highly emotional and the most intuitive of the twelve signs.
Modality and the Ascendant:
The effect of the Ascendant varies according to the Modality of the Sign in which it is placed. These relate to the way in which the energy of the Sign moves.
Cardinal: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn ~ these emphasize leadership, initiative, assertiveness, and independence. This is a forward, outward moving energy.
Fixed: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius: these emphasize stability, steadiness, preservation, and commitment. This is a stabilizing, concretizing and integrating energy.
Mutable: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces ~ these emphasize adaptability, dexterity, change, and distribution. This is a variable, mobile, easily moving energy.