The Sign rising over the horizon at the time of your birth is called the Ascendant, or Rising Sign. This, the first house of the horoscope, changes approximately every two hours. Even twins born as little as five minutes apart could have different ascendants, which would make a real difference in their horoscopes and so in their personalities.

The Rising Sign governs your outer personality and physical attributes. It represents your self-image and, to a considerable extent, how others see you. It also affects your health issues and the type of illnesses you may experience.

The Rising Sign rules the first house, so its ruling planet is usually designated the ruler of the horoscope. Unless poorly aspected or otherwise weak in comparison with other important planets, such as the planet ruling your Sun Sign (the Sun-ruler), this ruling planet is the most important one in your chart. 

Aries Rising Aries rising is both positive and dynamic. It endows you with a go-getting, achievement-oriented personality, for you like to be in charge and want to make a big impression under all circumstances. Dedicated to satisfying personal ambitions and pursuing your own ends with complete disregard for the feelings of others doesn't necessarily mean you are always selfish, my dear, but in your haste and eagerness to reach that goal or accomplish that oh so important purpose, it is so easy for you to forget other people's needs, or that what you do may react adversely on others. A powerful inner drive and a strong need for accomplishment, combined with your indomitable Aries courage, urges you to go for things others might think are too risky, too foolish, or just too much work. Enthusiastic Aries has loads of energy. Once inspired, you rarely hesitate to act and you usually get where you want to go. But be warned! Your lively enthusiasm can get out of hand; you tend to overestimate your own abilities, or the influence you have. In general you maintain an informal approach to life, with easy, open mannerisms and an attitude of "take me as I am". Confronting situations openly and with force need not necessarily brand you as unduly aggressive, for you can be quiet and hard-working, sublimating your energy inconspicuously in low-key activities. However your innate restlessness makes it difficult for you to develop an extended concentration span, control your untidiness, or get truly focused and organised. Ruled by Mars, the fiery warrior, many Arians have reddish hair, ruddy complexions, or a distinctive birthmark on their heads or faces. The Aries mouth has a characteristic down-turn, often associated with a longish face. Being your own boss makes life easier, but you can work in a regular job as long as you don't find the work objectionable and are treated fairly by supervisors. You can be easy-going about many things, but any attempt to ram authority down your throat gets your hackles rising. No doubt the sincerity of your passions makes up to some degree for the rashness of your actions. You have mechanical abilities or cleverness in one form or another. Fevers, eye strain, accidental injury to the head, skin rashes, overwork, migraine headaches, and insect bites are your most likely physical complaints. Your extremism leads to mental and emotional instability in some situations and you get distinctly stressed out by being thwarted in the pursuit of your goals.     Taurus Rising Taurus Rising gives you a stubborn streak, combined with a sturdy physique and tremendous physical stamina. Tenacious in getting what you want, your great patience can be the very key to your success. You need, however, to overcome a tendency to procrastinate and a certain difficulty with undesirable habits and behavioural patterns. Ruled by Venus, planet of sensuality and beauty, you are considered physically attractive. Appreciative as you are, my dears, of good food and fine wines, you may yet avoid an expanding waistline... physical fitness and staying in shape having such a high priority with you. Since you enjoy presenting yourself in the best light, you simply delight in cosmetics and other beauty aids and, no slave to fashion, you select clothes that either show off your best points or are extremely comfortable. Physical comfort is paramount and you do so love the feeling of soft, luxurious materials. Sociable, yet unobtrusive, you enjoy social occasions, especially in the company of friends, even though you can be rather rude and obnoxious when the mood takes you. This is no doubt due to your innate shyness. Some of you need to overcome a fixation with personal appearance and learn to grow old gracefully. On bad days you can be despicably lazy and take little or no interest in your physical appearance or manner of dress. Taurus has materialistic, status-seeking tendencies. You take pains to hide it, but you can be unduly influenced by the powerful or wealthy. Although your practicality is often self-serving, you are pragmatic and can usually be relied upon for constructive suggestions that help others as much as yourself. The finer things in life must include art and music, for you are innately talented, with a pleasant, resonant voice. Beware of infections and injuries to your neck and throat and you are subject to earaches and infections.         Gemini Rising Gemini Rising gives you an adaptable personality and, in general, a wiry, flexible physique. Your airy adaptability to changing circumstances and different people is often so pronounced that your personality and even physical appearance can seem startlingly diverse to different people, and from one time to another. You say what you instinctively know others want to hear. This adaptability can extend to conscious or subconscious imitations of personality traits or the physical appearance of those you admire. Gemini gives an intellectual orientation, or filter to your life. To others you may often appear interested, but somehow emotionally detached. Physical contacts and mannerisms are quick and restless, and sometimes those rapid movements of yours make it seem as though your mind and body are not connected. You are comfortable doing several things at once, while at the same time appearing not to be paying particular attention to any of them. Marriage can be difficult for you. For instance, you can be too ready and able to entertain yourself, while your need for more personal freedom can undermine the relationship. In any case you are subject to dual attractions and see no real reason for fidelity, nor indeed do you really expect it from others. Marriage partners, however, may require more passion and personal attention and less independence and intellectual analysis. Being ruled by Mercury, the mischievous planet of communication, makes you fond of communicating and extremely talkative. Even those with quieter natures are apt to have a great deal of intellectual curiosity. You can absorb a variety of information on all manner of subjects, which you are quite happy to share with anyone willing to listen. You give the impression of mental alertness and understanding, my dear, even though you may not be paying attention or actually know anything about the subject at hand. How deep your real intelligence goes is not determined solely by the Gemini Ascendant. Possessing a wide spectrum of orientations and abilities, you could be an excellent teacher, writer, scholar or researcher, although the flip-side of this is an inclination towards imitation, plagiarism or even being a con artist. Manually dexterous, you are not just clever with your hands but have significant artistic and design skills. Lungs and hands are the physically vulnerable areas, while respiratory illnesses and injuries to hands and fingers are common.         Cancer Rising Cancer Rising makes you ambitious and dedicated, but deceptively vulnerable. You are cautious and not inclined to make the first move until you are sure of your ground. Unfortunately, you seem to attract unsuitable partners and may even be subject to a somewhat traumatic marriage. Your tendency is to marry late in life, and to seek older or more mature partners, or those who represent an authority figure. You view everything through an emotional glaze, my dears and though you try to hide your vulnerability behind a tough front, this does not fool anyone for long. Be that as it may, you do not usually allow emotional vulnerability to interfere with your ambitions and you have considerable personal magnetism. That emotional commitment makes you work twice as hard as anyone else and generally leads to success. You love to spend time at home and could be successful in any home-based enterprise. Ruled by the silvery moon, you have a changeable personality, although you can be quite caring and sympathetic when your nurturing instincts are stimulated. You like to be "mothered" and may be guided in life by a strong person (usually female). Consciously or subconsciously you respond to the influence of others, even adopting the latest fashions or modes of behaviour whether or not they really suit you or express your deeper character. A tendency to undertake those activities, or studies which appear to improve social standing should be carefully watched, especially when these activities are not actually enjoyable in themselves, nor in keeping with your real inclinations. You are instinctively good with the public and have an affinity with children. You are a natural cook, and possess strong design or architectural ability, or at least take great interest in them. Roundness of face, pale, sensitive skin, and baldness or finely textured hair are characteristics of Cancer Rising. The old bod has a strong tendency to retain water, and your emotional orientation (water=emotion) reveals an addictive nature. You seem to attract excess weight - and addictive substances. You can even be addicted to people. Breasts, stomach, and digestive system are vulnerable areas.          Leo Rising Leo Rising gives you a strong physique and lots of physical stamina. You can be very stubborn and find it extremely difficult to break undesirable habits and behaviour patterns. However, this same tenacity and stamina can also be a wonderful asset. When you get involved in something, you hang on long after everyone else runs out of steam, and you inspire others with your devotion to ideals and principles. Leo has loads of energy and enthusiasm, so, once motivated, you seldom hesitate to act. In spite of all this energy and enthusiasm, the Big Cat can be downright lazy at times. A natural enthusiasm inclines to overabundance and the tendency to overestimate everything. When buying various personal items, for example, you usually acquire far more than you need. Though often rash and hasty, your passions are sincere. Leo is ruled by the sun, lord of willpower and egotistical drives. Your conscious or subconscious need to dominate means you want the last word in everything, and may come to believe your opinion is the only one worth considering. The negative potential for Leo Ascendant comes out in those whose ego-driven personalities turn them into manipulative, power-oriented demagogues. Though generally outgoing, you are not necessarily aggressive or loudly gregarious. Your personality will be greatly influenced by the nature and strength of your willpower and ego involvement (that is, the placement of your sun and whether it is strengthened by sign and aspect). If the willpower and ego are not strong, then neither is the personality apt to be assertive. No matter how the rest of the world may see you, it is meaningless compared to how you see yourself. Intense self-absorption makes it hard to accept guidance from others, and you may feel taking or asking for advice is a sign of weakness. You most enjoy associating with those who allow you to shine. Your flamboyant generosity and warm, friendly approach wins many friends, as well as arousing the envy of those with less popular personalities. Life with you is anything but routine. Your natural creativity gives special talent or ability in art, music, or the entertainment and communication industries. Overwork, anxiety, heart problems, lower back pains, and ailments connected with overindulgence are the most likely physical complaints. Virgo Rising Virgo Rising has the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and different people. Your willingness to adapt however, is invariably accompanied by a word or two of complaint. Nowhere is the critical facility associated with Virgo more observable than when this sign rules the Ascendant. Always seeking perfection, you find it difficult to accept situations or people as they are. You must learn to be more sensitive, my dear, and restrict your passion for constantly finding fault, for even well-meaning criticism can be hurtful and badly received. Practicality and conservatism feature strongly in your personality. While you do not favour flamboyant displays of affection and can even present an excessively puritanical facade in public, you can nevertheless be quite sensual and sexually-oriented in private. You can be totally organized and attentive to details in some areas, while at the same time be appallingly disorganized and sloppy in other areas. How confusing. How contrary! You are health conscious to the point of obsession and should your natal sun or moon be in one of the Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces) or in Capricorn (which tends toward excessive worry), this concern with health can develop into severe hypochondria. Ruled by Mercury, the messenger of the gods, you are extremely talkative and prone to gossip. Endlessly curious about everything that goes on in your immediate environment, at times you seem to be everywhere at once. Ideas and projects to take up every waking moment. The knack for collecting and communicating your ideas and information effortlessly attracts information and news from everyone else as well. You readily absorb stores of information which you are happy to share with anyone who takes the time to listen. Virgo rising gives a talent for communication and attention to detail that makes super salesmen, efficient negotiators, and eager travellers. You like to keep busy and useful. You are nosy, so you would make a great researcher or journalist. Sitting around doing nothing makes you nervous and irritable, but you enjoy collecting such things as recipes, postage stamps, or medical remedies. Respiratory illnesses, nervousness, and allergies are apt to be common physical complaints. Contents Copyright © 1997 - 2003 ASTROLOGY ON THE WEB