A Beginner's Guide To Decoding Your Rising Sign
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What Is Your Rising Sign?
Your Rising Sign, also called the Ascendant, is the Zodiac Sign that was on the Eastern Horizon in the sky at the moment you were born. As such, it is how you present yourself to the world, who you appear when people first meet you, as well as what your natural tendencies and temperament are. It can also represent how you would like to be known as well as and your physical appearance.
Our Rising Sign governs how we show up in the world, our body, vitality, and sense of self.
Within your Rising Sign is the exact degree of your Ascendant. Each Zodiac Sign is 30º, so can be a Sagittarius Rising with the Ascendant at exactly 17º Sagittarius for example.
The Planetary ruler of your Rising Sign is said to be the ruler of your whole Chart, like the captain of your ship. It is the lens through which you view life and how you approach things.
For example, if you are a Sagittarius rising, Jupiter, its ruling Planet, is your Chart ruler (or more accurately your Ascendant ruler). This means that you will generally tend to go through life with an optimistic, growth-mindset and Jupiter’s transits may be extra important for you! You can then look to where your Natal Jupiter is for more information about yourself.
Your Rising Sign is so important, your whole horoscope is created off it! Although we are typically used to reading for our Sun (star) Sign, because the Rising Sign is the first one on the left in an Astrology Chart- the 1st House- and then all the other Signs follow in Zodiacal order, it is the base of horoscopic predictions based on where the Planets currently fall in the sky, and your corresponding Houses. You can read more about what each of the different houses represents in our post on The 12 Astrological Houses.
Read on below to find out what each Rising Sign in the Zodiac means and how to find yours!
Rising Signs In The Zodiac
To find out your Rising Sign, you will need your exact time of birth and location to get your birth chart; click here to make a free Natal Chart. Once you have your Chart, the Sign on the left in the 1st House is your Rising Sign/Ascendant, on many charts it will simply be delineated with the letters Asc, or AC, and the symbol of the Zodiac Sign.
The Ascendant/Rising Sign on the cusp of the first house changes every 2 hours, which is why it’s important to have an accurate birth time, ideally the one on your birth certificate, especially if you are near the first of last degrees of the Sign.
Here’s are some characteristics of Rising Signs:
Aries Rising
Aries, the first Sign of the Zodiac, is a bold Fire sign with a Cardinal “quality”, meaning it occurs at the beginning of a season. This makes it strong-willed, strong-headed, determined, and clear about what it wants in life and is not afraid to go and get it! Ruled by Mars, the Planet of War, Aries is a fierce trailblazer, confident in what it’s worth and what it deserves, boldly paving their way and standing up for the underdog along the way.
Aries Rising will generally give off a fearless and independent air with an eagerness to get things started and can be headstrong.
Taurus Rising
Taurus is a Fixed Earth Sign, meaning it occurs in the middle of a season. This makes it practical, grounded, reliable, resilient, sensuous, pragmatic and determined. It is ruled by Venus, the beautiful Planet of Love, this highlights Taurus’ love of good quality things in life and indulgence in experiences, truly appreciating all that Mother Earth has to offer.
Taurus Rising will come across as down-to-earth, chilled, with an eye for a good investment and hard-workers (and indulger).
Gemini Rising
Gemini is a Mutable Air Sign, occurring at the end of the season. This means that it is flexible and adaptable, open to change and persuasion from others. It is quick-witted, intellectual (or over-thinking!) and a skilled communicator. Ruled by Mercury, the Planet of Communication, Gemini is adept at moving between people with ease, able to connect with a wide variety of types.
Gemini Rising will come across as excitable, keen to make conversation, open to trying new things and be full of curiosity for everything on offer.
Cancer Rising
Cancer is a Cardinal Water Sign. This makes it a heart-centred initiator, extremely in touch with its feelings and intuition, it cares deeply about its loved ones, and seeks comfort and security. Ruled by the Moon, it is nurturing and changeable.
Cancer Rising will come across as kind and considerate who may love to cook, or nurture in others ways, it can also be highly protective.
Leo Rising
Leo is a bold and playful Fixed Fire Sign. Archetypal Leo is the ruler and the entertainers- fun and joy can be some of their top priorities in life. Highly creative and generous, Leo is good at shining and drawing attention (whether it wants to or not). Ruled by the Sun, the centre of the solar system and light of all life, they are proud and confident.
Leo Risings may appear youthful, self-assured, and warm, able to bring a smile to others with ease.
Virgo Rising
Virgo is a Mutable Earth Sign, making it grounded and earthy, but also flexible and adaptable. They have a keen, discerning eye and are highly analytical perfectionists, they seek to improve and be of service (but need to be mindful of worry)! They are both healers and editors- nothing gets past their observant eye. Ruled by Mercury, Virgo is astute, organised, and meticulous.
Virgo Risings may come across as unassuming and minimalist, devotional, and in tune with nature, herbs, and health.
Libra Rising
Libra is a Cardinal Air Sign all about balance and harmony within and without. Highly reciprocal, Libra appreciates partnership and is known as the diplomat of the Zodiac. They are intellectually-oriented with an appreciation of beauty, style, and aesthetics. Ruled by Venus, they are considerate, just, relational, and artistic.
Libra Risings may come across as charming, amicable, and overall socially pleasant, able to collaborate and compromise easily.
Scorpio Rising
Scorpio is a Fixed Water Sign known for its intensity and mysteriousness. They are highly in touch with their emotions and inner depths, with an ability to get to the heart of a matter. They’re not afraid of going in deep, nothing is taboo or off-limits. Ruled by Mars traditionally, they are persevering, determined, resolute, private, and intimate.
Scorpio Risings may come across as alluring and magnetic, secretive and enigmatic, as well as steadfast, driven, and profound.
Sagittarius Rising
Sagittarius is a Mutable Fire Sign known for its optimism, exuberance, and adventurousness. They are excited to try out new things and explore new places, especially if this can lead into spiritual or philosophical expansion. Ruled by Jupiter, the benefic of abundance, they are free-spirited and growth-centric, on a search for truth and meaning.
Sagittarius Risings can come across as positive, knowledgeable, fun, and exploratory, with a contagious zest for life.
Capricorn Rising
Capricorn is a Cardinal Earth Sign, the most responsible of the Zodiac. They are concerned with earthly matters, duties, and integrity. They are the taskmasters known for their hard work ethic. They have a good sense of what’s right and wrong, as well as achievement. Ruled by Saturn, the stoic Planet of restriction, Capricorn appreciates quality over quantity, of building things that last the test of time.
Capricorn Risings may come across as serious, ambitious, steadfast, and responsible, with an appreciation for tradition or ancestral wisdom.
Aquarius Rising
Aquarius is a Fixed Air Sign, the eccentric of the Zodiac. They love to live on the fringes of society and may have an eclectic taste. They are highly intellectual, to the point of detaching from emotions. Traditionally ruled by Saturn, they seek to innovate on outdated rules and bring collective welfare. Independence and solitude (within a community of like-minded individuals) is also featured.
An Aquarius Rising may come across as alternative, quirky, unique, and enjoy being a part of company but also alone, marching to the beat of their own drum.
Pisces Rising
Mutable Water Sign Pisces is said to encompass aspects of all the Zodiac Signs that have come before it, fluid and boundary-less. They are highly receptive, able to absorb the energies of those around them, in touch with their intuition, dreams, and ethereal planes. Traditionally ruled by Jupiter, it emphasises their capacity for trust, faith, and belief.
Pisces Risings may come across as soft, gentle, empathetic, creative, sensitive, and flexible. Escapism and overwhelm may also feature.
Book yourself in for a personalised Natal Chart reading with me and let’s see where your purpose lies, what your calling in life is, how you love, what your innate skills are, where the deepest healing is to be found for you, and more!
When looking at your Natal Chart, it’s useful to see where the Planetary ruler(s) of your Rising Sign are to add another layer of depth of interpretation, check out our blog post on what the characteristics of the Planets are for more information!
So that’s each of the Rising Signs in the Zodiac and what they mean, I hope it’s been insightful for you! Do you resonate with your Rising Sign? I’d love to hear about your experience with Astrology in the comments section below :)
If you’re interested in learning more about the fascinating world of Astrology, check out our Cosmic Guidance: Traditional Astrology 101 Course!
