Rising Signs, Explained: what Ascendant Signs Reveal About Personality

What's your sign? When people ask the famous question, they're referring to your sun sign, or where the sun was at your moment of birth. But with the increased interest in astrology, more folks are also taking an interest in their moon signs and rising signs, as well — when combined with the sun sign, this trio comprises what many call "the big three." (There's much more to astrology beyond those three signs, but let's stay here for a minute.)

Even if you're aware of what your rising sign is, you may not be so sure of what it means for you. So, as ishonest's resident astrologer, I'm here to explain it, along with insight from Marisol Espinoza Viera, a practicing bruja, astrologer, and spiritual worker. "Ever read your sun sign's horoscope and wondered why it felt like it was missing the mark? Reading your rising could shed a lot of light on the matter," she explains.

What to Know About Rising Signs

The sun spends about 30 days in each sign, and the moon spends roughly two and a half days in each sign. The elusive rising sign is so-called because it denotes which sign is on the horizon at the time of birth. In addition to the 12 signs, an astrology chart is sliced up into 12 houses, that each represents a different area of a person’s life. The ascendant placement determines the layout of the entire house system in the chart. "The rising marks the beginning of your first house, which signifies the native’s self, physical body, character, and appearance," Viera says. "It's your personality, your build, the first things people notice about you."

If your sun sign is your core, and your moon sign represents your secret mushy center, then your rising sign (or ascendant) is the mask you wear for the world.

How to Find Your Rising Sign

It's crucial to know your exact time of birth to find your rising sign (and your crush's). Don't just rely on your parents' memories. Every state in the U.S. formats birth certificates differently but requesting your "long-form birth certificate" will ensure that you get your correct birth time. "Astrologers need the precise time of birth to cast a chart because the position of the horizon changes so quickly," Viera says. "You can locate your rising on a circle chart by finding the line that cuts horizontally through the center and following it to the left. The sign that that line cuts through is your rising."

Once you have your birth time, you can also head to Astro.com to create a proper chart. There are also apps available, including Costar and TimePassages, that calculate birth charts. Of course, you can always work directly with an astrologer to help you navigate your chart as well.

A Deep Dive Into Every Rising Sign

If you're an Aries rising, chances are you come off as brave, opinionated, and independent. You have a powerful and commanding presence and may even be seen as intimidating. You are the fierce warrior of the zodiac. Aries' ruling planet is Mars, the god of war. Being the first sign, you lead the cavalry. As the first fire sign of the zodiac, you are intensely competitive and view the world as a series of competitions. Aries rising, you are a trailblazer who leaps before you look and asks for forgiveness, not permission. You also act on your instincts, which are usually spot-on.

If you're a Taurus rising, you likely give off fierce, dependable, and strong- willed vibes. But you also have a softer side. You enjoy the good things in life, including beautiful clothes, fine food, and massages. Taurus sometimes gets pigeonholed as materialistic, and while you do like to surround yourself with gorgeous finery, you're also hard-working enough that you've earned a bit of luxury. Your ruling planet is sensual Venus, the goddess of beauty, love, and abundance, so you can't help that you have refined taste. You're the first earth sign, and you represent earthiness in its purest form. This means you like being active and creative with your hands — for you, this could mean gardening, cooking, knitting, or even the challenge of finding an innovative new makeup look.

If you're a Gemini rising, people likely perceive you as talkative, bright, and curious. Your highly creative mind can spit out ideas a mile a minute. However, you might get overwhelmed sometimes by the desire to do everything at once. This same principle can be applied to your love life. Geminis are infamous heartbreakers and can be very picky when settling down with someone. It's not because you're insensitive; it's because you're waiting for your perfect match (this sign is represented by the twins). Gemini's ruling planet is Mercury, the messenger of the gods. As a result, you come off as charming, well-spoken, and are likely an excellent public speaker.

If you're a Cancer rising, then "traditional" and "nurturing" are words often used to describe you. You like your routine — after all, you've taken time and care to establish yourself and make things exactly the way you want them to be. Your home life is very important to you, so you tend to care deeply about your personal space and the people allowed inside. You might also be the person people come to with problems because you know how to hold space for people. But don't get it twisted, Cancers are more than the sensitive beings people often make them out to be. They come with pinchers and a hard exterior, after all. But because the intuitive moon rules the sign, you present yourself as kind and poetic as long as your claws aren't out.

If you're a Virgo rising, people who meet you may describe you as organized, put together, and reliable. You may give the air of a perfectionist, which can be a bit intimidating at times. This sign's ruling planet is messenger Mercury, and as a result, Virgo risings are communicative and curious. Friends and lovers likely come to you for advice. Virgo is the healer of the zodiac and cares deeply about those around them. If you're a Virgo rising, make sure to carve out time to care for yourself as well as others.

If you're a Libra rising, those who come into contact with you likely think of you as attractive, romantic, and sweet (although you may have a sharp tongue at times, even if that just means you're witty). You may have heard that Libras are indecisive, and while this may be true, it comes with good intentions because you generally want everyone to be happy. The scales represent this air sign, and as a result, you may always try to keep the peace and ensure justice is served. It's also the sign of partnerships, and with lover Venus as your ruling planet, Libra risings tend to be flirty and ethereal.

If you're a Scorpio rising, you may come off as mysterious, quiet, and alluring. It's not always a sexually charged charm, although it can be. Scorpios have a reputation for being the most sexual sign of the zodiac, so your inherent sensuality may intimidate others when they first meet you. Most of the time, there's so much going on behind that cool, pristine face that people want to know more and can't stay away. Rising Scorpios are intense, and you have your reasons. You've likely had some experiences that have caused you to put up your guard, especially if you have other Scorpio influences in your chart. This sign is ruled by both the warrior Mars, and Pluto, the lord of the underworld, which explains some of the intensity.

If you're a Sagittarius rising, people may describe you as intelligent and a fabulous storyteller who is always the life of the party. You have a zest for life that's contagious and are known as the optimist of the zodiac. The glass is always half full for you. You are outspoken, opinionated, and say what others aren’t saying. You can often be quite blunt, and sometimes it backfires. But, because the lucky planet Jupiter rules Sagittarius, you always come out on top.

If you're a Capricorn rising, you likely come off as mature, organized, and driven. You are always put together and prepared. People may think of you as a skilled businessperson with little interest in games, both in your professional and personal life. You strive for greatness, and you expect much of yourself and others. Much of this is because strict Saturn rules Capricorn, giving you major disciplinarian vibes. And yes, rising Cap, this can be as kinky as it sounds. While people tend to focus on your ambition, you also have a wild devilish side, which can be addictive to lovers.

If you're an Aquarius rising, you may be perceived as intellectual, innovative, and a humanitarian. Some think the "aqua" in Aquarius means you're a water sign, but Aquarius is actually the third air sign (along with Gemini and Libra) and a symbol of the water bearer. This sign has much more to do with community and being part of the collective; it's about sharing the water, not being the water. You're also known for being very individualistic and unafraid to let your freak flag fly. Your ruling planet is Uranus, which is as eccentric as you are.

If you’re a Pisces rising, people likely describe you as dreamy and empathetic, and you may sometimes have your head a bit in the clouds. This sign is known as the psychic of the zodiac and since it’s the last sign, it carries all the other signs in it. Therefore, you are intrinsically linked to all of humanity. When someone meets you for the first time, you may seem like you’re not paying attention and your mind is elsewhere. That may be partially true, but you are also taking in everything, including the person's words, body language, and underlying emotions. Pisces' ruling planet is the magical Neptune, which makes you mysterious and alluring.

• How to Read Tarot Cards: A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Their Meanings
• What the Position of Venus in Your Birth Chart Means for You
• How the Sun's Position In Your Birth Chart Affects Your Personality

Now, learn how your sign affects your love life:

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