Your Ascendant is the degree of the eastern horizon at the time and place of your birth, one of the most individualized points in your chart. It’s where the Sun rises, making its first appearance at the dawn of a new day. Similarly, the Ascendant marks our first appearance in the world, as we awaken to our new life at birth. It says something about how we ‘rise’, how we make our appearance in the world and how we navigate through life. The sign the Ascendant falls in is the 1st house, which is why it has significance for our appearance, health and essential vitality, our intrinsic motivation and nature. It is the ‘face’ of our chart. Some part of the 1st house will always be visible beyond the horizon while the rest has not yet risen, half-light, half-dark. It is where the Earth’s turn results in a house that straddles between the light and the dark, where spirit meets matter, where reflection becomes awareness.
With Aries Rising, the way one navigates through life is in a Mars-like fashion: boldly and sharply, not afraid of confrontation or risk. One has the potential for classic bravery and heroism, impulsiveness, recklessness, hotheadedness, directness, boldness, athleticism, competitiveness. One sticks up for themselves, sensitive to threats to their dominance and sometimes go out of their way for a fight. They find taking swift action and confronting things head on is the best way to handle conflicts. The specific way in which they typically go about business depends on the placement and condition of Mars, and the house in which it falls presents a particular area of focus over the course of one’s life. One can even take on the appearance of Mars, often with red and fiery features, scars and burns. A tough, battle ready, intimidating appearance. This is someone whose temper is more on the surface, whose boldness, courage, vigor and martial energy are more readily apparent, and find themselves at the forefront of potentially dangerous situations.
If you want to learn more about the specific placement of your Ascendant ruler Mars and how it should be interpreted by sign, house and aspect, check out my 4.5 hour video lecture series “12 Different Types of Aries Rising”.
To learn even more specific and customized information about your natal chart and ask questions about what it indicates for your past, present and future through the use of transits, profections and Zodiacal Releasing, schedule a consultation with me today!