The ascendant of the birthchart is the cusp of the first house which describes our personality. You will often read that the ascendant describes the personal appearance, but that is not always true although it certainly can affect the appearance. But the ascendant does describe the way we experience our world and the way we face all of our experiences.
I read something interesting in a book by astrologer Melanie Reinhart the other day: that the ascendant describes the way we approach the beginning of a new day. This makes a lot of sense, because the ascendant is the sign that was rising on the horizon at the time we were born (hence the term “rising sign”). I thought about that for myself: I have Gemini rising, the sign of communication, and the first thing that I do when I get up is brew my cup of decaf and sit down to write. My husband Rich has Virgo rising, the sign of routine and order, and he has a set pattern that he follows each morning as he gets ready to leave the house before the crack of dawn.
So here’s an experiment – let me know how this works for you:
Aries rising: Rise and shine: I’m ready to face the world and the exciting adventures of a new day.
Taurus rising: It’s hard to leave those luxurious bed linens behind but the thought of a delicious breakfast will get me out of bed.
Gemini rising: The mind is already alert before the eyes open, then it’s time to see what happened on Facebook while I was asleep.
Cancer rising: As soon as I wake up I check on the family to be sure everyone is ok.
Leo rising: What wonderful thing can I do today that will make me feel even better than I did yesterday?
Virgo rising: Someone moved my favorite coffee cup! How can I start my morning properly?
Libra rising: I like to start my day in my best dressing gown with beautiful music to surround me with peaceful melodies.
Scorpio rising: Let’s see, what do I need to do today to take care of those problems from yesterday that still bug me.
Sagittarius rising: I think I’ll call in sick to work and head to the beach today! I know that things will take care of themselves while I’m gone.
Capricorn rising: Before I’m out of bed I’ve already crafted an extensive to do list so that I can face the day as efficiently as possible.
Aquarius rising: I had an incredible dream last night that was straight out of a science fiction story.
Pisces rising: I prefer the peace of slumber to the harsh reality of the waking world. Turn off the alarm.
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Gemini rising…spot on!
Wow don’t have my exact birthtime Scorpio sun sign but Aquarius rising and that is spot on haha!! Love it
I have Virgo rising and can’t stand my morning routine to be disrupted.
I’m a Cap and yes I make lists…thanks Lynn this is interesting…
I’m Libra rising and although I dont do what’s suggested, I do get up make a cuppa and sit outside viewing the beauty of nature as the day dawns, it gives me a sense of harmony that I try to use to guide my day.
Hah! I’m Taurus rising and I’m reading this from the comfort of my bed. Thank goodness for wireless :-)
Right on! Cancer rising…must see how everyone is doing this morning, call, email, skywrite!
Scorpio Rising and I do usually wake up thinking about what I need to do to clear my plate of old problems. :)
Also would add I am not usually truly awake for at least an hour after I get up either. (Mars in Scorp on the 12th house side of the ASC)
Fun!
Wonderful comments, thanks! Remember the ascendant picture also includes planets that aspect the ascendant and planets that rule the ascendant, all of which help to enrich that morning experience. :)
Wow,
Pisces Leo rising with Uranus in ascendant in aspect with sun in pisces and moon in sagitarius You easy to guess what my mornings are! Although I love to check FB and emails as Mercury is in Acquarius and in aspect with sun! and uranus!
I’m a scorpio rising and at times literally don’t want anyone to look at me or talk to me as I go into work in the morning. As a sensitive and friendly Pisces individual, I even surprise myself by this weird/odd feeling. I’m constantly trying to tell myself to chill out, relax and laugh! But the scorpio in me isn’t laughing ;-)
(I also have Mars in Scop in the 12th – Can you relate Diane L??)
Virgo rising
I do like my coffee to be just so :D
Gemini rising here as well, and I’m known to log on and see what’s been happening while I was asleep, even before breakfast, coffee or shower! On the other hand, my mind is actually hard to shut off when I go to bed so I have to settle it down an hour before bedtime.
@labella Oh yes, I can relate! I am a pleasant, friendly Libra Sun once my brain is functioning but my husband has learned it’s best just to leave me alone until I’m awake. :-)
diane~
It’s so true!
I’m a virgo rising, and at first I thought the taurus rising description fit me the best. But then I remembered how I have two favorite coffee cups that I always drink my morning coffee out of (notice how I said TWO favorites, in case one is dirty). If they both happen to be dirty, which happened today, and I have to use a regular cup (of which there are plenty) my day somehow seems ‘off,’ that whole anecdote just screams Virgo all over it.
So you got it spot on =)
Xenia, my experience is as yours! I have Pisces rising (trine Scorpio Sun/Mercury, and Cancer Uranus)and just this morning I hit the snooze button a half dozen times. While I float between the two states of being, I think I move gradually into the Scorpio mode, thinking about how to find solutions to yesterday’s problems. Sometimes I roll out of bed in the foggy haze of half-sleep while one of those solutions is formulating. ;-)
Thanks, Lynne, for reminding us to look at what rules our rising and what’s making aspects to it. My morning experience doesn’t match the Scorpio rising blurb. More usually, I have the Gemini or Aquarius experience, and sure enough, both Mercury and Uranus make aspects to my AC.
the scorpio rising fits me, i do think the next morning what problems that i have to fix and get done, what i need to do, and if i dont fix it, it will bug me for the rest of the day, but the cancer describes m well to, my sun is in cancer and i check to make everyone is okay, this very interesting