The Ascendant in our natal chart is formulated by our time of birth, while the Midheaven is formulated by our place of birth.
The Ascendant in short defines our external expression to the
world. It is what a person sees when we
first meet them. It can define our
appearance, can denote our grandparents, speaks of our vitality (along with the
Sun and other components in our natal chart) and is often quite different from
our Sun sign expression. If we have a soft Sun sign like Capricorn or
Pisces, an Ascendant sign of Aries or Leo will over-ride some of the more soft
character traits or more subdued traits defined by these Sun signs. This
is why some people do not identify well with their Sun sign or visa versa, do
not identify well with their Rising sign.
When we are describing our Ascendant sign it is important to
take into consideration its natural ruler and which house this ruler resides
in, within our natal chart. For example, if you have a rising sign
(Ascendant sign) of Capricorn, you will have to see where its ruler (Saturn) is
placed in your natal chart. Once you locate this house position,
you will be able to further define how you represent yourself including Saturn
and its significant characteristics as well as how this would be defined in its
house position.
Saturn for example, suggesting a Capricorn Ascendant, found in
the second house, depending on the aspects to Saturn, may suggest a critical
view of the potential for success in finances, or if favourably aspected, a
secure financial foundation. If poorly aspected, this may surface as
someone who has low self-esteem, someone who is unsure of themselves, and in
turn, creating security issues, which may be reflected in their ability to do
well when it comes to financial matters. Someone with a favourably placed
Saturn in the second house may do well in the financial world, building a solid
financial base over time and as a result feel secure about themselves.
Our example is just one expression of how Saturn might be
reflected in the second house and it is important to know that although Saturn
will often suggest challenging conditions linked to the area of life where it
is found (house position) we can always find ways to work our way through these
obstacles. Saturn usually means that there are lessons in that area of
life as well as gain secured through a diligent effort on our part.
Saturn is the disciplinarian but it is also the teacher and our greatest ally
to the building of a solid structure as time passes. Saturn often delays
or restricts, but can be quite favourable once we decide to work at what needs
our attention.
Another example might be someone with a Sagittarius Ascendant
with Jupiter in the fourth house in their natal chart. This individual might appear to be overly
optimistic, a freedom lover, a believer in finding the truth, a philosopher to
others, and someone who may say things without considering what impact their
words may have on others (foot in mouth disease). When we take into
consideration Jupiter in the fourth house, these attributes may be seen through
family and friends or they may try to push these qualities or learned
experiences onto their family. They may also find luck and opportunities
somehow related to their home environment perhaps earning potential through property
or good luck attached to the home or land investments.
Adding to this information in our example, in their outer
expression, these Sag Rising individuals may be verbal about their family and
proud of their heritage and may also be optimistic about their family and proud
of their children’s attributes. They may also come across as caring and
nurturing as well as psychic in their expression, remembering that the natural
ruler of the fourth house is Cancer. While in the former example the natural
ruler of the second is Taurus, so building a proper foundation would be
important for this individual and they may also be somewhat withdrawn or appear
to be holding back in their expression.
I hope these examples have helped to
explain the importance of the Ascendant’s natural ruler and the house this
ruler resides in within our natal chart.
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