The Ascendant is the sign that was rising over the horizon at the time of birth. More than any other chart factor, the ascendant's position is dependent on both time (it changes by10 degrees every hour) and place of birth (someone born at the same time on the opposite side of the world will have the opposite sign rising) As such it is the sign that brings us into physical incarnation and the planet that rules the sign is said to be the ruler of the chart or our planetary ruler for this lifetime.

Hence the sign and house position of the ascendant's ruler are of particular importance.

The ascending sign shows the way in which we approach life and the world in general. It can be related to what some psychologists call the persona, the mask we place between our inner selves and the world. As such it shows the way in which we are perceived by others, at least their first impressions of us.

The ascendant represents the manner in which we must express ourselves in order to feel secure, and also the filter through which we perceive life and its challenges.

It is the cusp of the first house, the house associated with our personal identity and self expression and represents the kind of energy and types of activities that we need to enliven us physically.