Ascendant — Definition

The Ascendant, often called the rising sign, sets the cusp of the first house and shapes the structure of the entire natal chart. It is commonly read as the "outer self" — the way a person meets new situations and how others first perceive them. Because the Ascendant changes roughly every two hours, accurate birth time is essential to determine it. Many astrologers consider it as personally significant as the Sun sign.

Example

A Cancer Sun with a Capricorn Ascendant often reads as someone who feels deeply but presents as composed and competent.