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Have you ever wondered why others tend to see you with a different perspective than you see yourself? Have you ever considered where, in your natal chart, you might find clues about the most urgent purpose your soul has in this incarnation? While these two questions appear to have nothing in common, the answer to both can be found in the same point on your birth chart: the ascendant. The ascendant, or rising sign, is the sign that appears on the first house cusp of your natal chart; it's the sign that was rising over the horizon at the exact moment of your birth. Many astrologers refer to this point in the chart as the "mask" you present to the outside world, but don't let this mislead you. Your mask is very much a part of who you are; it's the part of you that you allow others to see. These are the personality traits and needs you've chosen to make others aware of from their very first impression of you. Since the rising sign is so visible, it's also a point in the chart where one can determine physical characteristics. From the perspective of personality, the rising sign certainly reveals a great deal, but from a spiritual perspective, these revelations take on an even deeper meaning. If the Sun sign represents what you are learning to become in this lifetime, then the rising sign can be seen as the most direct route your Sun sign will use to learn these lessons. The rising sign indicates the immediate visibility of personality traits, but also the immediate visibility of the soul's purpose. Let's take an example: suppose you have a girlfriend with her Sun in Cancer. You've read about Cancers and know they are nurturing, protective, moody and usually shy, yet also intensely creative and intuitive. Yet this friend of yours doesn't seem to fit this description at all. Instead of creating tantalizing dishes from her cozy kitchen while complaining about her PMS to you on the phone, and having a life centered on mothering her four children, husband, sister and the neighbors, she's busy traveling the world, has three advanced degrees (one in art history, one in philosophy and one in creative writing) and refuses to get married and have children because she believes it will restrict her freedom loving personality. This friend always has a smile on her face and looks at the bright side of things. That's not Cancer, is it? Well, maybe this friend could be better understood once you realize that she has Sagittarius rising. Sadge is all about truth seeking and higher learning. Sagittarius is fun loving and has an intense need for freedom. This Cancer Sun friend has an immediate soul purpose to nurture (Cancer) her own higher learning and spiritual advancement (Sagittarius). What you don't see on the surface is the fact that she may also be tremendously insecure (Cancer) about her ability to learn (Sagittarius) or her faith (Sagittarius). She is learning to nurture her faith. She is also learning to have faith in her ability to nurture. When you look at the rising sign from both a personality and soul level, it can give you deep insights. By embracing the lesson your soul decided was the most urgent, and by being aware of what it is about your personality you allow others to see, you can project yourself in the most positive light and accelerate your soul growth all at the same time. Rising to the Challenge The remainder of this article is divided into sections that explain the personality traits others will see in you based on your ascendant, as well as the immediate soul lesson that particular rising sign calls on you to integrate with your Sun sign potential. Allow your intuition to guide you as you read these descriptions and I'm sure you will find something that resonates. Remember, your soul wants you to uncover these lessons and embrace them; you chose your individual mask for a reason. Please also realize that, as with any single point in a birth chart,
complete understanding of the details of your life purpose and mask
can only be fully delineated when all the aspects your ascendant
makes to the remainder of the chart are considered. In addition,
the placement of the planet that rules your ascendant is quite significant
because it tells you where you will most likely play out this important
life lesson. Also, if you have any planets close to the ascendant,
or in the first house, this adds further decoration to your mask
and there will be more to uncover. If you find a heavy first house
or an ascendant that makes many aspects to the rest of the chart,
you may want to consult an astrologer to help you fully understand
the colors you wear to the world, and the lesson they brighten your
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