Explore the most powerful way to enter the horoscope; through the Ascendant and discover what one may expect from that all-important first impression. How might we anticipate the client looks, speaks or acts? How are these characteristics enhanced by the energy of the Sun? What deeper meaning does this combination have in the life of an individual? <

Having my Sun sign, Ascendant and Mercury in tight conjunction to each other I have battled to figure out the difference between Sun signs and Ascendants. Well now seems a good time to research this topic and write an article so that I can put this confusion to rest.

Firstly I see a planet as the native and the sign the role the native has to play, the house is the setting or place from which the native plays his role. This is the first difference as the Sun is a planet or native and the Ascendant is a role to be acted out. It is the sign on the cusp of the first house so it is working from the front door of whom the native is, his appearance, health and personality. It is the place where the world gets its first impression of the native and the mask the native wears. The Sun is the individual's fundamental life force shining its rays onto all the other planets, including the ruler of the Ascendant, so that the individual is able to see them.

Let me start with the Ascendant also known as the Rising Sign. When we erect a natal horoscope it can be overwhelming, in fact it should be overwhelming as we need to go into a chart knowing and assuming nothing. The Ascendant is a good place to start any project including my article! As we look at the chart not knowing anything, we need a method to find our way through the natal horoscope. We need a place from which we can always begin, and that place should tell us something concrete immediately. This entrance into the natal horoscope is the entrance to the body, soul, thought and fate of the native. This beginning point is the Ascendant - the key to the doorway into the natal horoscope. To quote John Frawley, "The Ascendant is the point when the divine spark enters the material body". It describes the person himself both physically as well as his personality. The 1st house is the house of self. The rising sign is how a native will enter into a situation, the mask we wear, our filter and the vehicle in which we ride through life. It is the first thing we see, the first impression - only later do we get to the natives moving energy underneath the Ascendant.

The Ascendant is the point on the eastern horizon where the sky meets the earth at the exact time of birth. The eastern point is important and chosen as the Ascendant; this is the point where the sun as well as the twelve constellations rise. In whichever constellation the sun is, will be the first rising sign of the day, if the sun is in Taurus as it appears rising from the eastern horizon at dawn it will be in the sign it is transiting through, which is Taurus. As the day progresses and the Earth turns on its axis, so the other constellations appear rising from the east. Depending on what time of the day or night the native is born will give the Astrologer the sign on the Ascendant. It would seem that no matter which system of house, time period, Indian or Western, the houses are sequential from the Ascendant which is the native's time of birth. This is the first place we look at when we approach delineation of a horoscope.

The sign of the Ascendant on the cusp of the first house is the manner in which we make an action. For example if the sign on the Ascendant is feminine it is usually more reactive and ruled by its needs, if masculine it is more active and lives in a world of opportunity. Next, we need to have a look at the elements. Water needs emotional security, earth needs physical security, fire goes for action and power, and air for movement and expression. Then we have the modes of the signs that can tell us more. Cardinal being the most initiative and active, fixed being strong with acquiring and holding on, and mutable signs as expected vacillate between cardinal and fixed. The mutable ascendant will take on the personality of its own elemental nature.

Putting the elements and modes together we can see the differences in nature. The feminine signs cardinal water, Cancer, and cardinal earth, Capricorn, take action and the initiative, which works well in a structured environment, whereas masculine cardinal signs Aries and Libra will take action and work in any circumstances, not needing a structure.

Looking at the fixed signs, feminine earth Taurus needs to hold onto resources and money, fixed water Scorpio needs to hold onto power, energy, hidden worlds and other people's values. The fixed masculine signs fiery Leo loves and holds onto honor, glory and greatness and fixed air Aquarius holds onto knowledge.

Mutable signs move between cardinal and fixed. Feminine mutable signs are earthy Virgo needing practical routines, where watery Pisces needs to dissolve boundaries and believe in dreams. The mutable masculine air sign Gemini, which can also vacillate between masculine and feminine, loves movement and freedom of expression. Fiery masculine Sagittarius expansively increases its knowledge and world's view.

The sign on the Ascendant will have a ruler, and it is this ruler that gives us information to the physical being, his health as well as his appearance and looks. So the sign is the role and the planet is the physical being. It is the description of both body and nature that is taken from the Ascendant rather than from the Sun. When looking at the physical being it is important to judge the planets in the Ascendant and then the sign and an intercepted sign if there is one. Then we look at the ruler of the Ascendant, if it is intercepted then both rulers. Note if the ruling planet is oriental, it rises before the sun and will pass over the eastern horizon before the sun; if it rises after the sun then it is occidental. The planets are said to give the stature, shape and form of the body and the signs the general color of face and hair according to William Lilly. The signs can also describe the personality or nature of the native as well the status of their health.

I list the planets' influence on our physical forms.

Mercury
Oriental: Average stature inclining to tallness
Occidental: Smaller stature but still moderately tall

Mars
Oriental: Tall
Occidental: Moderate in height, more long than short

Venus
Oriental: Tallish and slender
Occidental: Shorter and more voluptuous, fuller figure

Jupiter
Oriental: Goodly tall stature
Occidental: Moderate stature inclining to tallness

Saturn
Oriental: Full moderate to short stature
Occidental: Short stature

As for Mercury, the body form will often take on the nature of his dispositor, the same is said for the Sun and Moon. If the planet is in its fall or detriment that too plays a role, too fat, too thin, a deformity of sorts according to the sign in which it occurs. As he does not work with Uranus, Neptune or Pluto I shall try my best to give them a physical appearance using Guttman and Johnson's Mythic Astrology.

Uranus
Oriental: Tall to moderate stature.
Occidental: Tall to moderate and thin in stature.

Neptune
Oriental: Average, soft stature
Occidental: Average, soft and full stature

Pluto
Oriental: Tall, moderate and muscular
Occidental: Moderate slim and muscular

With these planets they too can take on the appearance of their sign's ruler. Also it is very important to look at the planets found on or near the Ascendant as they too add to the appearance of the native, for example Saturn/ Mars conjunct South Node could show scarring of the skin or the face. If there is a Fixed Star on the Ascendant this too could influence the first appearance: beautiful, ugly or deformed in stature.

The signs too will give us further information on the form and structure of the body but they add color and features of the face and hair. After all, the ascendant is the first house ruler of the head. With the use of Lilly, Guttman and Johnson as well as myself I shall break it down as best as possible. We need to take into consideration not only the ruling planet and its condition, well or poorly aspected, but the country, race and the season in which the native was born. For example, in Africa some fair skinned individuals could develop a browner skin and most of the Danes are fair or red haired. As for the seasons they should be the seasons of the country in which the Native resides.

Spring: Fair clear complexion, pleasing form and shape and lovely hair and color. Summer: Plumper than spring people, average height, lots of hair and great eyes, a slightly yellow or red complexion. Autumn: Hair spreading abroad, decent lean stature and dark in complexion, black. Winter: Pale complexion, black and swarthy in coloring, thin hair and decent stature.

Aries: The Ram, fire element and cardinal, ruling planet is Mars. Long and moderate structure that is upright rather than bowed. The first part of Aries being overweight with the latter part being thin. Red in coloring. Face can have sharp features with well marked brows meeting at the bridge of the nose. The nature: emergence and assertion of individual ego. Can be aggressive when people get in their way. They have ceaseless energy and love exercising their bodies, their minds and expressing their opinions. Rules the head in medical astrology, so they can suffer from headaches or injury to the head.

Taurus: The Bull, earth element and fixed, ruling planet is Venus. Moderate and strong structure with broad shoulders and narrowing of hip. First part of Taurus being stocky to overweight and the latter part being slimmer. Citrine in coloring. Voluptuous and desirable in looks with curly locks of hair. The males have thick necks and both sexes have strength in their posture and movement. Have a favorite color. The nature: Sustaining, constant, fertile and fruitful. Slow to act and can be stubborn, acting when it is ready, not when you are ready. Artistic, creative, practical and gifted. Patient with an inner knowledge that everything has a time and place of being. Ruler of throat so if on the Ascendant can have a wonderful voice. Rules the throat in medical astrology so can suffer from sore throats, laryngitis and stiff necks.

Gemini: The Twins, air element and mutable, ruling planet is Mercury. Indifferent in structure, first part of the sign will be lean and the latter overweight. The body and the face can look asymmetrical, sharp small piercing eyes and a cheeky Peter Pan face, youthful appearance. White mixed with red coloring. The nature: Duality, controversial, curious youthful mind, communicator, trickster and restless. On the Ascendant will often display qualities in the information field and be charming, inclined to have a poor relationship with the physical world. Rules the arms, hands, shoulders and lungs in medical astrology. Can suffer from fibrocitis in the shoulders, injuries to the hands as well as chest problems such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and TB.

Cancer: The Crab, water element and cardinal, ruling planet is the moon, Short and in the earlier part of the sign, medium to lean; in the latter part, full to overweight. The face is round like the full moon and shows the changing emotions of the native, cross, sad, board or happy depending on the situation. Russet and green of color.

The nature: Nurturing, emotional, dependent on relationships, often easily able to initiate new relationships, seeks security, loves his/ her home, needs to feel needed, outspoken, sensitive and psychic.

Rules the breasts and the womb in medical astrology; can suffer from disorders related to nourishment, such as eating disorders, growths in breasts and womb.

Leo: The Lion, fire element and fixed, ruling planet is the Sun. A body taller, the first part of the sign fatter and the latter leaner. Lots of hair with red, brown and tawny lights, males like to grow their facial hair. Cleft in chins and broad handsome faces. Tawny or green cat eyes. Red and green of color.

The nature: A social sign, kingly, dominating, egotistical, loving, strong and energetic. Consciously directed will, jovial and projecting cheer and good fellowship, generous and giving. Leo on the Ascendant shows much revered and respected leaders, has a love of children or the youth.

Rules the Heart and in medical astrology is the central organ of life, it is very important to keep the heart healthy with good food and moderate exercise. Angina and heart attacks are a danger.

Virgo: The Virgin, earth element and mutable, its rulers are Chiron and Mercury. Average to tall with a moderate proportion of body. Neat and smartly dressed. Clean, healthy appearance. Practical in fashion and style. Blue and black of color.

The nature: Virgo is still represented as cold, fussy and analytical; when we factor in Chiron, we get a servant and healer. A native who knows and regulates his/ her body with diet and exercise. All this requires discrimination.

Rules the digestive organs in medical astrology, can suffer from digestive problems such as irritable bowel, constipation and bloating as well as blockage and other problems in the intestines.

Libra: The Scales, air element and cardinal, its ruler being Venus. Moderate to tall, with a moderate proportion of body. Attractive in a distant way, dimples in face. Black or dark crimson or tawny colors.

The nature: Relationships, justice, judgment and fairness. Conscious of self in the day and others in the night; stands balanced. Continually seeking balance and fairness. Intellectual resources are of great value. Flirtatious, exciting and loves praise, but not easy to touch.

Rules the kidneys in medical astrology. The role of the kidneys is in balancing and regulating the workings of the internal body. Frequency, renal infections as well as renal failure due to shock can occur.

Scorpio: The Scorpion, water element and fixed, its ruler is Pluto. Moderate to tall in height with leanness in the first part of the sign and overweight in the latter part. Brown in color. Loves to wear loud powerful clothes, black and red together, leather material, clothes that make a statement. They have hairy bodies and intense dark penetrating eyes. Brown of color.

The nature: Powerful personality, a tongue that packs a sting, experiences death and rebirth, comfortable with the occult, commitment to the point of obsession, jealousy and possessive, transformation and the separation and regeneration process. Can have sexual problems as well as deviant behavior.

Rules the sexual and eliminatory organs in medical astrology, so the native could experience problems with his/ her colon, bladder as well venereal diseases, if not careful.

Sagittarius: The Centaur, fire element and mutable, its ruler is Jupiter. Tall and athletic with powerful legs, in the latter part of the sign, overweight. Rings on most of the fingers. The nature: Expansive personality, restless, forever searching, demands knowledge, has expansive knowledge, Has a great sense of humor, considered a lucky sign as they seem to carry many guardian angles around with them, optimistic, will always try to make things right. Religious and have faith, philanthropic and philosophical. Can become dogmatic. Rules the thigh, sciatica, haunches and sacrum, as well as liver, pancreas and the endocrine system. Loss of mobility, hepatitis and diabetes are problems associated with this sign.

Capricorn: The Goat Fish, earth element and cardinal, its ruler is Saturn. Short and in the first part of the sign leaning towards slim, in the latter part, portly or stocky. Black, russet or swarthy brown in color. Square and powerful, dresses in practical earthy clothes. Strong foreheads and rather large heads with generous mouths and strong teeth.

The nature: Powerful sense of purpose combined with winery withdrawal, latent sexuality and spiritual, control and mastery over this earthy realm. Controls their children and workers. A bit cold, stiff, materialistic and rigid, seeks perfection.

Rules the skeleton, skin, teeth, tendon and cartilage in medical astrology, so the structure and hips can give the native problems.

Aquarius: The Water-Bearer, air element and fixed, its ruler is Uranus. Of moderate proportions, in the latter part of the sign inclined to thinness. A sky color with blue. Bright eyes, enjoys wearing what we today term as " blings" bright, glittery adornments, gems in their hair and ears. Hair is plenty and in unusual styles or fashion. Clothes are revolutionary and unusual, they can be a bit detached from their bodies as they are powerfully air.

The nature: Airhead, a bit ditsy, humanitarian, honest to a fault only wanting the truth and that brings hope and positive growth, a natural understanding of technology, revolutionary, seeking knowledge on their own wavelength that can be passed on to others.

Rules the circulation of lymph and blood in medical astrology, so they need to watch out for strokes, clots, hardening of arteries and brain tumors as well as hard to diagnose diseases.

Pisces: The fish, water element and mutable, its ruler is Neptune. Short and have changing proportions within a moderate zone. A white glistening color. Large deep liquid eyes that look into your soul and seem to see everything. Bohemian in dress, love flowing scarves and natural adornments, such as beads and feathers. They dress in what feels good for the day and feel unhappy in a uniform, so will try and soften it somehow. Can be a bit untidy and dreamy in appearance.

The nature: They do not like boundaries and are very adaptable to any situation, hopeless romantic, victim, dreamy, mystical and martyrs. Their gentle appearance and personality hides a powerful streak that can take you when you least expect it. Hermit and artistic or musical.

Rules sweat glands, tear ducts, plasma and feet. Osmosis and diffusion. Need to take note when feet swell and hurt, are inclined to retain water.

This is a lot of available information one can put together to get an idea of your clients Rising sign. Masculine or feminine, season, race, modes, elements, signs and rulers. But don't forget that if there is a planet conjunct the Ascendant, this can dominate the personality and appearance, and needs to be added into the equation of working out the Ascendant. When rectifying a chart just on looks and personality, you may be tapping into the planet conjunct the Ascendant. I have my sun tightly conjunct my Ascendant and show just as many Sun traits as Neptune traits.

I have a client who is Aries sun, Libra rising, with Mars conjunct his Ascendant, he is tall with strawberry blond hair, slim and desirable. He is impatient, always trying to balance his actions, has his 2nd Dan in Karate, very clever and suffers from chronic headaches and neck pains. I initially thought he was Aries rising but the arc of events did not work, so by putting his Mars on the Ascendant it all fell into place.

Another hyperactive Sagittarius rising client has Mars and Saturn on his Ascendant. He suffered from severe raw pustule acne and has been left with a badly pockmarked face.

Well that has cleared a lot up as far as the Ascendant is concerned. As far as the Sun is concerned I need to look past the Ascendant to the spiritual goal direction of the Sun. I love the way a wonderful spiritual astrologer, Darby Castello, described the Sun. It is the masculine, creative, goal directed spirit describing the lines of our destiny, direction, growth and where the spirit seeks satisfaction. It tells us what we must do to fulfill our duty here on earth. We have a right to be here to fulfill ourselves. It can describe our fathers and the men we attract in our lives, if female it describes our attractions to males with whom we wish to mate, as this mate can teach us the lessons we have come to learn in this lifetime.

In Noel Tyl's Synthesis & Counseling in Astrology he talks about the Sun-Moon blend and he describes the Sun as a particular type of energy, according to the sign in which it occurs, and the Moon as receiving the Sun's energy so that we can live through the Moon, our needs. The Sun is the fuel we need to activate our needs.

The Sun is different to any other planets. They all revolve around it. It is at the center of all planets giving them light, warmth and allowing life to exist and grow. It is often the primary reference point in a horoscope and that is why Sun sign astrology is so popular. To know your true self is to understand your Sun, the sign in which it occurs and the position in which it is placed in your chart. The Sun is the conductor of the orchestra. It is symbolic of directed will and strong sense of purpose. The alchemical Sun is a metaphor for sulphur, a fiery, burning substance, a vital, commanding life-force, which manifests in our daily lives as the Ego. The Alchemists point out that the Sun is equated with a powerful masculine archetype called "the inner king" possessed by both male and females and only emerges as Self when married to the queen. The emergence of Self is dependent on a union of masculine and feminine qualities. The Sun alone is powerless, unless it has other planets with which it can work.

Like with anything in life there is a negative side to the Sun where too much willpower and purpose leads to arrogance, which can have destructive consequences.

I shall now list the Sun as a life-force in the signs.

Aries: Energy to lead, to begin, to pioneer, determined to create with pure and intense passion. Has raw uncharged energy. Impulsive and fearless.

Taurus: Energy to build, sustain and maintain. Able to ground things in the physical, creating tangible representations of lasting beauty and value.

Gemini: Energy to communicate and diversify. Operates from a mental plane in an abstract way, connecting lower and higher mind. Quick of wit and expresses the nature of duality, exploring two extremes of any situation.

Cancer: Energy to create security, operating on a powerful emotional and soulful connection with all creation. Nurturing, belonging, connecting emotionally to others and forming bonds.

Leo: Energy to be recognized, sustaining what has been created before, extremely creative and attracted to all forms of self expression, worthy of attention and appreciation.

Virgo: Energy to discriminate and refine. Concerned with completing and perfecting the physical plane. Involved in healing, analysis, evaluation and being of service.

Libra: Energy to please and be appreciated. Creative with initiation and taking action, operating in the mental and social realm. Motivated by beauty and relationships, finding balance and harmony in these relationships.

Scorpio: Energy to dig deep and reach answers, control by knowing. Creative in transformation, endings for new beginnings and merging on a deep level with others.

Sagittarius: Energy for understanding, self- assertion, quest for truth and an ability to affect thought. Creative with growth and expansion as well as seeking new experiences and new information.

Capricorn: Energy to organize, strategize, deploy resources and ambition. Creative in initiating and taking action. Building structure as well as protecting the integrity and security of society.

Aquarius: Energy to innovate, intellectualize to all and with others. Creative with group association, places importance on group identity more than individual identity, a team player and humanitarian.

Pisces: Energy to feel, understand and sacrifice. Creative with compassion and healing, absorbing and transmuting negative energy and emotions of others, spiritual connections with each other and the universe, not recognizing boundaries, as we are all the same beings, sharing the same universe, dreams and fantasy.

The next step to understand your Sun is to see from which house it operates, where the ruler of its sign is, as well as the aspects it is making to other planets.

This article just touches on the positive qualities of the Sun and Ascendant. If the negative qualities are being acted out due to difficult aspects or transits, then it is our work as Astrologers to show our clients how to overcome the negative and focus on turning the challenging aspects into a positive creative energy.

I have quoted several Authors in this article.

• Kevin Burk Understanding the Birth Chart.
• Noel Tyl Synthesis & counseling in Astrology.
• Guttman and Johnson Mystic Astrology.
• Robert Zoller His course in Medieval Astrology.

  Laurie Naughtin Practices and teaches Astrology. Has an interest in Rectifications as well as Vocations. She reads Tarot and is a healer specializing in Cranio-Sacral Therapy and reflexology.