astrologia
Ascendant
The ascendant is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the exact moment of birth. In the natal chart it corresponds to the cusp of the first house and is, together with the Sun and the Moon, one of the three fundamental elements of the astrological profile.
What it represents
The ascendant describes the image you project spontaneously, the way you present yourself to the world, the "social mask" and also some physical and behavioral characteristics. For many astrologers it is the key that explains why a person can feel a gap between how they live inside (Sun, Moon) and how others perceive them.
How it is calculated
To calculate it you need date, time and place of birth. The sky rotates one degree every four minutes, so even small errors of time can shift the sign. The required precision is a few minutes. Without the time of birth, the ascendant cannot be reliably determined.
FAQ
Does it change over time?
No, the ascendant of birth is fixed. What changes are the planetary transits on the ascendant-descendant axis, which describe phases of transformation of the image of self.
Do I need to know the exact time?
Yes. A 30-minute difference can change the sign of the ascendant. The civil birth certificate is the most reliable source.
Is it more important than the sun sign?
Complementary. Together with Sun and Moon it forms the basic triad of the profile. For many astrologers it is just as relevant as the Sun.