I was thinking about how we evolve and grow with our natal chart, and how far we have each come individually with our own journey. The word “journey” is overly used and it is a bit cliché to even refer to it. Nonetheless it doesn’t’ make our journey any less profound.Our journey begins with our birth, and the date, time and place of our first emergence in the world is very important. Astrologers use this information to cast a birth chart and position the signs and the planets in the twelve houses of the horoscope.
The sign rising at birth describes the way we express ourselves out into life. How we perceive life, and how others see us. The Ascendant is the journey we must make and describes the task and qualities we need to develop which will take us on the road to becoming whole (Sun). Indeed, the journey of life from birth to death is something that is common to all human beings. How we reach our destination, accomplish our goals and realize our destiny is dependent on our ability to navigate the contours of our horoscope chart. On the way we meet successes and obstacles and we cope with a myriad of events that cross our path.
Astrologically we seem to move towards the ascendant throughout our lifetime, and we need to integrate the qualities of our ascendant sign into our life. Some people don’t relate to their rising sign in the least. However, as life progresses they will meet the challenge of the Ascendant in some shape or form. And learning how to navigate our world through the traits described by the ascendant is our pathway to realizing who we are.
The rising sign represents a new phase of growth, so although we may constantly analyse the traits of our sun sign, we really need to look closer to home. Through examining the characteristics which need to be developed first on the Ascendant, we learn how to cope with life’s challenges. I believe that at some point in our life it becomes evident what we have to do, but it may take some people longer than others to reach this realization.
Many astrologers believe there is a greater intelligence behind why we are born at a particular time. In beginning to assess the Ascendant, you could start by looking at the element of the sign and assess whether you are charting an earthier, practical and real-world view of life (EARTH) and taking on the practical tasks which will help you achieve your goal. Perhaps you are charting the watery domain of feelings, intuitions, and your deepest emotions (WATER). Whatever the case, the Ascendant says something about the path you need to follow.
