Leo Rising Sign – Ascendant

Chart Ruler: the Sun
Element: Fire
Tarot Cards: The Queen of Wands and the Sun

The First House is the House of the Self. It is “home” to your personality, character, manners, style, temperament, and (in classical astrology) physical characteristics. Since this House leads the chart, it has a special designation and is also known as the Ascendant and/or Rising Sign. If your Ascendant/Rising Sign is Leo, then you have a Fire Sign overlaying a Fire House. Below is the chart layout showing how you will be influenced on your twelve quests based on the Signs that rule each House, as determined by your Ascendant/Rising Sign.

The Chart Ruler

Each sign has a ruling point. The Sun rules Leo. Because of the special nature of the Ascendant/Rising Sign, the point ruling the Sign that overlays the 1^st House becomes the ruler of the entire chart. Someone with Leo on the Ascendant/Rising Sign will have their identity guided by the energy of the Sun, wherever it appears in the chart.

As an example, consider a person who has a Leo Ascendant/Rising Sign and Sun in Cancer, which would put the Sun in the 12^th House of Spirituality. This individual will be compassionate and concerned for the well-being of others regarding spiritual matters. According to Jodie Forrest, “With Leo Rising and the Sun here, this person should devote some regular time to daily meditation or some other form of quiet, contemplative inner work.” (127)

The Quest for Identity

Leo Ascendant individuals want to be appreciated and learn about their identity through performance and creative expression. According to Moore and Douglas:

The person with Leo on the Ascendant can shine like the Sun when their lives are unclouded by trouble, but they are less well equipped to handle adversity. They emanate rays of personal power which can raise others to glory or raze them to rubble. They need to avoid overdoing, for they are king-sized in extravagance as well as in generosity. Their virtues are dignity, courage, and integrity; their vices are egotism, bombast, and arrogance.

Like all Fire Signs, Leo Ascendant people need to be active, social, and engaged. They thrive on recognition and will go above and beyond to get or sustain attention, both good and bad.

Present Positively As: Generous | Negatively As: Arrogant

Perceived Positively As: Fun-Loving | Negatively As: Narcissistic

Creativity and Mastership

The Signs ruling the creative (5^th) and mastery of knowledge (9^th) Houses are Fire Signs also, so this individual will be excitable, creative, and inspiring when it comes to their own performance (Sagittarius on the 5^th House) and authority (Aries on the 9^th House). If they have any points in these Houses, there will be an increased emphasis on creativity, travel, scholarship, and worldly experience, which they will achieve with a romantic, self-confident identity (Leo).

The need to be passionate about what interests them is paramount. If there is no excitement and inspiration, they will not have any energy for work, the pursuit of knowledge, or relationships.

Finances, Work, and Career

The Signs ruling the finances (2^nd), work (6^th), and career (10^th) Houses are Earth Signs, so this individual will be a hard and capable worker who needs to feel secure at home (Virgo on the 2^nd House), skillful and helpful (Capricorn on the 6^th House), and ambitious and successful (Taurus on the 10^th House). If they have points in any of these Houses, there will be an increased emphasis on material success, which they will achieve with a fun-loving, recognition-driven identity (Leo).

They need to be employed in performance and creative roles in an organization, with plenty of room to be recognized and rewarded. This chart layout is excellent for a business leader; after all, what better way to succeed and be in control than to be a respected leader. These individuals will rarely doubt their ability to succeed once they get a foothold in their career path.

Communication, Relationships, and Community

The Signs ruling the communication (3^rd), relationship (7^th), and community (11^th) Houses are Air Signs, so this individual will have the skill as a communicator who loves learning (Libra on the 3rd House), easily understands the motivations of others (Aquarius on the 7th House) and wants to know where he or she can best fit into community and society (Gemini on the 11th House). If they have any points in these Houses, there will be an increased emphasis on intellectual development and the pursuit of wisdom, which they will pursue with a performance-driven, playful identity (Leo).

They need to have romantic and joyful relationships with intelligent and curious people. Their over-the-top personalities can be challenging to people with more emotional and subtle communication styles. However, if you want to be inspired and have a good time, these are the individuals who will give you both, all the time.

Feelings, Intimacy, and Spirituality

The Signs ruling the feelings and family (4^th), intimate partner (8^th), and spirituality (11^th) Houses are Water Signs, so this individual will have strong emotional flow regarding family and emotional development (Scorpio on the 4^th House), transformation with an intimate partner (Pisces on the 8^th House), and his or her search for purpose and faith (Cancer on the 12^th House). If they have any points in these Houses, there will be an increased emphasis on emotional development, intuition, empathy, and sympathy, which they will pursue with a playful, romantic identity (Leo).

They need strong, even intense emotional relationships with equally intense and emotional people. Their excitable and glowing personality can help them navigate and overcome emotional struggles because they want to perform at the highest level when faced with the challenge of any material, intellectual, or emotional circumstance.

Archetypes for this Ascendant/Rising Sign

(From – The Ascendant: Your Rising Sign by Jodie Forrest)

This person has come into the world wearing the mask of the Performer, the King or Queen, the Aristocrat, or the Clown. Other images for Leo include the Lion, the Star, the Golden Boy or Girl, or the Childlike One. Lower-level manifestations of this Sign’s energy might be the Dictator, the Prima Donna, the Narcissist, or the Spoiled Brat. (120)

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