Your ascendant, or rising sign, represents the mask you present to the world and the initial impression you give to others. It influences your appearance, attitude, and how you approach new situations. Learn more about the Ascendant/Rising Sign in Libra.
Astronomical Ruler:Venus Element:Air Tarot Cards: The King of Swords and Justice Zodiac Sign Symbol:
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 Libra, then you have an Air 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 planet Venus rules Libra. Because of the special nature of the Ascendant/Rising Sign, the point ruling the Sign that overlays the 1st House becomes the ruler of the entire chart. Someone with Libra on the Ascendant/Rising Sign will have their identity guided by the energy of Venus, wherever it appears in the chart.
As an example, consider a person who has a Libra Ascendant/Rising Sign and Venus in Aquarius, which would put Venus in the 5th House of Creativity. This individual will want to be creative for his or her community, helping people see ideals and hypocrisy through artistic and creative expression. According to Jodie Forrest, “With Venus here, a Libran Ascendant needs to make time for relating, creativity, and playful unstructured time.” (145)
The Quest for Identity
Libra Ascendant individuals learn about their identities through relationships, joint decision-making, and analysis. They present as sympathetic and are perceived as fair. Moore and Douglas say:
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The gift of Libra on the Ascendant is personal grace and charm. These individuals can be polished and urbane, but may carry diplomacy to the point of vacillation in their efforts to please everyone. They tend to react to others rather than to act in their own right, largely because they are keenly aware of the gravity of the causes they are setting in motion. (387)
Like the other Air Signs, Libra Rising people appreciate communication and intellectual curiosity. They prefer harmony and balance in their day-to-day lives. Other people enjoy their ability to get along with most anyone.
The Signs ruling the creative (5th) and mastery of knowledge (9th) Houses are Air Signs also, so this individual will be intellectual, curious, and perceptive when it comes to their own performance (Aquarius on the 5th House) and authority (Gemini on the 9th 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 negotiating and analytical identity (Libra).
The need to know as much as possible about what interests them is paramount. If there is no way to get their ideas out into the world or to discuss them with other people, then they will not have any energy for work, the pursuit of knowledge, or relationships.
Finances, Work, and Career
The Signs ruling the finances (2nd), work (6th), and career (10th) Houses are Water Signs, so this individual will be emotional and vulnerable about what they need to be secure at home (Scorpio on the 2nd House), skillful and helpful (Pisces on the 6th House), and ambitious and successful (Cancer on the 10th House). If they have points in any of these Houses, there will be an increased emphasis on material success, which they will achieve with fairness and decisiveness (Libra).
They need to be employed in healing and emotionally supportive roles in an organization, where they can be the peacekeeper and negotiator. This chart layout is excellent for someone to work in social and consumer fields; after all, what better way to succeed than to figure out what people want and need and give it to them.
Communication, Relationships, and Community
The Signs ruling the communication (3rd), relationship (7th), and community (11th) Houses are Fire Signs, so this individual will have creativity and play as his or her way to learn (Sagittarius on the 3rd House), easily understand the motivations of others (Aries on the 7th House), and want to know where he or she can best fit into community and society (Leo 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 seek out with an analytical, graceful identity (Libra).
They need to have exciting and romantic relationships with people who enjoy adventure and inspire others. They are other-aware, valuing playfulness and activity above all else in communication situations. If you want “fun in the sun” in your connection with others, these individuals will get you to keep things lively!
Feelings, Intimacy, and Spirituality
The Signs ruling the feelings and family (4th), intimate partner (8th), and spirituality (11th) Houses are Earth Signs, so this individual will be practical and material regarding family and emotional development (Capricorn on the 4th House), transformation with an intimate partner (Taurus on the 8th House), and his or her search for purpose and faith (Virgo on the 12th 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 balanced, patient identity (Libra).
They need practical, material, and reliable connections with people. Their constantly rebalancing and reassessing personality can help them navigate and overcome emotional struggles because they are willing to discuss and negotiate through any problem or difficulty. If you want someone with a willingness to communicate and constantly learn, these individuals will “keep you engaged” if they commit to you.
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 Artist, Lover, Counselor, or Peacemaker. Other images for Libra rising include the Negotiator, Diplomat, Aesthetic One, or Moderator. Less than optimal manifestations of this Ascendant might include the Fence-Sitter, Codependent One, Conflict-Avoider, or Indecisive One. (138)
