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What is my Rising Sign? Astrologers explain how your ascendant impacts your personality
For starters, it's "one of the most important aspects of your chart since it sets everything in motion"
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If you've ever felt like your Sun sign (or even your Moon sign) just doesn't represent you at all, there might be an explanation. It's very possible that you actually resonate more with your rising sign—aka, the sign that was approaching the Earth’s eastern horizon at the moment you were born, says Courtney O’Reilly, a New York City-based astrologer and founder of Vibrant Soul Astrology.
Also referred to as your ascendant sign, your rising sign is one part of your 'big three' astrological placements. The traits associated with this sign are what you’re destined to embody in your lifetime, explains Miami-based astrologer Valerie Mesa. So, if you’re an Aquarius who really doesn't identify as an aloof, fun-loving free spirit, it’s likely that your rising sign is the part of your personality that really shines through. 'Your rising sign is your essence that you present to the world,' says Mesa.
But how do you find your rising sign, and what does it say about you? Here's everything you need to know:
Caroline Shannon-Karasik is a writer and mental health advocate based in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to Women's Health, her work has appeared in several print and online publications, including The Cut, Tonic, Narratively, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and DAME. She is currently writing a collection of essays.
Naydeline Mejia is an assistant editor at Women’s Health, where she covers sex, relationships, and lifestyle for WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She is a proud graduate of Baruch College and has more than two years of experience writing and editing lifestyle content. When she’s not writing, you can find her thrift-shopping, binge-watching whatever reality dating show is trending at the moment, and spending countless hours scrolling through Pinterest.
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