The Ascendant gives so many clues to the horoscope that we cannot help but realize it is in fact one of the most important parts of the Astrology chart.

At the time of birth, it is the sign coming up over the horizon. As such it does not have to be the same as your Sun Sign. Most people have their Sun in one Sign and their Ascendant in another. The odds of having both your Sun and Ascendant in the same sign are 1 in 12.

This is because during the twenty four hour day, the Ascendant spends approximately two hours in each Sign. Thus, every two hours, the Sign coming up over the horizon changes.

If you were born at sunrise, then the Sun in your chart would be coming up over the horizon, and would be in exactly the same sign as your Ascendant. This would make you a "Double" Aries.. Taurus.. Gemini etc, which has special astrological implications.

If you were a night birth, your Sun would be in the bottom of the chart, somewhere between your First and Sixth House. If you were a day birth your Sun would be in the upper half of your Chart, somewhere between your Seventh and Twelfth House. The Ascendant marks daybreak, separating the darkness of night from the light of day.

For years, it has been known that the Ascendant influences one's physical appearance. This explains why many individuals do not look like their Sun Sign. This would explain why an individual with a Sagittarius Sun (the sign of exaggeration), who we might expect to be tall of stature, might actually be quite short if Saturn (the planet of limitations) appears near their Ascendant or in their First House.

In more recent times, it has been discovered that the Ascendant also influences one's personality, and even more recently it is found to be linked to one's Karma. As a result, the demeanor of an individual is now shown to be a direct result of their past incarnations.

The most fascinating book written on this subject explains how the Ascendant is linked to past-life Karma.

It explains how to overcome any past reincarnation weaknesses which would otherwise repeat themselves in this life. Consider for study,

THE ASCENDANT YOUR KARMIC DOORWAY