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What makes your personality unlike anyone else?
By Emily Ratay — Written on Sep 05, 2019
The process of finding out why you are who you are can be a confusing journey. Defining oneself is definitely a deeply, personal journey that can get a little muddled along the way. Why is that? Isn’t “identity” just a combination of the things you like, your personality, and why you act the way you do?
Some part of it is exactly that, but there’s more to knowing who you are than just liking bacon cheese fries and being outspoken.
The same is true for astrology. You know your basic zodiac sign and know that the traits for your sign are part of who you are as a person. But your Sun sign isn’t the end of it – all of the planets in the solar system include important traits that describe individual parts of you, including your rising ascendant sign.
What is an ascendant sign?
It's the zodiac sign of the constellation that was rising in the east on the day that you were born. This is why it's called a rising sign.
It's the personality that you are in the process of becoming, while your Sun sign is the person you are at work, and your Moon sign is the way you think and learn best. Those individual parts then come together to make up the “you” that you are, as a whole. Confusing already, I know.
My point is that understanding why your identity is like putting a recipe together. Alone, they are not a recipe but together they make something delicious. There are times when I don’t feel like I have a personality or identity at all. Have you ever felt that way?
Sometimes, it feels like if someone were to describe me as a person, or if I were to try to explain the most basic part of who I am, there wouldn't be much to tell. Part of this feeling comes from not really knowing who I am fully.
I feel like I am in a period of transition where I have to decide what I want in my future, who I want to be, and the kind of people I want in my life to lift me up. To really understand why I am who I am, I feel like I have to know who I am first. I don’t want just my Sun sign to determine my whole personality. So, learning more about the other planets helps.
If you feel like you want to know more about yourself as a person, start here. This information below will help you figure out why you are who you are by better understanding your ascendant or rising sign.
Ascendant Sign Meanings
Aries Ascendant
You’re an Aries because you always make an unforgettable impression to those around you. Not only can you walk into a room and instantly become the life of the party, but your open, kind personality makes anyone want to get to know you better and become your friend.
You’re an Aries because you are determined and assertive. You go after what you want in life and gain the reputation of a force to be reckoned with. Without you in the world, there wouldn’t be someone to look up to for their fierceness, Aries.
Taurus Ascendant
You’re a Taurus thanks to your strong presence and will. Like a bull, you can be quiet and unassuming or full of power and rage. You can be tough and have a rough outer shell at times, but it’s only because you stand up for what you believe in and aren’t one to back down.
You’re a Taurus because when something or someone matters to you, you go to great lengths to protect that thing or person. Stability is your middle name – you’re the zodiac sign that is always there for others, willing to help out or be there for support.
Gemini Ascendant
You’re a Gemini because you’re playful and confident. You light up a room with your winning smile, and you know how to make friends with just about anyone. Speaking of friends, you are one of those zodiac signs that could be considered the ultimate best friend.
You’re a Gemini because you are a natural communicator. Whether it’s over text message or in person, you know how to get your point across and get people to listen to you. You’re always connecting with others through shared interests and similar mindsets. As a complex person, you know how to connect with everyone around you.
Cancer Ascendant
You’re a Cancer because you are caring and empathetic. You have the biggest heart of all the zodiac signs, and it shows. There isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for a loved one, even if it means going out of your way to help someone in need.
You’re a Cancer because of your deeply intuitive and sensitive personality. Some people like to make you feel bad for being soft and nurturing, but that’s the core of what makes you such a special friend, caretaker, and person.
Leo Ascendant
You’re a Leo because you are powerful, warm, and colorful. If it were possible for personality to radiate from people, yours would be brilliant, vibrant, and beautiful. You know how to make confidence look inspiring, never intimidating or egotistical.
You’re a Leo because, as the lion of the zodiac, you command a presence no matter where you are. You are impossible to ignore and the life of the party. Rather than keeping your secrets for success and confidence to yourself, you’re always willing to teach those who ask you for help.
Virgo Ascendant
You’re a Virgo because you are observant and analytical. You may seem quiet on the outside, but inside your mind, it’s like an explosion of intelligence. You are a deep thinker, and a passionate individual. You are a fly on the wall who prefers to observe your surroundings and learn from what’s around you than to do anything without preparation first.
You’re a Virgo because so much is constantly going on behind those intense, searching eyes. What makes you such an amazing friend and person is that you’re known for picking up on the little things, which you use at later times (like birthdays or when a friend is feeling down) to make someone feel special.
Libra Ascendant
You’re a Libra because you are charming and lovely. Your bubbly, adoring personality makes just about everyone who meets you want to be your friend. And because you’re such a social butterfly, you’re always happy to welcome new people into your life – you’re like the best of best friends.
You’re a Libra because you’re peaceful, kind, and always willing to please others. People know that they can come to you for a shoulder to cry on, some advice about life and love, or just someone to talk to. You know how to cheer friends and family up better than any other zodiac sign.
Scorpio Ascendant
You’re a Scorpio because you exude power and sensuality. There is something so much deeper to you than what’s on the surface – and only a fortunate few are able to see that honest side of you. Some may find you intimidating, but in reality, you just prefer to protect your heart and feelings fiercely.
You’re a Scorpio because your presence can be felt intensely by anyone who gets close enough to you. If someone looks into your eyes, they can see just how passionate and fierce you really are. Deep, deep down is a loyal, loving heart.
Sagittarius Ascendant
You’re a Sagittarius because you are wise and blunt. Not only do you tell it like it is, but you do it in a philosophical, intelligent way that teaches everyone something new. You’re all about growth and learning in life – two things you absolutely must carry with you no matter where life takes you.
You’re a Sagittarius because you are attracted to big ideas, worldly insight, and humor and wit. What makes you so different from the rest of the zodiac signs is your ability to be deep and silly at the same time. You can talk about something serious and still crack a joke along the way.
Capricorn Ascendant
You’re a Capricorn because you are hardworking and serious. People like to peg you as no-nonsense, but in reality, you just have a lot of goals that you want to achieve and you don’t ever settle for the word “no” – take that, haters.
You’re a Capricorn because you hold yourself with pride and importance, no matter what life throws at you. Even when you’re stressed, down on yourself, and facing failure, you always keep your chin up because you’re a Capricorn – and no one can do it like you can.
Aquarius Ascendant
You’re an Aquarius thanks to your passionate, humanitarian, and rebellious nature. People think that calling you “unique” is a cop-out, but there really is no one like you out there – not even fellow Aquarians. You truly embody an original, unique space in this world.
You’re an Aquarius because you are one in a million and thrive on your originality. You know that there will always be people who won’t agree with you, and while you love making new friends and help others, you don’t mind going at life on your own, too. You know how to stick to your guns and make it happen for yourself because that’s what life is all about.
Pisces Ascendant
You’re a Pisces because you hold the weight of the world on your shoulders. As an empathetic, intuitive soul, you feel obligated to carry other people’s hardships with you; not because you want it to be all about yourself, but because you’re such a kind and caring person.
You’re a Pisces because you’re a sensitive healer at heart, but you still sometimes suffer to make others happy. The emotions you feel on a daily basis, plus the ones everyone else brings to you, make you such a soft and sweet person, friend, and colleague.
Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh. She's passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes.