to as a double Libra. Furthermore, continuing
the same example, if the Moon was in Libra and
Libra was also on the eastern horizon at the birth
moment, the native would be termed a triple
Libra. People who are a double or triple sign usu-
ally embody purer characteristics of their sign
than other individuals. No planet is included in
these specialized rubrics. In other words, if, con-
tinuing with the same example, Mercury or
Venus (or any other planet for that matter) was
in Libra at the moment of birth, but neither the
Moon nor the ascendant was in Libra, the native
would not qualify as a double or triple Libra.
Although the ascendant is important, in
Western astrology it is generally regarded as
exerting a more superficial influence than either
the Sun or the Moon; it is usually regarded as
influencing the native’s appearance and certain
outward traits more than the depth of her or his
personality. Some astrologers, however, view the
ascendant as indicating traits at least as deep as
the sun sign, if not deeper. (In Vedic astrology,
the ascendant or lagna is regarded as the most
influential sign.) One way of resolving this dis-
agreement is to take a clue from esoteric astrology
(spiritual astrology or the astrology of the soul).
In some systems of esoteric astrology, the ascendant is said to embody positive
traits that the native is supposed to be “growing toward.” If one was born with Virgo
on the ascendant, for example, then the native would need to learn to become more
organized or more attentive to details. If this individual is indeed learning Virgo
lessons, then the person’s Virgo traits will have acquired “depth”; if, on the other
hand, the person is not involved in the process of personal or spiritual growth, then
these same traits may exert only a superficial influence on the personality. Acquain-
tance with one or the other of these two types of individuals (growing or nongrowing)
may explain the diverging views of astrologers on the significance of the ascendant.
Whatever one’s view of the greater or lesser “depth” of the ascendant, there is
general agreement that the ascendant is a peculiarly sensitive point in the horoscope.
In most systems of house division, the first house begins at the ascendant, and any
planet in close proximity to this point—especially if it is located in the first (rather
than in the twelfth) house—exerts a strong influence over the whole personality.
Thus, for example, a person whose Moon is in close conjunction with the ascendant
will be moody and sensitive, even if no other factor in the chart indicates this trait.
The planet that rules the ascendant is also regarded as particularly strong. Some
astrologers view this planet as the “ruler” of the entire chart. In a natal chart with Tau-
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [53]
Ascendant (Rising Sign)In Grimoire literature, the planetary hours are
sometimes referred to as “ascendants.” Reproduced by
permission of Fortean Picture Library.