Understanding Your Outward Personality

Most everyone is well aware of their sun sign, but how many know what their
rising sign is, and what it means to who they are?
The sun sign you were born under is based upon the time of year (the actual day &
date) of your birth and represents the zodiac constellation that was in the sun when
you were born. At that same time, no matter when or where in the world that was,
there was an ascending zodiac constellation rising on the Eastern horizon. No
matter what sun sign you were born under, the zodiac sign that was rising in the
East at the time of your birth is your rising, or ascending, sign.
Your rising sign has as much relevance on your overall personality as your sun
sign. Each of us has aspects of personality that show at certain times. There is our
inner personality that we see in ourselves and show only to those who are closest
to us (such as a spouse), the outward personality that shows to acquaintances or
coworkers, and the emotional personality that shows to close friends and family we
trust with who we are.
> Your sun sign reveals your inner-self ? the core of who you are, and how
you see yourself.
> The rising sign can be thought of as your outward personality – the part of
you that shows to others, or that others observe about you.
> Your moon sign indicates emotional responses – the way you deal with
certain situations.
Understanding your rising sign, or the outward personality, is important to many
aspects of keeping balance in life. Some interpret the ascending sign as that part of
us that show our natural defenses – or reactions – to our environment and in coping
with day-to-day issues as they arise in our lives. The descriptive psychological
terms some might be more familiar with are defense mechanisms or coping skills.
A Virgo with an Aries rising is going to react differently to being harshly criticized
by a same level coworker than a Pisces with a Scorpio rising would. The reason
for this is due to the ruling planet in each birth chart, and proves that we are each
unique individuals.
Knowing your rising sign and its inherent characteristics is beneficial to improving
any interpersonal relationship. If, perhaps, you have found yourself unable to get
along with a coworker, friend of a friend, or even a sibling, take the time to find
out the characteristics of your ascending sign. You may be surprised at what you
are projecting about yourself to others! This person with which you are having
conflict may be seeing things in your outward personality that rub them the wrong
way, not knowing it?s simply not who you are at your very core.
Once you are fully aware of your outward personality, you will be able to employ
new coping skills that are more socially acceptable. You will find there is less
conflict in all your relationships after making this transition.

KEYWORDS: personality; practical, astrology; relationships; ascending; rising;
sign; sun