How to Find Your Rising Sign

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References

Your rising sign (also called your ascendant) is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the time you were born. Your rising sign tends to depict the way people see you when they first meet you, but who haven’t yet gotten to know you very well. In order to determine your rising sign, you will need to collect a bit of info about your birth. After you have obtained this information, you can look at a rising sign chart, use a rising sign calculator, or have your full natal chart done by an astrologer. Once you know your sign, you'll be ready to interpret it!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Gathering Info about Your Birth

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Write down the month, day, and year of your birth. Chances are, you already know your birthday. Write down this information, so that it is handy. Double check your birth certificate or ask one of your parents if you are unsure.^{[1]
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2
Determine the time of your birth. If you do not know your time of birth, you can get this info by asking your family members or looking at your birth certificate. The more exact your time of birth is, the more accurate your rising sign will be.^{[2]
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- It is crucial to narrow your time of birth down to at least a 2-hour window.
- Make sure you know if the time is AM or PM.
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3
Figure out the location where you were born. The location your were born also plays a role, in part because of time zones. Ask your parents or look at your birth certificate. Figure out the city and state of your birth, or at the very least, try to determine your birthplace time zone.^{[3]
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- To determine your rising sign, you will need all three components: date, time, and place of birth.
4
Calculate for local time differences if you will use a rising sign chart. The times provided on a rising sign chart are laid out in 2-hour increments. If you were born in a place where the sunrise was significantly later (or earlier) than 6:00 AM, you may need to adjust your time of birth in order for the chart to work. You may also need to account for daylight savings time.^{[4]
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- If the was sunrise much sooner than 6:00 AM, subtract 1-2 hours from your birth time.
- If the was sunrise much later than 6:00 AM, add 1-2 hours to your birth time.
- If your birthday fell during daylight savings time, subtract 1 hour from your birth time.
- Look at a farmer’s almanac from the year you were born to gather this information.
- Professional astrologers and rising sign calculators will make these changes for you.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Finding Your Rising Sign

1
Determine your sun sign. In order to determine your rising sign, you will need to know your sun sign. This is the Zodiac sign you are most likely to be familiar with. This sign outlines many aspects of your personality.^{[5]
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Research source} Sun signs are based on your birthday. Here is a breakdown:
- Aries (March 21-April 19)
- Taurus (April 20-May 20)
- Gemini (May 21-June 20)
- Cancer (June 21-July 22)
- Leo (July 23-August 22)
- Virgo (August 23-September 22)
- Libra (September 23-October 22)
- Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
- Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
- Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
- Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
- Pisces (February 19 to March 20)
2
Consult a rising sign chart. On the horizontal axis of a rising sign chart, you will see the 12 sun signs listed. On the vertical axis, you will see 2-hour windows of time. Scroll across until you locate your sun sign. Then scroll down to the time window in which you were born.
- Visit http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-4745806/What-s-rising-sign.html to see an example of a rising sign chart.
- Remember to account for the time of your local sunrise when determining your birth time.
3
Use a rising sign calculator. There are many free online calculators that can help you determine your rising sign. Plug in your birth day, year, time, and location. You may be asked to also include your name and/or email address. Click “enter” and see your rising sign.
- Visit https://cafeastrology.com/whats-my-ascendant-sign.html to see an example of a rising sign calculator.
4
Have your full natal chart done. Find a professional astrologer (in person or online), or use a free online resource, to draw up your complete natal chart. Your natal chart will outline your sun, moon, and rising signs. It will also contain more information about the locations of the planets at the time of your birth, and how this affects your personality.
- Visit http://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php to request a natal chart.
- Professional astrologers will charge anywhere from $80 USD to $175 USD for a personalized reading.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Interpreting Your Rising Sign

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Learn about Aries rising. Folks with a rising sign in Aries are outgoing. They find it easy to strike up a conversation wherever they go. They are generous with compliments, but they can also be blunt when they speak. They know how to act quickly, but can sometimes be impulsive. They enjoy being in leadership roles, although they are often restless.^{[6]
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Read about Taurus rising. Individuals with a rising sign in Taurus are able to keep their cool in all situations. If they happen to be upset or angry, they don’t typically let it show. People with a rising sign in Taurus are good at listening and paying attention to others when they speak. They are also very kindhearted. For both of these reasons, they are often good at giving advice.^{[7]
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Understand Gemini rising. Individuals with a rising sign in Gemini are fundamentally curious. They want to try everything once. Folks with a rising sign in Gemini might find it hard to focus on only thing at a time, but people of this rising sign are good at multitasking. These folks tend to be busy and sometimes nervous. They like to keep themselves moving, and their interest can jump from topic to topic.^{[8]
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Investigate Cancer rising. People with a rising sign in Cancer are excellent problem solvers. They can talk out any dispute and come to an understanding. These people are gentle and pleasant, and they can read the cures of others well. Individuals with a rising sign in Cancer tend to have strong memory abilities, and they are usually family-oriented folks.^{[9]
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Study Leo rising. Folks that have Leo as their rising sign tend to be good natured, frank, and generous people, although they can be a bit forceful at times. These people often make good leaders, inspiring those around them to try harder. People with a Leo rising often hold high ideals and carry themselves with grace. They are likable and tend to have many friends.^{[10]
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Embrace Virgo rising. People with their rising sign in Virgo are generally smart and chatty. These people love to learn and are effective at communicating their ideas. They put a great deal of care into their personal hygiene and the way that they look. Folks with a rising sign in Virgo are prone to worrying, as they have very active minds. They are modest and they think things through before taking action.^{[11]
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Learn about Libra rising. Individuals with a rising sign in Libra are usually quite dramatic, and they enjoy being the center of attention. They are charming and well-liked. They tend to get along with others. They enjoy beauty in all forms, such as art, fashion, and the natural world. They greatly dislike disharmony and seek to make most situations equal and peaceful. They prefer to collaborate with others, rather than work alone.^{[12]
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Investigate Scorpio rising. People with a rising sign in Scorpio can be difficult to read. They might be hard to connect with at first, but these people are loyal and passionate once you get to know them. Scorpio rising people can be sarcastic or snarky, and they tend to have a dark sense of humor. These people make good doctors because they are driven, serious, and focused.^{[13]
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Understand Sagittarius rising. Individuals with a rising sign in Sagittarius are often jovial and gregarious: they get along with everyone and they are not judgemental. They may misspeak at times because they say what’s on their mind without holding back. They enjoy travel and the outdoors. You can often find them working as lawyers or judges because they have a great respect for justice.^{[14]
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Study Capricorn rising. People with a rising sign in Capricorn tend to come across as serious and contemplative. These people finish what they start, and they are both organized and driven. For these reasons, people with a rising sign in Capricorn tend to do well in business. They are interested in science and religion. They are self-reliant and strong-willed.^{[15]
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Read up on Aquarius rising. Individuals with an Aquarius rising sign are often deep thinkers who want to make the world a better place. They are smart, rational, and good at developing an argument. People with the rising sign of Aquarius are usually well-liked, though seen as eccentric. They have strong opinions, but they are also generous and sympathetic toward others.^{[16]
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Learn about Pisces rising. People with a rising sign in Pisces tend to be dreamers and idealists. These individuals love to use their imaginations and daydream. They might be shy, or even sensitive. They tend to appreciate music, art, and the outdoors. Individuals with Pisces rising tend to make good writers and storytellers.^{[17]
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Community Q&A

Question

What is my rising sign if I don’t know my birth time?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you don’t know your birth time, just default to 12 pm (noon) at your birthplace. You can also read the descriptions of the different signs to determine which one sounds the most like you!
Question

Can your rising sign change?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

No—your rising sign is determined based on the place and time (within 2 hours) of your birth.
Question

Can you have two rising signs?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Most astrologers don’t think so. If you were born right on the cusp between two rising signs, read the descriptions of both to see which one seems to fit your personality better.