Ascendant calculation determines the zodiacal sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the precise time and location of an individual’s birth. For example, if someone was born at 6:00 AM in New York City and the sign of Taurus was visibly ascending, their ascendant, also known as the rising sign, would be Taurus.
Determining the rising sign is considered a crucial aspect of astrological analysis because it is believed to influence an individual’s outward personality, physical appearance, and initial interactions with the world. Historically, the ascendant held significant weight in horoscopic astrology, representing the individual’s self-presentation and the lens through which they experience life.