Aphrodite Rising

It’s a commonly held belief in traditional astrology that the sign of the Ascendant is just as important, if not more important, than the sign of the Sun. The hour-marker denotes the sign that was rising over the eastern horizon at our time of birth— giving it say in the creation of our corporeal form and the scattering of our Fate.

I’m a Libra rising. I see my Venusian tendencies play out in the way I move through the world and my deep love of aesthetics. As a traditional astrologer, I adopt the viewpoint of the ancient sages. I too, believe that the sign of the hour-marker leaves a distinguished imprint upon us.

What the hour-marker imbues is not some cheap gilding that will tarnish at the sight of the Sun. It’s a lasting signature that brands us—forever a walking billboard for the mythos that was rising at the time of our descent. We owe ourselves an examination of the Gods we’re advertising.

This is mine.

We know I’m a Libra rising, making my Ascendant Venus-ruled. The rest of my chart, however, is a bit of a hellcat. I embody all facets of Fire— cardinal, fixed, and mutable— with a heavy emphasis on mutable. My chart ruler is Mars in Gemini.

That’s another difference between the ancient and modern practitioners. Modern astrology will default to the Ascendant as the ruler of the chart. Traditional astrology has something called “The Master of the Nativity”, and that becomes the chart ruler. I won’t be showing that delineation here— that’s another day’s endeavor.

Suffice to say, my chart is fiery and ruled by Mars. This doesn’t exactly scream the type of decorum that Venus would typically be associated with. Despite the rage my Aries Moon holds, the praise my Jupiter in Leo in craves, or the many fires my Sagittarius stellium lights— Aphrodite has claimed this vessel.

What I’m examining here is both the physical imprint and the Fated one. I’m stepping back and peering into Aphrodite’s looking glass. The energy that was rising amongst the eastern horizon has imbued me with finesse I don’t deserve and social graces I all but squander. This is an examination— but also a hearty appreciation.

I want to preface this portion by saying that just as the Fate of other Libra risings will differ, so too will these physical characteristics. You have to take the chart in its entirety when assessing Fate, as well as how your rising manifests physically. Aspects to the Ascendant will play heavily into the formation of the physical. So please, don’t think all Libra risings will embody these same imprints.