
Your rising sign in Astrology, otherwise known as the ascendant sign, represents how you express yourself to the world, show up, and how others see you. Your rising sign is located at the very top of your birth chart, in the 1st house. It is the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon at the time you were born and is a leading light in your life. The ascendant sign is as important as the sun or the moon sign and holds a lot of significance in your journey in life and how you will be walking through it.
What Rising Signs Mean in Astrology
Since the rising sign is the 1st house on the zodiac wheel and is the first thing people notice or see about you, it is also an indicator of someone's physical traits, body, and aura. For example, Scorpio Risings are known for their intense eyes and mysterious aura and are often seen with darker hair and physical features. Aries Risings are known for their strong physical body and often look more muscular or fit. Libra Risings have Venus on the Ascendant and are known for their beauty, aesthetic, and feminine energy. You can also work with the energy of your Ascendant sign to see what colors look best on you, and what style you align with, and how to enhance your physical features.
Going deeper, knowing your rising sign is important, as it’s often the missing clue as to why someone may feel like they are a certain way, yet others see them in a completely different light. For example, a Pisces Sun with a Leo Rising may at first come off as someone very confident, outgoing, and outspoken. They may indeed have a more positive and courageous outlook on life because after all, your rising sign is the lens through which you see the world; however, with the Pisces Sun, this person will feel like they are more sensitive and introverted than people know.
Remember, your rising sign is how you are perceived, and not necessarily who you think you are.
How to Find Your Rising Sign
To figure out what your rising sign is, you will need to know your exact birth date, location, and time. Since your rising sign can change within only a few hours, you don’t want to be off with the birth time here. Not to mention, your rising sign is the starting point and the key to unlocking your entire birth chart.
You can find a Free Birth Chart Calculator on many websites through a search engine, or you can download an Astrology app that has them as well.
Read below to see what having a specific rising sign means for you, and how people see you.
1. Aries Rising Sign Meaning
Aries Risings have a childlike face and demeanor. Although, their physical body is typically strong, muscular, or fit. Aries Risings come across as more dominant and direct than most, as they have Mars as their chart ruler, the planet of action. They come across as go-getters, independent, and free-spirited souls who live life on their own terms. Aries Risings seem like they are always doing something, moving fast, and like they have an infinite amount of energy. They are people who tell it like it is, and people often perceive them as brave and forthcoming. They love a lot of color, but look best in red and tend to be trendsetters, coming up with their own unique style and aesthetic.
2. Taurus Rising Sign Meaning
Taurus Risings are all about the vibe. Being in the presence of a Taurus Rising is like instantly feeling safe and comfortable. They take “chill” to a whole new level and prefer to enjoy life’s luxuries and also the simple pleasures of life. Others can sense this love for pleasure and the finer things when meeting them. Physically, with Venus being the ruler of Taurus and at the top of their chart, this rising sign typically has a natural beauty to them. Taurus is a sensual and earthly sign and they often exude this type of grounding energy. They come across as sweet with a graceful demeanor and a strong sense of self.
3. Gemini Rising Sign Meaning
Gemini Risings are social butterflies. They are always getting into new experiences and meeting new people. Others see them as talkative, outgoing, and self-expressive. They are typically very good with their words and make great public speakers. A Gemini Rising is often a chameleon and can change styles, looks, and expressions often. They aren’t easy to keep up with as their mind is going from one idea to the next. They see the world as an experience to engage in and learn from, and people often find them very inviting, unusual, and dynamic. Gemini Risings are charming with bright eyes.
4. Cancer Rising Sign Meaning
Cancer Risings have a nurturing, feminine, and soft energy. They are the friend who is your biggest supporter and protector in life. They tend to come across as sensitive, emotional, compassionate, and somewhat mysterious to others. They wear their heart on their sleeves, but still tend to maintain a sense of mystery about themselves as they show people what they want them to see, and when they want them to see it. Cancer Risings often have round faces and eyes and are drawn toward wearing darker clothes and colors. They have more pronounced feminine features as they are ruled by La Luna herself, and they often strongly resemble their mother.
5. Leo Rising Sign Meaning
You can spot a Leo Rising in a room right away. They grab the attention of others effortlessly and often have something more dramatic about their appearance. Their style, their big hair, and their sunny demeanor are often known for something unique about themselves. Leo Risings have the Sun as their chart ruler, and others perceive them as someone who is confident, creative, outgoing, and dramatic. The spotlight always seems to be on a Leo Rising and they see life as their stage. They are very loving and generous souls, and they exude a lot of natural happiness and joy in life.
6. Virgo Rising Sign Meaning
Virgo Risings give off goddess energy. They are grounding souls, who see the world as a place to help, give to others, and create. Others find them sweet, logical, and down-to-earth when meeting them, and they have a healing and therapeutic energy about them. Virgo Risings aren’t known for the dramatics and they often wear light or no makeup at all, with a simple yet elegant style. You can often find a Virgo Rising in earthy-tone clothes as well, as this suits them best. They come across as more innocent, reserved, and shy even to others, and someone who is a little bit hard to get to know. With Mercury at the top of their chart, they have a strong wit.
7. Libra Rising Sign Meaning
Libra Risings are known for their beauty, their relationships, and the love they give. With Venus at the top of the chart, Libra Risings are peaceful souls who want to give love and receive it. Others are often physically drawn to them with Venus, the planet of love and beauty ruling their world, and they attract many to them. Not to mention, Libra Risings are typically more flirtatious than most and are naturally charming. They see the world as a place to connect, create balance, and live in harmony, and they want others to notice this about them as well. They carry themselves with a sense of grace and elegance.
8. Scorpio Rising Sign Meaning
A Scorpio Rising is felt strongly by others. People are either instantly intrigued by them, or intimidated. They have a strong presence, and their energy is a catalyst of transformation for others being that Pluto is at the top of their chart. Hang out with a Scorpio Rising if you want your life to change. They have deep, intense, and mystical eyes, and are unintentionally the creators of the RBF. A lot of Scorpio Risings feel like people see them as more dominant and empowered than they feel at times, as Scorpio Risings are really just introverts at heart. They have a mysterious, seductive, and magnetic energy and are often physically stunning and fierce. Scorpio Risings look best in dark red.
9. Sagittarius Rising Sign Meaning
Sagittarius Risings are outspoken, joyful, and spiritual. They are known for their wisdom, knowledge, and their thirst for life. Sagittarius Risings see life as an exploration and go on many different journeys and paths in life, constantly searching for new meaning and purpose. Sagittarius Risings are often seen in bright colors with an eclectic and more out-there style and are known for their smile and expressions. A Sagittarius Rising lives life on their own terms and goes to the places that inspire them the most. Others see them as someone constantly changing things up and doing something different, and who lives life to the fullest. They also happen to have luck on their side with Jupiter as their chart ruler.
10. Capricorn Rising Sign Meaning
Capricorn Risings are grounded, reserved, and hard-working. They are often known for their work ethic, their accomplishments, and their steady stature. They have more serious eyes and appearance, and always tend to look put together. Capricorn Risings love a good business attire look, and they are often perceived as someone who is respectful, ambitious, and successful. They care about how they present themselves to others and can seem calculated to some because of this. With Saturn, the planet of challenges at the top of their chart, Capricorn Risings often feel like they had to grow up at a young age, which is why they later in life feel this strong sense of responsibility.
11. Aquarius Rising Sign Meaning
Aquarius Risings are unique souls. They thrive on being different from others, and you will never catch them following a trend or wearing something because everyone else is. They excel in their niche and they understand the importance of authenticity and personal freedom. They usually tend to stick out in a crowd because of their physical appearance and what they are wearing. Aquarius Risings have a thirst for knowledge and others see them as someone who is ahead of their time, open-minded, and inspiring. They are the rebels of the rising signs, and have a gift for communication and connecting with others on different levels.
12. Pisces Rising Sign Meaning
Pisces Risings are sweet souls who live in fantasyland. They tend to see the world with rose-colored glasses, which is their gift and at times their downfall. A Pisces Rising’s appearance is often youthful, with soft eyes and appearance. They come across as someone sweet with good intentions, and people usually trust this rising sign right away. They exude an energy of compassion and transparency and want to get lost in the world with others. Although Pisces is another more reserved, shy, rising sign to have, they have a strong need to create and express themselves creatively. Pisces Risings tend to escape reality, and it can be hard to grasp them fully. They are the rising sign that is out of this world.
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Featured image by Jeffery Erhunse on Unsplash
Originally published on December 8, 2022
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This Is How To Keep 'Holiday Season Stress' From Infecting Your Relationship
Hmph. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like there is something really weird happening in the fall season air (because winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21) that cuddle season is in full swing while break-up season is as well. In fact, did you know that break-ups are so popular during the holiday season that December 11 is deemed Break-Up Day?
The reasons why relationships shift around this time vary; however, I did both roll my eyes and chuckle when I read that a very popular one is because it’s an easy way to get out of getting one’s significant other a Christmas present. SMDH.
Anyway, I personally think that the less shallow folks out here may contemplate calling things “quits” or they at least distance themselves a bit from their partner (and what I’m referring to is serious relationships) due to all of the stress and strain that oftentimes comes with the holidays whether it be financial, familial, due to their tight schedules or something else.
Listen, I would hate for you and your man to miss the fun and happiness of experiencing this time of year, all because you are so overwhelmed or irritated that you can’t really enjoy it. That’s why I have a few practical tips for how to avoid allowing the typical holiday season stress from INFECTING your relationship.
Manage Your Expectations
GiphyUnmanaged expectations. If there is a main reason why the holiday season tends to be so stress-filled for so many people, I’d bet good money that this is the cause. And when you’re in a long-term relationship, expectations can manifest themselves in all sorts of cryptic and/or unexpected ways. You might have relatives who assume that you are going to be with them for Thanksgiving or Christmas when you have other plans in mind. You might be thinking that you are going to spend one amount for presents while your man is thinking something totally different. When it comes to scheduling, your signals may be crossed.
And you know what? To all of these scenarios, this is where clear and consistent communication come in. Don’t assume anything. Don’t dictate anything either. From now until New Year’s, mutually decide to check in once a week, just to make sure that you are both on the same page as it relates to the holidays and what you both are thinking will come along with it. The less blindsided you both feel, the less stressed out you will be. Trust me on this.
Set (and Keep) a Budget
GiphyOkay, so I read that last year, 36 percent of Americans incurred some type of holiday-related debt. Hmph. Last year, there was still some sense of normalcy in this country, chile, so I can only imagine what finances are gonna look like over the next several weeks. That said, since I don’t know a lot of people who don’t find being broke stressful, make sure that you and your bae set a budget and then stick to it this year — no ifs, ands or buts.
Because really, y’all — it doesn’t make sense to deplete savings and/or max out credit cards for a few days of giggles only to be damn near losing your mind because you don’t know how to make ends meet come Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
And by the way, this tip doesn’t just speak to things like food and gifts; I also mean travel. If it doesn’t make a ton of sense (or cents) to be all over the place this year — DON’T BE.
Keep Matthew 5:37 at the Forefront
GiphyIf off the top of your head, you don’t know what Matthew 5:37 says, no worries, here ya go: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” That verse right there? Oh, it’s a boundaries lifesaver! I say that because do you see “maybe” or “I’ll think about it” in there? Nope. LOL. It says that you should tell people “yes” or “no” and leave it at that — and that complements Anne Lamott’s quote, “’No’ is a complete sentence” impeccably well. Yeah, you’ve got to remember that anything beyond a yes or no to a request is privileged information; you don’t owe anyone details or an explanation.
Besides, if you are really honest with yourself, when someone asks you something and you give a “Umm, let me think about it” kind of reply, more times than not, you already know what your answer is going to be — so why not let you both off of the hook? Give your response. Commit to that. And let everyone (including yourself) get on with their lives and schedules.
I promise you that when it comes to those holiday parties, you are pissing more folks off by not RSVP’ing or doing so and not showing up than just saying, “Thank you but not this year” off the rip.
Remember That Your Personal Space Is Privilege Not a Right
GiphyA friend of mine recently bought a new house and invited me over to come see it. He’s a single man with no children, so as I was taking in all of the space that he had, especially as I walked through his finished basement, I joked about relatives coming to live with him. “Hell no” and “absolutely not” were pretty much his immediate responses as he went on to say that some folks even had the nerve to be offended when he told them that he had no intentions on taking DNA in.
Ain’t it wild how people think that your stuff is their right? And yes, that brings me to my next point. Your home is your sanctuary space. If you want to host folks this year — cool. If not, ALSO COOL. Please don’t let folks (family included) guilt you into how they want you to act or even into what they would do if the shoe was on the other foot. You are not them — and as one of my favorite quotes states, “If two people were exactly alike, one of them would be unnecessary.” (A man by the name Larry Dixon said that.)
Hell, my friends? They know that I am good for sending them random things that they need or even want all throughout the year. Coming over to hang out at my pace, though. Uh-uh. Chalk it up to being a card-carrying member of the ambivert club yet I like keeping my living space personal — and I sleep like a baby, each and every night, for feeling that way.
Always remember that your space, your time, your resources, your energy and shoot, yourself period (including your relationship), are all things that are your own. You get to choose how, when and why you want to share them. The holiday season is certainly no exception.
Cultivate Some “You Two Only” Traditions
GiphyIt’s not uncommon for some couples to hit me up after the holiday season to “detox.” Sometimes it’s due to the financial drama (and sometimes trauma) that they experienced. Sometimes it’s because they allowed their relatives (especially in-laws) to get more into their personal business than they should’ve. More than anything, though, it tends to be because they didn’t get enough quality time together and so ended up feeling “disconnected.”
Please don’t let that happen. Listen, I’m not even a holidays kind of woman and yet, I will absolutely sit myself down with some hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies to enjoy a Hallmark holiday film or two. Aside from the fact that most of them are lighthearted and sweet, I also like that they usually focus on couples loving on each other amidst all of the holiday beauty and ambiance — which is something that all couples should set aside some time to do.
Maybe it’s a vacation. Maybe it’s a staycation. Or maybe it’s my personal favorite, A SEXCATION. Whether it’s for a few days, the weekend or even overnight — don’t you let the holidays go by without setting aside time for you and your man to celebrate one another. Don’t you dare (check out “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry 'Christmas Sex'?”).
GET. SOME. REST.
GiphyI once read that 8 out of 10 people get stressed out over the holidays and 3 out of 10 lose sleep during to it — and when you’re stress-filled and sleep-deprived, that can absolutely lead to hypersensitivity, making mountains out of molehills and even not being in the mood for sex.
Your relationship can’t afford to go through any of this, so definitely make sure to prioritize rest. I don’t care how unrealistic it might seem during this time, sleep should never be seen as a luxury; it will always and forever be a great necessity.
That said, try to get no less than six hours of shut-eye in (check out “6 Fascinating Ways Sex And Sleep Definitely Go Hand In Hand”) and even ask your bae to take a nap with you sometimes (check out “Wanna Have Some Next-Level Sex? Take A Nap, Sis.”). Not only will sleep help to restore your mind, body and spirit but, when it’s with your partner, it’s an act of intimacy that can make you both feel super connected, even in the midst of what might feel like chaos.
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Holiday season stress is real. Still, never give it the permission or power to throw your relationship off. Put you and your man first and let the holidays be what they are gonna be, chile.
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It’s probably been over the past 2-3 years that I’ve become hyper-focused when it comes to applying certain chemical exfoliants known as acids to my skin. Personally, I’ve come to really appreciate ones like mandelic acid and hyaluronic acid because they have a way of softening my skin, brightening it up and really evening out my complexion overall.
In fact, on my skin, they have been so effective that they have caused me to wonder what would happen if I applied some of them to my hair too — and boy, was it an experiment that paid off big time!
If, while on your continual journey to get the best out of your own tresses, you’d like to learn how to get them healthier than it’s ever been, I’ve got seven acids that are typically known for skin use that can be just as beneficial to your hair as well.
1. Salicylic Acid
When it comes to your skin, salicylic acid is beta-hydroxy acid that is great for your skin if you’re looking for something that will exfoliate it, clear out your pores and dissolve dead skin cells. In fact, this is why it’s an acid that is quite popular when it comes to treating acne.
Your hair will enjoy salicylic acid because, if you’re looking to remove product build-up, you want to soothe an itchy or irritated scalp or you’ve got some dandruff flakes that are totally driving you up the wall, salicylic acid has the ability to treat all of this. Either purchasing a shampoo that contains this ingredient or adding it to your favorite scalp scrub is probably the most effective way to get the most out of it.
Just make sure that if your scalp is sensitive or dry that you approach with caution. In these instances, it could end up irritating your scalp more than helping it out, so use a very little bit in the beginning to make sure that it vibes with you.
2. Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that can help to even out your skin tone as well as slow down the signs of aging. The properties in it help to do this by reducing hyperpigmentation and boosting collagen production in your skin as well as keeping it hydrated.
Why is it great for your locks? For one thing, lactic acid is considered to be a humectant. This means that it pulls water from the air so that your hair is able to remain moisturized.
Another thing that makes it a winner is the fact that lactic acid breaks down dead skin cells on your scalp (so that your hair follicles are able to flourish), it can help to soften and detangle your hair (making it a helpful addition on your wash days) and it also helps to protect your tresses from heat styling tools and UV damage. Applying a hair rinse that’s made up of part lactic acid and part water can work wonderfully (so long as you apply it once a month, tops; more than that might be too “intense” for your hair strands).
3. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is a water-soluble alpha hydroxy acid that is actually made from sugar. Your skin will adore it because it smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves the texture of your skin, gently exfoliates, clears your pores and brightens up your complexion overall.
The reasons why you should consider this acid for your hair is because it helps to keep your scalp youthful (and yes, there is such a thing; check out “Your Scalp Ages Six Times Faster Than Your Face. Why It Matters.”), removes excess sebum (that could be clogging up your hair follicles) and it helps to keep your hair moisturized. Your best bet here is to make it a part of your pre-shampooing ritual.
4. Succinic Acid
Succinic acid is an acid that is made from sugar cane and contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Although it doesn’t exactly exfoliate (like many of these other acids do), it can still be beneficial to your skin when it comes to reducing the kind of irritation that is associated with eczema, decreasing the bacteria that leads to breakouts and keeping your skin pretty hydrated.
As far as your hair goes, this is an acid that is worth trying out because it helps to balance the sebum that is on your scalp, remove dead skin and product build-up that can irritate your scalp and clog your hair follicles and, succinic acid is also beneficial when it comes to reducing dandruff and helping to prevent hair loss. Most people tend to apply this as a serum.
5. Hyaluronic Acid
I’ve officially sung the praises of hyaluronic acid on this platform before. One example is via the article, “Why Your Skin, Hair, And Nails Need Hyaluronic Acid Like...Yesterday.” On the skin tip, hyaluronic acid is great because it deeply hydrates your skin, contains anti-aging properties and can even bring relief to vaginal (including vulvar) dryness.
Your hair will adore this particular acid because it aids moisture to it (including your hair follicles), will help to improve your hair’s texture and it also soothes scalp dryness, nurtures the cuticles of your tresses and decreases frizz. Using a serum rich in this acid as a pre-poo or as a leave-in conditioner is recommended.
6. Azelaic Acid
If you’ve never heard of azelaic acid before, this is your lucky day. It’s a dicarboxylic acid that, when it comes to skincare (and hair care) products, is usually synthetic. Anyway, if you are looking for a way to reduce inflammation, even skin tone after a breakout or if you want to use an exfoliant that will improve the texture of your skin overtime, you might want to give this acid a shot.
This one makes the list as far as your hair is concerned because, if achieving more inches is your current focus, azelaic acid might come in handy. That’s because it is able to strengthen your hair, thicken your strands and also stimulate hair growth from within your hair follicles.
7. Glutamic Acid
Glutamic acid is actually a type of amino acid. Skin-wise, it’s great for deeply hydrating your skin as well as protecting it from pollutants and damaging UV rays. Also, if you’re looking for an acid that treats skin dryness or “tightness,” this could be the answer to your prayers.
Since glutamic acid is also considered to be a humectant, it’s another acid that can moisturize your hair. As a result, it can decrease breakage while helping your hair to feel smooth and look shiny.
BONUS: Amino Acids
Speaking of amino acids and hair, please try to keep some amino acids in your diet at all times. The reason why is because, since your hair is made up of mostly protein (keratin, to be exact), amino acids are pretty darn effective when it comes to helping you to maintain the overall health and well-being of your hair.
Ones to prioritize include proline (it boosts collagen so that your hair strands can maintain flexibility); arginine (it increases blood flow to your hair follicles so that they can receive the nutrients that they need); cysteine (it helps to keep your hair follicles healthy); alanine (it helps your system to produce more collagen), and isoleucine (it strengthens the tissues that help to make up your hair strands). All of these are available in supplement form or you can use Google to see which foods contain them.
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Although it might initially seem odd to apply acid to your hair, as you can see, certain ones will work miracles for it. So, test them out to see which one tickles your fancy.
Hell, since they work for your skin as well — it’s a two-for-one deal that is worth every penny!
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