

What Your Rising Sign Says About How People See You
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.
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1. Aries Rising Sign Meaning
Aries Risings have a childlike face and demeanor. Although, their physical body is typically strong, muscular-like, 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-spirit 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.
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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 them 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.
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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.
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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 that 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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Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
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“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Jada Pinkett Smith & Why Authenticity In Black Women Sparks Controversy
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith went to social media to share their Thanksgiving holiday with followers. The pair were surrounded by family and friends Thursday, and both posted how grateful they were to be with the ones they loved. Yet this comes on the heels of Pinkett Smith’s whirlwind of negative opinions and critics forecasting her book would be a flop.
Despite the negative feedback she received, Worthy, Pinkett Smith’s memoir, still debuted at #3 on the New York Times’ Best Seller list on October 25. The greatest backlash she received was centered around her relationship with Smith and the fact that the two had been living separate lives since 2016.
The commentary about their marriage overshadowed the reality that this book is ultimately about her journey to self-worth and the path she’s had to take in order to get there.
Social media comments about her book tour ranged from, “Me counting all the times Jada woke up and chose to embarrass Will Smith,” to podcasts like The Joe Budden Podcast saying, “Take me out the group chat,” which was a sentiment shared by many celebrities and fans alike. Yet, a point made by comedian KevOnStage proved that even though people say they don’t want to know about the Smiths, they’re secretly interested and want to know more.
Since the Smiths were wed in 1997, people have been fascinated with their marriage, and rumors about their marital arrangement have always been a topic of conversation. People continue to speculate that the pair is gay and swingers, and even new allegations have come out that Smith and Duane Martin shared an intimate relationship at one point.
However, despite their consistent united front throughout their marriage in recent years, Pinkett Smith has borne the brunt of backlash in the couple’s relationship, from her entanglement with August Alsina to Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards to the recent truths she’s shared about the couple’s marriage in her memoir.
Individuals are consistently running to the internet to support Smith and villainize Pinkett Smith, from podcast guests saying things such as “She doesn’t like Will, she likes the lifestyle” to deeming her “mean” or "manipulative" because of her facial expressions and demeanor.
Likewise, when you have hosts of daytime talk shows such as Ana Navarro saying, “I think she’s having a relationship with her bank account,” insinuating Pinkett Smith only shared stories about Smith to increase her book sales, it begs the question of where was this same energy when Smith released his memoir?
In Will, Smith discusses both of his marriages and how, in relationships, because of his upbringing, he needed constant validation and praise from his partners to feel secure. He also shared the reality that Pinkett Smith never wanted to be married, just as she never wanted the huge estate they share in California, but he wanted to give it to her despite her feelings about it.
Smith admitted to creating this family empire that only further boosted his ego and what he wanted his legacy to be instead of actually asking his family what they wanted or needed. People praised him for his vulnerability and said his book was an inspiration.
So how is it that one book about a person’s family, upbringing, and journey to self is praised, and another is villainized? The glaring thought that comes to me is, does likability often trump accountability?
People love Smith and his “good guy” persona; he’s always been an attractive, charismatic man that people can relate to, so even when he speaks about the way he mismanaged his marriage and family, it’s seen as growth. On the contrary, because Pinkett Smith doesn’t constantly fawn over him and shares how miserable she was in their marriage, she’s the villain.
People still blame her for not stopping Smith from smacking Rock at the Oscars and share their sentiments about how she embarrassed Smith with her entanglement with Alsina. Though this is a celebrity couple we’ve all followed for years, the question must be asked, how much accountability must Black women be subjected to in relationship to their partners' actions?
Why is it that the media is more interested in the marriage between Smith and Pinkett Smith than her childhood, or the fact her memoir consists of writing prompts, meditations, and methods for other women to find their sense of worth?
Could it be that the larger society doesn’t value Black women having the tools to find their own sense of worth? Or is it that Black women are expected to accept whatever is given to them regardless of how they feel or what they want?
The exclusive interview with Eboni K. Williams (@ebonikwilliams) and Dr. Iyanla Vanzant about if she would date a bus driver seems to have a lot of people talking. You can watch her response tonight on #theGrio. Catch the full interview, here: https://t.co/ctxE0zKFWj pic.twitter.com/BhIO52T2fg
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) May 2, 2023
When Eboni K. Williams shared that she wasn’t interested in dating a bus driver, the internet blew up with individuals saying that Black women need to be less selective with their dating prospects. The commentary around this conversation shed much light on the reality that this demographic is expected and invited to settle in love if they actually want a life partner.
Black women aren’t often given the space to find their joy, fulfillment, or even self-worth because of the responsibility they’re forced to acquire in order to support their families and communities. Yet, “high value” Black men speak vehemently about Black women’s masculinity and inability to submit. We’re often inundated with podcast guests sharing that they’re not impressed by our success and are uninterested in our aspirations.
Black women, from a young age, are taught to place their community first and cater to the men around them regardless of what they do or how they behave.
We see this when young girls are told to put on pants when male relatives come around, we experience it when domestic violence survivors are encouraged not to press charges against their perpetrators, and we even see it when Black women face backlash for dating outside of their race.
The way Pinkett Smith has been treated since sharing the truth about her life and journey of discovering her self-worth is another example of how the world isn’t receptive to Black women being their most authentic selves.
It’s another example we can hold up to illustrate how Black women are expected to be magical but not human.
Even with this article, I’m sure there will be many who want to argue why Pinkett Smith was wrong in her narrative, but at the end of the day, it was her story to tell, and no one has more authority to share her lived experience than her.
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