Quite literally, the ascendant refers to the zodiac sign ascending over the eastern horizon at your exact moment of birth.
When reading a birth chart, start at a point known as the ascendant (also known as the rising sign). Quite literally, the ascendant refers to the zodiac sign ascending over the eastern horizon at your exact moment of birth. Although the visual location of the ascendant will vary based on astrology software, it’s usually located on or around the nine o’clock position and may be symbolized by a circle with a horizontal line in the middle.