Vocational Astrology: The Rising Sign by Diane Wing, M.A. Author and Founder of Wing Academy of Unfoldment Astrology has many factions and focuses. The planetary energies and their placements can be interpreted to reveal health issues, ideal relationships, and to predict how these energies can impact your life. Astrology is a complex system of metaphysics that requires a lifetime of study to truly master. With each new piece of knowledge learned, more layers are discovered ripe for analysis. Its complexity allows for myriad opportunities for interpretation. That is the art and the science of it, all based on the perspective and level of understanding of the astrologer. In this series of articles, the focus will be on vocational astrology, the indicators that reveal your ideal career, purpose, and work in this lifetime. I write from the perspective of Occult Astrology. My underlying philosophy is that as we come closer to self-mastery, we have the ability to overcome the challenges we came with into this life as revealed by the natal chart. Hence, whatever we uncover in this process is not written in stone; you have the ability to create your destiny. This is article #2 in the series. The Rising Sign The rising sign or ascendant reveals your projected self, or how others see you. It is also the sign that reflects the planet ruling your chart, that is, whichever planet rules the sign that was rising over the horizon at your time of birth. For example, if you have a Taurus rising, Taurus is ruled by Venus, and so Venus becomes the chart ruler. Having this point allows us to determine the way the native comes across to other people and the planetary energies that drive outward behavior. You need your time of birth in order to calculate the ascendant. If you are not sure, know that the ascendant changes every 2 hours, so you can adjust the time starting at 12 am and see which best fits you. As mentioned in the last article, there are many websites that offer free natal charts. Once you know your ascendant, check out the sign meanings in any book or site on the 12 zodiac signs and see how it fits with the way others see you. Your rising sign could be the reason that you don’t completely fit with descriptions of your Sun sign. For example, one of the main description of the sign of Sagittarius is that they love to travel – whether physically or mentally. The rising sign can be the determining factor in how the person expresses this particular characteristic. If the rising sign is Taurus, this particular Sag is most likely a homebody who likes to travel using her imagination, reading, or watching travel programs from the comfort of her own home. If she has a Sag rising, there is a high likelihood that she will enjoy actual physical travel. Back to the rising sign’s ruler being the chart ruler, let’s stick with Taurus rising and Venus being the chart ruler. The next step is to find in which house Venus sits and which sign it is in. This will give you another clue as to your primary vocational preferences and where your gifts can best be expressed. The house will indicate which aspect of your life/work it will be expressed and the sign will show how it will be expressed. In the next installment, we’ll talk about the Midheaven as a primary indicator of your career focus. Diane Wing, M.A. wants to live in a world where people feel inspired, create their ideal future, and experience a sense of wonder at everyday magick. As an author and perspective changer, she’s published four books – The True Nature of Energy: Transforming Anxiety into Tranquility, The True Nature of Tarot: Your Path to Personal Empowerment, Thorne Manor and Other Bizarre Tales, and Coven: The Scrolls of the Four Winds, all available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks. She is the founder of Wing Academy of Unfoldment, host of Wing Academy Radio, and has written a screenplay based on her novella, Thorne Manor. When it comes to getting unstuck and feeling great about life, her 9-word philosophy is: Let go. Be grateful. Stay open. See the magick. Find out more at DianeWing.com. OMPLACE HOME