Sun, Moon & Ascendant Signs Guide

In the world of astrology, when we ask, “What sign are you?", the answer was actually just the tip of the iceberg. To truly understand a person's personality blueprint, we need at least to master the “astrological triad”: the sun, the moon, and the ascending signs.

Solar Constellation: Your Core Identity and Will

The Sun, the sign it was in when you were born, is your core 'Ego' and 'Will'. If you compare your life to a hero's journey, the Sun Constellation is the essence of this “hero”. It represents your vitality, your creativity, the way you desire to be “seen” and “recognized” by the world, and the “ideal self” you strive to live with in this life.

Fire Elephant Sun (Aries, Lions, Archers): their core is “action” and “enthusiasm”. They define themselves by creating, leading, and exploring.

The earth is like the sun (taurus, virgin, capricorn): their core is "material" and "achievement". They find value by building, refining, and achieving real-world results.

The wind resembles the sun (gemini, balance, water bottle): their core is “thinking” and “socializing”. They express themselves by communicating, making connections, and pursuing ideas.

Water-like sun (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): their core is “emotion” and “connection”. They come to know life through feelings, empathy, and deep emotional experiences.

The sun is your “conscious” choice, the way you “want to be.”

Lunar Signs: Your Emotional Needs and Your Inner Child

The Moon is the sign in which you were born. If the sun is the king of the day, the moon is the queen of the night. It represents the realm of your “subconscious”: your emotional needs, your instinctive reactions, the source of your security, and the eternal “inner child” deep within you.

The moon is who you “feel” yourself to be, in your most intimate and relaxed state. It determines what you need to feel “nourished” and “safe.”

Fire Moon: Emotional needs are “immediate” and “free.” They need to unleash their emotions through action and fear of being tied down.

Earth Elephant Moon: Emotional needs are “stable” and “predictable”. They need material and sensory comforts (e.g. food, hugs) to feel secure.

Windy Moon: Emotional needs are “being talked about” and “being understood.” They tend to “rationalize” their feelings, requiring communication and space.

Water Elephant Moon: Emotional needs are “depth” and “empathy”. They are extremely sensitive and require unconditional acceptance and emotional integration.

The moon is your 'instinct', your 'need'.

Ascendant: Your Personality Mask and Life Path

The Ascendant is the sign that rises on the eastern horizon at the time of your birth (which must be precise to the minute). It is the "starting point" (first house) of your entire chart, so it is crucial.

It is often referred to as a “persona.” This is your “first impression” of a stranger, the way you unconsciously “package” yourself and deal with the outside world. It is also often associated with your appearance, temperament and early life environment.

But ascendant signs are much more than “masks.” It is also your “vehicle of life” - the car you choose to “drive” in your life. It defines your “style” of exploring the world. For example, ascending Aries will “rampage” to explore; ascending virgins will “gingerly” analyze.

Fire rises (Aries, Lions, Shooters): The way to appear is "confident, enthusiastic, direct".

Earth Elephant Ascension (Taurus, Virgin, Capricorn): The way to appear is "calm, cautious, and pragmatic".

The wind rises (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): The way to appear is "friendly, curious, talkative".

Water Elephant Rise (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Behaves in a “sensitive, shy, compassionate” way.

Concert of the Big Three: Integration and Conflict

Our personality is the concerto played by these three giants.

Harmony: When the elements of the Big Three are compatible (for example, the Sun Lion, the Moon Aries, the Archer of the Ascension), this is a "watch as one" person with a high degree of unity of energy, but may also lack the tension to grow.

Conflict: When the elements of the Big Three clash (e.g., Capricorn, Moon Libra, Rising Cancer), this is a person who “pulls from within”. The sun (career) goes against the needs of the moon (relationship), the ascendant (family). This conflict is painful, but it has tremendous potential for growth, forcing us to integrate these seemingly contradictory energies.

Understand your "Big Three" and you will really begin to understand astrology. The sun is your goal, the moon is your need, and rising is your way. Only by combining the three can you piece together your unique, complete and authentic self.