Demystifying Astrology: What Do The Numbers On The Chart Mean? How Do I Find My Rising Sign
Astrology for beginners
The picture is of the left side of a standard chart. The planet symbol I’ve circled shows Venus in Scorpio (check your cheat sheet). The numbers mark the position of Venus in degrees and minutes. If you look closely you will see the degree and the minute symbols next to the numbers so what you have there is Venus in so that bit is read: “Venus at 16 degrees, 59 minutes of Scorpio.” Now use you head. 59 minutes is almost 60 minutes, so that is Venus is nearly 17 degrees.
This is not horribly important, I just want you to understand what you are seeing. It’s like 11 7/8th inches is almost a foot. I want those numbers to mean something rather than seem arbitrary. The planet is moving in the sky – this is a map of exactly where it was when you were born. Keep that in mind. You are alive and so is this chart.
Another common question is the ascendant or the rising sign. First, they are the same thing. You can find your ascendant by checking the the sign on the cusp between the 1st and 12th houses (I circled the numbers).
The line between houses is called a “cusp”. So this chart has a Scorpio rising… or more specifically, the ascendant is 25 degrees, 21 minutes of Scorpio. See it there on the outside?
What is your rising sign, the degrees and minutes?
Know anyone who wants to learn astrology? Send them here: See all beginner posts
83 Responses to “Demystifying Astrology: What Do The Numbers On The Chart Mean? How Do I Find My Rising Sign”
I think it will be interesting if people find their ascendants are conjunct or opposing other people around here see…
that’s why I asked, beside the fact there are some beginner beginners here.. 
I have a chart that is starting to tear at the edges(must order another one). I show 22 degrees
7 minutes of Capricorn.
Thanks for this- always wondered what those numbers are!
So, would that mean…
“I think it will be interesting if people find their ascendants are conjunct or opposing other people around here see”
that would be another cap rising(conjunct)or cancer(opposite)? Thanks
Yes, I must retire this one. It has way too many other symbols on it-maybe that has a little to due with my confusion =)
lynnpdx – my Capricorn is conjunct yours… :-0
I think this is going to be very interesting. People can see if they have planets conjunct other people’s ascendants and note how they feel or respond when they read the comment.
er.. astrology works this way and this well, don’t think it doesn’t!
Capricorn rising – 7 degrees, 31 minutes
Hi Elsa!
Scorpio- 13d, 29′
somewhere between 28 and 29 degrees of Pisces. I attract virgo rising people like nobodies business. and just plain virgos too. Oh my, how they might come to regret it amidst the chaos, but it’s true
o satori, didn’t realize u were Leo rising. Leo moon says hey 
10d, 06′ Taurus. I loooove being in a body.
Cap: 2 degrees 39
Virgo 13,36 here!!
And yes, I enjoy being a girl..la la la….
thanks Elsa! this was very helpful 
me, Scorpio 29 degrees 53 min
What if my cusp (asc) is on a cusp (between scorpio and sagittarius)? Seems super ambiguous :S
16 Virgo 37′
17 deg. gemini 25min.
Does that mean my ascendant is opposite lynnpdx, or is 50 min difference no longer opposition? And what does that mean?
Amaber, no that is a very tight opposition.
The degrees refer to 360 in a circle, so to be the same degree (regardless of minutes) is considered and exact opposition..
29 23 Aries
Virgo 6d, 41m
I never knew what the numbers meant either. I figured one was degrees, but the other one just escaped me. This is awesome!
Ok, understood. lynnpdx: so now you have an ascendant conj (Elsa), and one opposite (me). Interesting. Wonder how that’s going to play…
0 Cancer 03. I think I’ve seen someone else here with 0 Cancer rising… shell maybe?
Cancer 23d 6m
18 degrees Aries 4 minutes
Elsa- I have switched to the equal house system to view my chart, but wonder what other defaults you would use on astrodienst. I have not been able to create a chart that matches up with your placement for my ascendant.
i’m at 23 degrees, 9 minutes Leo Rising. waves @ satori, my Leo-rising sister.
LC – my husband is 2 deg. 58 minutes Scorpio.
1 Taurus 59′
Gemini 18 degrees 16 minutes
10 virgo 12
and my sun’s square the capricorn and cancer opposition here. fascinating…
randamandar – I have no idea what is going on. There software is good and so is mine. I don’t know what kind of discrepancy we’re talking about… I am assuming there was not a data entry error on my end but don’t know.
Libra 10°44’
Sagittarius 26°51′
5 CAP ASC
26° Cancer. I don’t feel like looking up the minutes. *lol*
Which means Elsa’s on my descendant!! *over-done shocked face* That explains a lot… hehe
I find it funny that I recognize this chart snapshot picture right off that bat. I don’t know whether that’s sad or not.
Shit! That’s supposed to be 16° Cancer! Stoopid typos… Is Merc still retro?
(Yeah, because it can’t be my fault. 
)
Well, I have always called you my favorite reality check.
Elsa- No worries, I will set up another consult sometime and ask you about this then. In the meantime, I think that I will take a break to deal with life and death situations. I am not saying this to be dramatic, it’s just that my focus is required elsewhere for awhile. I am really grateful for your advice and for all of your efforts here on your blog! I have learned a lot! The comedy and music have been fun too. Au revoir.
20 degrees, 37 minutes of Scorp. I think
Leo 12!
no other Pisces rising yet? :::lonely sigh:::
Someday your prince will come, Loons.
16 degrees LEO. Do people with opposing rising signs typically get along?
1 degree, 16 minutes Scorpio. Is it true that whichever sign your Descendant is in is supposed to be what you’re attracted to, or do I digress?
Wow LC that is trippy.
Scorpio 4 Deg 51Min
Pisces 17 deg, 49 min
Scorpio 3 min 22 sec.
Leo 28 Deg, 40 min
Libra 2 degrees 15
i was wondwering if i have venus in cancer in 29 50 smth , do i read it in the next sign?
Leo, 23 degrees, 37 minutes.
14 scorpio 19 deg. I tend to meet a lot of cancer, pisces and aquarius rising folk. I suspect the aquarius ha to do with my moon though.
6 degrees Pisces 49 minutes.
Virgo rising, 22 degrees 10 minutes.
11 Scorpio 52
7 degrees 4 minutes, Leo
0’28 Libra.
Becca, your rising is almost exactly conjunct my Sun
2d 20m Gemini
Hmmm, I missed this post the first time around! Thanks for reposting, Elsa!
I’m 26d 18m Capricorn — so conjunct Elsa, Becca, Lynnpdx… seems like a weird coincidence, or maybe (probably) not! ~:-O
Sag rising,6d 58min. conjuct Neptune 9d 25min,idealistic dreamer and very intuitive
Although I have had my chart done in Placidus (sp?), I have the EXACT same rising sign to the DEGREE as your example..*smiling face*!
Leo rising, 1 degree, 37 minutes.
Aquarius: 26 degrees, 36 minutes.
Thank you! Elsa,I love your blog!
I finally managened to comment on this board( overcoming my 8th House Leo Saturn´s shyness )
Uranus conj.Jupiter transiting my 3rd House lol
One of these days I’m gonna try to figure out just how to find the exact degree my Ascendant is in without using a computer (challenge or fruitless endevor… we’ll see).
Virgo 14degrees 53 minutes.
Sun: Scorpio 05 degrees 11 minutes
Yup…. looooove details!!
Untill then I just draw a circle and divide it into pie shapes (mmmmm…. cherry with vanilla ice cream). Acurrate? Like a shotgun…. but it’s in the borders of target.
*Crawls under my rock, grabs plate of cherry pie and ice cream* contented smile.
Ascendant in Gemini 29’05′(gemini/cancer?)
Get A Consultation
Schedule a consultation by phone
Schedule a consultation by email
Read what clients have said about usThanks, we look forward to working with you! :-) - Elsa P
Order a Report
Order a Transit Report
Order a Solar Return Report
Order a Relationship Composite Report
Order both relationship reports, save 10%
Order a Lunar Return ReportHeads Up from Elsa P!
Sign up below to get my free weekly email newsletter covering the astrology of the next week. I send this email out every Thursday.
Recent Blog Comments
- music4am: You're very welcome Elsa, Angie
- mistyoga: I'd say Sun. You are absolutely Authentic.
- Cyress723: I am just coming out of the worst 5 years of my life, I was help...
- dorchid: Yes! And I did it by doing exactly what you state here. Fascinat...
- dorchid: I voted Jupiter. Saturn seems obvious but I think the story-tell...
- Elsa: Thanks, Angie. :)
- music4am: I agree with Michele, so I didn't vote either ;). There are have...
Recent Board Posts
For the center of the city I was born in, 4 degrees 19 minutes Libra. For the actual hospital I was born in, a few less minutes.