Ascendant

In Vedic astrology, your Ascendant, also called your Lagna, is like your personal starting line. It’s the zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon the moment you were born.

Think of it as your chart’s anchor. It sets up your entire birth chart, acting as your first house and deciding the order of all other houses. When astrologers count houses, they start from the Ascendant by default.

The Ascendant reveals your outer personality, natural behaviour, physical traits, energy levels, and how you deal with challenges. While your Sun shows your core purpose and the Moon shows your mind, the Ascendant shows how you move through daily life and how others see you at first glance.

The Ascendant’s sign, its ruling planet, and any planets sitting near it or aspecting it all add layers to your personality and life path. A strong Ascendant and its ruler usually mean good health, steady confidence, and clear direction. If it’s under stress, it may bring ups and downs that push you to grow.

Your Ascendant changes roughly every two hours. Even a slight mistake in birth time can shift it to a different sign, changing your entire chart’s structure. This is why knowing your exact birth time matters so much in Vedic astrology.