Why are the Sun and Ascendant influences so similar? A family member has the same Sun sign and degree as my Ascendant and our lives and circumstances are eerily similar. She has the exact same model and year of car with the same rust spots, and like myself she takes care of another infirmed close family member. We also have similar temperaments and thought patterns and tastes. The rest of the charts are fairly different.

All major planetary bodies have a significant effect on one's appearance and character, so what is the Ascendant exactly? Is it a planet? Most astrologers describe your Rising sign/degree as a "point" or "angle" in the birth chart along with its opposite point, the Descendant, and the intersecting MC/IC axis. This is very vague as far as I'm concerned.

If the Ascendant or Rising Sign(same thing) has such an obvious and powerful influence on the native should it not be considered a "planet". This is because there is a deliberate misunderstanding as to what the Ascendant or Rising sign really is. Let's face it, most astrologers simply parrot what they've been taught, failing to go beyond the norms of convention.

I, on the other hand, like to think outside the box, using my keen intuition and observation to discover new things, and one thing i"ve discovered or deducted about the birth chart is that the so-called Ascendant or Rising sign is none other than the influence of our own Earth.

Earth's astrological influence is measured via the eastern horizon/ecliptic point at the native's exact time and place of birth, and please don't give me that dumb-ass astronomical explanation that your Earth sign is directly opposite your Sun. Most astronomers are full of beans when it comes to astrology.

I've also noticed that the Ascendant has a CARDINAL effect on the native's life setting up RELATIONSHIPS and LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES. It determines one's general mental temperament and body or physical appearance, more so than the Sun, with the Moon sign coming in a close second.

OK, so we now know that the Ascendant or Rising sign influence is the Earth, Terra, or Gaia influence. It is the primary or most important influence in the chart for the simple reason that we live on Earth, unlike the other planets or bodies which take a back seat to it. If we add this "planet" or influence to the commonly used ten planets of modern astrology we now have 11 certifiable influences. I'm not sure about Eris, but a 12th influence needs to be incorporated since everything in astrology is based on 12.

Some have considered incorporating the Midheaven as the twelfth major influence while others are waiting for Vulcan or some trans-Plutonian object. Whatever the twelfth planet/influence ends up being, it is vital to the completion of Astrology and the human (or superhuman) condition. While the minor planets such as the asteroids and centaurs and TNO's have their limited roles to play, the 12 will always be the kings or queens of astrology.