Beauty is also solidity, stability, endurance, calm, quiet, resourcefulness, intuition, sensitivity, receptivity, caring, nurturing, devotion, remembrance, service, duty, reliability, humility, thoroughness, purity, perfection, depth, focus, intensity, exclusivity, determination, regeneration, control, order, honor, respect, law, forgiveness, understanding, tolerance, inner peace, rest, relief, sacrifice.

Just as Mercury is the primary indicator of communication in the chart so the Ascendant or Rising sign, which stands for planet Earth, is the primary indicator of beauty. This does not mean it is the ONLY indicator, but the primary one. Every other planet, when well placed, will contribute to the total beauty of the individual, but there is always one that does so more than the others, and that is what the concept of rulership is all about. A planet is well placed when it is in its own gender, element, or sign. The Sun, for example, is well placed in a masculine(fire or air) sign, especially fire, and most of all in Leo(its ruling sign). The other planets follow the same rule according to their ruling signs.

The issue of rulership or dignity is pivotal to determining what is a beautiful planet and what is not. Planets in their own gender, element, or sign are comfortable or "at home" there because the natures of both the planet and the sign are complementary, similar, or even identical. Ease or comfort produces harmony which produces beauty. The more naturally the planet and sign blend the more harmony or beauty is produced. Planets in an inharmonious or incompatible gender, element, or sign are uncomfortable there and produce only tension, distortion, and conflict which produces ugliness.

The planets and their beauty quotients based on their ruling signs are as follows...

The ascendant is not generally physically attractive in the earth and water signs, but there are always exceptions. Take Richard Gere and Burt Reynolds, for example, both of whom have Scorpio rising and are considered quite attractive. In such cases other factors in the chart overpower or greatly modify the Ascendant influence. In general, Earth sign ascendants tend to be short and stocky except for Capricorn which is often thin or slender looking. Water ascendants often have pretty faces but their bodies are so often obese or out of proportion, except for Scorpio who is generally stocky with a beaked or prominent nose. Of course, other powerful planets or patterns in the chart can modify these descriptions to varying degrees.

Determining a person's correct ascendant is not an easy task, mostly due to the fact that it changes sign roughly every two hours and that not everyone keeps accurate records. Then there is the astrologer's nightmare -daylight savings time(double summer and war time as well), which can throw you off by half a sign or more. Finally, there are often other overpowering elements in the chart which can sometimes eclipse or overshadow the Ascendant's influence. It's no wonder over fifty percent of charts have incorrect Ascendants(and Midheavens). This is particularly so with celebrities who often give false or modified birth data usually for reasons of privacy. Favourite strategies include changing the year or reversing AM and PM.

Relying soley on birth data is not enough. It helps tremendously to visually recognize the various Ascendants in people. I do this all the time with the outer planet positions which are easier to spot or recognize because of their long-term influences. It's a little trickier with rising signs, though, but with time and practice it can be done.

It also helps to know that neighbouring signs are as different as night and day, and that this helps astrologers to decide between two rising signs. Also, masculine rising signs(fire or air) are generally taller, leaner, and more extroverted in nature, whereas the feminine ascendants(earth and water) are usually shorter, stockier, and more introverted in nature . A good way to narrow down the ascendant is to consider the element. Fire ascendants have that wild, energetic, and expressive look about them. Air ascendants have that social, refined, and intellecual look. Earth ascendants have that firm, tough, down to earth look. Water ascendants have that dreamy, sensitive, and domesticated look. Once you've figured out the element you can work on the specific sign.

Mars is best in the fire and air signs keeping the body trim and active and therefore contributing much to a person's beauty or level of physical attraction. Mars in fire, and especially in Aries -its ruling sign, is often found in the charts of atheletes or people in occupations where physical strength, speed, and stamina are required. Mars in air is more mentally or socially than physically active, but stays trim and attractive nonetheless. These descriptions are especially true if the ascendant or rising sign is also in fire or air. Mars in Earth tends to be slow and sluggish while Mars in water lacks energy and confidence. These shortcomings will especially be evident if the ascendant is also in a feminine sign. Men(or women) with both a masculine Ascendant and Mars are often physically attractive and challenging to the opposite sex.

The SUN is best in fire or air. A masculine Sun gives nobility and presence, especially when combined with a masculine Ascendant. Feminine Suns emit a lower force field and lack the "class" expressiveness, or dignity of their masculine counterparts

The MOON is best in water or earth. Feminine Moons give that competent, classic, or "professional" look, especially when combined with a masculine Ascendant. A particularly classic combination among women is Libra rising with Moon in Capricorn which gives Barbie doll-like features. Masculine Moons, on the other hand, are primitive by comparison, especially the fire Moons which can be animalistic in nature. Air sign Moons can be attractive, but in a bland or superficial kind of way, and then only when combined with a masculine ascendant. A feminine Moon will go a long way towards someone's professional success. Most successful employees, buisnessmen, politicians, or professional people in general have feminine Moons.

JUPITER is best in fire or air. Masculine Jupiters gives height and fullness and prominence, especially when they are combined with a masculine ascendant. Feminine Jupiters lack the enthusiasm, grandeur, and the moral fibre of their masculine counterpatrs.

SATURN is best in earth or water. Feminine Saturns give fine form, definition, sturdiness, and endurance, especially when they are combined with a masculine ascendant. Saturn especially affects the hair, skin, nails, teeth, and bones in general. Masculine Saturns lack the finesse or control of their feminine counterpatrs.

NEPTUNE is best in the water or Earth signs. Feminine Neptunes add grace, sensitivity, and refinement to one's physical features whereas masculine Neptunes give hard and almost clod-like features. I've noticed, for example, how many young people with Neptune in Sagittartius have long skinny legs with large feet.

PLUTO is best in water or Earth. A Feminine Pluto adds depth, contrast, magnetism, and femininity to the appearance whearas a masculine Pluto can look haunting and almost bisexual in nature. Many with Pluto in Cancer, for example, have a jovial and domesticated look. Pluto in Leo people have a brilliant but icy gaze. Those with Pluto in Virgo have a chic or "high-definition" look to them. Pluto in Libra is often noted for its slim-model or cerebral look, and so on.

I am uncertain about MERCURY's true rulership so I will not make any particular judgement on it, except to say that it appears to give a youthful and childish appearance when in the air signs.

The MIDHEAVEN is even more unclear to me. What effect it has, if any, on the physical appearance has hardly been touched upon and requires further research.