The Truth About Your Ascendant and Sun Sign: Why Both Matter, But One More Than the Other

Have you ever noticed that when people talk about birth charts these days, there seem to be two main camps?

One side focuses mainly on the Sun sign — your essence, your life path, your soul’s growth.
The other side puts all their emphasis on the Ascendant, saying that’s the “real you” — how you show up in the world, what others see.

So let me tell you how I see it.

To me, the Ascendant is definitely important, because it’s like the “social mask” or “armor” we wear when interacting with the world.
Let’s say your Ascendant is Taurus — you may appear calm, grounded, slow to speak or react.
But deep down, your Sun might be in Aries — which means you’re actually fiery, impulsive, and always ready to break out of boxes.

That’s why so many people feel, “I relate more to my Ascendant than my Sun sign.”
But here’s the thing: that’s just because we learn to operate through our Ascendant first.
It’s how we’re taught to “be someone” in society. It’s how we learn to survive.

But you can't live your whole life inside your mask, right?
Your Sun sign is your core mission — it’s where you’re meant to go, who you’re meant to become.

Here’s a better way to picture it:
The Ascendant is your mask; the Sun is your soul’s true face.
Your Ascendant is a coping strategy. Your Sun is the real deal.

And when your Sun and Ascendant are in different elements — like fire and earth — you’ll probably feel that inner tension.
You might constantly wonder, “Should I be who people expect me to be, or who I really am inside?”

That’s why, in my work, I always prioritize the Sun.
Sure, your Ascendant helps you survive, navigate, and even succeed in society.
But if you ignore your Sun — you won’t feel truly alive. You won’t feel fulfilled.

The Ascendant is the role you learn to play in the first half of your life.
But the Sun is the self you must return to in the second half — your unfiltered, undiluted core.

That’s how I see the balance between the Sun and Ascendant:
Both are important — but the Sun is the key to living your truth.