The chart ruler is the planetary ruler of your ascendant. It is the planet that rules your rising sign and it holds more influence over your life and birth chart. To find your chart ruler, you first need to know your rising or ascendant sign. Then, find the planet that rules that sign.
Sun - Leo, Moon - Cancer, Mercury - Gemini & Virgo, Venus - Taurus & Libra, Mars - Aries & Scorpio, Jupiter - Sagittarius & Pisces, Saturn - Capricorn & Aquarius
The planet that is your chart ruler can act like a secondary ascendant. Your chart ruler holds more power and is one of the most influential placements in your chart. You can dive deep into your chart ruler, its location, sign, and aspects to get more insight into the key parts that make you, you.
The Planet that is your Chart Ruler
Each planet has unique qualities, and when a planet is your chart ruler, you will take on some of its traits. Some of the planets are considered neutral, while others may be considered more challenging or positive. In reality, all of the planets come with both benefits and difficulties.
The sign of your chart ruler and the house it is placed in hold more influence over how your chart ruler will manifest in your life. Most rising signs will experience their chart ruler stationing retrograde, while Leo and Cancer risings are “lucky” in the way that their chart rulers will never station retrograde - the Sun and Moon.
If you’re an Aries or Scorpio rising, your chart ruler is Mars. With Mars as a chart ruler, some of the traits you may have include being energetic, aggressive, confrontational, blunt, or active. Mars represents our energy, vitality, aggression, and anger. It also represents topics like war, wounds, and fighting. Some Aries or Scorpio risings will have a scar or wound that is noticeable in their appearance. Others will take on more of the Mars stereotype inwardly and be aggressive or pressing. You’re energetic and motivated to get what you want. Someone with Mars in the 1st house will take on similar traits as someone with Mars as a chart ruler.
If you’re a Taurus or Libra rising, your chart ruler is Venus. With Venus as your chart ruler, you likely take on traits like being unproblematic or uncomplicated. Venus represents topics like relationships, love, finances, and values. With Venus being so influential in your chart, you likely don’t want to “rock the boat” and may fall into having people-pleasing tendencies. Some Taurus or Libra risings will prioritize having a straightforward and easy-going life. Others will value their relationships and finances and those topics may shape how they feel about themselves. Someone with Venus in the 1st house can take on similar traits as someone with Venus as their chart ruler.
If you’re a Gemini or Virgo rising, your chart ruler is Mercury. Mercury is one of the planets that is considered neutral, which means its sign and house have even more influence over the planet. Mercury represents things like communication, thinking, and understanding. With Mercury as your chart ruler, you are likely curious and communicative. Some Gemini or Virgo risings will be extroverted, but others will come out of their shell and speak up after they get to know someone. Learning and understanding are major parts of your life and you strive to keep learning as you grow older. Some Mercury-ruled people are intellectuals, while others are pursuing skills of special interest. Someone with Mercury in the 1st house will have some of the same traits as a Gemini or Virgo rising.
If you’re a Cancer rising, your chart ruler is the Moon. The Moon is the fastest moving of all of the planets in your chart, and it represents things like your body, subconscious, and emotions. With the Moon as your chart ruler, you likely feel more in touch with your emotions and your body. Your intuition is high and your body can almost feel when the energy is off in a situation. Some Cancer risings will take on the Moon’s stereotype and be emotional or moody. Others will find that their personality or appearance changes more often throughout their life. Someone with the Moon in the 1st house may take on similar qualities as a Cancer rising.
If you’re a Leo rising, your chart ruler is the Sun. With the Sun so influential in your chart, your Sun sign is more emphasized in you. The Sun represents your sense of self and is the energy you grow into as you get older. The Sun is what brightens you and gives you light. Leo risings can be more confident in themselves and can bring energy to situations that are lacking it. Some Leo risings will be extroverted and motivated to be seen. But if your Sun is in a sign it isn’t comfortable in or in a “hidden” house, you’re less likely to take on these stereotypes. Leo risings are strong-willed and have a magnetic presence. Someone with the Sun in the 1st house may take on similar traits as a Leo rising.
If you’re a Sagittarius or Pisces rising, your chart ruler is Jupiter. Jupiter is considered a benefic planet and stereoptically it brings harmony and positivity. This makes Sagittarius and Pisces risings more likely to be optimistic or easygoing, aligning with them being mutable signs. Jupiter represents our beliefs and philosophies on life. It has a major influence on how we view the world. Some Sagittarius or Pisces risings will be idealistic and see the best in situations. Others will prioritize their views on the world and their philosophies will hold major influence over them. Someone with Jupiter in the 1st house may take on similar qualities as a Sagittarius or Pisces rising.
If you’re a Capricorn or Aquarius rising, your chart ruler is Saturn. With Saturn as your chart ruler, you’re likely to have a more serious nature. Saturn is an authority figure; it represents things like responsibility, timelines, and maturing. Some Saturn-ruled people may have grown up too early, while others will be described as “old souls”. Pessimism or pressure are things you might have to combat in your lifetime. You’re more inclined to prioritize structure in your life and hold yourself accountable. Routine and organization play an important role in certain areas of your life. Someone with Saturn in the 1st house may take on similar qualities as someone with Saturn as a chart ruler.
The Sign of Your Chart Ruler
Understand the sign that your chart ruler is in. That sign can make up several of your personality traits, especially once you grow older. You will resonate with the sign of your chart ruler and the sign will play a larger role in your life/your chart. The sign of your chart ruler also influences how the planet will “act”.
Planets can struggle in some signs and feel more comfortable in others. This is called the essential dignities - domicile, exaltation, detriment, and fall. To check the essential dignities head over to the Astro Basics tab!
If your chart ruler is in its domicile or exaltation, it is being supported and will act more productively in your life/chart. As stated before, all of the planets have benefits and challenges, some more than others. If your chart ruler is supported by the sign it’s in, you’ll likely experience more of the benefits of your chart ruler. If your chart ruler is in its detriment or fall, the planet feels less supported. There can be less productivity or a harder time understanding when your chart ruler is in its detriment or fall. The planet has to work harder in some instances.
The House Your Chart Ruler is Placed In
The house that your chart ruler is in and the house’s topics will be emphasized in your lifetime. All of the houses represent different areas of our lives - the different parts that makeup life. The house that your chart ruler is placed in will be more of a major part of your life. There is an overall focus on that house and its topics in your lifetime.
1st House: you, your body, your personality.
2nd House: values, finances, self-worth, assets.
3rd House: short trips, siblings, communication.
4th House: family, home, private life, lineage, ancestry.
5th House: romance, creativity, children, sex.
6th House: daily routines, work, health/illness.
7th House: one-on-one relationships, partnerships, open enemies.
8th House: debt, taxes, shared resources, depth.
9th House: foreign travel, higher learning, religion/spirituality.
10th House: career, reputation, outer image, what you're known for.
11th House: friends, community, groups, hopes/dreams.
12th House: subconscious, hidden places, mental health, hidden enemies.
In traditional astrology, there are “good” and “bad” houses. This isn’t as black and white as it seems. Some houses represent overall more positive topics in life; for example, the 11th house represents friendships, communities, and hopes/dreams. Other houses represent more challenging topics, like the 8th house which represents debt, taxes, depth, and death in its most extreme.
There is another explanation as to why some houses are considered good or bad. The good houses make a major aspect to the 1st house/ascendant, while the bad houses do not make a major aspect to the 1st house. Your chart ruler can be boosted by being in a good house, while it can be less productive or noticeable in a bad house.
Good Houses: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
Bad Houses: 2, 6, 8, 12
Aspects Made to Your Chart Ruler
Aspects made to your chart ruler, both natal and transit, are more impactful and noticeable in your life. If a planet is making a major aspect to your chart ruler, especially a hard aspect (square, conjunction, or opposition), that planet will play a larger role in your life. Any planet that aspects your chart ruler is influencing how your chart ruler will manifest or act. You will notice a planet’s topics more if it is aspecting your chart ruler.
If your chart ruler is being aspected by Venus or Jupiter, one of the benefics, you will likely see more of the positive or productive traits of your chart ruler. If your chart ruler is being aspected by Mars or Saturn, one of the malefics, you are more likely to notice the harsher or harder-to-understand traits of your chart ruler.
All of that to say, your chart ruler needs to be prioritized, both when trying to understand your birth chart and when looking at predictive astrology. I hope you gained more insight into your chart ruler with this post. Thank you as always!
-Jasmine
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