Which Planet Determines the Ascendant?
- Kundliguru
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
In astrology, the Ascendant (Lagna) plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s personality, physical appearance, behavior, and overall life path. Many people wonder which planet determines the ascendant and how it is calculated.
According to astrological principles, the Ascendant is determined by the Sun.
Role of the Sun in Determining the Ascendant
At the time and date of birth, the first birth chart of the day is formed at sunrise. The zodiac sign in which the Sun is situated at sunrise becomes the first ascendant of the day. This means that at sunrise, the Sun is always positioned in the 1st house, and the zodiac sign occupied by the Sun at that moment becomes the starting point for calculating ascendants.
Thus, the Sun acts as the reference planet for determining the ascendant, and the ascendant of a birth chart is calculated based on the Sun’s movement after sunrise.
How the Ascendant Changes During the Day
The ascendant does not remain the same throughout the day. It changes approximately every 2 hours due to the apparent movement of the Sun in the birth chart.
At sunrise, the Sun is placed in the 1st house
Around 2 hours after sunrise, the Sun moves to the 12th house
After another 2 hours, it moves to the 11th house
Then to the 10th house, and so on
This backward movement of the Sun through the houses continues throughout the day. Just before the next sunrise, the Sun reaches the 2nd house, completing the full cycle.
Because of this movement, each ascendant rules for approximately 2 hours, which is why the exact time of birth is extremely important when calculating a Kundli.
Importance of Accurate Birth Time
Since the ascendant changes every 2 hours, even a small difference in birth time can result in a different ascendant, leading to significant changes in horoscope interpretation. This is why astrologers always emphasize providing the most accurate birth time possible for precise predictions.
Why Ascendant Is So Important
The ascendant governs:
Physical appearance and body structure
Personality and temperament
Overall life direction
How a person responds to situations
The strength and results of planets in the chart
All planetary results are interpreted with reference to the ascendant, making it the foundation of the entire birth chart.
Conclusion
The Sun determines the ascendant, as the first ascendant of the day begins at sunrise with the Sun placed in the 1st house. As the Sun moves backward through the houses approximately every 2 hours, the ascendant changes accordingly. This continuous movement makes the ascendant time-sensitive and highlights the importance of accurate birth details in astrology.
Understanding how the ascendant is determined helps one appreciate the deeper mechanics of horoscope formation and astrological prediction.
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