The Meaning of Planets Rising, Descending, on the Nadir, or on the Midheaven

The Meaning of Planets Rising, Descending, on the Nadir, or on the Midheaven

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What does it mean when a planet is rising in Astrology?

When a planet is rising, it is effectively conjunct the Ascendant or Rising Sign. At the time of one's birth, this planet was rising in the horizon at one's location of birth. To find out if you have a rising planet, use our birth chart calculator to determine the planetary positions in your birth chart.

The planet ideally is no less than 2 degrees above or 6 degrees below the Ascendant. The conjunction morphs and blends the energy of two points or planets together.

So, a planet rising affects how one is perceived by others, the first impression they make, their mask, and vibe. These are the themes consistent with the meaning of the Ascendant. Almost as much as the Sun, the Ascendant embodies the energy of "I am" within the natal chart.

Being on the Ascendant, the rising planet is given a more direct channel of expression in the personality. It becomes one of the first things others notice in one's way of being.

Additionally, the rising planet has an affect on one's physical appearance.

Here are some examples of how having a planet rising (in conjunction to the Ascendant) has an impact:

Rising Planet
Effect on Expression
Sun
Sunny demeanor; Dramatic in expression; Flamboyant dress
Moon
Warm, relatable demeanor; Homely and compassionate on first impression
Mercury
Busy, dynamic demeanor; Comes off as clever and witty; Modern, trendy dress
Venus
Easy going; receptive in interaction; Stubborn in demeanor; Artful appearance
Mars
Direct in expression; Does not beat around the bush; Ballsy on first impressions

These are just some examples of how a rising planet can have an impact on one's external demeanor. For a complete, more thorough explanation, take a look at our complete guide to your natal chart, with full interpretations.

What does it mean when a planet is descending in Astrology?

A planet descending is conjunction the Descendant, which is opposite to the Ascendant on the natal birth chart. At the time of one's birth this planet was setting just under the horizon. Ideally, this planet is no more than 1 degree before or 2 degrees after the Descendant.

Planets on the Descendant denotes a higher than average desire to form relationships - not just one-to-one romantic relationships, but also friendships or partnerships within business. It is likely such an individual enjoys the challenges - lows and highs of simply being in some form of relationship with others. Sometimes its that one simply is attuned to how to leverage the brilliance of multiple people within an enterprise.

The planet on the Descendant and the sign represents the qualities we do not often express and look for within other people. In fact, this energy makes us feel more "balanced" within our lives. In fact, this is really an energy we are learning to cultivate more of, and through more interactions, we learn to hone these qualities in our own personal style.

What does it mean when a planet on the Midheaven in Astrology?

A planet is on the Midheaven when it is basically conjunct the MC, ideally less than 2 degrees before and no more than 6 degrees after the MC. The MC, also known as the Midheaven, represents our public and professional life.

The planet on our Midheaven has an overriding influence on our aim in life and what we strive to achieve. Moreover, one's personal career is influenced by the evolving themes of the planet involved within public consciousness. One may have a strong desire to usher in a new era of looking at things, or transform our own associations around these planetary themes.

What does it mean when a planet on the IC or Nadir in Astrology?

The IC in Astrology, also known as the Nadir or Imum Coeli ("bottom of the sky"), is directly opposite of the Midheaven on the natal chart. Whereas the Midheaven represents the highest point on the elliptic at the moment of one's birth, the IC represents the lowest point.

The IC or Nadir is associated with our home, how we nurture ourselves and how we re-charge. This is a particularly important point for introverts.

Any planet conjunct the IC, ideally less than 2 degrees before and no more than 6 degrees after the IC, is thought to be directly tied into our sense of emotional security. It affects how we express our energies within our private lives - to our family members, to our home base, and close friends.

This is a planet whose influence is "hidden" from direct view, but likely known to those who know us intimately. Any planet near the IC colors who are intimately to those close to us.

It should also be noted that sometimes the IC and the planets near it suggest the influence of the mother, while the planets near the MC indicate the influence of the father. Either way, the planets near the IC often reflect how we feel about our childhood and our connection to our personal and collective past.


Sometimes it may feel like we have different personalities that come out within different realms in our lives. The four points on the chart (Ascendant, IC, Descendant, and MC) reflect four different arenas of our personality and any planets that fall near these color their expression.

Celebrities with the Sun as a Rising Planet: Lucy Lawless, Alyssa Milano. View more celebrities with the Sun conjunct the Ascendant. View celebrities with the Sun conjunct the Descendant.

Celebrities with the Moon as a Rising Planet: Susan Sarandon, Miranda Kerr. View more celebrities with the Moon conjunct the Ascendant. View celebrities with the Moon conjunct the Descendant.

Celebrities with the Mercury as a Rising Planet: Matt Leblanc, Zooey Deschanel. View more celebrities with the Mercury conjunct the Ascendant. View celebrities with the Mercury conjunct the Descendant.

Celebrities with the Venus as a Rising Planet: Cameron Diaz, Lana Del Rey. View more celebrities with the Venus conjunct the Ascendant. View celebrities with the Venus conjunct the Descendant.

Celebrities with the Mars as a Rising Planet: Donald Trump, Queen Latifah. View more celebrities with the Mars conjunct the Ascendant. View celebrities with the Mars conjunct the Descendant.

Celebrities with the Jupiter as a Rising Planet: Conchita Wurst, Arthur Conan Doyle. View more celebrities with the Jupiter conjunct the Ascendant. View celebrities with the Jupiter conjunct the Descendant.


Celebrities with the Sun on the Midheaven: Helen Hunt, Marvin Gaye. View more celebrities with the Sun conjunct the MC. View celebrities with the Sun conjunct the IC.

Celebrities with the Moon on the Midheaven: Gene Wilder, Sylvester Stallone. View more celebrities with the Moon conjunct the MC. View celebrities with the Moon conjunct the IC.

Celebrities with the Mercury on the Midheaven: Uma Thurman, Meg Ryan. View more celebrities with the Mercury conjunct the MC. View celebrities with the Mercury conjunct the IC.

Celebrities with the Venus on the Midheaven: Victoria Beckham, Brooke Shields. View more celebrities with the Venus conjunct the MC. View celebrities with the Venus conjunct the IC.

Celebrities with the Mars on the Midheaven: Gisele Bundchen, Tobey Maguire. View more celebrities with the Mars conjunct the MC. View celebrities with the Mars conjunct the IC.

Celebrities with the Jupiter on the Midheaven: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino. View more celebrities with the Jupiter conjunct the MC. View celebrities with the Jupiter conjunct the IC.

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