If you are interested in using astrology to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, then it is important that you learn all about your zodiac triad. The triad includes your sun, moon, and ascendant which are considered the “Big Three” in astrology. It is through studying these three significant astrological placements that you are able to gain great insight into who you are.
The Sun: Purpose In The Light
In astrology, the sun represents the ego and identity. The particular zodiac sign of the sun reveals how you generally express yourself. It is important to note that even people of the same zodiac sun sign can vary based on such factors as the sun sign decan, planetary aspects as well as the house placement of the sun. Even still, there are general characteristics that define the 12 zodiac signs.
Read More »For example, let’s say you have a Gemini sun. Communication is a major part of your expressed personality, and you would do well to understand how you use information to connect with others and achieve your life purpose.
Sun House Placement
The placement of the sun sign in the specific natal chart house provides further clarification about how you’ll use your solar energy. For example, someone with a Gemini sun in the second house and someone with a Gemini sun in the sixth house will both have an orientation towards using words and communication; however, the specific house placement reveals exactly how this communication occurs.
The Gemini sun in the second house is more oriented towards communicating about finances, resources, and personal value systems whereas the Gemini sun in the sixth house finds that much of their communication revolves around health, wellness, the creation of order, food and nutrition, forming routines, and being of service. This is a perfect example of how two people can have the same sun sign, but they are expressing similar zodiac energy in different ways based on where the sun sign energy resides in the natal chart.
The Moon: The Hidden Self
The moon is the second major luminary in the zodiac after the sun. It resonates with the true self that you keep hidden from others as well as what is desired and needed emotionally to feel safe and secure. The moon is different from the sun because even though they are both luminaries, the moon shines its light under the cloak of darkness. Thus, the lunar energy is usually not expressed openly. In terms of relationships, especially romantic prospects, the condition of the moon signs between individuals is important in determining whether both individuals will feel comfortable with each other, especially as it relates to cohabitating.
Moon House Placement
The moon sign house place shows where and how you get your security needs met. Similar to the sun sign house placement, individuals can have similar moon signs, but they are not necessarily expressing these similar energies in the same way. For example, someone with a moon in Cancer in the fourth house will express lunar energy differently than someone with a Moon in Cancer in the ninth house.
The individual with a Moon in Cancer in the fourth house feels secure putting down roots and connecting to home and family as the fourth house is also ruled by Cancer providing a double whammy of Cancer energy. Meanwhile, the individual with a Cancer moon in the ninth house may find that they feel more at home in places far from their native hometown or homeland as the ninth house is represented by Sagittarius which is associated with travel. This can definitely show up as expat energy where home is abroad and/or overseas.
Yes, there is still a theme of establishing a home base with the moon in Cancer, how these two individuals do so is shown through the house placement.
The Ascendant: Meeting The World
This ascendant, also known as the rising sign, is a special part of the zodiac triad as it is associated with entry into this physical realm. If the 12th house represents the watery experience of being in utero and the experience prior to physical birth, the ascendant represents the physical act of being born into the world as well as the conditions surrounding birth.
It is important to note that aspects to the ascendant can affect the ascendant zodiac sign expression. For example, someone that has a Sagittarius ascendant with Uranus conjunct or sitting on the ascendant could have a quick or “out of the blue birth” thanks to the unexpected influence of Uranus.
The ascendant reveals how you express yourself externally and how you are perceived by others via the first impression. The ascendant is like the astrological entryway. The rising sign provides a glimpse of who you are, and it shouldn’t be perceived as the totality of who you are. For example, if an individual has a Scorpio ascendant, on the surface, they present as a Scorpio perhaps preferring dark colors, being magnetic, and coming off as quite powerful and even intimidating to some. This is the initial energy that is perceived by others as well as the “astrological face” that is presented to the world.
When The Astro Triad Meet
The zodiac triad of the sun, moon, and ascendant work together to compose the foundation of the astrological personality. When these three astrological placements are in zodiac signs that resonate harmoniously i.e. in the same element (fire, water, earth, and air) or in elements that work together such as fire-air or water-earth, the energy flow between the sun, moon, and ascendant creates a personality that is easily integrated and less at odds. However, for many, this is not the case. Individuals can have a sun and moon that are harmonious yet have an ascendant that clashes.
Example #1
An individual has a Capricorn sun and a Virgo moon featuring compatible earth energy. However, the ascendant is in airy Aquarius. While the core personality of this person is quite grounded and practical (sun/moon), at first impression (ascendant) this individual could come off as eccentric, weird, or different due to the Aquarius ascendant.
Example #2
An individual has a sun in Leo with an ascendant in Libra, but the moon is in Scorpio. The ego identity (sun in Leo) is fiery and wants to be seen which supports the way this person presents with a Libra ascendant that makes them initially pleasant in presentation and socially adept. However, underneath the fiery-airy sun-ascendant energy are deep watery vibes of Scorpio which creates an emotional realm that is quite heavy, private, and desiring of connections that go beyond superficiality.
When there are incongruencies within the astrological triad, you must learn how to reconcile these differences. This means that the individual with the Leo sun and Libra ascendant has to acknowledge the deep needs of their Scorpio moon which include intimacy and transformation. In fact, such an individual could surprise those who get close to them because people will initially pick up on the fiery sun in Leo and the airy ascendant of Libra and be quite taken aback by the heaviness of the Scorpio moon emotions.
Astrological details such as these further explain the importance of the interaction between the sun, moon, and ascendant so that you can maximize the potential of your natal astrological energies.
Ultimately, the astrological triad of the sun, moon, and ascendant placements offer a baseline for exploring your personal astrology. Once you understand yourself at this basic level, you have the opportunity and foundation to explore the effects of the other planetary influences such as the personal planets of Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter and the outer planets of Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto for a thorough comprehension of your astrological makeup.
