The sign on the cusp of the First House; the sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of the native's birth in natal astrology, or question in horary. Strictly speaking the degree of the Rising Sign is the Ascendant (ASC) with regard to aspects. In traditional and in Vedic astrology, the whole sign rising over the eastern horizon at the time of the native's birth is called the Ascendant or Rising Sign. More about Ascendant.