Matheus Bertelli

How to Find Your Chart Ruler and Why It’s Essential to Know in Astrology

  • Updated

While many are familiar with their astrological Sun sign, few are aware of their chart ruler and how it impacts personal values and processes. One’s chart ruler serves as a guiding compass throughout their lifespan. Sun and Moon sign typically work together in contrast (Sun=ego, external persona; Moon=internal, emotional drives and desires). Chart ruler is associated with one’s Ascendant sign (also called rising sign) and relates to the entirety of one’s psyche and energetic makeup. Attitude towards personal growth, how we face setbacks and hardship, discover meaning and find fulfillment are influenced by this piece of our astrology chart. Due to its significance, this all-encompassing planet dutifully earns the title, “chart ruler.”

Chart Rulers by Rising Sign

Our Ascendant is the line that bisects our astrology chart in half (to the left), and relates to our time of birth. This line starts our First House, the House of Self, and corresponds with the energy of our true nature. The Zodiac sign this line falls in is our Ascendant (Rising) sign. The subsequent eleven houses are impacted by who we were when we came into this world and follow stages of the hero’s journey. When we come into alignment with the energy of our Ascendant, we’re thought to be in our highest expression and embodiment. This is the person we come into and will exit this world as.  

Chart ruler can be found by looking at the planet associated with one’s Ascendant sign. For example, someone with an Aries Ascendant will always have Mars as a chart ruler.

Chart rulers by Ascendant are listed as follows:

Understanding Your Chart Ruler

In astrology, planets represent core archetypes within domains of human functioning. For example, Sun with ego and outward persona. We each have access to all the archetypal planets within us, although certain planets (especially chart ruler) likely take up more space within our psyche. It’s up to us to use free will to express ourselves to the best of our ability, as internal patterns manifest into external expression through both conscious and unconscious means. When we give our authentic self space to shine, we feed an internal sense of alignment and serve the world through the vessel of being ourselves. This is the heart of personal embodiment.

Core themes of each planet are listed as follows:

  • Sun: Ego, external persona, life force, vitality, self-expression
  • Moon: Unconscious, emotions, feminine energy, inner child
  • Mercury: Communication, understanding, language, learning
  • Venus: Love, sensuality, beauty, openness, harmony, relationships
  • Mars: Action, power, motivation, drive, leading the charge/initiation
  • Jupiter: Expansion, self-improvement, purpose
  • Saturn: Duty, work ethic, integrity, karma
  • Uranus: Insight, individuality, inspiration, innovation, revolution
  • Neptune: Spirituality, oneness, interconnectedness, ascendance
  • Pluto: Transformation, renewal, release, metamorphosis, death

Reflecting on our chart ruler allows us to see patterns and develop insight towards tendencies. Elements of human functioning we feel naturally drawn to hint at where energetic strengths lay. Our quirky individuality (when leaned into and expressed) is a gift, one we deserve to experience and receive fully. Free will and autonomy unlock authenticity, the powerful gift of self-love that keeps giving.