Sign InNeptune and the Ascendant in challenging aspect
In this article, we explore the challenging aspect between Neptune and the Ascendant, particularly the poorly supported conjunction or the square. We exclude the opposition, as it is not interpreted as a typical dynamic aspect but rather as a conjunction to the Descendant.
From a technical perspective, the Ascendant corresponds to the sign rising on the eastern horizon at the time of birth. It forms an axis with the Descendant, which reflects our relationship with others. The Ascendant marks the beginning of the first house, associated with appearance, vitality, behavior, and how one presents themselves in public.
It is considered a major component of the natal chart, alongside the Sun sign, provided the time of birth is known accurately. Any planet closely connected to the Ascendant draws attention due to its importance. If it is angular, it almost always becomes one of the dominant features of the chart.
Neptune, a slow-moving planet with generational effects, symbolizes collective aspirations, inspiration, imagination, spirituality, and the idea of belonging to a greater Whole. As the ruler of Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, Neptune seeks to unify the experiences of the other signs.
Among its qualities, Neptune brings gentleness, kindness, and sometimes a marked artistic potential, particularly in music, singing, poetry, or visual arts. Its language is metaphorical, striving to transcend words to reach the universal.
However, this planet also has its downsides. It can create illusions, with risks of deception, manipulation, or misinterpretation. While not associated with violence, it can lead to situations of dependency, whether on emotions or substances like alcohol or drugs. It tends to make people indecisive.
Natives marked by a tense connection between Neptune and the Ascendant must face inner uncertainties. Influenced and eager to please, they risk losing sight of their identity. When Neptune is among the chart's dominant features, these individuals may have a somewhat blurred self-image.
They tend to change their mind or attitude frequently. Over time, they must learn to gain consistency, which can be aided by energetic aspects or planets in their chart.
Despite these challenges, they often possess a powerful charisma, though they may be unaware of it. It is crucial for them to protect themselves to avoid attracting ill-intentioned individuals and suffering the consequences.
In order to better explain this aspect, we are mentioning several well-known personalities, here Marion Cotillard (square), Elvis Presley (square), Cher (square), and Abbé Pierre (square).
This article deliberately isolates the aspect (a square or an unfavorable conjunction) so as to better describe them. For this reason, it claims on no account to be a psychological analysis of the celebrity in question, for whom many other articles are available in the "Focus" section.
It is possible to find thousands of other horoscopes having Neptune in aspect of square or unfavorable conjunction with the Ascendant (or any other aspects), with the online tool search. The planets, positions in sign and in house as well as the orb, are configurable.
Marion Cotillard: A Neptunian and Chameleon Actress
Among the prominent figures in French and global cinema, Marion Cotillard perfectly exemplifies the manifestations of a tense aspect between Neptune and the Ascendant. She demonstrates how to harness the qualities of this aspect while overcoming its challenges.
In her natal chart, Neptune is angular, positioned at the Imum Coeli (IC) in Sagittarius. This placement reflects her bohemian and open family environment, where she grew up surrounded by creativity.
However, the square between Neptune and her Ascendant in Virgo indicates a certain difficulty in finding her place within this setting. From a young age, Marion Cotillard, often influenced by others' perceptions, experienced an underlying insecurity and a tendency to withdraw into herself.
Neptune, ruler of her Descendant in Pisces, heightens her hypersensitivity and her need to adapt to external expectations. She first gained public recognition through Luc Besson's Taxi saga, in a role far removed from her deeper artistic preferences. Later, she transitioned toward auteur cinema.
Her role in Olivier Dahan's La Vie en Rose, where she portrayed Édith Piaf, brilliantly illustrates Neptune's energy. The remarkable transformation she underwent for this character showcases her chameleon-like talent, a quality often associated with this planet. Her performance, universally praised, earned her numerous awards, including the ultimate accolade, the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Since then, Marion Cotillard has pursued an international career, alternating between Hollywood and French productions, while remaining true to her roots.
Her exceptional ability to reinvent herself and transform from role to role reflects the adaptability granted by a tense aspect between Neptune and the Ascendant, when its challenges are successfully overcome.
Marion Cotillard
You can also read the astrological portrait of Marion Cotillard.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Marion Cotillard:
Elvis Presley: A True Legend but an Inner Struggle
The legend of rock, Elvis Presley, highlights the contrast that can exist between the depth of a personality and the public image perceived by others. Born into a modest family and deeply influenced by a close relationship with a domineering mother, he discovered early on how to leverage his exceptional vocal talents and his iconic hip movements, which became his signature.
This Capricorn native has a Sagittarius Ascendant, giving his appearance an aura of enthusiasm, joviality, and spontaneity, in contrast to his more introverted and reserved nature.
In post-war America, he rose to prominence with a unique style that captivated crowds. Elvis inspired both admiration and controversy, with some conservative circles deeming his performances provocative.
In his natal chart, Neptune is positioned in Virgo in the 9th house, forming a square to his Sagittarius Ascendant. This configuration reflects a constant struggle between his need for transcendence and a deep-seated insecurity.
Although he dazzled on stage and revolutionized the music industry, Elvis often seemed trapped by his own doubts. Neptune, ruler of his Pisces Moon, highlights the significant feminine influence in his life, whether maternal or spiritual. However, this influence was not always well understood or fully embraced.
Elvis Presley was one of the first artists to incite riots and scenes of collective hysteria during his concerts. Yet, behind this popular fervor lay profound shyness and inner turmoil that he sought to soothe with alcohol and medication.
One of his most famous songs, Suspicious Minds, seems to symbolize this inner conflict, especially in his romantic relationships. Neptune, linked to both his Ascendant and Moon, underscores his need for unconditional love but also his difficulty in handling misunderstandings and emotional tensions.
Despite his personal struggles, Elvis Presley left an indelible mark on history as an iconic figure in music and popular culture, embodying both the aspirations and contradictions of a man influenced by Neptune.
Elvis Presley
You can also read the astrological portrait of Elvis Presley.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Elvis Presley:
Cher: The Queen of Transformations
An eternal icon, Cher has transcended eras, riding the hippie wave of the 1970s before becoming a legendary pop star. Her unique ability to reinvent herself has allowed her to captivate successive generations, solidifying her status as a talented and eclectic artist.
In her natal chart, Neptune is located in Libra, in the 4th house, forming a square with her Cancer Ascendant. This configuration reflects challenges related to family influence and the values she grew up with.
One anecdote perfectly illustrates this issue: when her mother suggested she marry a wealthy man, Cher reportedly retorted, with confidence, that she was "a rich man" herself. This resolutely feminist and forward-thinking response reveals her determination to forge her own path. This independence allowed her to amass significant wealth over the years.
Despite this inner strength, Neptune also symbolizes the traps Cher had to navigate, particularly in her co-dependent relationship within the duo formed with Sonny Bono. Their divorce is a testament to the challenges of a tense aspect between Neptune and the Ascendant.
Cher described it as a "mutual servitude" that no longer suited her. This aspect highlights the difficulty of balancing personal aspirations with the expectations imposed by her surroundings or the conventions of the time.
Neptune primarily rules her Midheaven in Pisces, emphasizing the importance of public approval in all its forms.
Regarded as one of the first women to play with the codes of drag queen culture — sometimes unknowingly — Cher has pushed the boundaries of gender and aesthetic norms.
The evolution of her physical appearance is a striking testament to Neptune's influence in her life. From her modest beginnings to her sophisticated and glamorous looks in maturity, Cher has explored every facet of transformation.
Each of her looks reflects an innate ability to reinvent herself, defying time and expectations.
Cher (entertainer)
You can also read the astrological portrait of Cher.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Cher:
Abbé Pierre: A Double Life Now Revealed
For decades, Abbé Pierre was one of the most admired figures in France. Founder of the Emmaus movement, he dedicated his life to the underprivileged, leaving a lasting impression during the harsh winter of 1954 with his famous appeal on behalf of the homeless.
He passed away in 2007 at the age of 94, and his humanitarian work remains a symbol of generosity and altruism.
However, posthumous revelations cast a shadow on his image. Behind the man of faith and goodwill was a complex personality, shaken by profound contradictions.
Henri Grouès, his real name, displayed an ambivalent nature, heavily influenced by a dissonant Neptune in many respects.
In his natal chart, Abbé Pierre was a Leo native with a Libra Ascendant, a combination that values nobility, harmony, and appearances. This configuration reflects his desire to shine and to be seen as a moral role model.
However, Neptune in Cancer, square to the Ascendant, suggests a tendency to cultivate illusions and ambiguities. In this context, Neptune highlights a duality: a man devoted to a humanitarian cause but unable to control his impulses, akin to the duality of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Reports and testimonies about him, long concealed, revealed allegations of sexual abuse involving dozens of women. These revelations underscore a darker side of his personality, in stark contrast to his carefully maintained public image, often bolstered by the Church's support, which allegedly sought to suppress incriminating evidence.
Despite being in Cancer, Neptune can be considered angular to the Midheaven in Leo due to its proximity. This position amplifies the dichotomy between his public role as a man of faith and his inner reality.
Abbé Pierre thus embodies the paradoxes of Neptune: a man capable of altruistic actions, yet plagued by human flaws he struggled to understand or control.
Abbé Pierre
You can also read the astrological portrait of Abbé Pierre.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Abbé Pierre:
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