Sign InThe Sun and the Ascendant in Challenging Aspect
This article discusses the relationship between a planet and an angle of the natal chart, specifically focusing on the Sun square the Ascendant. This major aspect perfectly illustrates the essence of dynamic aspects, given that opposition is often interpreted as a conjunction to the opposite angle and is therefore not inherently unfavorable.
Among astrological aspects, those connecting a planet to the Ascendant represent a particular category because they are highly personal. In general, the more a configuration is related to fast-moving elements (angles, fast-moving planets), the more significant it is in a chart.
The Ascendant is one of the key factors in analyzing a natal chart, providing its nuance. Technically, it corresponds to the first sign rising on the eastern horizon at the time of birth. It forms an axis with the Descendant and opens the 1st house.
It represents the personality as the individual seeks — sometimes unconsciously — to project it outward. It describes appearance, mannerisms, how one dresses and behaves. Since it highlights certain character traits, the Ascendant may or may not be in harmony with the deeper self, symbolized by the Sun.
Moreover, any planet closely connected to this angle exerts a significant influence, imparting a specific symbolism and tone that adds to those of the Ascendant sign. Sometimes these energies are compatible, while other times the mix is harder to reconcile.
The Sun, meanwhile, is central to the analysis of the natal chart. Everything revolves around its relationships with planets, angles, and other factors, as well as its rulerships. It determines our vitality, willpower, and deeper personality. The Sun is the primary source of motivation that drives us.
Thus, the Sun-Ascendant link is crucial for assessing the ease or challenges in expressing one's full identity. When a square forms between the Sun and Ascendant, the aspect touches on the ego, on the core of the character.
This combination involves necessary efforts to align with the goals one has set. Astrologers sometimes detect issues related to impostor syndrome or duality: individuals with this aspect often struggle to embrace their true nature and feel a disconnect between their image and their deeper self.
This tension mainly affects personal relationships, particularly with the father or a similar figure, and in some cases, the husband.
There is an inner struggle that must be overcome. This aspect tends to be more challenging in early life, a period where the individual may appear arrogant, authoritarian, or self-centered. They sometimes mistakenly believe there is a conflict between their high ambitions and the consideration of those close to them.
With time and maturity, as with all aspects of tension, this dissonance can be tamed or transcended, eventually leading to great achievements that become a source of legitimate pride.
In order to better explain this aspect, we are mentioning several well-known personalities, here Melanie Griffith (square), Pablo Picasso (square), Amy Winehouse (square), and Benicio del Toro (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 the Sun 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.
Melanie Griffith
Daughter of Tippi Hedren, one of Hitchcock's favorite actresses alongside Grace Kelly and Ingrid Bergman, Melanie Griffith grew up in a Hollywood environment from birth.
She made her first steps in commercials at just nine months old, becoming a child star at a very early age.
She met Don Johnson at 14 during a film shoot, and the couple married when she was barely 18. She then landed several successful roles, often playing up her image as a voluptuous blonde.
Born under the sign of Leo, proud and enterprising, Melanie has likely been conflicted by contradictory impressions throughout her life. Her Sun is in a square aspect with her Taurus Ascendant: behind this appearance of a naturally beautiful and simple girl, she hides great ambitions.
In terms of relationships, her marriages were long-lasting — the first with Don Johnson and the second with Antonio Banderas — but both eventually succumbed to doubt.
Her dependence on her partners and on cinema led her to undergo numerous cosmetic surgeries, which she later openly admitted and partially regrets.
Her Sun is in the 4th house, the house of roots, governing the 5th house, which relates to play, pleasure, love, and children. Dakota Johnson, the daughter she had with Don Johnson, also became an actress and is a great source of pride for her.
Melanie Griffith
You can also read the astrological portrait of Melanie Griffith.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Melanie Griffith:
Pablo Picasso
A genius artist and a central figure of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso revolutionized painting by exploring uncharted territories such as Cubism and Surrealism, while remaining sharp and prolific until the end of his life.
This Scorpio native constantly oscillated between the desire to push himself to the limit without worrying about the opinions of others, and the desire to shine and be recognized, represented by his Leo Ascendant.
Thus, even though he experienced rapid success with his creations and radically shifted artistic styles, he appeared to be tortured by his inner dramas, which fueled his work.
Having lived through both World Wars and witnessed the rise of Francoism in Spain, he briefly joined the Communist Party. However, he distanced himself from it as well, in response to the violence committed by the Red Army.
Despite his exceptional acclaim, some of his critics saw arrogance in his paintings. He was also accused of cruelty, particularly by some of the women he had relationships with.
In conclusion, with his Sun in Scorpio and his Leo Ascendant in square, he was often torn between shadow and light.
Pablo Picasso
You can also read the astrological portrait of Pablo Picasso.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Pablo Picasso:
Amy Winehouse
Like other early stars of the infamous 27 Club, including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse died at the age of 27.
Having become an icon adored by fans around the world, she nevertheless lost control of her life, sinking into drugs and medication.
Her Sun in Virgo depicts a nervous young woman, plagued by self-doubt about her talent, two weaknesses she tried to manage by adopting various personas, sometimes even frivolous, as seen in her Gemini Ascendant.
She effortlessly captured the spirit of the times with a very British sense of humor, including self-deprecation. However, her inner turmoil was too deep to overcome, as if she couldn't synthesize the many facets of her Mercurian self.
It is also striking that, despite the modesty of her Virgo Sun, it ruled a charismatic duo of Venus and Mars in Leo. These pushed her at times to overplay her role as a diva.
What remains of her is an unforgettable voice and poignant songs in which she expressed universal struggles, like the fear of not being loved.
The documentary Amy perhaps reveals her true self, a remarkably intelligent person, excessively cerebral, but also funny, ironic, and extremely perceptive.
Her signature look, black beehive hair, thick eyeliner, and sexy outfits, completes the iconic inner battle she fought between appearance and true identity.
Amy Winehouse
You can also read the astrological portrait of Amy Winehouse.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Amy Winehouse:
Benicio del Toro
With the Sun in Pisces located in the house of career, Benicio del Toro is a solar figure, though not without nuance. While dominant, this luminary is angularly distant from the Midheaven and forms a square to his Gemini Ascendant.
The actor is often described as kind, modest, and laid-back, qualities that align with the Pisces side of his Sun.
Coming from a family of Puerto Rican lawyers, Benicio could have followed a more traditional path. However, the cinema called him, and he veered off to pursue a career in which he paradoxically excels in playing villains or notorious criminals.
His Gemini Ascendant allows him to portray both devious characters, with his ambiguous expressions, and a variety of complex roles.
The Sun also rules his 5th house, emphasizing an eternal adolescent attitude, as he refuses to take himself too seriously.
But as always, there's a flip side: he sometimes shows a disorganized and nonchalant side. Only during film shoots is he forced to focus and prepare like an athlete before a competition.
In doing so, he puts pressure on himself to meet expectations. In summary, Benicio is a great example of successfully integrating a dynamic aspect.
Benicio del Toro
You can also read the astrological portrait of Benicio del Toro.
Below, you will find the horoscope of Benicio del Toro:
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