What the Heck is a Chart Ruler
Add “chart ruler” to one of the many complexities of astrology that I wish I wouldn’t have learned about until after I learned the basics. That said, when I finally did wrap my head around the idea of the chart ruler, it was a major moment “ohhhhhh!!!!!” level understanding for me.
Some astrologers find your chart ruler to be hugely important, and running the show, others think of it merely as sort of a vibe. I’m in the first category. The fact that the moon is my chart ruler explained so much about my chart (and by extension, me)
But either way, it can be really helpful to know your chart ruler, so if you’re up for it.
Every natal chart has a chart ruler, which is determined by your rising sign.
How to Find Yours
Find your Rising sign (aka your Ascendant).
Look up the planet that rules that sign—that’s your chart ruler.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Aries Rising → Mars
Taurus Rising → Venus
Gemini Rising → Mercury
Cancer Rising → Moon
Leo Rising → Sun
Virgo Rising → Mercury
Libra Rising → Venus
Scorpio Rising → Mars (or Pluto, in modern astrology)
Sagittarius Rising → Jupiter
Capricorn Rising → Saturn
Aquarius Rising → Saturn (or Uranus, modern)
Pisces Rising → Jupiter (or Neptune, modern)
A quick note: Some signs have two ruling planets—one traditional and one modern. That’s because the original rulers were assigned before the discovery of Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
You can work with either (or both), depending on what feels more aligned.
Now What?
Once you know your chart ruler, you can look at:
What sign it’s in
Which house it’s in
Together, those tell you something about your overall approach to life—how you show up, what drives you, and where your energy naturally flows.
A few quick examples:
If you're a Cancer Rising, your chart ruler is the Moon. You’re likely guided by emotion, intuition, and a need for safety. The Moon’s placement shows what you’re emotionally tied to.
A Scorpio Rising ruled by Mars might come across intense, focused, and strategic. Where Mars lands in your chart tells you where you go all-in.
Libra Rising, ruled by Venus, may lead with charm, connection, or aesthetics. Venus’s placement reveals how you seek beauty or balance.
Capricorn Rising ruled by Saturn tends to show up as grounded, serious, or quietly ambitious. Saturn’s placement shows where you crave structure or growth over time.
It’s one piece of the bigger picture—but a helpful one.
Especially when you’re starting out, your chart ruler is a great planet to track.
When it’s activated by transits, you usually feel it. Or at least I do. You do you.