The Difference Between the Sun, Moon & Rising Sign...

The sun, moon and rising sign each has a different function and plays a different role. What's more, each shows itself to a greater or lesser extent depending on the situation, and one can be dominant depending on the circumstances. Overall, there is a constant flow and interaction between the three, but they can be differentiated.

It's easiest to understand the difference if you look at it as follows:
Rising Sign - Our filter through which we see the world
Sun Sign - Our personality
Moon Sign - Our needs

Using the sign of Taurus as an example...

  • Taurus Rising - Sees life through a Taurus filter: The Taurus rising person deals with the world in a careful manner, approaching things slowly with a solid, stable attitude. 
  • Taurus Sun Sign - Exudes a Taurus personality: The Taurus personality exhibits a caring, careful manner. They have a comforting, pleasing presence that feels solid and stable to others.
  • Taurus Moon Sign - Has the inner needs of Taurus: The Taurus moon craves and must have security, physical comfort and beauty. These needs are so powerful that the person with a Taurus moon feels them as being part of who they actually are.

Using the gift analogy...

  • The Rising Sign - The wrapping paper and ribbon: The wrapping paper filters you from the gift inside. It could be cellophane paper that you can vaguely see through, or it could be heavy paper that can withstand a lot of tough handling. Either way, it is the part of the gift that you see first, it colors what is expected of the gift, and deals with the environmental circumstances of shipping, handling, etc.
  • The Sun Sign - The gift itself: The actual gift is what it is! A shirt is a shirt. The shirt has a certain style and personality. It may be solid or striped, blue or yellow. 
  • The Moon Sign - The meaning behind the gift: This is the reason the gift is given. It represents true meaning and purpose due to needs. 

Differentiating the Rising Sign...
Our filter or lens through
 which we interpret the world
When trying to differentiate the rising sign from the sun and moon signs in others, remember that it is like a lens or filter through which they view and encounter the world. Although it colors their view and attitude toward the world, it doesn't show itself in full force unless there is a sudden problem that needs immediate attention, or there is a new situation that is encountered or experienced.

The most important thing to realize about the rising sign is that it is a point on the chart called the ascendant. While the sun and moon signs are attached to planets, the rising sign is only attached to a point. It means that it is less a part of who we are and more a way we see and experience the world. It colors a person's world like a lens and represents the person's mode of interacting with and interpreting the world.

Differentiating the Sun Sign...
Our personality
When trying to differentiate the sun sign from the moon and rising signs in others, remember that as the personality of a person, it represents their essential character. It is relatively unchanging from situation to situation, and doesn't change based on their current needs or whom they are with. It's stable. 

The sun sign is our personality. It is self-contained and the overwhelming part of what others sense about us. It's the part of ourselves that we like to show to the world. We are always trying to improve whatever talents our sun sign is naturally endowed with, making us very conscious of our sun sign. When looking at others, you will see the sun sign as the person's style and general demeanor. 

Differentiating the Moon Sign...
Our needs
When trying to differentiate the moon sign from the sun and rising sign in others, remember that the moon is their ultimate decision maker in working to satisfy their needs. When it comes to their deep needs, it's their moon that makes the final decision as opposed to their rising sign which makes quick, spur of the moment decisions about things when they are first encountered. The moon sign makes the big life decisions that take time to figure out. The sun sign doesn't figure as prominently in decision making because it represents the personality.

The moon sign represents who we truly are on the deepest level. It's how we experience ourselves because it shows our most fundamental needs in life and how we find security in the world. We actively seek out the things that satisfy our moons, whether they are physical, emotional, or intellectual. If the needs of our moon aren't met, we feel unsatisfied and empty. 

The Difference Between Sun & Moons Signs...

The Difference Between Aries Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Libra Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Taurus Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Scorpio Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Gemini Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Sagittarius Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Cancer Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Capricorn Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Leo Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Aquarius Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Virgo Sun & Moon...
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The Difference Between Pisces Sun & Moon...
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