How about a fun exercise?

[Summery Joy]

Hey guys,

OK. I've been doing astrology for quite some time now, but I still have problem differenciating between the effects of planets in the same sign. I mean, I cannot always tell Aries ASC apart from Aries Sun or Aries Moon. I can only recognize Aries energy.

So here's a fun game that can help and anyone else who has the same problem. Let's compare between placements in the same sign. For simplicity reasons, let's start with the big 3; the ASC, the Sun and the Moon.

Let's start with Aries since it's the first sign of the zodiac. I suppose that the Moon in Aries would theoratically be more impulsive and generally charged up than the other 2 big placements since the Moon is all about emotions and comfort zones. What would be the difference between Aries ASC and Aries Sun though?

[Betelgeuse]

When I think about a sign, I think the same as bieng a vibration of certain energy.

But let's imagine, that the sign is a light source. To deal whit this light better we need something to focus it and concetrate it at a certain point. A magnifier could be the solution. We say a planet is the magnifier and the sign is the source of light, the point where the light ray's are focused and placed is indicated by the house cusps, cause it is explained to be a sector of life in a humans chart.

So let's see, planets are different, so the magnifiers should be different as well. Now we say Aries is source of life, Sun and Moon are the magnifiers, and ASC a focus point ( when there is no magnifier[planet] we check the house rulers ).

Sun reprezents vitality, our personality, our spirit, sense of aliveness, ego, self expresion, image of self and showing it to others.
Moon reprezents our emotional nature, moods, feelings, our subconcious personality ( which we reflect by the Sun, also meaning that our self expresion comes from inside then outside, when we change ourself, we begin whit it by inside, whit Sun it shows in which way and how we express it. ).

Sun shows our OUTSIDE personality, while Moon shows the INSIDE personality.

Ascedent is the house cusp ( Focus point/ Concetrating point ), so it show what we must become, what we tend to become, what we want to become in our establishment of ego, personal indentity and bieng " What I am ?", "What I will become of myself ?", " Who am I ?" .

In conclusion we could say Sun= Outside personality, Moon= Inside personality, ASC= Personality what we must become/ establishment of personality.

I hope my symbolical way of explaining things helps, if not... ignor me and my reply lol

[Manic_Monday]

I agree with Betelgeuse as for the Moon. I think the Moon shows our inside personality, which is not visible for most people. I also think that when we're very young we act like our Moon sign. A Virgo with an Aries Moon will be very impulsive, spontaneous and charged up child, but will be more like a Virgo when it gets older.

But I think the Ascendant is what we appear to be, how people would describe us. The MC is what we must become.

[Betelgeuse]

Originally Posted by Manic_Monday

But I think the Ascendant is what we appear to be, how people would describe us. The MC is what we must become.

Yes you are right here, MC shows what we must become ( house cusp of our destiny ).
I was refering that the ASC reprezents the establishment of ego ( how would our personal indentity shape over time... and yes ... how others would describe us. ).

[Summery Joy]

Well, thatnks for the input you guys but.. ehem.. that's not quite what I was looking for actually. I mean, I know that the Sun is this and the Moon is that. It's just when it comes to practice, I can't really tell the difference. So I wanna compare the big 3 in each sign as a start, and as we go through the signs I'll get better sense of how differently they work.

[Betelgeuse]

Originally Posted by sorehearted

So I wanna compare the big 3 in each sign as a start, and as we go through the signs I'll get better sense of how differently they work.

Hope this might work...

Originally Posted by http://www.cafeastrology.com/zodiacaries.html

Sun in Aries

(The Sun is in Aries from March 21 to April 19, depending on the year).
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and Aries natives are the first to start—and the first to finish—whatever they set out to do. Aries is an active, energetic sign. People with Sun in Aries are direct, straightforward, and uncomplicated. They expect the same from others, and are baffled when they don't always get it.

The body comes first with Aries. Sun in Aries people are natural athletes. At the very least, their natural inclination is to use their bodies to get things done. They're not given to long, drawn-out emotional moments; nor are they big on planning ahead. Instead, they live their lives simply. What is happening right now is most important to Aries. Impatience is a definite vice, and innovation is a huge strength. Aries loves to start anything new, and they have trouble sitting still. They are pioneers in whatever they do, and there is a very basic quality of bravery in these people that is unmistakable! Aries generally knows what they want, and they know the quickest route to getting it. They take shortcuts if they must, but generally everything is aboveboard. Underhanded just isn't their style. Some Aries people are bold, but even the quieter ones are brave and even plucky in their own way. Independence is their birthright. Nothing gets them going more than a fresh slate, the promise of a new day, and a brand new start.

Aries enjoys a challenge, and Aries Suns are happiest when their lives are moving forward and active. There's a childlike quality to all Aries Sun people, and it's often quite charming.

Some Famous People with Sun in Aries: Alec Baldwin, Mariah Carey (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Aries), Jackie Chan, Russell Crowe (Sun and Mars in Aries), Robert Downey Jr. (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Aries), Sarah Michelle Gellar (Sun and Venus in Aries), Ashley Judd (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Aries), Lucy Lawless (Sun and Moon in Aries), John Madden (Sun and Mercury in Aries), Conan O'Brien, Sarah Jessica Parker (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Aries), William Shatner (Sun and Mercury in Aries), Gloria Steinem (Sun and Mars in Aries), Vincent Van Gogh (Sun and Mercury in Aries), Christopher Walken (Sun and Mercury in Aries).

Originally Posted by http://www.cafeastrology.com/zodiacaries.html

Moon in Aries

Nothing quite happens soon enough with this position of the Moon. There is an inherent impatience with getting what they want. Life is a series of emergencies for Lunar Ariens. They live in the moment and have a hard time waiting for things to happen. Whims of the moment take absolute precedence in their lives.
This is a fiery position of the moon. Even if the Sun or rising sign is more low-key, Moon in Aries people possess inner passion and fire. Emotional issues take precedence—there is simply no pussy-footing around when it comes to dealing with the feelings. And, dealing with new sentiments and needs stirs up a huge desire for activity. Moon in Aries has a need for acting out their needs, with no time to waste. It is hard for them to see the long-term, or to wait for things to happen. Instant gratification rules!

Oddly enough, this is a very defensive position of the Moon. These natives take things very personally, and they deal with problems by facing them right away so that they can then get on with other things. Their flare-ups generally end almost as quickly as they started.

Lunar Ariens have an unmistakable independent streak. They put themselves right out there in the world, and make an impression in whatever they do. Their self-confidence is actually variable. Although a strong personality is projected, Moon in Aries people go through plenty of ups and downs. Their moodiness is not like Cancer or Pisces moodiness—they don't withdraw into themselves or escape the world when they're down. Instead, they are temperamental.

Some might say that people with Moon in Aries actually enjoy trouble and confrontations. Indeed, this position is easily bored with environments that are too peaceful. Their homes—especially their childhood homes—are often battlegrounds. They rule the roost, or at least want to, and are not the most peaceful of folk to live with!

Moon in Aries men and women are prone to have plenty of crushes and other short-lived yet intense desires. "Needs" and "wants" are indistinguishable to Lunar Ariens at any given time. In their minds, what they want is so powerful that it becomes an absolute need. In young adulthood, they can be dangerous with a credit card. Whoever offered the advice to freeze your credit card in a container of water, and then let the block of ice thaw before using the card, unwittingly had people with Moon in Aries in mind. The whole idea was to see if the shopping whim of the moment would pass by the time the card was ready to use. Still, with this scenario, I wouldn't be surprised to see Moon in Aries hacking away at the ice. That is, if Aries actually takes the advice in the first place!

Others will appreciate that people with Moon in Aries rarely sulk or play any drawn-out games of manipulation. You can pretty much know what they want at any given time. They are generally ruled by their own emotional needs, and they're not always as concerned about others' needs during these "emergencies". Somehow, they have people around them scrambling to help them solve their problems. There's an aura of childlike innocence around Lunar Ariens, even when they're getting their way again, that can be charming indeed!

Some Famous people with Moon in Aries: Dido Armstrong, Tyra Banks (Moon and Mars in Aries), Sarah Ferguson, Whitney Houston, Lucy Lawless (Sun and Moon in Aries), Heather Locklear, Jennifer Lopez, Meg Ryan, Kevin Spacey.

Originally Posted by http://www.cafeastrology.com/zodiacaries.html

Aries Ascendant

People with Aries Ascendants are direct and quick. Their first instinct is to do, rather than think. Planning ahead? Forget it. Aries rising simply charges forward without much ado.

This position does not make a person aggressive. Forthright, yes, but aggression is too strong a word for these natives. They have a youthful, direct manner that sees what it wants and generally goes for it. At the same time, there isn't any malice in their intent.

Some Aries rising people are competitive, but they generally put most of the pressure on themselves. These people love to come out ahead in all that they do. They get ready quickly, walk quickly, and have little patience for dilly-dallying. Their temper is quick, too. It's also quick to disappear. Rarely do you find Aries rising people holding grudges. Their mannerisms are rather simple and straightforward.

Aries rising loves action, and is often trying to stir up some activity. Their strengths lie in their enterprising ways. Finishing things they start does not always come as easily, unless the ruler, Mars, is placed in a more tenacious sign, such as Taurus or Scorpio.

Aries Ascendant often gives a rather swift walk, with the head leaning forward slightly. This walk is surprisingly distinctive. Headaches, and sinus and eye problems are the usual physical complaints of this position. Rashes and acne on the face and shoulders sometimes occur. Broad shoulders and slim hips are common. Often, Aries rising people are quick to smile, and they possess a youthful charm throughout life.

Probably early on in life, Aries rising people got typecast as the "independent" child. As adults, people with Aries Ascendants often stick to that role in life. People don't run to help them out—they appear quite fine doing things on their own. These people have learned to be self-reliant, and this generally stems from their early experiences.

Despite a rather brusque and independent manner, these natives are usually very willing to compromise in their relationships, and are very attached to the people they hold dear.

Famous people with Aries Ascendants: Bette Midler, Lena Horne, Ron Howard, David Spade, and Susan Saint James.

I think this link would be the best cause it shows all in one page, easy to compare if you wish ( whit all the signs ):

http://www.cafeastrology.com/zodiacaries.html