The ruler of the entire chart is the Planet which rules the Ascendant Sign. If it happens that the Chart Ruler is in the Sign of the Ascendant itself, the personality is typical of that Sign. If , however, the Planet which is the Chart Ruler is in a Sign which is different from the Ascendant, you will have to take that into consideration and blend the two. The House which the Chart Ruler is in is also important. It may indicate the type of role which the person has taken on. To find your chart ruler, look to the correspondence list of signs to ruling planets:

Rising-Ruling Planet
Aries-Mars
Taurus-Venus
Gemini-Mercury
Cancer-Moon
Leo-Sun
Virgo-Mercury
Libra-Venus
Scorpio-Uranus
Sagitarrius-Jupiter
Capricorn-Saturn
Aquarius-Pluto
Pisces-Neptune

After you figure out the ruling planet, go look at what sign and house that planet is in. If you are a Libra or Taurus Rising, you will look to Venus, etc.

My ascendant (aka rising) is in Gemini, which is ruled by the planet Mercury, so my chart ruler is Mercury. In my chart, the planet Mercury is in Libra, in my 5th house.

One interpretation could be that I am a charming (Mercury in LIBRA) communicator and talker (Gemini rising) who tends to focus on the subjects of sex, art, and fun experiences and activites (5th house of romance, sex, creation, and children). People likely see me as more airy than earthy (my sun and moon) - at least initially.

I also happen to have Mars in Gemini conjunct my ascendant, which is like having a secondary chart ruler - it's like interpreting that I have Aries (ruled by Mars) rising, in Gemini, so I am also express myself through writing, speech, or teaching (Gemini) in a self-assured and direct (Mars) manner. I probably also like talking about myself (how long has this example gotten, hmmm...) and my many interests (Gemini). If you have planets within 10 degrees in either direction of your rising sign, add them to the mix and see if they add flavor to how people see you.

Follows are some rather spare descriptions of Chart rulers in the houses....

THE CHART RULER:

When the Chart Ruler is in the:
1st House: This person plays the role of a real go-getter and do- it-myself sort of person. This is the self-made man or woman who will always express their own point of view.

2nd House: This person is interested in money and possessions and deciding what his own values will be. Security issues and self-worth are of paramount importance.

3rd House: This is the person who may choose the role of the go-between or the link in the family. A good communicator and mentally active.

4th House: This may have been the little "mother" in the family and continues the role to adulthood. This person needs the solid foundation of a home and family.

5th House: This may have been the scamp, the romantic or the fun loving type. They may have a natural bent for creative ventures and could also express their ego and their love through children or art.

6th House: This can be the hypochondriac or the workaholic. They are the list-keepers and the organizers. They can also be the ones who complain the most when they are overburdened with what they take on themselves.

7th House: There is a need for sharing and for other people. This may be a competitive person and one who needs to express themselves through others. They might also be dependant types.

8th House: This person may be one who handles other people money for them. They may have a high interest in research, psychology, occult matters, death and birth, and sex.

9th House: This is the roamer in the family. The one who wants to spread their wings and fly away. Higher education, travel and ideas are all important.

10th House: Status and prestige, career fulfillment, being an authority figure are all important to this person.

11th House: Planning for the future and working with friends and groups are key. This can be an idealist or a techno freak.

12th House: This person may want to be very private or secret. They may enjoy working behind the scenes rather than up front.