The Ascendant on your natal chart marks the Eastern horizon and moment of birth. The sign and planet ruler describe your outward personality, the way people see you and how you project yourself. It becomes your first instinctual behaviour. Understanding your Ascendant helps enormously to understanding your basic personality and primary motivations in life.
To understand your Ascendant properly, you will need to research your time of birth as even a difference of two hours changes your Ascendant. Rectifying strategies can help pinpoint the time.