I thought this might be helpful to some people..I know it was for me..
Astrology for Dummies is the book I got this from.

The Ascendant describes the surface of your personality
and the impression you give people(especially during the first 3 minutes).
The Descendant describes your approach to partnerships.

The ruler of your ascendant is the ruler of your chart regardless of your sun sign..


Aries Rising: Your Descendant is in Libra. Your ruling planet is Mars..

Taurus Rising: Your Descendant is Scorpio. Your ruling planet is Venus..

Gemini Rising: Your Descendant is Sagittarius. Your ruling planet is Mercury..

Cancer Rising: Your Descendant is Capricorn. Your ruling planet is The Moon..

Leo Rising: Your Descendant is Aquarius. Your ruling planet is The Sun..

Virgo Rising: Your Descendant is Pisces. Your ruling planet is Mercury..

Libra Rising: Your Descendant is Aries. Your ruling planet is Venus..

Scorpio Rising: Your Descendant is Taurus. Your ruling planet is Pluto..

Sagittarius Rising: Your Descendant is Gemini. Your ruling planet is Jupiter..

Capricorn Rising: Your Descendant is Cancer. Your ruling planet is Saturn..

Aquarius Rising: Your Descendant is Leo. Your ruling planet is Uranus..

Pisces Rising: Your Descendant is Virgo. Your ruling planet is Neptune..