Okay.  Here's what I've noticed.  I've dabbled in the Hellenistic approach to astrology, which emphasizes sect--  This had me thinking for a while, that I might be a Pisces instead of a Scorpio.  (Supposedly, if you're born during dark hours, your Moon rules your overall personality, in the Hellenistic system.)
Then, I realized a few months ago, that neither label, really fits my overall patterns of perception and behavior.  So, I paid more attention to my Ascendant.  In my case, this is Aries.  I swear, I don't often display much of the traits, commonly associated with Scorpio--  This, despite having 4 planets in Scorpio, natally!
So, I am now of the opinion, that the rising sign, may determine one's core personality, the best.  What do you think?  Any feedback on this concept, is welcome.

The way I learned and understand the influences is that the Ascent or Rising sign is How You Approach Life and How You Appear To Others
The Sun sign is The Inner You: Your Real Motivation and the Moon will influence who you are in aspects of Emotions: Moods, Feelings, Romance,

So that the combination of the three signs and even how the interact together will factor into who we are.  For some if they have signs that are opposite, or in conflict, they will at times realize that they may have a way that is natural or 'normal' for them to do things, but they will occassionally do something that even to themselves feels like it is the opposite of how they behave.

Example of a woman who had Aries Sun and Libra Rising, while she could be quite decisive and prone to quick decisions that many Aries are, she would within minutes begin to question this, and start then to think of the pros and cons.

An Aries will usually make a decisions and go forward, yes they may change their mind later, but not usually within ten minutes of making that choice. A libra when faced with a decision will start weighing the pros and cons and seemingly take forever to make that choice, LOL this woman who had both strong Aries, Sun and strong Libra Rising would do both and sometimes at the same time for the same choice.

So it is more than just saying you have one trait or another, but how the traits of other signs interact as well.

Another example is that in general most Libra's are fit, and shapely however those with Leo or Sag, in their Moon or Rising need to to be more careful and are more likely to need to watch their weight.

So again it is how the signs balance, and interact.

Some people may feel that knowing their Sun is what is most important, but I have found over the years that the Sun, Rising, and Moon all factor in to creating us, it is a mix of how we do things emotionally, what traits we possess, and how we present ourselves to the others.


However this is one of those topics that like so many others truly has no right or wrong but rather, a matter of finding out which system and principle works for you.

Since you say that the Scorpio Sun doesn't fit and the rising fits more, I would recommend that you actually look at all 3 and how they would play off each other, see where it may strengthen or conflict with each other, you will likely find you will hoave some characteristics of each of the three.

When your natal chart was done didn't it take this into account?

Dessa

So the Rising Sign is what we want to show to others and the Sun Sign the "true self"?

well your rising sign is the sign that is in the first house. first house represents the outter personality, external ego. I think it has alot do do with your personality. Sun sign is your will, the internal ego, and represents your direction in life i believe. and the moon is just your instinctive nature, how you react emotionally to situations and the way your mood changes during moon phases and what not.