How well do rising sings balance us out?

I know I'm a cancer with a rising scorpio. Several generally held cancer traits don't apply to me at all...but then they seem to be replaced with scorpio ones (or I get a double dose lol)

yep...I'm told I have libra characteristics too...I think I read someone's post a while ago, that the sun sign is what others see, the libra is our inner self....I think this is true for me.

I've read the opposite,that the rising is just what people see you as and your sun sign is you.For my own rising it can't apply for only being only seen as by others though,I have sagittarius mercury,venus and something else which is my rising.But I also got taurus moon(the true you emotionally) and virgos also so the fire signs stuff doesn't fully apply either.Fire and earth to balence the other is good I guess,plus have my two scorps(sun and something else) and a libra in pluto so masculane and feminine signs are exactly even in my chart.

I think to a certain extent your rising shines through in different situations. Like my rising is Sag, and sometimes I am more sag than I am scorp. Sometimes I look at life quite lighthearted. More than that, I'm very inquisitive, I love to learn, love to travel, etc. Those are typical sagi traits. But I'm also very scorpio, I think it just depends on the person where things lie in their chart, and how those traits come out. But that is true it is said that your rising is more so how others view you, the sun sign is you over all, and the moon sign is the inner you. But I think it's save to say that it's different strokes for different folks.

"..your rising is more so how others view you, the sun sign is you over all, and the moon sign is the inner you"

From what I have been reading I aslo think that's true!

My SUN-sign is in CANCER; and yes I am truely sensitive, cautious and emotional.. but I cover it up, I admit. Being a cardinal I have a thing with power too etc..
My RISING-sign is in LIBRA; I have a need for balance; I can't seem to make up my mind, I'm changeable, flirtatious and people find me charming and lady-like.

There are few people who know the "sun-sign-me", and when you ask my friends they would agree more with the traits of the "rising-sign-me" to define me...

You guys are right...my confusion, sorry...but now that makes better sense to me, glad to have it straight now......

"Rising Sign Traits vs Sun Sign Traits

Since the Ascendant indicates how we "appear" to others (as in "first impressions") and also how we want to appear to others - which you could call your " style " or "image" - the traits of your Rising Sign (Ascendant Sign) are even more "noticeable" than your Sun Sign traits, especially to people whom you have just met for the first time

Probably most of the confusion about how you seem to be "more like" a different Sign (than the one those Sun Sign tables of dates is indicating you "should" be like) comes from having your Ascendant in a different Sign than your Sun Sign.

Your Sun Sign indicates how you are "deep down" - as in "character" and "sense of self" and "goals in life" - while your Rising Sign indicates how you appear "on the surface" - as in "superficial style " and "mannerisms". How you "look" is not necessarily how you "are", and that is one manifestation of having the Sun and Ascendant in different Signs. You still "are" the way your Sun Sign qualities would indicate - you just may not "act" that way on the surface, if your Ascendant is in a different Sign. You may actually "appear" more like your Rising Sign than your Sun Sign. It is not being "born on the cusp" that causes this - it is from having your Sun in a different Sign than your Ascendant"

that makes sense......I probably am more of a scorpio type to those who don't know me well....but it can come out VERY STRONG when I feel myself in combat...BEWARE...I'm always 3 steps ahead with a "just in case" hatchet at each and every step just in case you decide to elevate the stakes

I'm a double trouble double crab, i cannot compare anything. UNFAIR!

well I am aqua rising.and aquarius is opposite sign of leo....

does it mean I am well balanced? I think yes!

Something I found, def:

RISING SIGN
The Ascendant
~ Our Image ~
First impressions that we give to others. Represents our physical body characteristics. Our approach to life & the way we integrate with Life. Has some influence on our temperament, as does the Sun & Moon. Shows how you view the World. How others view you & What your outlook on life is. The Rising Sign is the zodiac sign on the eastern horizon at the time & place of birth. It changes every 4 minutes and sets the position of the houses. This is why the time of birth is important in a reading.

- I wouldn't know if the purpose really is to balance you out though... or if it does...? Guess any other signs in our chart only add to our individuality.