Posted by Antiphates
Just a guess, but I'd say aspects to the ascendant add or colour the rising theme of how you come across and relate to others while 1st house placements would shape your ego and the core of who you are.
So, if 1st house placements shape the core of who you are, it'd be understandable that I relate more to that description. And, maybe how others perceive me would be more the Ascendant, so it wouldn't necessarily be FELT by me, as its an external representation of presence?