My husband and I have both been told we are intimidating and intense. We have very different charts so I don't know what to pinpoint but obviously am pretty interested in the ideas here.

I don't enjoy being intimidating and wish people didn't see me that way.

Thanks for all the comments 

I've been working on being more open and expressive. It's not easy!

Hey, thought I'd add one more tidbit! I had a friend who had the same birthday as me, same year. We were born at different times of day - I wish i could remember her's but I don't. In any case, I was viewed as intense and intimidating, she was not. In fact, everyone just thought she was friendly and funny.

Perhaps instead of just aspects, house placement could influence it. I have Mars and Pluto in the 7th, not conjunct. So I know that means I project those 2 intense energies, but I also have them. So maybe they come out that way.

Just a thought. Hope it helps!

That makes sense to me. The question is about appearing intimidating and the ascendant is the appearance. 

Thanks Dolce. That's a very good point.

Yes, it's only about appearing intimidating. So it's probably got to do with Aquarius Ascendant. 

Or Aries in my case haha!

Additionally, since it takes me a while to mull things over, those planets are aspecting my ascendant - maybe take a look at any that aspect yours. 

My daughter has a trine from her moon to her ascendant and she is very maternal. She has Saturn conjunct asc. and can be serious, except her sun is also conjunct! This is a pretty fun exercise now that I'm looking closer