The 7th House in Astrology

Contracts, marriage and open rivals

Check your chart's right side, and you'll spot the area of life that involves 2 people. Your 1st house points to who you are by yourself. That opposite spot reveals the steady companion you choose. When you ask about a business ally, a spouse or a lasting partner, we look here.

The same space handles lovers and rivals, which can feel odd. Traditional astrologers put them in one group because each involves facing 1 other person across the table. Open rivals are not secret enemies hiding in the dark. You know this person by name, such as a competitor in business or the opposing side in a lawsuit. Formal agreements and legal contracts belong here as well.

• Marriage and romantic partnerships that are committed
• Business partners and shared ventures
• Contracts in writing and legal agreements
• Competitors you know and open rivals
• Court settlements, lawsuits and mediation

Reading the sign on the 7th house cusp

That border line where 1 house stops and another begins is called a cusp. Called the Descendant, the line that opens this sector carries the same degree as your rising sign. When your rising sign rests at 14°23′ Aries, the Descendant rests at 14°23′ Libra. To work out what you need in a partner, we look at the zodiac sign on this line.

On that border, astrologers look at the sign to grasp the qualities that attract you in others. Frequently, they are traits that you don't easily notice in yourself. When Capricorn sits on that line, tradition says you seek someone steady, practical and mature. Gemini there usually means you prefer a partner who talks freely, shows curiosity and stays quick on their feet.

What do planets in the 7th house mean?

A planet placed in that sector shows an active force at work in your relationships. The sign sets the mood in the background, while a planet acts like someone stepping onto the stage. If 1 or 2 planets sit here, partnerships will claim a large share of your attention and time. Working closely with another person often teaches you your biggest life lessons.

Every planet adds a style of its own to how you pair up. Astrologers take Venus or Jupiter here to mean warm, helpful unions joining together with little friction. Having Mars or Saturn in this spot asks for more patience. Mars, tradition says, can stir lively debates with a spouse; Saturn points to bonds that are serious and grow stronger with age.

What if my 7th house is empty?

A blank space here can bring a moment of worry as you open your chart. Don't be alarmed by an empty sector. Every chart holds 12 houses and just 10 main planets, which leaves everyone at least 2 empty houses. An empty sector never means you'll stay single, and it never means you'll lack close partners in life.

Reading an empty house means finding its planetary ruler. It is the planet that connects to the zodiac sign placed along the border line. Should Taurus sit on that line, the ruler you look for is Venus. Look for the house and sign that hold Venus on the rest of your wheel. That placement shows how your partnerships tend to develop.