To me, the Seventh House is not about other people; it's about us. Everything in our chart is about us. Some astrologers say the Ascendant (or First House) is our “mask” while Seventh House is our “unconscious stuff”. In my new view, it's almost the opposite. The First House corresponds with Mars/Aries, so it's our deepest desires and drive, which are usually hidden. The Seventh House corresponds with Venus/Libra, so it's how we relate to others on a very superficial level.
Think of the Seventh House as your front door, through which everybody enters your house (i.e., your life). If there are planets in the Seventh House, people meet those planets first before they “walk over” to the First House, where they meet the “real” you. The term “first house” can be misleading, because it's actually the “bedroom” of your chart. No, the Eight House is the basement. Yes, the Fourth House is the kitchen.
Because it's related to Mars/Aries, the First House is our instinctual reactions to everything. For instance, as a Gemini Rising, my first instinct to everything is to research, study and analyze. Cancer Risings' first reaction would probably be to hide and protect themselves by retreating home. Therefore, whatever Sign you have on the Ascendant is similar to having Mars in that Sign. And, whatever Sign you have on the Descendant is similar to having Venus in that Sign.
I also do not equate the Seventh House with romance – that's Fifth House matter. Because from First House to Seventh House is a straight line, it's a partnerships of equals. First and Seventh House Signs make fantastic professional/business partners, because they balance each other. If you're looking for romance and fun, that's found in the Fifth House. Intimacy is found in the Eight House. Whatever you have in your Seventh House, imagine your front door “decorated” with the qualities of those Signs and/or planets. Let's look at humorous examples!
Seventh House cusp in Aries (or Venus in Aries): The army guards your front door, so not many people dare to come in. You think of yourself as a sweetheart but the soldiers at your front door send a different message.
Seventh House cusp in Taurus (or Venus in Taurus): Your front door is a typical door, nothing special. However, when people walk in, they see that you do not wear or own any clothing.
Seventh House cusp in Gemini (or Venus in Gemini): Your front door is made of books. When people walk in, they see that you carry books around to build muscle, not knowledge.
Seventh House cusp in Cancer (or Venus in Cancer): You greet strangers with cookies and tea. With sweetness and delight, you turn those strangers into employees at one of the dozen factories you own.
Seventh House cusp in Leo (or Venus in Leo): Your front door is a show; people stop just to take pictures of it. Unbeknownst to them, however, your glamorous front door's subliminal message is meant to spark another global revolution.
Seventh House cusp in Virgo (or Venus in Virgo): You keep adjusting and improving your front door. When people walk in, they realize the rest of the house is nothing but a mirage.
Seventh House cusp in Libra (or Venus in Libra): Your front door is so perfect that people don't want to ruin it by touching it. But, when they come in, they see that it's a jungle inside.
Seventh House cusp in Scorpio (or Venus in Scorpio): Your front door is always grumpy. When people walk in, they see that you only have one huge room and it's a combination of a bedroom and a kitchen.
Seventh House cusp in Sagittarius (or Venus in Sagittarius): Your front door is not a door, because you live in a tent. When people enter your tent, they see that it's actually an office.
Seventh House cusp in Capricorn (or Venus in Capricorn): Your front door is a giant rock that nobody can move. As a result, nobody can come in and so you spend most of your time alone, sulking.
Seventh House cusp in Aquarius (or Venus in Aquarius): Your front door witnesses a lot of political meetings regarding equality. When people come in, they see your servants polishing your large collection of crowns.
Seventh House cusp in Pisces (or Venus in Pisces): You are too busy to build a front door. Instead, it's a beautiful painting of a door that keeps people guessing what you are all about.
Copyright 2015 Simon Benjamin