The first of the social houses, the seventh house is opposed to the first house literally and in emphasis: in the first house we put our energies into the world; in the seventh the world puts energy back into us. The purpose of the seventh house is to bring about greater self-awareness through relating to what we experience as being outside of ourselves. This may in fact be energy within us that we have rejected out of fear or the need to experience it more objectively or externally. This is called projection, and we seek projected parts of ourselves in our intimate relationships.

Thus the seventh house rules intimate one-to-one relationships of all kinds (including marriage, business and counseling relationships), open enemies and conflicts, lawsuits and the lower courts. Planets in the seventh house indicate areas in our lives that need relationships to bring them out, and the houses ruled by seventh house planets are those "areas." Many planets here indicate many needs that we are looking for others to fill. In this case many relationships (or more than one marriage) is probable, as it’s unlikely that one individual would fill all those needs. Individuals with so much projected energy feel a void in their lives, and may encourage others to be dependent, or even pick fights rather than be alone.

The seventh house is that one-twelfth sector of the local sky just above the western horizon (see above picture) occupied by planets in the two hours just before they set.

With Mars in your seventh house you often need to dominate partners, and/or (if Mars is afflicted) pick feisty and ill-tempered mates. This can lead to strife and disharmony in relationships, but can also be a great source of inspiration since this is where you put your energy and will to succeed. Highly motivated in your partnerships, you strive to rise above personalities. You have an urge to bring about unity where there is disharmony. In general, it's advisable to settle your disputes out of court.

If Mars is within 10° of the descendant (seventh house cusp), then it is conjunct the descendant and much of the foregoing is even more strongly emphasized. If Mars is in the sixth house AND within 4° or 5° of the descendant, then it is said to be on the "dark side" of the seventh house, and its influence will be felt in the seventh as well as in the sixth house. The closer a sixth house Mars is to the descendant, the more it will be interpreted as though it were in the seventh house; when less than 3° from the descendant, a sixth house Mars expresses itself primarily -- and eventually entirely -- in the seventh house.