Your Descendant: The Key to Your Relationships and Self-Growth;
The 7th house is known as the House of Partnerships, and its influence can be seen on different levels. Its core themes are related to one-on-one partnerships, including romantic ones, business collaborations, and close friendships. It governs committed partnerships, such as marriage and long-term unions, rather than casual encounters and dating.
In astrology, the 7th house cusp is also called the Descendant (DC), and it represents the direct opposite of your Ascendant (AC) on your birth chart. The Ascendant is your rising sign, symbolizing how you present yourself, your personality, and your approach to life. Your Descendant represents what you’re drawn to in others, your relationships, and the way you interact with others.
You can think of it like in a mirror: your Ascendant reflects your outer self, and the Descendant shows what you lack, seek, or attract in other people.
It shows what qualities you seek in others and the traits you unconsciously project onto others. Signs in the 7th house can indicate what you’re drawn to but might not initially recognize yourself. The 7th house also governs agreements, legal partnerships, and negotiations like contracts, lawsuits, and alliances.
As it’s the opposite of the 1st house, which is about self, the 7th house balances self-identity with “the other”. It reflects how you relate to others and the way you negotiate your individuality within a partnership.
Planets and signs in your 7th house will heavily influence your relationship style, and they will also affect what type of people you attract. Historically, the 7th house deals with “open enemies,” highlighting the conflicts and opposing forces in plain view. When it comes to diplomacy vs. conflict, this house is where diplomacy and disputes play out.
What you need to know is that transit and progressions to the 7th house can signal shifts in relationship dynamics and the emergence of significant partnerships.
The Dynamic of the Ascendant-Descendant Axis
This axis is one of the juiciest dynamics in astrology, and it can really blow your mind once you see how it plays out in real life. The Descendant is like a magnet, showing the energy you’re unconsciously drawn to in others.
Your Ascendant (1st House) can be translated as “Who I Am”, while the Descendant (7th House) can be resumed as “Who I connect with and how I relate to others”. The twist is that what you’re looking for in others is often what you lack or what you’re afraid to embody. Make sure your relationships and partnerships can help you meet your missing pieces.
As we said, your Descendant flavors how you approach relationships and how you interact in partnerships.
Here is a breakdown by sign
Aries
If Aries is placed here, your relationships are dynamic, passionate, and sometimes fast-paced. You attract bold partners, and assertive and energetic people who can challenge and push you out of your comfort zone. You may tend to project qualities like courage and independence onto your partners, something that you could cultivate in yourself.
If relationships feel competitive at times, you’re required to find balance, assertiveness, and cooperation. When it comes to contracts and legal agreements, Aries tends to make quick decisions in partnerships. An improvement here would be to be aware of your impulsive moments, as they might lead to rushed agreements.
What you need to learn as an Aries Descendant (Libra Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Your lesson is to assert yourself first without always deferring to others. Partnerships can teach you to be direct and act on what you desire.
Taurus
In relationships, you are stable, grounded, and sensual. These people value loyalty and long-term commitment and they are drawn to partners who bring comfort and security. You may seek steadiness in your partner and what you should learn is to develop self-reliance and patience.
At times, partnerships may feel slow-moving or resistant to change. When it comes to legal agreements, they know how to balance and prefer tangible and practical benefits.
What you need to learn as a Taurus Descendant (Scorpio Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Instead of diving into emotional intensity, you can give yourself a chance to appreciate stability and simplicity. Relationships help you trust and relax.
Gemini
If this is your placement, you are lighthearted, communicative, and mentally stimulating in your relationships. People with Gemini in their 7th house attract adaptable, witty, and curious partners. They may project on their partner and see them as more intellectual or versatile than themselves. A lesson would be to embrace adaptability in yourself.
Gemini in the 7th house comes with a tendency for restlessness in relationships. Variety is key here, but you should balance it with focus and depth. They prefer flexible agreements with lots of communication and negotiation.
What you need to learn as a Gemini Descendant (Sagittarius Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Your lesson is to listen and stay curious. Relationships can teach you to balance the big picture with conversation and details.
Cancer
Their relationships are emotionally nurturing, intuitive, and protective. People with Cancer in their 7th house attract empathetic, caring, and family-oriented partners.
When it comes to what they project on others, they might seek emotional security, but what they need to learn is to find it within themselves. Sometimes relationships can feel overly emotional or dependent. When it comes to contracts and legal agreements, they may make personal and emotionally driven decisions.
What you need to learn as a Cancer Descendant (Capricorn Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Vulnerability is something you need to embrace. Your relationships will teach you how to open up and let others care for you without feeling like it’s a weakness.
Leo
People with Leo in the 7th House are dramatic, passionate, and full of flair. You attract creative, confident, and expressive partners who seek admiration.
You may project leadership qualities onto your partner and your lesson here is learning to shine as your source of confidence. They may have a tendency toward drama and seeking validation through the partnership. When it comes to legal stuff, they prefer grand and visible agreements, driven by creativity and pride.
What you need to learn as a Leo Descendant (Aquarius Rising) in relationships with “the other”
You should learn to shine and embrace your personal passion. Partnerships encourage you to step into the spotlight and dare to stand out of the crowd.
Virgo
You attract reliable and analytical partners, as you are yourself a person who is practical, grounded, and detail-oriented. In terms of projection, you might see your partner as more service-oriented and more organized than you are, prompting you to adopt these qualities.
Virgo’s conflicts reside in a tendency to bring their perfectionism and over-analysis into their relationship. They need to learn to accept that imperfection is key. When it comes to contracts and legal agreements, they are detailed and meticulous and they prefer clear terms.
What you need to learn as a Virgo Descendant (Pisces Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Your lesson is one of focus and precision. Your relationships teach you how to grow your vision and bring it into reality.
Libra
A 7th House Libra is harmonious, diplomatic, and balanced. You may attract people who are charming, fair, and, cooperative, as they prioritize equality. You might seek grace and social tact in other people, but you should learn to embody these qualities yourself.
Your conflict is about your tendency to over-prioritize the relationship and usually avoid confrontation. When it comes to legal agreements, you would sign fair and well-balanced agreements with mutual benefits.
What you need to learn as a Libra Descendant (Aries Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Collaboration and compromise. Relationships will teach you that taking part in a team doesn’t mean losing your identity.
Scorpio
Their relationship is intense, transformative, and deeply emotional. You attract powerful, magnetic, and mysterious partners. When it comes to projections, you might see your partner as more intense and passionate. What you need to learn is to embrace your own depth.
Your conflicts can appear from power struggles in your relationships, emotional extremes, or karmic lessons. You prefer string, binding agreements that may even involve hidden terms or mutual transformation.
What you need to learn as a Scorpio Descendant (Taurus Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Your lesson relies on vulnerability and depth. Relationships can make you see that life isn’t only about comfort, but about transformation.
Sagittarius
Your relationships are adventurous, freedom-loving, and expansive. People attracted to you are usually optimistic, philosophical, and independent. You might see in your partner the free-spirited and wise person you’d love to be. However, you need to integrate this openness into your life.
Conflicts are related to the space you need to thrive in your relationships. Your lesson is to avoid possessiveness. In the legal field, you might deal with flexible agreements that allow you to grow and explore.
What you need to learn as a Sagittarius Descendant (Gemini Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Faith and optimism are something you need to acknowledge. Relationships will help you embrace life’s meaning instead of being stuck in overthinking.
Capricorn
Their relationship could be described as structured, committed, and ambitious. People with Capricorn in their 7th house attract partners who are mature, responsible, and disciplined. They may seek structure and stability in their partners, but what they need to learn is to establish their own authority.
Relationships can feel like hard work sometimes and conflicts here can appear due to age differences or power dynamics. They prefer serious and long-term legal agreements, with a focus on accountability.
What you need to learn as a Capricorn Descendant (Cancer Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Responsibility and long-term planning are something you need to learn how to play with, Your relationships will help you move beyond emotional comfort and build something strong.
Aquarius
You thrive in relationships that are unconventional. Intellectual and friendship-based, you attract partners who are eccentric, independent, and visionary.
You may project on their individuality, but you need to learn to embrace your own uniqueness. Conflicts may arise from your need for freedom and individuality within the relationship. In legal terms, you prefer progressive agreements that prioritize innovation and equality.
What you need to learn as an Aquarius Descendant (Leo Rising) in relationships with “the other”
You should allow yourself to embrace collective progress and collaboration. In your relationship, you can learn to consider other’s perspectives and ideas.
Pisces
Your relationships are dreamy, spiritual, and compassionate. You might see that you attract people who are sensitive, artistic, or idealistic. People with Pisces in the 7th house may see their partner are more gentle or intuitive. Their lesson is to trust their own inner guidance.
Conflicts can occur due to a lack of boundaries and unrealistic expectations at times. When it comes to contracts and legal agreements, they prefer fluid agreements with a focus on mutual compassion and understanding.
What You Need to Learn as a Pisces Descendant (Virgo Rising) in relationships with “the other”
Connect with the flow of life and relax. You can learn to balance logic with faith and imagination in your relationships.
If love is what makes your days dreamy, you might adore this book: Linda Goodman’s Love Signs: New Edition of the Classic Astrology Book on Love: Unlock Your True Love Match
Read next: The 3rd House in Astrology: How You Think, Speak, and Learn
