~first~ and ~second~, this is a period when you should have a great deal of control over the way you experience your relationship. In most societies, the 7 cycle can be the most difficult to live up to - not because it is demanding, but because it asks you to back away from the daily grind. It is a time to give to yourself and your deeper spiritual and intellectual needs. The inner journey is not encouraged by most Western cultures; yet, without periods of self-examination, we can get lost in the day-to-day routine and forget to slow down and appreciate life's nonmaterial pleasures and mysteries. 

The way you choose to approach this cycle will be the deciding factor in how it affects you and your relationship. If you have learned how to co-exist quietly without constantly demanding one another's attention you will have a big advantage, as that is precisely what this cycle asks from you. You are both experiencing a time when you need to be alone more than usual. You may find that you have little patience for those you perceive as intrusive, and this does not exclude your partner. 

Do your best to stay connected but try to support each other's need for solitude and individual pursuits. Taking time to learn more about yourself can be of benefit to your relationship as well.