Mercury rules Venus. Perhaps you think that means Venus likes Mercury? I can understand; it's John Frawley's way. I personally would say it means Mercury likes Venus.
Mercury rules Venus. Perhaps you think that means Venus likes Mercury? I can understand; it's John Frawley's way. I personally would say it means Mercury likes Venus, receiving Venus into its territory and offers its protection.
Edit to add: I didn't mean Venus doesn't like Mercury. I think I will stick to Lilly's rule that the swifter planet being the more keen one. Reception determines how easy the aspect will perfect (or even whether it will, in some cases) but I find it limiting in determining motivation / feelings between the parties. Deb Houlding says aspects show motivation and incentive to come into contact, not reception.
Mercury ruling the rest of house 7 where Venus is in doesn't look too good to me, either. It almost looks like the company houses your competitor. I hope I am wrong. Good luck, WJ!
Amelia
But in this chart...let's assume Venus is an opponent and it would be not a tol, then Mercury will nonetheless overcome the aspect with Venus and opt for Mars at the end because Mercury wants Mars more than Venus.So here the reception would be important.