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Compatibility
Aries Monkey and Taurus Dog

The typically slow but steady progress of firstwest and secondwest towards inspiration and dedication may have a double benefit here, helping the respectful but reticent firsteast and secondeast energy develop closeness and dependability.

Western Zodiac sign, Aries
Western Zodiac sign, Taurus

Western Zodiac

Aries and Taurus

Compatibility overview

Signs that are adjacent on the Western zodiac wheel, like firstwest and secondwest, are sometimes treated with scepticism by astrologers. The traditional approach is that they are a lot like real-life neighbors, seemingly having plenty in common, but in fact often wary or nervous around one another. But as the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover! In fact, the characteristics of these two signs share some important synergies, meaning there is—at least, eventually—potential for a very close connection here.

Aries and Taurus - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the ARIES and TAURUS zodiac signs...

Read more about the ARIES MONKEY and TAURUS DOG combined zodiac signs...

Next-door Western signs reflect what is known as a minor Semi-sextile aspect. Because the astrological year represents a life cycle beginning with Aries and ending with Pisces, adjacent signs always symbolize consecutive times of life. Here, the relationship brings together the infant-like qualities of Aries—extreme idealism and abundant energy—with the early adolescence of Taurus, which emphasises physicality and a desire to build and protect.

This metaphorical closeness in time can be a good way of understanding the challenges for this pairing. For Aries, Taurus can seem very slow off the blocks, overly cautious and rigid in their opinions. Taurus, meanwhile, may find the vigour of Aries unsettlingly wild and immature. The respective elements of these signs—Fire for Aries and Earth for Taurus—are usually thought of as more discordant than harmonious, which also tends to emphasize their differences. Indeed, the analogy of standoffish neighbors will often be an apt one, especially when these two first encounter one another. Misunderstandings and disagreements are likely to crop up regularly, and mutual frustration would not be unexpected.

Over time, however, these two signs may come to appreciate more and more how much they actually have in common. Taureans may be more subtle about it, but they can also be profoundly idealistic, and Aries love to express themselves physically as much as they love all forms of action and attention-grabbing behaviour. Perhaps more importantly, these two are often drawn together by a Peter Pan-like sense of never really growing up. This can be a uniquely bonding experience, and may perhaps be the strongest affinity between any Semi-sextile pairing. Aries' undiluted Cardinal modality matches perfectly with the more stable Fixed modality of Taurus, so when these two unite in a common cause, they are likely to find that the tensions between them can be talked out and resolved, at least with concerted effort. Sure, in some areas it is inevitable that these two will maintain a respectful distance, owing to their disparate instincts. But where they are united, these two can share great warmth as well as very effective teamwork, making this pairing ultimately something of a sleeping giant in the Western zodiac.

Celebrity Aries/Taurus Pairings*

*Click on the names to see both Western and Chinese zodiac matches for that pairing.

David E. Kelley and Michelle Pfeiffer
David E. Kelley and Michelle Pfeiffer (click for attribution/s)

David E. Kelley (4/4/1956, Aries Monkey), Michelle Pfeiffer (4/29/1958, Taurus Dog) : The actor and writer/producer have been married since 1993 and have two children. At the time they met, Pfeiffer was already part way through adopting her daughter, who arrived after the couple had been dating for two months. Pfeiffer described in 2007: "I really got to see [Kelley] in a situation that certainly would separate the boys from the men. Obviously, he really rose to the occasion. We both got to see each other as parents before we progressed in our relationship together, and in a strange way, it took the pressure off us...I mean, it's a real testament to the kind of person he is, but also to the fact that sometimes the traditional way of doing things isn't always the best way."

Colin Powell (4/5/1937, Aries Ox), Linda Powell (4/30/1965, Taurus Snake) : The 65th US Secretary of State and his daughter, an actor, shared a close relationship. Colin Powell's memoir, My American Journey (2003) included this description by Linda: "My father is a gentle man, but, as a child, I remember being a little afraid of him—he was so big. He rarely raised his voice, but when he did, my heart would drop through my stomach. But I also remember once weaving a pink-and-white net around my bicycle as decoration...The net got caught in the spokes and I went flying over the handlebars. I sat stunned and crying on the asphalt. My father appeared from nowhere, scooped me up, held me close, and carried me home."

Danielle Spencer and Russell Crowe
Danielle Spencer and Russell Crowe (click for attribution/s)

Russell Crowe (4/7/1964, Aries Dragon), Danielle Spencer (5/16/1969, Taurus Rooster) : The two actors met in 1989, and during a famously on-again, off-again relationship, married in 2003 and divorced in 2018. Spencer described in 2020: "We have a lot of respect for each other and I consider him to be a member of my family. The marriage ended, but that didn’t mean our friendship ended. We’ve had holidays together in the past and we can happily sit down and chat."

Francis Ford Coppola (4/7/1939, Aries Rabbit), Eleanor Coppola (5/4/1936, Taurus Rat) : The two filmmakers have been married since 1963 and have three children together. Eleanor Coppola has described how they approach collaboration: "Francis is very straightforward with me about what he does and doesn’t think works, and for me I have to make a choice: maybe this doesn’t work for him, but it’s what I want to say. So I think we have to […] take that attitude, we accept the sort of information coming in, the critique, and then we kind of go our own way within that. Sometimes I see something that I suggest, and he rejects [it] at the moment, and then I see it woven in later."

David Letterman and Jay Leno
David Letterman and Jay Leno (click for attribution/s)

David Letterman (4/12/1947, Aries Pig), Jay Leno (4/28/1950, Taurus Tiger) : The two late-night talk show hosts were one-time friends who shared perhaps the most famous rivalry in television history. In 2017, Leno described: "The idea that there was a huge rift between me and Dave — yeah, of course there was. I think Dave felt really sad he didn’t get The Tonight Show. And our shows were very competitive. Whether it’s two sports teams, or two boxers, you can trash talk each other, but it doesn’t mean you don’t respect each other. I think there was a mutual admiration. It’s not that we have a lot in common — we don’t — but I think that we have a mutual admiration for each other’s ability to make each other laugh....Dave would always go about it in a funny way. There was no animosity there. Comics have a bond: You have more in common with your worst enemy if they’re a comic than you do with your best friend, because you share something that regular people just don’t get."

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Chinese Zodiac sign, the Monkey
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Dog

Chinese Zodiac

Monkey and Dog

Compatibility overview

The match between the firsteast and the secondeast has a lower profile than some other combinations in Chinese astrology, but there is potential for a strong relationship here. Occasional unevenness is likely, with pragmatism advisable from time to time. However, strong mutual respect and compatible work ethics can help to ensure happiness and success.

Monkey and Dog - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the MONKEY and DOG zodiac signs...

Read more about the ARIES MONKEY and TAURUS DOG combined zodiac signs...

The theory of the Chinese zodiac depends primarily on the four Trine Families, similar to the elements in Western astrology. Truth be told, the families of the Dog (with the Horse and Tiger) and the Monkey (with the Dragon and Rat) are not thought of as especially harmonious. In fact there are some difficult matches among this group (e.g., the Dog and Dragon, or the Monkey and Tiger). The Dog and Monkey thus have to depend on their individual characters, rather than the blessings of mystical energy, to make their relationship work.

Happily these two have important values in common. The Dog prides themselves on supporting people and causes they believe are deserving. Given that the Monkey is known around the world for their genius talents and spirited energy, the Dog will tend to be impressed immediately. The Monkey aspires to great feats of imagination and ingenuity, so the Dog's devotion and capacity for hard work can be at once inspiring and grounding. Especially early in the relationship, these areas of compatibility may lead to considerable excitement. Over time, this connection may mature into real emotional depth. For all their gifts, the Monkey is prone to isolation, disappointment, or boredom. The Dog can be a trusted and dependable ally when the going is tough. The Dog, too, is more vulnerable to anxiety than they appear, and the Monkey's charms may prove to be a delightful and supportive distraction.

The tendency of both of these signs to experience depression or stress at times can be a source of tension between them as well. The Dog may be unsettled by the Monkey's rapid changes in mood. If the Monkey's patience is tested, they may look for amusement and inspiration elsewhere, which can make the Dog feel lonely and nervous. Contrasting moral outlooks may also be an issue. The Dog usually adheres to a quite rigid value system, where the Monkey's ethical instincts tend to be as fluid and creative as the rest of their personality. Hence the Dog may find the Monkey sometimes too fickle for comfort. Conversely, the Monkey might see the Dog from time to time as single or closed minded in their thinking. Navigating these challenges may be difficult from time to time, but in the right circumstances these two signs can agree so strongly about the "big picture" that their collaboration remains solid. In that case, this relationship may prove nourishing and effective, long into the future.

Celebrity Monkey/Dog Pairings*

*Click on the names to see both Western and Chinese zodiac matches for that pairing.

Anthony Bourdain and Roy Choi
Anthony Bourdain and Roy Choi (click for attribution/s)

Anthony Bourdain (6/25/1956, Cancer Monkey), Roy Choi (2/24/1970, Pisces Dog) : The two celebrity chefs were close friends, with Choi appearing on episodes of Bourdain's series, The Layover (2011-2013), and Parts Unknown (2013-2018). Bourdain wrote about Choi for Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2016, "Chef, activist, film producer, restaurateur and author of a superb memoir, L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food, Roy Choi has put it all on the line to improve the quality of life for people few others seem to care about. It’s not a pose, it’s not a cause: it’s who he is." Choi described in 2013 about their first meeting, "[W]e connected mid-conversation like we knew each other from an alternate life."

Jennifer Flavin (8/14/1968, Leo Monkey), Sylvester Stallone (7/6/1946, Cancer Dog) : The actor and entrepreneur dated from 1988 to 1994, and later married in 1997. They have three children. In 1991, Stallone said, "When we come together, it is wonderful. When we are separate, there are no strings attached. That’s the way it is. No strings." He famously broke up with Flavin by letter in 1995. In 2021, Stallone described: "I’ve never had more fun. I learned that from my wife... It took me 19 years to realize she’s always right. I realized that women have a knack, at least Jennifer, for making incredibly erudite, wise, smart decisions. I always leap without looking. She always looks and never leaps. She’s incredibly safe. So now finally, I say: 'Honey, you make all the decisions. Done, done, done. I trust you.' I never had that before. Ever."

George Lucas (5/14/1944, Taurus Monkey), Steven Spielberg (12/18/1946, Sagittarius Dog) : The two film-makers are longtime friends and colleagues, who famously collaborated on the Indiana Jones movies. Lucas has described: "I showed [Star Wars] to all of my friends early on, but it was mostly filled with stock footage of old war movies and all kinds of stuff. They saw it and said, 'Poor George. What were you thinking?' Steven [Spielberg] had jumped up, and said, 'This is going to be the biggest movie of all time.' Everybody in the room looked up at Steven and said, ‘Poor Steven.'"

Andy Garcia (4/12/1956, Aries Monkey), Marivi Lorido Garcia (4/19/1958, Aries Dog) : The actor and film producer have been married since 1982 and have four children together. They became engaged before Garcia achieved his significant success as an actor. Garcia has spoken several times about how quickly they formed a strong bond. On one occasion he said, "It was love at first sight. I always knew I would marry [Marivi]." On another, he commented, "I proposed to her on the first date and she said yes."

Shirley MacLaine and Elizabeth Taylor
Shirley MacLaine and Elizabeth Taylor (click for attribution/s)

Elizabeth Taylor (2/27/1932, Pisces Monkey), Shirley MacLaine (4/24/1934, Taurus Dog) : The two iconic actors were lifelong friends, who met in their early 20s. After Taylor died in 2011, Maclaine described: "In recent years, I would go up to Elizabeth's home all the time to make sure she was exercising or I would send someone else to make her get in the pool. She was not a fan of exercise, so most of the time we would end up taking out her jewellery and just looking at it in the sunlight...She was so much more down to earth than you would imagine. I miss her deep, deep humanity – something you don't find very often. And, of course, her humour. We wanted to make fun of the world together. Not to look down on it, though. We just watched."

Adrian Edmondson (1/24/1957, Aquarius Monkey), Jennifer Saunders (7/6/1958, Cancer Dog) : The two comedians/actors first met in a strip club. They have been married since 1985 and have three children together. Edmonson has recounted: "I tried to propose on horseback. Jennifer likes horses so I thought that would be a good idea. The only fault with the plan was that I can’t ride. I didn’t quite fall off, but I didn’t get round to proposing either, until we sat down to dinner."

Viggo Mortensen and Ariadna Gil
Viggo Mortensen and Ariadna Gil (click for attribution/s)

Ariadna Gil (1/23/1969, Aquarius Monkey), Viggo Mortensen (10/20/1958, Libra Dog) : The two popular actors have famously avoided the limelight but became partners around 2008/2009. Both have children from previous marriages.

T.I. (9/25/1980, Libra Monkey), Lil Wayne (9/27/1982, Libra Dog) : The two rappers collaborated multiple times in the early 2000s, including on the "Swagger Like Us" remix with Kanye West, "We Takin Over" with DJ Khaled, and "Soldier" with Destiny’s Child. After a falling out around 2016, they reconciled to perform together at the Dreamville Festival in 2022. Lil Wayne told the audience, "[W]hen I pulled up, I heard the [expletive] King on stage when I pulled up. Shout out to the [expletive] King T.I. You already know what it is. That’s my real [expletive] brother right there. That’s my [expletive] daughter’s uncle; y’all don’t even understand, man."


Combined Relationship Horoscope

Final Words

The minor semi-Sextile aspect often needs a head start to find its feet, so it may take a while for firstwest and secondwest to progress beyond initial nervousness to the impactful and nourishing bond they are capable of. The influence of the firsteast and secondeast on the Chinese zodiac side will likely both aid and hinder this process, contributing a blend of caring admiration with respectful distance. Given sensitivity and perseverance, however, on balance the synergies here could lead to a bond that grows ever closer over time, yielding impressive impacts and an enjoyable, reliable bond.

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