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Compatibility
Cancer Dragon and Pisces Horse

Brilliantly harmonious energy between firstwest and secondwest is neatly complemented here by the usually kindly and respectful, if somewhat distant, pairing of the firsteast and secondeast on the Chinese zodiac side.

Western Zodiac sign, Cancer
Western Zodiac sign, Pisces

Western Zodiac

Cancer and Pisces

Compatibility overview

There is a rare and wonderful beauty to the combination of firstwest and secondwest. Trine matches, which occur where signs are four steps apart, are said to be the most harmonious in the Western zodiac. For these two signs, their essential compatibility nurtures qualities of learning, identity formation, and pleasure.

Cancer and Pisces - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the CANCER and PISCES zodiac signs...

Read more about the CANCER DRAGON and PISCES HORSE combined zodiac signs...

Bruce Lee famously preached a "Be Water, My Friend" philosophy, saying, "Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup." While this may be an eloquent description of mindfulness, it also captures a lot of the challenges the Water signs Cancer and Pisces may face in life, and why a connection between these signs can be so special.

Sharing the most changeable and fluid element, Water, means these two signs can both be highly impressionable and responsive to the needs of others. They are both strongly empathic by nature—Cancer with an emphasis on identity formation, security, and belonging, and Pisces with their inclination towards universally shared concerns rather than individual priorities. This porous energy can make it difficult for these two signs to really know themselves. Cancer in particular has a reputation for being potentially the most variable of all the signs, they are so susceptible to outside influences. But Pisces too often lacks assertiveness—at least about their true nature—which can lead to them being alternately obliging or withdrawn, rather than accepting themselves with greater confidence.

The beauty of a relationship between Cancer and Pisces arises out of this mutual sensitivity. The pure, Cardinal modality of Cancer matches perfectly with Pisces' more transitory Mutable nature, meaning the supple, changeable potential of their shared Water element is free to flow and transform without restriction. Romance is highly favoured, but any connection between these two is likely to attract a special brand of intimacy. Cancer may be encouraged to develop a model of individual identity and home life that resonates with a growing sense of their own uniqueness. Pisces may feel less compelled to hide away (whether in plain sight or darkness) and more inclined to share their gentle aestheticism.

In short, this can be be one of the most promising relationships in the Western zodiac, favouring all kinds of exploration of the self and the outside world, and offering a uniquely close and strong bond to both parties.

Celebrity Cancer/Pisces Pairings*

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

Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch
Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch (click for attribution/s)

Benedict Cumberbatch (7/19/1976, Cancer Dragon), Sophie Hunter (3/16/1978, Pisces Horse) : The actor and theatre director/playwright married in 2015 and have three children. Though the couple have avoided discussing their relationship publicly, Cumberbatch said in 2016: "Home is always the roots and the safe harbor."

Lionel Messi (6/24/1987, Cancer Rabbit), Antonela Roccuzzo (2/26/1988, Pisces Dragon) : The soccer superstar and model have known each other since their childhood in Rosario, Argentina. Messi confirmed their relationship publicly in 2009, and they have three children together.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez (click for attribution/s)

Selena Gomez (7/22/1992, Cancer Monkey), Justin Bieber (3/1/1994, Pisces Dog) : The musician and musician/actor formed one of the most high-profile couples in the world when they dated on-and-off between 2010 and 2018. At one time, Gomez explained, "I'll forever support [Bieber] and love him in a way….we grew up together," while Bieber said, "I'm never going to stop loving [Gomez]. I'm never going to stop checking in on her." After Gomez released her commercially and critically acclaimed song, "Lose You to Love Me", which she appeared to acknowledge was about her relationship with Bieber, she described: "I'm very proud of it...It's not a hateful song; it's a song that is saying — I had something beautiful and I would never deny that...now here I am stepping into a whole other chapter."

Mel Brooks (6/28/1926, Cancer Tiger), Carl Reiner (3/20/1922, Pisces Dog) : The two actor/comedian/screenwriters were best friends for over 70 years. They famously collaborated on the 2000 Year Old Man comedy albums in the 1950s/1960s. They were known for spending their evenings together in their 90s, watching Jeopardy and eating together at Reiner's house. In 2021, Brooks recalled: "Any time I could surprise [Reiner] and really break him up, I knew it was funny. He was the greatest audience. Ahhh, I miss him so much...He would call me in the evenings and say, ‘Come over, come over! I got a big stuffed cabbage for us!’ Even at the end he was always Carl: funny, sweet-natured, warm and just the most wonderful friend a person could ever have. People know how good he was, but not how great."

Miriam Makeba and Angélique Kidjo
Miriam Makeba and Angélique Kidjo (click for attribution/s)

Angélique Kidjo (7/14/1960, Cancer Rat), Miriam Makeba (3/4/1932, Pisces Monkey) : The two singer/songwriters shared a close mentoring friendship. Kidjo described in 2022: "In 1989, I was asked to be [Makeba's] opening act in Paris. During my soundcheck, she walked onstage, and I was frozen. I was shaking from emotion. She said, 'Hello, little girl! You have a nice voice!' After that, every time she would see me, she’d say, 'You’re doing good!' It was a friendship between a daughter and a musical mother. She said, 'Never accept anyone to put you in the category of "world music." All music is in the world. Everything people listen to comes from Africa. Why are we put in the ghetto of "world music?"' She gave me a lot of advice...I want my music to carry her legacy and to sing to her every time I’m onstage."

Carly Simon (6/25/1945, Cancer Rooster), James Taylor (3/12/1948, Pisces Rat) : The two singer/songwriters were married from 1972 to 1983, and had two children. In her memoir, Boys in the Trees (2015), Simon wrote about their early intimacy: "It was the nicest contact I could ever know, could ever have asked for, or ever remember…James was my muse, my Orpheus, my ‘good night, sweet prince,’ my something-in-the-way-he-moves."

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Chinese Zodiac sign, the Dragon
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Horse

Chinese Zodiac

Dragon and Horse

Compatibility overview

It may not be a classic match, but the combination of firsteast and secondeast brings together some powerful compatibilities. These are two proud, capable, and independent souls, capable of achieving significant impacts together. Tensions may create distance between them, requiring careful management, but their time together is likely to prove inspirational and eye-catching.

Dragon and Horse - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the DRAGON and HORSE zodiac signs...

Read more about the CANCER DRAGON and PISCES HORSE combined zodiac signs...

An essential aspect of the Chinese zodiac is the four Trine Families (much like the elements in Western astrology). The Dragon's family (with Monkey and Rat) and the Horse's family (with Dog and Tiger) are not usually seen as especially sympathetic. Hence what draws these two together is not so much a mystical connection as specific characteristics that they both share.

First and foremost, the Horse and Dragon are performers. They are both comfortable in, indeed driven towards, the limelight. Together, they are likely to be show-stopping guests at any event, not to mention consummate hosts of their own social gatherings. They are also instinctively independent spirits, the Horse especially. It is no surprise that they often admire each other greatly, not just for the abundant attention they can command, but also for the casually accepting way they handle the adoration of others.

The real challenge for these two is to nurture a deeper connection, to match the obvious synergies between them. With so much independent energy at play, the relationship may lack some of the commitment required for stability. Over time, these two may also need to acknowledge certain differences in moral outlook. The Dragon may be inclined toward displays of power or wealth in a way that is at odds with the Horse's more private or humanitarian impulses, for example.

Ultimately, though, a partnership between Dragon and Horse can translate mutual respect into all manner of successful outcomes, from financially lucrative business deals to gold medals to passionate affairs. And when these two settle into a rhythm, close or distant, chances are they will always retain the shared admiration that initially brought them together.

Celebrity Dragon/Horse Pairings*

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

Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel
Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel (click for attribution/s)

Monica Bellucci (9/30/1964, Libra Dragon), Vincent Cassel (11/23/1966, Sagittarius Horse) : The French actor and Italian actor/model were married for 14 years and have two daughters together. They have also co-starred more than 15 times. After announcing their divorce in 2013, Bellucci said, "Vincent and I are separating. Our respective lives have taken us apart (…) But there will always be love between us. Even if our roads part, Vincent and I will always be there for each other."

Andy Warhol (8/6/1928, Leo Dragon), Lou Reed (3/2/1942, Pisces Horse) : The celebrated artist and musician shared a landmark friendship and collaboration, with Warhol managing Reed's band The Velvet Underground before Reed decided to take the band in a different direction. Reed described: "I loved [Warhol] on sight, he was obviously one of us. He was right. I didn’t know who he was, I wasn’t aware of any of that, amazingly enough. But he was obviously a kindred spirit if ever there was one, and so smart with charisma to spare. But really so smart. And for a quote ‘passive’ guy, he took over everything. He was the leader...He was driven and he had a vision to fulfil. And I fit in like a hand in a glove...And he wasn’t getting anything back out of it. When I left, I just left. He didn’t say, ‘Hey, I’ve done this and that for you, I want 20 per cent forever,’ or anything. He was really noble."

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart (click for attribution/s)

Calista Flockhart (11/11/1964, Scorpio Dragon), Harrison Ford (7/13/1942, Cancer Horse) : The two actors have been in a relationship since 2002 and married since 2010. In 2017, Flockhart described: "The truth is, I sometimes feel very much older than Harrison. Sometimes, I even say, 'Wow, I keep forgetting that he’s 22 years older than me.' It doesn't factor into our relationship at all. I like the way he looks first thing in the morning. It’s not handsome, it’s more cute. He looks like a little boy."

Diana Krall (11/16/1964, Scorpio Dragon), Elvis Costello (8/25/1954, Virgo Horse) : The two musicians married in 2003 and have two children. Krall described during the pandemic in 2020: "Being together is very unusual for us, especially in the last few years, because I go on tour, and Elvis is home, then he goes on tour, and I’m home. So, being together, it’s a loving time for us and for our family. And a creative time, too. I’m in awe of him every day, and how he works."

Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox performing as Eurythmics
Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox performing as Eurythmics (click for attribution/s)

Dave Stewart (9/9/1952, Virgo Dragon), Annie Lennox (12/25/1954, Capricorn Horse) : The two musicians were romantically involved, then broke up and founded the acclaimed duo Eurythmics around the same time. Stewart described in relation to his memoir, Sweet Dreams Are Made of This: "I know just about every tiny molecule of Annie. I don’t think that should be shared with the world. If I wrote about me and Annie, it would be a completely different book. I can’t think of any other couple that did what we did – to break up and then start a band. Sonny and Cher did it the other way around: They were famous, then they broke up. What we went through was insane."


Combined Relationship Horoscope

Final Words

A Trine combination, one of a very small few who share perfectly harmonious elements and modalities, firstwest and secondwest are born allies who can usually be trusted to engage, excite, and depend on each other from the get-go. The pairing of firsteast and secondeast provides a more equivocal influence, one based more on particular affinities between their characters than general good fortune, which can be more conducive to admiring comrades than bosom friendship. Overall, though, the superb influence of firstwest and secondwest creates the conditions for all kinds of successes here.

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