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Compatibility
Cancer Monkey and Pisces Dog

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 MONKEY and PISCES DOG 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too often lacks assertiveness—at least about their true nature—which can lead to them being alternately obliging or withdrawn, rather than accepting themselves with greater confidence.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 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 CANCER MONKEY and PISCES 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

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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