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Compatibility
Cancer Monkey and Pisces Dragon

The cherished match of firstwest and secondwest blends with the similarly revered combination of the firsteast and secondeast—making this one of the most favored energy matches in the whole combined Western and Chinese zodiac.

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too often lacks assertiveness—at least about their true nature—which can lead to them being alternately obliging or withdrawn, rather than accepting themselves with greater confidence.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

Chinese Zodiac

Monkey and Dragon

Compatibility overview

A home run! This is one of the most dependable, enjoyable, and nourishing matches in the Chinese zodiac. The firsteast and secondeast are born allies, likely to feel as if they have been friends for many lifetimes, even if they have only just met.

Monkey and Dragon - Relationship Horoscope

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

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

The essential concept underlying the entire Chinese zodiac is that of the four Trine Families. The Monkey and Dragon, along with their comrade-in-arms the Rat, form one of these special families, making this one of the most auspicious combinations there is.

Here the unifying energy is all about creativity, eagerness, and expressiveness. The Monkey's fabled ingenuity meets a natural kindred spirit in the glorious showmanship of the Dragon. This match is conducive to all kinds of inventiveness and performance, from the inception of brilliant ideas to dazzling actualizations. Just as important as outward achievements, though, is the calming reassurance this pairing can provide for one another. In their own ways, each of these signs is something of a high-wire act—relentlessly capable and captivating, but with potentially greater intensity than calmer or more down-to-earth temperaments are ready for. This relationship can therefore provide a haven, a liberation from the boredom, isolation, or fretfulness that may destabilize these two signs in other contexts.

For many Dragon/Monkey pairings, the only real danger is that the connection between them might feel too easy to be worthy of their prodigious talents. Hopefully the successes they share together provide sufficient reassurance that they have found a rare partnership, worthy of cherishing and protecting, offering a lifetime of delight and security.

Celebrity Monkey/Dragon Pairings*

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

Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swayze
Lisa Niemi and Patrick Swayze (click for attribution/s)

Patrick Swayze (8/18/1952, Leo Dragon), Lisa Niemi (5/26/1956, Gemini Monkey) : Swayze and Niemi were childhood sweethearts who, in spite of Swayze's publicized issues with despair and alcoholism, were married from 1975 until his death in 2009. Niemi has said that, "The first time Buddy [Swayze] and I danced together was at a school exhibition...I looked in his eyes, it was like everything came alive."

Courteney Cox (6/15/1964, Gemini Dragon), Jennifer Aniston (2/11/1969, Aquarius Monkey) : The Friends co-stars developed a close real-life friendship. Aniston, who is godmother to Cox's daughter, has described: "There's absolutely no judgement in Court. You'll never feel scolded. She's extremely fair, ridiculously loyal and fiercely loving. I've slept in her guest bedroom a lot. Without giving away too much of my private stuff, all I can say is she's been there for me through thick and thin."

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (click for attribution/s)

Emma Stone (11/6/1988, Scorpio Dragon), Ryan Gosling (11/12/1980, Scorpio Monkey) : The two actors share a close friendship, which has produced memorable on-screen chemistry in the films, Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), Gangsta Squad (2013), and La La Land (2016). Stone has described: "I can't even imagine what my life would be without Ryan. He's so special. It makes me emotional. He's so talented but he's such a great person to work with because he's so collaborative and excited about the process. He's taught me a lot about being really generous." Gosling has said similarly, "It's impossible to describe. [Stone's] everything, all the time. There's nobody like her...Show me someone that wouldn't give it all up for Emma Stone, and I'll show you a liar."

Joseph Campbell (3/26/1904, Aries Dragon), George Lucas (5/14/1944, Taurus Monkey) : The Star Wars director memorably described the mythologist and author of The Hero With a Thousand Faces as "my Yoda", because of Campbell's influence on the story's characterization and structure. The two developed a strong friendship, with Lucas instrumental in developing Campbell's TV series The Power of Myth.

Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas
Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas (click for attribution/s)

Kirk Douglas (12/9/1916, Sagittarius Dragon), Michael Douglas (9/25/1944, Libra Monkey) : The two actors share one of the most famous father/son relationships in Hollywood history. They appeared together in the film, It Runs in the Family (2003). They faced challenges in their relationship, as when Michael Douglas, as producer, decided against casting his father in the lead role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). However, Michael's career was strongly influenced by his father.Kirk once said, "I kept telling [Michael] he should play a villain. So finally he did, in Wall Street, and when he did that wonderful, horrible greed speech, I just [beamed]!" When Kirk died at age 103, Michael said: "To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to. But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad."

Tracy Chapman (3/30/1964, Aries Dragon), Alice Walker (2/9/1944, Aquarius Monkey) : The author and musician had a two-year affair in the 1990s. Asked why they had kept the relationship quiet, Walker said in 2006: "It was quiet to you maybe but that's because you didn't live in our area [laughing]...My life is not to be somebody else's impact - you know what I mean? And it was delicious and lovely and wonderful and I totally enjoyed it and I was completely in love with her but it was not anybody's business but ours."

Dan Aykroyd (7/1/1952, Cancer Dragon), Carrie Fisher (10/21/1956, Libra Monkey) : The two actors had a love affair and lived together in 1980. After Fisher's death in 2016, Aykroyd wrote: "I gave Carrie a sapphire ring and subsequently in the romance she gave me a Donald Roller Wilson oil painting of a monkey in a blue dress next to a tiny floating pencil, which I kept for years until it began to frighten my children...[She] would say things like:...'You have a jawline, hold your chin up otherwise you look like a tuna.' From then on I would identify myself on the phone as Tuna Neck."


Combined Relationship Horoscope

Final Words

The single greatest synergy across Western and Chinese astrology is the pride of place given by both to Trine combinations. In this relationship, the Western Trine pairing of firstwest and secondwest unites with the Chinese zodiac Trine pairing of firsteast and secondeast. Thus good fortune and harmony encompass these two from both sides, creating limitless potential in any context for intimacy, nourishment, inspiration, and dependability. Simply as good as it gets.

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