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Compatibility
Cancer Monkey and Pisces Rat

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too often lacks assertiveness—at least about their true nature—which can lead to them being alternately obliging or withdrawn, rather than accepting themselves with greater confidence.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

Chinese Zodiac

Monkey and Rat

Compatibility overview

What a wonderfully creative and pleasurable match this is. The combination of firsteast and secondeast brings together two of the cleverest and most compatible signs in the whole Chinese zodiac. This pairing offers a splendid opportunity for fun, dependability, and achievement.

Monkey and Rat - Relationship Horoscope

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

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

At the heart of the Chinese zodiac lie four Trine Families, akin to the shared elements in Western astrology. One such family comprises the Monkey and Rat (along with their close ally, the Dragon). The binding energy between these two signs emphasises brilliant ingenuity, endless enthusiasm, and a keen appetite for achievement.

Early meetings are likely to be rollicking affairs, overflowing with witty repartee and lively adventures. The Monkey, who in other company is frequently bored, will probably be fascinated by the Rat's keen powers of observation and sparkling sense of humour—not to mention energy reserves almost on a par with their own! The Rat, meanwhile, whose personality usually seems more subtle than the Monkey's but is in truth similarly intense, usually finds the Monkey to be a simply marvellous creation, an ideal blend of giftedness, hilarity, and irrepressible energy. Sexual hijinks are strongly favoured, but wickedly entertaining banter and fun is likely in any context.

Given time and suitable circumstances, the bond between these two will tend to grow stronger and deeper. The Monkey may come to value enormously just how shrewd and insightful the Rat can be in strategizing for the future. The Rat will learn that the Monkey is as committed to actualization and accomplishment as they are a genius in developing conceptual ideas. There is potential for great emotional support here, too. The Rat, who can be guarded and secretive in some company, is likely to discover they do not need to be so cagy with their natural confidant, the Monkey. The Monkey's often temperamental soul will tend to be less prone to disturbance and more easily reassured when the soothing attentions of the Rat are nearby.

In all, this relationship offers a brilliant mixture of inspiration, delight, and comfort, making it one of the Eastern zodiac's absolute best.

Celebrity Monkey/Rat Pairings*

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

Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman
Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman (click for attribution/s)

Rhea Perlman (3/31/1948, Aries Rat), Danny DeVito (11/17/1944, Scorpio Monkey) : The legendary comedic actors became a couple in 1971, have been married for forty years, and have three children together. After meeting they moved in together after two weeks. While they now live separately, they remain close friends who talk "a lot". Perlman has said, "I don’t know why it’s difficult for other people, but Danny and I have always loved each other and we have three amazing children together...We really agree on almost everything important."

Cameron Diaz (8/30/1972, Virgo Rat), Justin Timberlake (1/31/1981, Aquarius Monkey) : The famous actor and musician/actor had a romantic relationship between 2003 and 2007 and have maintained a friendly relationship since, working on and promoting the films Shrek the Third and Bad Teacher. Reflecting on their attraction despite a nine-year age gap, Diaz stated, "It's not like this is the first time in the history of human relationships that people were drawn to one another because of who they are, not what age they are."

Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash
Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash (click for attribution/s)

Kris Kristofferson (6/22/1936, Cancer Rat), Johnny Cash (2/26/1932, Pisces Monkey) : The two musicians and fellow members of the country supergroup the Highwaymen first met in the 1960s. Kristofferson credited Cash with inspiring him to commit his life to music. Speaking about their first meeting, Kristofferson said, "I was thunderstruck! [Cash] shook hands with me and he changed my life. I knew I was right where I belonged...He was a poet and an artist unlike anyone I have ever known...Johnny Cash never disappointed me. He had some hard times. He was not embarrassed to admit them. He was larger than life, all of the time."

Liam Gallagher (9/21/1972, Virgo Rat), Patsy Kensit (3/4/1968, Pisces Monkey) : The musician/founding member of Oasis and actor/model/singer were married from 1997 to 2000 and have a son together. Describing their connection, Kensit has said, "We just clicked on every level...He was protective and loving. When we were together there were fireworks, and a chemistry that lasted to the end."

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny
Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny (click for attribution/s)

David Duchovny (8/7/1960, Leo Rat), Gillian Anderson (8/9/1968, Leo Monkey) : These two actors rose to fame as partners in the cult television show The X-Files. Fans of the show marvelled at the on-screen chemistry between the two leads. Although behind the scenes there was considerable tension between them at the time the original show was made, they developed a lasting friendship. Anderson described in 2020: "People know we are good friends now and that we’ve found our way into an adult friendship. But there is something that will always remain between us, a kinetic energy that is tangible when you see us in a room together."

Normani (5/31/1996, Gemini Rat), Cardi B (10/11/1992, Libra Monkey) : The singer and rapper collaborated on the acclaimed song, "Wild Side" (2021), which for Normani marked a return from a two-year hiatus. Normani described: "[Cardi B] brought such light to this experience and to me after not releasing for the last two years. I feel like she’s given me comfort and provided a safe space for me. Cardi has great energy and is such a genuine spirit. She really put her all into this record, and I feel like it’s hard to come across people that understand your vision the way you do. She even put her input into the artwork concept for 'Wild Side' too. We had so much fun on-set and she made it the easiest experience ever."

Jennifer Grey (3/26/1960, Aries Rat), Joel Grey (4/11/1932, Aries Monkey) : This actor and Broadway legend are a famous daughter/father duo. After Joel came out as gay in 2022, Jennifer reflected, "When he came out, I was so thrilled for him and for anybody who is able to fully be themselves without having any secrets and without having to make any excuses and without having any loss of self-esteem, and just declare, this is who I am." About Jennifer and their relationship, Joel has said, "She’s so connected to me in the best sense, and to everybody that she’s close to. She’s such an artist and she’s such a heart-filled person."


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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