HORIZON ASTROLOGY

Compatibility
Cancer Ox and Libra Horse

It may appear to be something of an energy minefield, but there is real potential here—provided the famously disagreeable combination of firstwest and secondwest fulfills its potential for life-changing personal growth, and the precarious firsteast and secondeast match is carefully controlled.

Western Zodiac

Cancer and Libra

Compatibility overview

The match between firstwest and secondwest summons powerful energy that is frequently hard to control, but also deeply rewarding. These two tend to spar like champions, as their instincts on most subjects could hardly be more different. Yet few combinations are able to produce the transformative positive effects that these two signs can bring out in one another.

Cancer and Libra - Relationship Horoscope

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

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In Western astrology, an interval of three steps, as there is between Cancer and Libra, is known as a Square aspect. This hard 90° angle brings forth some punishing energy. At times it may feel as if no topic or field of endeavour is safe from disagreement or contestation.

Libra's all-encompassing, deliberative attitude is highly intellectual, and they are keenly interested in social institutions and practices. Cancer's instincts, on the other hand, tend to be much more private and emotional, focusing on empathy, the home, and nurturing a comfortable identity. For Libra, Cancer can therefore seem vague or distracted, whereas Cancer may think Libra is preoccupied with superficial concerns that obscure more foundational elements of life. The intensity of Libra's interest in ideas and society usually produces a highly extroverted and at times harshly critical personality, while Cancer is naturally far more introverted, sensitive, and moody. These tensions can be traced in part to the respective elements. Libra's Air always emphasizes cerebral, social concerns, where Cancer's Water is essentially fluid and abstract. Further, these signs share a Cardinal modality, meaning they both express the pure energy of inception, when any project is at its most inchoate and raw. Without a counterbalancing modality, Cancer and Libra have little choice but to face head-on the differences between them.

In spite of these challenges, however, the true gift of Square energy is that it is highly conducive to growth. For one thing, the sheer power of this connection can be intoxicating or enchanting. Personal or sexual chemistry is strongly indicated. Further, the sparring between Cancer and Libra can provoke extraordinary personal development for both parties. There is a quality of having one's feet held to the fire about interactions between these signs. Few matches in the Western zodiac can so potently crystallize for Cancer and Libra exactly what they most desire in life.

Not all Square matches survive without evolving in form, and strategies for compartmentalization can be helpful in many cases. Yet ultimately this energy can be a blessing for both signs, and if it can be controlled, it may lead to a life-changing and deeply rewarding relationship.

Celebrity Cancer/Libra Pairings^*

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

Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts (click for attribution/s)

Billy Crudup (7/8/1968, Cancer Monkey), Naomi Watts (9/28/1968, Libra Monkey) : The actors became a couple around 2017 and appeared together on the red carpet at the SAG Awards in February 2022. Both have children from previous relationships. In an Instagram post after the Emmy awards, Watts said simply: "What a night... What a dress... What a gent... ❤️✨"

Willem Dafoe (7/22/1955, Cancer Sheep), Giada Colagrande (10/16/1975, Libra Rabbit) : The actor and film-maker have been married since 2005. "I met [Colagrande] on the street in Rome in 2004. I knew of her because I'd seen her films and we had some mutual friends. Getting married was very impulsive and romantic. We were having lunch and I said: 'Do you want to get married tomorrow?' I called up City Hall and they said: 'If you get here in the next couple of hours, you can register and then you can get married tomorrow.' So we ran down there."

Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird (click for attribution/s)

Megan Rapinoe (7/5/1985, Cancer Ox), Sue Bird (10/16/1980, Libra Monkey) : The basketball and soccer players have been a couple since 2017. Individually and together, they have been credited with "[B]oundary-obliterating levels of achievement on and off the field." Speaking about their lives together after they retire from professional sports, Rapinoe described: "I’m excited. Because there’s like [miming separate boxes with her hands] Megan, and Sue. And then there’s Megan and Sue. And I think that there’s so much to be done in all of those three buckets...I hope [our legacy is that] people see it doesn’t have to be this slog where you’re just a selfless servant. You can have fun, you can be successful. You can do it your own way."

Courtney Love (7/9/1964, Cancer Dragon), Carrie Fisher (10/21/1956, Libra Monkey) : The actor and musician/actor shared a strong friendship after they met at the Oscars ceremony in 1997. In the Foreword to Love's book, Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love, Fisher wrote: "There’s a saying: 'Some of us can’t find heaven without backing away from hell.' Well, it seems to me that that’s been part of Courtney Love’s experience—not that she’s found heaven, but I’m sure she has seen glimpses of the place. How could she not, with all her experience fighting her demons?…After all is said and done—whenever that is—she is a survivor. Unfortunately, the only thing wrong with being a survivor is you have to keep getting in trouble to show off your gift. Getting in trouble and then getting out again, bearing gifts."

Will Smith and Jaden Smith (click for attribution/s)

Jaden Smith (7/8/1998, Cancer Tiger), Will Smith (9/25/1968, Libra Monkey) : The father and son actors have appeared together on screen several times. Will Smith's memoir, Will, described: "After Earth was an abysmal box office and critical failure, and what was worse was that Jaden took the hit. Fans and the press were absolutely vicious; they said and printed things about Jaden that I refuse to repeat. Jaden had faithfully done everything that I'd instructed him to do, and I had coached him. We never discussed it, but I know he felt betrayed. He felt misled, and he lost his trust in my leadership. At fifteen years old, when Jaden asked about being an emancipated minor, my heart shattered. He ultimately decided against it, but it sucks to feel like you've hurt your kids."

Paul Schrader (7/22/1946, Cancer Dog), Mary Beth Hurt (9/26/1946, Libra Dog) : The director and actor have been married since 1983 and have two children together. They have rarely spoken in public about their relationship, but in 1989, Mary Beth Hurt said simply, "I have everything I want, everything I need. And more. Paul and the kids are the best thing that ever happened to me."

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield (click for attribution/s)

Mike Tyson (6/30/1966, Cancer Horse), Evander Holyfield (10/19/1962, Libra Tiger) : The two former world champion boxers fought for the WBA heavyweight title in 1996, with Tyson infamously biting Holyfield's ear. Years later they reconciled, with both speaking warmly about the other. Tyson said, "We're both at a stage in our lives where we can work together and make really a good thing happen. He's a beautiful person. I've known Evander since I was 15." Holyfield commented, "He appreciates that I forgave him. He's forgiven himself. That's how you make adjustments in life."

Cheryl Cole (6/30/1983, Cancer Pig), Simon Cowell (10/7/1959, Libra Pig) : The two media personalities were both judges on The X Factor in the UK. They had a public falling out when Cole was dropped from the US version of the show after one episode, then reconciled and appeared together again in the UK edition. Often described as "frenemies", Cole described one exchange as follows: "[Cowell] said the same thing to my face about me manipulating him. I said: 'Simon, seriously – you've become so cynical that you think people manipulate you, but I'm not one of those people. Maybe what confuses you is that I don't play with you; you can't buy me.' And he said to me: 'When I say you manipulate, I mean it in the sincerest form of a compliment. Meaning: you're highly intelligent, and I don't even think you know you're doing it.'"

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Chinese Zodiac

Ox and Horse

Compatibility overview

The Eastern zodiac has a reputation for not mincing words when it comes to combinations seen as unlucky. Unfortunately for the firsteast and secondeast, their shared energy has a troubling reputation for tension, conflict, and unhappiness.

Ox and Horse - Relationship Horoscope

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Across the whole Eastern zodiac, the most difficult combinations are said to be the six Adversary matches along the fourth degree axis, which include the Horse and Ox. The strain between these two can sometimes surprise others, because superficially they seem to have lots in common. Both the Horse and Ox tend to have a larger-than-life presence and are comfortable being the center of attention. And both can be relied on to get the job done, when tasked with physically or intellectually demanding projects.

However, these two signs have completely different instincts about control. The Horse is not a loner as such—in fact they can be one of the most devoted signs there is—but they are fiercely independent. They are at their happiest performing, competing, and loving, with as few outside limitations as possible. The Ox, by contrast, is a master of constraint. They have a paramount belief in structure and chains of command, and tend to inevitably rise up through the ranks to leadership. A pairing of the Horse and Ox is thus apt to stir destructive forces. The Ox will be forever trying to rein in the Horse. The Horse will be constantly trying to outrun the Ox. As the Ox is overtaken by stubborn bitterness, the Horse tends to poke fun and laugh at them. As the Horse escapes into skittish extravagance and selfishness, the Ox expresses ever more intense disappointment and criticism.

Unfortunately, conflicts here are more indirect than direct. Rather than a blaze of fury, mutual antagonism is likely to cause brooding discontent and unpleasantness. Problems may take forever to resolve, assuming they ever resolve at all.

Problematic energy like this need not be insurmountable, of course, and lots of relationships achieve success and understanding in spite of this potentially challenging connection. Strongly positive influences on the Western side, or clear strategies to facilitate mutual understanding, may be invaluable in achieving positive results.

Celebrity Ox/Horse Pairings^*

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

Barack Obama and Joe Biden (click for attribution/s)

Barack Obama (8/4/1961, Leo Ox), Joe Biden (11/20/1942, Scorpio Horse) : Despite the much-publicised "bromance" between the 44th and 46th US Presidents, reports of rivalry and tension between Obama and Biden have also surfaced during their respective administrations. New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin described in 2022: "[F]or all the talk Biden and Obama do about being brothers and good friends, they’re actually not that close. They don’t talk super often today. There’s a rivalry there...Biden’s a prideful guy. And he knew he was looked down on in the White House when he was [Obama's] VP, and he loved the idea of being a bigger historic figure than Obama."

Dwight Howard (12/8/1985, Sagittarius Ox), Kobe Bryant (8/23/1978, Virgo Horse) : After the late basketball champion Bryant died tragically in 2020, his one-time Lakers teammate Howard told movingly, "A lot of people thought me and Kobe hated each other and stuff like that...There were times where we just didn’t understand each other and I didn’t get a chance to tell him how appreciative I was for our time together."

Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan (click for attribution/s)

Meg Ryan (11/19/1961, Scorpio Ox), Dennis Quaid (4/9/1954, Aries Horse) : Once one of the world's most famous celebrity couples, Ryan and Quaid divorced in 2001. In 2008, Ryan accused Quaid of serial infidelity during their marriage, to which he responded, "I find it unbelievable that Meg continues publicly to rehash and rewrite the story of our relationship."

Richard Gere (8/31/1949, Virgo Ox), Cindy Crawford (2/20/1966, Pisces Horse) : The actor and supermodel were married for four years in the early 1990s. Crawford said in 2016, "I don’t know if we were ever friends – like peers, because I was young, and he was Richard Gere. And then, as I started kind of growing up and growing into myself – it’s hard to change the nature of a relationship once you’re already in it."

Photo of Helmut Kohl and Margaret Thatcher (click for attribution/s)

Margaret Thatcher (10/13/1925, Libra Ox), Helmut Kohl (4/3/1930, Aries Horse) : The former German Chancellor and British Prime Minister shared a famously hostile relationship. To quote the head of the UK National Archives in 2019, "They didn't get on at all."

Neil Patrick Harris (6/15/1973, Gemini Ox), Perez Hilton (3/23/1978, Aries Horse) : The actor, singer and writer Harris has suggested that celebrity blogger Hilton conducted a sustained campaign to out him as gay: "There was an interview [in 2006] that claimed that I was asked if I was gay and that my publicist had said that I was 'not of that persuasion.' That was the weird catalyst tipping point because that expression set Perez Hilton off. He was offended by that and then started posting about me and asking people to come forward with truths or stories. Then it became apparent that I needed to make some sort of decisive respectable move."

Paul Newman (1/26/1925, Aquarius Ox), Steve McQueen (3/24/1930, Aries Horse) : These two acting legends starred together in The Towering Inferno, and shared an equally famous love of motor racing, but seem to have brought the worst out in one another off-screen. It has been reported that Newman called McQueen "chicken s—" for counting the number of lines they both had in Inferno, and that the two competed over who was given top billing.

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Final Words

The Square energy between firstwest and secondwest is perhaps as contrary as any in the Western zodiac. However, while it may sometimes feel as if there is nothing these two cannot disagree about, their disputations can yield great positives, offering rare insight into their individual identities, and producing lifelong benefits. In this case, the greater challenge may be navigating the disturbing energy of the firsteast and secondeast, one of the Chinese zodiac’s most notorious combinations. Clear communication, independent roles in the relationship, and encouraging sensitivity wherever possible may be important for these two, if they are to maximize the available prospects for successful collaboration and affection.