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Compatibility
Cancer Rat and Capricorn Monkey

With immensely favourable energy on the Western side (firstwest and secondwest), and often inseparable allies on the East (firsteast and secondeast), this is a once-in-a-lifetime match.

Western Zodiac sign, Cancer
Western Zodiac sign, Capricorn

Western Zodiac

Cancer and Capricorn

Compatibility overview

It is not always easy to believe, but the combination of firstwest and secondwest is actually one of the strongest matches in the Western zodiac. Make no mistake, these two are almost as likely to disagree as agree! But where they do see eye to eye, the force of their shared convictions can be astounding. Hence this partnership has rare prospects for collaboration and contentment.

Cancer and Capricorn - Relationship Horoscope

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

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

Facing each other across the Western zodiac wheel are six Opposition matches. One of these is the celebrated combination of Capricorn and Cancer.

To be sure, when these diametrically opposed signs meet, disputes and disagreements are more than likely. Cancer natives are profoundly sensitive, oriented by feelings and internal reflection, where Capricorns tend to be far more grounded, practical, and outward-looking. Cancer's instincts may may thus strike Capricorns as quite wishy-washy, even ineffectual. On the other hand, Capricorn's focus on human affairs and power relations could seem tedious, bordering on irrelevant, to the more abstract-minded Cancer. These are two Cardinal signs, meaning their different instincts both reflect initiating energy, beginnings that are not wholly formed. Hence when these two clash, it could well seem impossible to get anything off the ground.

So why on earth, given all this potential for tension, is this one of the most auspicious pairings in the whole of Western astrology? The answer lies, almost literally, on the other side of the coin. For where these two agree, there is little that can touch the inspiring, motivating force of their consensus. The potential weaknesses of these signs—Cancer's tendency towards being overborne and hypersensitive, Capricorn's occasional dourness and pessimism—can be transformed by their union into collective confidence, leadership, and joy. The respective elements of Earth (Capricorn) and Water (Cancer) are delightfully compatible, helping to turn the conflictive aspects of this energy into pleasure-filled and highly productive outcomes.

Hence, whether duelling or loving or anything in between, these two are usually propelling each other upwards, their individual selves and their relationship growing stronger by the day. The result is one of the most trusted combinations in the zodiac for security, advancement, and happiness.

Celebrity Cancer/Capricorn Pairings*

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

George W. Bush and Michelle Obama
George W. Bush and Michelle Obama (click for attribution/s)

George W. Bush (7/6/1946, Cancer Dog), Michelle Obama (1/17/1964, Capricorn Rabbit) : The 43rd US President and First Lady during the presidency of the 44th President have struck up a popular and for many surprising friendship. Obama described in 2018: "[Bush] is my partner in crime at every major thing where all the formers gather. So we’re together all the time, and I love him to death. He’s a wonderful man. He’s a funny man."

Patrick Stewart (7/13/1940, Cancer Dragon), Sunny Ozell (12/23/1978, Capricorn Horse) : The actor and singer/songwriter have been married since 2013. Responding to a question about the age difference between them, Ozell said, "He is so youthful and I guess I’m kind of an old worrywart, so we bridge the gap. It hasn’t come up much. He’s in better shape than I am, physically, which infuriates me." Stewart added, "I cannot fully understand this age thing. It’s not a matter of affectation, I honestly don’t know what happened, how I got here."

Prince William and Kate Middleton
Prince William and Kate Middleton (click for attribution/s)

Prince William (6/21/1982, Cancer Dog), Kate Middleton (1/9/1982, Capricorn Rooster) : The Prince and Princess of Wales (William is heir to the throne in the UK) first met in 2001 while at university. They have been married since 2011 and have three children together. Speaking about their courtship, William has described: "When I was trying to impress Kate, I was trying to cook these amazing fancy dinners, and all that would happen was, I would burn something, something would overspill, something would catch on fire, and she'd be sitting in the background just trying to help and [then] taking control of the whole situation."

Carl Thomas Dean (7/20/1942, Cancer Horse), Dolly Parton (1/19/1946, Capricorn Rooster) : The country legend and business entrepreneur eloped in 1966 and have been married for over 50 years. Dean has famously avoided the spotlight. To celebrate their 50-year anniversary, the couple renewed their vows, as Parton explained: "It’s been a good 50 years and I don’t know how many more years we'll have left. If I had it to do all over, I'd do it all over again, and we did. I'm dragging him kicking and screaming into the next 50 years."

Dove Cameron and Mitchell Hope
Dove Cameron and Mitchell Hope (click for attribution/s)

Mitchell Hope (6/27/1994, Cancer Dog), Dove Cameron (1/15/1996, Capricorn Pig) : The two actors formed a strong friendship when they co-starred in the Descendants series of movies (2015, 2017, and 2019). Cameron described in 2017: "[Mitchell's] a really sensitive human being and so am I. So when two people recognize a commonality, it’s like looking across the room at someone the first day of school and it’s like I see me in you and you see you in me...Mitchell and I were each others’ rocks in the first film. Then in the second film, we were inseparable. He’s like my best friend, my brother, best friend — which is why it’s so funny that we’re significant others in the film. But it creates this comfort-ability as actors where we get to really go there with each other. And I think that’s why there’s so much chemistry on screen, because I tell him everything! He’s like my best girlfriend, except he’s a guy. I spend every moment with him on set...Yeah, I laugh with him maybe more than anyone else."

Mary Stuart Masterson (6/28/1966, Cancer Horse), Jeremy Davidson (12/24/1971, Capricorn Pig) : The two actors have been married since 2006 and have four children together. They avoid attention and have settled in an unidentified small town, where they grow vegetables and keep bees. Masterson has described: "I had a lot of attention very young. It just became part of my norm to be unfindable, ungettable and private. I’ve always been such an individualist, and learning to have roots is something that’s coming to me later in life."

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Chinese Zodiac sign, the Rat
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Monkey

Chinese Zodiac

Rat and Monkey

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.

Rat and Monkey - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the CANCER RAT and CAPRICORN MONKEY 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 Rat/Monkey 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

Few relationships can hope to match the fortunate matrix of energy shared here. The Western Opposition pairing of firstwest and secondwest represents a celebrated mixture of productive disagreement and intense unity. On top of that, the combination of firsteast and secondeast brings together two of Eastern astrology's closest allies. Potentially a true relationship for the ages.

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