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Compatibility
Cancer Rooster and Pisces Rat

The connection between firstwest and secondwest is as prized as any in the Western zodiac for its charmed and stirring character, and here the natural affinity between the firsteast and the secondeast provides delightful, reliable accompaniment.

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too often lacks assertiveness—at least about their true nature—which can lead to them being alternately obliging or withdrawn, rather than accepting themselves with greater confidence.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

Chinese Zodiac

Rooster and Rat

Compatibility overview

There is an under-the-radar quality to this match, which quietly attracts some marvellously fortunate energy. The firsteast and secondeast are naturally sympathetic creatures, sharing similar concerns and having compatible ways of being in the world. The energy here can sometimes favor arm's length admiration over eternal love, but this is a dependable, enjoyable, and often deeply rewarding connection.

Rooster and Rat - Relationship Horoscope

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

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

Like the elements in Western astrology, the four Trine Families of the Chinese zodiac divide into two compatible pairs. The families of the Rat (with the Dragon and Monkey) and Rooster (with the Ox and Snake) make up one of these kindred pairs. There may be higher profile matches between their families, but the Rat and Rooster benefit generously from the enchanting atmosphere that surrounds them.

These signs both share a fascination with society and group dynamics—not from an academic or bystander's perspective, but as active participants, manoeuvring and pressing for change. The Rat, one of the craftiest of all the signs, will likely sense immediately the vast potential of the Rooster's flamboyance and fashion sense. The Rooster's gifts, of course, extend to great dedication and determination, and they will be equally drawn to the Rat's wisdom and strategic know-how. Causes that reflect or anticipate current fashions or the state of society at large will appeal immensely to this socially aware duo, and their combined talents can be awesomely effective. Financial concerns and successes are also strongly indicated here, as the Rooster is predestined to be business-oriented, while the Rat's financial acumen is legendary.

Tensions may arise from time to time in connection with individualism or secretiveness. The Rooster is an all-or-nothing type of character, very much accustomed to doing their own thing, whereas the Rat craves close social connection. Hence there may be times when the Rooster's tendency towards self-absorption makes the Rat feel lonely, or when the Rat seems overly clingy to the Rooster. These signs' instincts for problem-solving can also be quite different, with the Rooster having a more in-your-face attitude and the Rat excelling at delicacy and concealment. Both may find the other's approach occasionally jarring.

Happily these two are usually much more in tune than discord, and conflicts can mostly be dealt with quickly. Successful pairings may emphasise collaboration and mutual admiration, with plenty of scope for both parties to grow outside as well as within the relationship.

In whatever form and context, this is a special connection, which provides a strong foundation for lasting devotion, respect, and achievement.

Celebrity Rooster/Rat Pairings*

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

Nastassja Kinski and Quincy Jones
Nastassja Kinski and Quincy Jones (click for attribution/s)

Nastassja Kinski (1/24/1961, Aquarius Rat), Quincy Jones (3/14/1933, Pisces Rooster) : The actor and music producer lived together for four years until 1995 and had a daughter, the model Kenya Kinski-Jones. Kinski described in 1997, "For me, Quincy was someone who told me what to do and what was right...He was always there when I needed him and someone I could talk to and argue with. In a Freudian way he was the father I never had...It is a bit of an obstacle because you want to grow together in a healthy relationship...But I'm grateful for the time we had. I'm sure being with Quincy helped me become a better mother, a better human being."

Marlon Brando (4/3/1924, Aries Rat), Elia Kazan (9/7/1909, Virgo Rooster) : The actor and director collaborated multiple times, including on the classic films A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront. Speaking about the legendary scene in On the Waterfront where Brando's character says, "I could've been a contender," Kazan described: "I didn't direct that scene, really....They're perfectly-written lines [by screenwriter Budd Schulberg]. And Marlon naturally took to them....I think [Brandon and I] had a instinctive fraternity. I think we understood each other, almost from the word go, very well. And we would talk a lot about other things, but not a hell of a lot about the role...[H]e didn't need much instruction....[I'm not] being falsely modest. I think I'm a damn good director and have been a damn good director. But in this scene, I didn't direct that scene much - very little. I just put them there and so on."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (click for attribution/s)

Meghan Markle (8/4/1981, Leo Rooster), Prince Harry (9/15/1984, Virgo Rat) : The British prince and US actor married in 2018 and have two children. They have dominated the news during the early 2020s, including notably an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan, and the publication of Harry's book, Spare. Early in the relationship, Prince Harry described: "I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly — it was a confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned. This beautiful woman literally tripped and fell into my life. I fell into her life and the fact that she will be unbelievably good at the job part of it as well is obviously a huge relief to me because she'll be able to deal with everything else that comes with it."

Thandie Newton (11/6/1972, Scorpio Rat), Ol Parker (6/2/1969, Gemini Rooster) : The actor and director married in 1998 and have three children together. Newton has described: "[Parker is] [s]oooo calm. And we laugh, because I take the piss out of him. You know: shoulder-shrugging: 'It’s OK, babe.' And he takes the piss out of my … What would you describe it as? Highly emotional. As I’m thinking, the words will come. I don’t stop and think.' [with mock grandeur] Never been my way! That’s what it’s like in our house. A lot of music as well."

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez (click for attribution/s)

Ben Affleck (8/15/1972, Leo Rat), Jennifer Lopez (7/24/1969, Leo Rooster) : The two actors were one of the highest-profile couples in the world when they dated and got engaged in the early 2000s. After separating and building families with other partners, they reunited in 2021 and married in 2022. Lopez wrote about their wedding: "When he saw me appear at the top of the stairs that moment it both made absolute sense while seeming still impossibly hard to believe, like the best dream, where all you want is never to awaken...when I got close enough to see his face, it made the same wonderful sense to me. Some old wounds were healed that day and the weight of the past finally lifted off our shoulders. Full-circle — and not at all the way we planned it. Better."

Bridget Everett (4/21/1972, Taurus Rat), Amy Schumer (6/1/1981, Gemini Rooster) : The two comedians have been frequent collaborators, with Everett appearing in the Schumer-written film Trainwreck and all three finales of the show Inside Amy Schumer. Everett was asked in an interview about Schumer's rejection of the label "plus-size" being applied to her. Everett responded: "[Schumer's] reaction was just she's not plus size because she's not plus-sized...I am plus size. I am a big girl...Amy was the first person to tell me that I look beautiful and strong. There is no negative connotation to her about somebody being plus size. We never discussed this, but knowing Amy, I know that she doesn't want young girls or women that look up to her thinking that they are plus size — or fat — when they are a physically fit, strong size six to eight. It makes no sense...Amy is slim and trim and rock-hard and ready to go."


Combined Relationship Horoscope

Final Words

The Trine combination of firstwest and secondwest is among the most celebrated in all Western astrology. One of the few matches in the world where the respective elements and modalities are in perfect harmony, these two have the potential to provide each other with limitless inspiration, excitement, and commitment. The fire may burn a little less intensely on the Chinese zodiac side, but the pairing of the firsteast and secondeast nevertheless shares plenty of good fortune and a natural camaraderie that can be highly conducive to success. Overall, this is a special match for closeness and achievement, whatever the context.

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