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Compatibility
Cancer Sheep and Libra Rat

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 sign, Cancer
Western Zodiac sign, Libra

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...

Read more about the CANCER SHEEP and LIBRA RAT combined zodiac signs...

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
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
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
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
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 sign, the Sheep
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Rat

Chinese Zodiac

Sheep and Rat

Compatibility overview

It's well known that the Chinese zodiac does not mince words about combinations that are deemed unfavorable. Unfortunately, the match between firsteast and secondeast has a harsh reputation for conflict, instability, and anxiety.

Sheep and Rat - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the CANCER SHEEP and LIBRA RAT combined zodiac signs...

Among all the combinations in the Chinese zodiac, the six Adversary matches along the fourth degree axis—among them the Rat and Sheep—are said to be the most troublesome. True, there can be some superficial similarities. Both of these signs, for example, possess strongly creative instincts, especially in connection with written and verbal expression. Sadly, any such affinity tends to be fleeting at best. For in this match, secrecy meets openness, thrift meets charity, and cunning meets innocence.

Where the Rat is a celebrated pragmatist, ever alive to opportunities for profit and advantage, the Sheep is a pure-hearted idealist. The instinctually cagey Rat tends to find the Sheep a blabbermouth, whose erraticism—especially in financial affairs—makes them difficult to trust with serious information. The Sheep, on the other hand, is likely to find the Rat's nature coldly calculating and manipulative, a constant threat to their need for benevolence and peace. The result can be a relationship where turmoil is the norm, and neither party is able to settle for long into a comfortable routine.

The turbulence of this Adversary energy is more indirect than direct, indicating that conflict is more likely to fester than explode. In this combination, secrecy may be weaponized in various forms, leading to deviousness, obfuscation, even betrayal. The respective language skills of the Rat and Sheep mean criticism from either party can be stunning and lead to lasting damage. Angst, particularly on the part of the Sheep, may lead to expensive debts or other kinds of profligacy.

In all, this is match that calls for great care. It will take strong countervailing energy on the Western side or two highly-evolved individuals to translate this energy into successful outcomes.

Celebrity Sheep/Rat Pairings*

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

Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher
Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher (click for attribution/s)

Liam Gallagher (9/21/1972, Virgo Rat), Noel Gallagher (5/29/1967, Gemini Sheep) : The brothers and founding members of the band Oasis share one of the most iconic feuds in rock music. In 1995, a fourteen-minute recording of them arguing and swearing at each other during an interview the previous year, entitled "Wibbling Rivalry", became the highest-charting interview release ever in the UK. In 2009, Noel famously said: "[Liam's] the angriest man you'll ever meet. He's like a man with a fork in a world of soup."

Carmen Electra (4/20/1972, Taurus Rat), Dave Navarro (6/7/1967, Gemini Sheep) : The actor/model and musician were married from 2003 to 2007. The lead-up to their wedding was televised in the reality show, 'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave (2004). They have remained friendly since their break-up—in 2019, Electra posted to Instagram: "Happy Birthday @davenavarro my eternal love for u is beyond words . We had this strange understanding for each other that resulted in lots of laughter , fun & and understanding ! Ty 4 letting me be my true self and not judging my flaws . I mean .... the time out system really worked 😂🙌🏼 so grateful we are still friends ! I love u DN #happybirthday #tildeathdouspart."

Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna
Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna (click for attribution/s)

Ayrton Senna (3/21/1960, Aries Rat), Alain Prost (2/24/1955, Pisces Sheep) : The intense rivalry between these two Formula 1 drivers is one of the most famous in sports history. In 1990, after Senna deliberately drove his McLaren into Prost's Ferrari to win the World Drivers' Championship, Prost said: "What he did was disgusting. He is a man without value."

Hugh Grant (9/9/1960), Virgo Rat), Julia Roberts (10/28/1967, Scorpio Sheep) : The two actors co-starred in the successful romantic comedy, Notting Hill (1999). Later, Grant famously made a less than complimentary joke, saying that, "[Roberts] had such a large mouth...I was aware of a faint echo as I was kissing her."

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (click for attribution/s)

Spencer Tracy (4/5/1900, Aries Rat), Katharine Hepburn (5/12/1907, Taurus Sheep) : The two Hollywood icons famously had an affair that lasted 27 years, as Tracy was a Catholic who refused to consider divorcing his wife. According to reports, Tracy was known for his alcoholism and infidelity during the relationship. Hepburn once said: "What would be the point [of leaving Tracy]? I mean, I loved him. And I wanted to be with him. If I had left, we would both have been miserable." She wrote about his death: "[Tracy] looked so happy to be done with living, which for all his accomplishments had been a frightful burden for him."

Marlon Brando (4/3/1924, Aries Rat), John Wayne (5/26/1907, Gemini Sheep) : The two actors shared a famous conflict after Brando refused his Oscar for Best Actor for The Godfather (1973). Brando asked a Native American woman, Sacheen Littlefeather, to refuse the award on his behalf, to protest the treatment of Native Americans in films and on TV. Littlefeather later recalled that six security guards had to restrain Wayne from rushing the stage while she spoke. Wayne said in an interview: "I think it was sad that Brando did what he did. If he had something to say, he should have appeared that night and stated his views instead of taking some little unknown girl and dressing her up in an Indian outfit."


Combined Relationship Horoscope

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.

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