horizon astrology banner image with composite nebula formations

Compatibility
Leo Monkey and Cancer Dog

The typically slow but steady progress of firstwest and secondwest towards inspiration and dedication may have a double benefit here, helping the respectful but reticent firsteast and secondeast energy develop closeness and dependability.

Western Zodiac sign, Leo
Western Zodiac sign, Cancer

Western Zodiac

Leo and Cancer

Compatibility overview

Next-door signs in Western astrology, like firstwest and secondwest, are often looked at with skepticism. Astrologers have traditionally thought of them as like real-life neighbors, who make each other nervous, and are best suited to respectful distance. In fact, however, there is considerable potential here. They may not let their guards down for a while, but these signs can ultimately become highly effective collaborators, and may share an enduring and rewarding bond.

Leo and Cancer - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the LEO MONKEY and CANCER DOG combined zodiac signs...

Adjacent to each other on the Western zodiac wheel, Cancer and Leo form what is known as a Semi-sextile aspect. This so-called minor influence—one of only two, with the Quincunx—has a less pronounced effect than other connections, which contributes both freedom and aimlessness to the relationship.

Certainly at the beginning, differences between these signs are likely to be more apparent than synergies. For one thing, the elements here are notoriously difficult to reconcile. Cancer is a Water sign, highly sensitive and emotionally fluid. They incline towards interior peacefulness, and are vulnerable to being overborne when crowded or pressured by others. Fire sign Leo, on the other hand, tends to be as passionate and commanding as anyone in the zodiac—fiery and resolute when strong, furious or smoldering when uneasy. Thus Cancer may find it hard to maintain a sense of themselves, as they either get riled up by Leo's abundant energy, or feel disturbed and long for greater tranquility. Leo, meanwhile, may find Cancer wayward, inconsistent, or moody, which can make Leo worry that their independent spirit is under threat, or that their ambitions for honor and social connection could be compromised.

Sustained contact, however, may produce transformative results for this pair. Cancer and Leo share highly compatible modalities. Cancer is a Cardinal sign, expressing the pure energy of beginnings, initiation, and inception. This is beautifully compatible with Leo's Fixed nature, with its emphasis on realization and real-world accomplishment. Hence, in spite of initial nervousness, these two are capable of forging highly successful collaborations.

Independence and dialogue will be essential for these two, given their differences. Yet the contrasting natures of Cancer and Leo also open up a world of creative possibilities, if they are able to work together successfully. Semi-sextile energy is also well-known for being conducive to bonds that strengthen and deepen over time. However frosty or standoffish Cancer and Leo are early in their relationship, they may ultimately forge one of the most dependable and nourishing alliances in the zodiac.

Celebrity Leo/Cancer Pairings*

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

Courtney Love and Edward Norton
Courtney Love and Edward Norton (click for attribution/s)

Courtney Love (7/9/1964, Cancer Dragon), Edward Norton (8/18/1969, Leo Rooster) : The actor and musician dated between 1996 and 1999, after they appeared together in The People Versus Larry Flynt (1996). Love has continued to speak fondly about Norton and to express regret about their separation. In 2006, she said: "I should have married Norton...I left him for a bad man who stole all my money. I left Ed Norton, who was good and wonderful, for an average bad man who was in A+R. It’s upsetting."

Vin Diesel (7/18/1967, Cancer Sheep), Paloma Jimenez (8/22/1983, Leo Pig) : The actor and model have been together since 2007 and have three children. Though they have said little about their relationship in public, Diesel has said: "While I was doing [The Pacifier (2005)], it really started to bring out this desire to have a child. It took a couple years after that to find the right person and to hopefully be mature enough to be a great father which is really all you want to do." About Jimenez, he has described: "She's so stunningly beautiful, but the thing people don't realize is she's my rock, so she's so stunningly beautiful on the inside. She's just so wonderful in so many ways."

Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall
Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall (click for attribution/s)

Jerry Hall (7/2/1956, Cancer Monkey), Mick Jagger (7/26/1943, Leo Sheep) : The Rolling Stones frontman and model/actor were together from 1977 to 1999 and had four children. (An ostensible 'marriage' in Indonesia in 1990 was later annulled.) Their relationship was frequently interrupted by Jagger's infidelities. Hall described in 2003: "[Jagger is] a sick, addictive womanizer who made me very unhappy...[Now he] lives next door and doesn't have a kitchen. I'm trying to get him to get his own place -- with a kitchen...He's the most fabulous ex- husband. He's extremely generous. We never argue about the children. We adore each other."

Anjelica Huston (7/8/1951, Cancer Rabbit), John Huston (8/5/1906, Leo Horse) : The director and actor were father and daughter. Anjelica Huston has described: "[My father] was often not with my mother and often not with me, which didn't alter in any way my profound love for him...That was what he did. He was an adventurer, and he lived in a grand style, and everything around him and everything he did was a grand gesture." In her memoir, Watch Me (2014), she recalled their first collaboration, A Walk with Love and Death (1969) as, "[A] personal, commercial, and professional disappointment." Describing the success of their later film, Prizzi's Honor (1985) (for which she won an Oscar), she wrote: "For Dad and me, it was proof that if you believe in each other, are willing to risk humiliation, and put your heart on the line, miracles can happen."

Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon
Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon (click for attribution/s)

Kevin Bacon (7/8/1958, Cancer Dog), Kyra Sedgwick (8/19/1965, Leo Snake) : The two actors share one of the most enduring Hollywood relationships, having married in 1988. They have two children. Bacon has said that that when they met on the set of Lemon Sky (1988), "I found her, you know, really very beautiful and sexy and aloof. And I was just immediately in love with her and she was just immediately put off by me." Sedgwick has described: "[Bacon] was very friendly and sweet and every night after work he would say, ‘Who wants to go out to dinner?' And the whole cast would say yes except for me. And later on he told me that the only person he wanted to say yes was me and I never said yes and he was always stuck with the check, poor guy...I had no great role models in terms of healthy marriages...but [after we got together] I knew in my heart and soul that he was the right person. It was an unquestionable truth of mine. I've never had anything like that before or after."

Darren de Gallo (7/21/1974, Cancer Tiger), Amy Adams (8/20/1974, Leo Tiger) : The two actors began dating a year after they met in an acting class, and after a seven-year engagement married in 2015. They have one child. Adams has described: "[de Gallo] has sacrificed a lot. But he travels with me and helps to keep the family together, and I really do appreciate that. But I don’t value it because he’s a man doing it, I value it because he’s my partner… My husband is an extremely competent caregiver."

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger
Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger (click for attribution/s)

Sylvester Stallone (7/6/1946, Cancer Dog), Arnold Schwarzenegger (7/30/1947, Leo Pig) : The two actors shared a high-profile rivalry as muscle-bound action stars in the 1980s and 1990s. Stallone has said that for a time the pair, "[C]ouldn't stand to be in the same galaxy...We truly, truly loathed each other." A low point, confirmed by Schwarzenegger, was when he feigned interest in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992), to lure Stallone into making a likely unsuccessful film. However, the two have since become strong friends. Stallone described in 2022: "Arnold’s very wise and he loves to talk about philosophies which have got him to where he is. It’s good to talk to a man who actually has put his money where his mouth is, and he’s achieved that. Then we start goofing around and being crazy — just laughing at the old times. I told him: 'We are the last two tyrannosaurus.' We’re the last two meat eaters, and there’s not much beef left out there. So we better enjoy each other."

Billie Holiday singing with decorative starry background

Explore sign profiles for combined Western and Chinese zodiac signs.

LGBTQ+ couple holding hands with decorative starry background

Explore the Golden Nine most compatible matches by combined sign, or the challenging energy of the Four Challenges.

Ava Gardner with a decorative starry background

Match a celebrity with any combined sign or birthdate.


Chinese Zodiac sign, the Monkey
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Dog

Chinese Zodiac

Monkey and Dog

Compatibility overview

The match between the firsteast and the secondeast has a lower profile than some other combinations in Chinese astrology, but there is potential for a strong relationship here. Occasional unevenness is likely, with pragmatism advisable from time to time. However, strong mutual respect and compatible work ethics can help to ensure happiness and success.

Monkey and Dog - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the LEO MONKEY and CANCER DOG combined zodiac signs...

The theory of the Chinese zodiac depends primarily on the four Trine Families, similar to the elements in Western astrology. Truth be told, the families of the Dog (with the Horse and Tiger) and the Monkey (with the Dragon and Rat) are not thought of as especially harmonious. In fact there are some difficult matches among this group (e.g., the Dog and Dragon, or the Monkey and Tiger). The Dog and Monkey thus have to depend on their individual characters, rather than the blessings of mystical energy, to make their relationship work.

Happily these two have important values in common. The Dog prides themselves on supporting people and causes they believe are deserving. Given that the Monkey is known around the world for their genius talents and spirited energy, the Dog will tend to be impressed immediately. The Monkey aspires to great feats of imagination and ingenuity, so the Dog's devotion and capacity for hard work can be at once inspiring and grounding. Especially early in the relationship, these areas of compatibility may lead to considerable excitement. Over time, this connection may mature into real emotional depth. For all their gifts, the Monkey is prone to isolation, disappointment, or boredom. The Dog can be a trusted and dependable ally when the going is tough. The Dog, too, is more vulnerable to anxiety than they appear, and the Monkey's charms may prove to be a delightful and supportive distraction.

The tendency of both of these signs to experience depression or stress at times can be a source of tension between them as well. The Dog may be unsettled by the Monkey's rapid changes in mood. If the Monkey's patience is tested, they may look for amusement and inspiration elsewhere, which can make the Dog feel lonely and nervous. Contrasting moral outlooks may also be an issue. The Dog usually adheres to a quite rigid value system, where the Monkey's ethical instincts tend to be as fluid and creative as the rest of their personality. Hence the Dog may find the Monkey sometimes too fickle for comfort. Conversely, the Monkey might see the Dog from time to time as single or closed minded in their thinking. Navigating these challenges may be difficult from time to time, but in the right circumstances these two signs can agree so strongly about the "big picture" that their collaboration remains solid. In that case, this relationship may prove nourishing and effective, long into the future.

Celebrity Monkey/Dog Pairings*

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

Anthony Bourdain and Roy Choi
Anthony Bourdain and Roy Choi (click for attribution/s)

Anthony Bourdain (6/25/1956, Cancer Monkey), Roy Choi (2/24/1970, Pisces Dog) : The two celebrity chefs were close friends, with Choi appearing on episodes of Bourdain's series, The Layover (2011-2013), and Parts Unknown (2013-2018). Bourdain wrote about Choi for Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2016, "Chef, activist, film producer, restaurateur and author of a superb memoir, L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food, Roy Choi has put it all on the line to improve the quality of life for people few others seem to care about. It’s not a pose, it’s not a cause: it’s who he is." Choi described in 2013 about their first meeting, "[W]e connected mid-conversation like we knew each other from an alternate life."

Jennifer Flavin (8/14/1968, Leo Monkey), Sylvester Stallone (7/6/1946, Cancer Dog) : The actor and entrepreneur dated from 1988 to 1994, and later married in 1997. They have three children. In 1991, Stallone said, "When we come together, it is wonderful. When we are separate, there are no strings attached. That’s the way it is. No strings." He famously broke up with Flavin by letter in 1995. In 2021, Stallone described: "I’ve never had more fun. I learned that from my wife... It took me 19 years to realize she’s always right. I realized that women have a knack, at least Jennifer, for making incredibly erudite, wise, smart decisions. I always leap without looking. She always looks and never leaps. She’s incredibly safe. So now finally, I say: 'Honey, you make all the decisions. Done, done, done. I trust you.' I never had that before. Ever."

George Lucas (5/14/1944, Taurus Monkey), Steven Spielberg (12/18/1946, Sagittarius Dog) : The two film-makers are longtime friends and colleagues, who famously collaborated on the Indiana Jones movies. Lucas has described: "I showed [Star Wars] to all of my friends early on, but it was mostly filled with stock footage of old war movies and all kinds of stuff. They saw it and said, 'Poor George. What were you thinking?' Steven [Spielberg] had jumped up, and said, 'This is going to be the biggest movie of all time.' Everybody in the room looked up at Steven and said, ‘Poor Steven.'"

Andy Garcia (4/12/1956, Aries Monkey), Marivi Lorido Garcia (4/19/1958, Aries Dog) : The actor and film producer have been married since 1982 and have four children together. They became engaged before Garcia achieved his significant success as an actor. Garcia has spoken several times about how quickly they formed a strong bond. On one occasion he said, "It was love at first sight. I always knew I would marry [Marivi]." On another, he commented, "I proposed to her on the first date and she said yes."

Shirley MacLaine and Elizabeth Taylor
Shirley MacLaine and Elizabeth Taylor (click for attribution/s)

Elizabeth Taylor (2/27/1932, Pisces Monkey), Shirley MacLaine (4/24/1934, Taurus Dog) : The two iconic actors were lifelong friends, who met in their early 20s. After Taylor died in 2011, Maclaine described: "In recent years, I would go up to Elizabeth's home all the time to make sure she was exercising or I would send someone else to make her get in the pool. She was not a fan of exercise, so most of the time we would end up taking out her jewellery and just looking at it in the sunlight...She was so much more down to earth than you would imagine. I miss her deep, deep humanity – something you don't find very often. And, of course, her humour. We wanted to make fun of the world together. Not to look down on it, though. We just watched."

Adrian Edmondson (1/24/1957, Aquarius Monkey), Jennifer Saunders (7/6/1958, Cancer Dog) : The two comedians/actors first met in a strip club. They have been married since 1985 and have three children together. Edmonson has recounted: "I tried to propose on horseback. Jennifer likes horses so I thought that would be a good idea. The only fault with the plan was that I can’t ride. I didn’t quite fall off, but I didn’t get round to proposing either, until we sat down to dinner."

Viggo Mortensen and Ariadna Gil
Viggo Mortensen and Ariadna Gil (click for attribution/s)

Ariadna Gil (1/23/1969, Aquarius Monkey), Viggo Mortensen (10/20/1958, Libra Dog) : The two popular actors have famously avoided the limelight but became partners around 2008/2009. Both have children from previous marriages.

T.I. (9/25/1980, Libra Monkey), Lil Wayne (9/27/1982, Libra Dog) : The two rappers collaborated multiple times in the early 2000s, including on the "Swagger Like Us" remix with Kanye West, "We Takin Over" with DJ Khaled, and "Soldier" with Destiny’s Child. After a falling out around 2016, they reconciled to perform together at the Dreamville Festival in 2022. Lil Wayne told the audience, "[W]hen I pulled up, I heard the [expletive] King on stage when I pulled up. Shout out to the [expletive] King T.I. You already know what it is. That’s my real [expletive] brother right there. That’s my [expletive] daughter’s uncle; y’all don’t even understand, man."


Combined Relationship Horoscope

Final Words

The minor semi-Sextile aspect often needs a head start to find its feet, so it may take a while for firstwest and secondwest to progress beyond initial nervousness to the impactful and nourishing bond they are capable of. The influence of the firsteast and secondeast on the Chinese zodiac side will likely both aid and hinder this process, contributing a blend of caring admiration with respectful distance. Given sensitivity and perseverance, however, on balance the synergies here could lead to a bond that grows ever closer over time, yielding impressive impacts and an enjoyable, reliable bond.

Two raccoons next to each other peering over tree with starry background.jpg


Also on Horizon Astrology...

Bruce Lee with a decorative starry background

Explore celebrity news and events through a lens of the Western and Chinese zodiacs .

Aretha Franklin with decorative starry background

Explore sign profiles for combined Western and Chinese zodiac signs.

Elton John performing in the 1970s wearing flamboyant outfit with decorative starry background

Match a celebrity with any combined sign or birthdate.

Frank Sinatra with decorative starry background

Explore the combined Western and Chinese zodiac signs for celebrities from all walks of life.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter with decorative starry background

Explore relationship horoscopes for any two celebrities.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with decorative starry background

Explore your Golden Nine most compatible combined signs - with celebrity examples.

Amy Winehouse with decorative starry background

Explore the Four Challenges, your most challenging energy matches - with celebrity examples.