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Compatibility
Leo Rat and Pisces Horse

The strange magic of the firstwest secondwest connection may soothe the spectacular yet combative combination of firsteast and secondeast.

Western Zodiac sign, Leo
Western Zodiac sign, Pisces

Western Zodiac

Leo and Pisces

Compatibility overview

This enigmatic pairing, as intense and inspiring as it is bewildering, can ultimately prove a wonderful blessing for both signs. firstwest and secondwest are in many respects polar opposites, and their different outlooks can sometimes make it seem as if confusion waits around every corner. Yet there is a strange magic about this connection that, given the right circumstances, offers compelling and lasting rewards.

Leo and Pisces - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the LEO RAT and PISCES HORSE combined zodiac signs...

An interval of five steps around the Western zodiac wheel, as between Leo and Pisces, produces a Quincunx (or inconjunct) aspect. This is one of only two minor aspects—along with the Semi-Sextile—which means the energy here is less determinative, more fluid, than other influences.

From the beginning, Leo and Pisces are likely to experience both an exhilarating sense of freedom to be themselves, and a disorienting absence of clear direction. The respective elements—Fire for Leo and Water for Pisces—have one of the worst reputations for compatibility in Western astrology. This is why, traditionally, astrologers tended to seem them as cosmic strangers, with next to nothing in common. It is true—especially in the beginning—that finding equilibrium may be a challenge. Feisty Leo may seem overbearing and dictatorial to gentle, mild-mannered Pisces, while Pisces can appear perpetually changeable and wishy-washy to the resolute, lion-like personality of Leo. Leo, a natural-born leader, tends to love the limelight as much as the limelight loves them, whereas Pisces is probably the shiest and most easily overawed of all the Western signs. Hence it can be quite difficult for these two to agree about essential matters like where to go, and what to do.

The great mystery of the Quincunx, however, means that these apparently serious incompatibilities are often not experienced as overly challenging. In fact, these opposite signs can share a great and lasting attraction, at a physical level certainly, but also intellectually and creatively. Leo's Fixed modality offers real-world achievement, actualization, and impact. This is a perfect complement to Pisces' Mutable energy, which emphasizes implications, consequences, and potential for the future. Shared projects between these signs may provoke all manner of disagreements, but they are destined to be both highly original and fully realized.

Leo and Pisces are likely to need plenty of room to move and work independently. Problems will also need to be dealt with quickly, for Quincunx energy is vulnerable to instability and resentment if wounds are left untreated. With sensitivity and effective strategies in place, however, the potential for personal and creative growth here is virtually unlimited. Ultimately, there is every chance of a lasting, warm, and deeply nourishing relationship.

Celebrity Leo/Pisces Pairings*

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

Elaine Anderson Steinbeck and John Steinbeck
Elaine Anderson Steinbeck and John Steinbeck (click for attribution/s)

Elaine Anderson Steinbeck (8/14/1914, Leo Tiger), John Steinbeck (2/27/1902, Pisces Tiger) : Celebrated author John Steinbeck and stage manager Elaine Steinbeck were married from 1950 until John's death in 1968. In a letter written shortly after they first met, John described: "I have the excited feeling of a storm. Something has changed of course—something I didn’t think ever could again and I am a little terrified but I surely would not have it any other way...Do you know, I am putting off ending this letter as though the end would be the end of something I want to hold on to."

Mila Kunis (8/14/1983, Leo Pig), Glenn Close (3/19/1947, Pisces Pig) : The two actors formed a close friendship when they co-starred together in the film, Four Good Days (2020). Close described: "I absolutely adore Mila. She’s really gifted, she leapt into this part, and for someone who is known for romantic comedy and for being so beautiful, she just really found a character very true to the character. From the very beginning we had great chemistry so she’s now a friend for life." Kunis said, "[Close is] just great to be around, energetically and otherwise, everything about her, her effortless nature, it’s infectious."

Gabriel García Márquez and Fidel Castro
Gabriel García Márquez and Fidel Castro (click for attribution/s)

Fidel Castro (8/13/1926, Leo Tiger), Gabriel García Márquez (3/6/1927, Pisces Rabbit) : The Cuban leader Castro and author Garcia Marquez shared a close friendship from around 1977 until Marquez' death in 2014. Among many connections, Marquez was known to send advance copies of his manuscripts to Castro for fact-checking, as documented in the book, Fidel & Gabo: A Portrait of the Legendary Friendship Between Fidel Castro and Gabriel Garcia Marquez (2009), by Angel Esteban and Stephanie Panichelli. In 2006, Marquez described: "When [Castro] talks with people in the street, his conversation regains the expressiveness and crude frankness of genuine affection...This is the Fidel Castro that I believe I know. A man of austere habits and insatiable illusions, with an old-fashioned formal education of cautious words and subdued tones, and incapable of conceiving any idea that is not colossal."

Pat Metheny (8/12/1954, Leo Horse), Ornette Coleman (3/9/1930, Pisces Horse) : The two celebrated jazz musicians—Coleman a saxophonist and Metheny a guitarist—joined together to record the album, Song X (1986). Metheny described later: "The weeks leading up to the making of [Song X] were really intense, and unbelievably inspiring. In our first meeting, we agreed that we should try to do something that was unlike anything that might be expected of either of us – and that we should try to develop a language and a way of playing together that was particular to this project...In addition to being one of the giants of modern music, Ornette is one of the most gentle and soulful human beings on the face of the earth. His humor, so evident in his music, informs all aspects of his off-the-bandstand behavior as well – his music being literally a perfect reflection of the man inside. And his in humility, in the face of his overwhelming accomplishments and abilities, we find a reserve of personal wisdom that matches his gift as a musician."

Kay Cannon and Camila Cabello
Kay Cannon and Camila Cabello (click for attribution/s)

Kay Cannon (8/22/1974, Leo Tiger), Camila Cabello (3/3/1997, Pisces Ox) : The director Cannon collaborated with Cabello on the movie musical, Cinderella (2021). Cannon described: "Well, it was amazing working with [Cabello]. I mean, really, truly. I felt like we were a perfect match. I think we both had a lot at stake. It was her first time acting. And then her first time acting, she's playing Cinderella, this iconic character. And it's a big movie for me, too. I had never directed a musical. So we really connected and we really trusted each other. We have very similar senses of humor, and I think what she brings to the table is this rawness. She's a really hard worker. She's very smart, so she sees the world through these young eyes, but they're informed young eyes, where she's always trying to learn."

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner (click for attribution/s)

Joe Jonas (8/15/1989, Leo Snake), Sophie Turner (2/21/1996, Pisces Rat) : The singer/songwriter/actor Jonas and actor Turner began dating in 2016, and married in 2019. They have two children. Turner described about their first meeting: "I remember the two of us spending only a couple of minutes on the dance floor, and then we just found a space far in the corner and we just talked. We talked for hours, and hours, and hours. And I was, like, not bored. It wasn't contrived. It wasn't small talk — it was just so easy. And soon we were, like, inseparable. I went on tour with him."

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Chinese Zodiac sign, the Rat
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Horse

Chinese Zodiac

Rat and Horse

Compatibility overview

Western astrology is generally more forgiving of potential discord than its Chinese counterpart. Unfortunately, the match between the firsteast and the secondeast has a reputation for seriously destabilizing energy. This can produce a myriad of conflicts. The prognosis is not all negative, however. For as unsettling as it can be for the parties themselves, this match-up is capable of generating some awesomely powerful impacts.

Rat and Horse - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the LEO RAT and PISCES HORSE combined zodiac signs...

Facing each other diametrically across the Chinese zodiac wheel are the six infamous Opposite combinations. Traditionally, these matches are understood to involve nearly constant and irreconcilable tension. In the case of the Horse and the Rat, the dashing independence of the former collides with the latter's calculating cleverness.

The Horse is perhaps the sign with the greatest need for freedom. It is almost impossible for them to feel comfortable if they sense they are being controlled. The Rat, on the other hand, is a profoundly social, romantic creature. Their inner fulfilment depends on closeness to others and being able to use their strategic skills to promote their own interests and those close to them. A combination of the Horse and Rat thus tends to produce a vicious circle where both are constantly on edge. The Horse can feel restricted and manipulated, where the Rat feels abandoned, vulnerable, and unappreciated.

Recurrent problems are especially a feature of love affairs. The old adage about opposites attracting can draw these two together initially, and strong sexual tension is not unexpected. But eventually the Horse's craving for independence is likely to lead to withdrawal or selfishness. The neglected Rat may become increasingly needy and could even turn to scheming against the distant, aloof Horse.

Characteristically for Opposite matches, however, the troublesome aspects of this energy can generate extraordinarily potent results. Imagine partner stand-ups, where the force of two people pushing backwards into each other propels them upward. Because the Horse and Rat have so little in common, any kind of collaboration, alliance, even feud, that brings them together benefits from a complete spectrum of energy. The potential for capturing attention or generating triumphs of innovation is virtually unlimited.

To be sure, the partnership may prove too combative for the parties themselves to really enjoy each other's successes. But with soothing influences on the Western side, or earnest mutual understanding, these two may be able to profit admirably from the powerful, if conflictive, energy that unites them.

Celebrity Rat/Horse Pairings*

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

Robin Wright and Sean Penn
Robin Wright and Sean Penn (click for attribution/s)

Sean Penn (8/17/1960, Leo Rat), Robin Wright (4/8/1966, Aries Horse) : The two actors shared an on-off relationship from 1989 to 1995 and had two children together. After separating in 1995, they reconciled and married in 1996. They filed for divorce in 2007, reconciled again for a time, and finally divorced in 2010. Penn said in 2018, "[We] don't have a lot of conversation...We don’t not get along. We have very separate relationships with our kids at this point and it seems to work better that way because they are making their own decisions. As it turned out she and I did not share the same ethical views on parenting, including the continuing parenting of adult children."

David Duchovny (8/7/1960, Leo Rat), Téa Leoni (2/25/1966, Pisces Horse) : The two actors married in 1997 and had two children together. They separated in 2008 before Duchovny received treatment for sex addiction. After reuniting for a time, they divorced in 2014. Leoni has described: "David gave me the two greatest gifts on the planet; I don't know how I could ever hate him...I'm not playing stupid—I understand feelings can get hurt and things can get icky. We've had our moments like that. But these kids are too important, and he feels the same way."

Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant
Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant (click for attribution/s)

Carmelo Anthony (5/29/1984, Gemini Rat), Kobe Bryant (8/23/1978, Virgo Horse) : These US basketball legends shared an amicable but heated on-court rivalry, especially during the 2009 Western Conference Finals. Anthony has described: "You know Kob, man, he going at your neck. He’s saying [expletive] to you, elbowing you. I had my braids back then too, so he’s touching my head. I’m like, 'What the [expletive] are you doing? Don’t touch my head.' You know what I’m saying? Like, 'Don’t touch me no more, dawg.'" When the pair faced each other, they would embrace and say, "It's war."

Jennifer Garner (4/17/1972, Aries Rat), Halle Berry (8/14/1966, Leo Horse) : The two actors testified together before a California State Assembly Committee about the need for their children to be legally protected from the paparazzi. Berry said at one point, "We're moms here, just trying to protect our children."

Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas
Sonia Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas (click for attribution/s)

Clarence Thomas (6/23/1948, Cancer Rat), Sonia Sotomayor (6/25/1954, Cancer Horse) : These US Supreme Court judges have starkly different reputations. However, while alluding to conflicts about judicial business, Sotomayor has spoken of the friendship between them: "I see in [Thomas] the basic caring about people that I have. We are both committed friends and committed family members. And so, in seeing that good in him, there is no reason for me to take our personal disputes and translate it into our personal interactions. We work together. We have to work together for the rest of our time on the court."

Marlon Brando (4/3/1924, Aries Rat), James Dean (2/8/1931, Aquarius Horse) : There have been rumours that these two actors shared a disturbing intimate relationship, with Brando attempting to dominate Dean in various ways. What is more certain is that Dean idolized Brando, copying his choices of motorcycle and bongo-playing hobby, while Brando made publicly disparaging comments about Dean. "Mr. Dean appears to be wearing my last year's wardrobe and using my last year's talent," is one quote attributed to Brando; "I gave [Dean] the name of a psycho-analyst and he went. At least his work improved," is another.


Combined Relationship Horoscope

Final Words

The Quincunx aspect between firstwest and secondwest is one of the Western zodiac’s most puzzling yet impressive influences, often spinning apparently irreconcilable differences into creative fulfillment and emotional security. The best qualities of this energy may be indispensable here, as the confrontational firsteast and secondeast match provides little calm or reassurance, instead driving both parties impatiently towards attention and success.

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