HORIZON ASTROLOGY

Compatibility
Taurus Horse and Aquarius Rat

As combative and intense as any relationship under the sun—yet there may be critical benefits here, as firstwest and secondwest offer rare prospects for personal growth, and the firsteast and secondeast can provide extraordinary achievements and social impact.

Western Zodiac

Taurus and Aquarius

Compatibility overview

The whirling, combustible match between firstwest and secondwest is one of the most powerful energies in the Western zodiac. Plain sailing this is almost certainly not, for on any given topic these two are probably more likely to disagree than agree. Yet conflicts here tend to be essentially constructive rather than destructive, meaning relationships have terrific potential for impact and personal growth.

Taurus and Aquarius - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the TAURUS and AQUARIUS zodiac signs...

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Signs that are three steps apart around the Western zodiac wheel, like Aquarius and Taurus, form a Square interval, a hard angle of 90°. This is basically as much tension as it's possible to find in Western astrology. Challenges, contrasting opinions, or outright confrontations are likely to emerge fast.

Aquarius, an Air sign, is typically high-spirited, cerebral, and unconventional. Air may be generally the most adaptable of the elements, but it is still an uneasy mix with the solidity and determination of Taurus' Earth element. Hence Taurus often finds Aquarius to be disconcertingly changeable, abstract, or unpredictable. Aquarius, on the other hand, can consider Taurus something of an immoveable object, whose lack of flexibility stifles precious freedom of thought and action. Even seemingly innocuous topics can provoke opposing responses between these two.

Taurus likes to build a secure existence from the ground up, and they usually have resolute opinions about behaviors they think are desirable or not. Aquarius, however, is defined by a wide acceptance of viewpoints and people, and they are much more interested in universal concerns than local ones. These differences might be less conspicuous if Aquarius and Taurus did not share a Fixed modality, with its emphasis on achievement, implementation, and realization. Without the balancing influence of a different modality, neither sign will want to give an inch.

The success of the Aquarius/Taurus combination therefore depends more on how the signs' opposing instincts are managed, rather than trying to avoid them. For one thing, disagreements need not cause displeasure. Quite quickly, sources of potential tension can become so obvious that they contribute playfulness, humor, or flirtatiousness to the relationship. More importantly in the long term, sites of contestation can become invaluable for personal growth. Square energy is essentially both transformative and positive. Through this relationship, Taurus and Aquarius can crystallize what is most important to them: things that can be compromised, and things that cannot.

Square relationships like this may need to evolve or compartmentalize, in order to benefit rather than suffer from the intense energy at play. However, one way or another, the result is capable of being profoundly enriching and inspiring for this contrary astrological pairing.

Celebrity Taurus/Aquarius Pairings^*

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

George Lucas and John Williams (click for attribution/s)

George Lucas (5/14/1944, Taurus Monkey), John Williams (2/8/1932, Aquarius Monkey) : The composer and film director/producer shared one of the most iconic collaborations of all time in the Star Wars movies. In a recent interview, Williams remembered that Lucas originally wanted to use pre-existing classical music for the film, but Williams convinced him to use original music that could be manipulated to suit the drama. Contacted for comment, Lucas' representative responded that the director "never intended to use extant music in the film."

Dennis Hopper (5/17/1936, Taurus Rat), Rip Torn (2/6/1931, Aquarius Horse) : The actor and actor/director were famously in discussions in 1969 for Torn to appear in the Hopper-directed film, Easy Rider. Years later, Hopper accused Torn of pulling a knife on him over a dinner, to which Torn responded that it was Hopper who had pulled the knife on him. Torn sued Hopper for slander, and in 1998 won almost $1 million in damages.

Robert and Leslie Zemeckis (click for attribution/s)

Robert Zemeckis (5/14/1951, Taurus Rabbit), Leslie Zemeckis (2/5/1969, Aquarius Monkey) : The director and actor/filmmaker/author have been married since 2001 and have three children together. Robert Zemeckis described in 2018: "We are very supportive of each other when it comes to our individual endeavors and our endeavors together. We understand the ebb and flow of our careers and sometimes one person’s project takes priority over the other. It’s important to have individual, outside interests to fulfill oneself so as not to become dependent on the relationship for fulfillment."

Shirley MacLaine (4/24/1934, Taurus Dog), Steve Parker (2/6/1922, Aquarius Dog) : The actor and film producer were married from 1954 to 1982 and had a daughter together. Describing their unorthodox relationship, Maclaine has said: "I guess you would say 'practiced an open marriage' in 1954, which was another lifetime. No one understood it. We did. He lived in Japan basically, I lived in America working, and this and that. We'd meet up, always great friends, traveled sometimes together."

Valerie Bertinelli and Eddie Van Halen (click for attribution/s)

Valerie Bertinelli (4/23/1960, Taurus Rat), Eddie Van Halen (1/26/1955, Aquarius Sheep) : The musician/founding member of the band Van Halen and actor were married from 1981 to 2007 and had one child (Wolfgang Van Halen) together. In her book Enough Already, Bertinelli described how the couple remained close after separating in 2001: "Ed and I grew even closer together. We couldn’t live with each other, but we found it impossible to live completely apart."

Cate Blanchett (5/14/1969, Taurus Rooster), Andrew Upton (2/1/1966, Aquarius Horse) : The actor and playwright have been married since 1997 and have four children together. Blanchett has described their courtship with characteristic irony: "I cooked him the worst meal. I somehow decided that to stuff a trout with walnuts and goat’s cheese would be a good idea. He ate it and then he asked me to marry him, so clearly he was, I don’t know, hallucinating."

Ava Gardner with a decorative starry background

Combined Zodiac
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Chinese Zodiac

Horse and Rat

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.

Horse and Rat - Relationship Horoscope

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

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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 Horse/Rat Pairings^*

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

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 (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 (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.

Robert Redford with decorative starry background

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Final Words

The Square combination of firstwest and secondwest may sometimes wonder if there is anything they agree about at all, yet this potent connection also offers rare opportunities for both signs to crystallize who they are and what they want out of life, and to cultivate greater self-awareness, patience and generosity in communicating. On the Chinese zodiac side, the energy between the firsteast and secondeast is similarly powerful and conflictive—though again there are countervailing positives, as few combinations can summon such a spectacular and impactful coalescence of energy. It may take a supreme effort to maintain this ferocious connection over the long term, but for as long as it endures, this is a recipe for a blazing, unforgettable relationship.