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Compatibility
Virgo Horse and Sagittarius Ox

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, Virgo
Western Zodiac sign, Sagittarius

Western Zodiac

Virgo and Sagittarius

Compatibility overview

This is a stormy, yet nevertheless empowering connection. When firstwest and secondwest get together, even simple subjects can provoke furious debate—bystanders may find themselves figuratively and literally ducking for cover. But this relationship can also produce lifelong benefits, providing both signs with virtually unparalleled confidence and self-belief.

Virgo and Sagittarius - Relationship Horoscope

Read more about the VIRGO and SAGITTARIUS zodiac signs...

Read more about the VIRGO HORSE and SAGITTARIUS OX combined zodiac signs...

An interval of three steps around the Western zodiac wheel, as between Sagittarius and Virgo, forms a Square connection. This hard 90° angle is well known for its unyielding, potentially conflictive energy.

Sagittarius' instincts are essentially abstract, emphasizing a wholistic view of humanity and the natural world. Virgo, by contrast, is more concrete, interested in setting realistic goals and diligently applying themselves to achieve them. Sagittarius may thus feel as if they are being locked into attitudes and behaviors that are uncomfortably narrow, while Virgo finds it hard to get a firm footing, as if they never have enough control over what is happening. Part of the tension stems from the respective elements. Fire sign Sagittarius' is celebrated for their great energy and dynamic bursts, but they can also fade quickly if discouraged or neglected. Virgo's Earth is a much steadier influence, bringing patience and determination, as well as a tendency towards intransigence. In Virgo's mind, Sagittarius may be forever blowing disconcertingly too hot or too cold, while Sagittarius can find Virgo overly predictable, immoveable, or domineering.

Because these two signs share the same Mutable modality, there is little chance of escaping confrontation. As different as they are, they are both instinctively reflective, interested in implications, consequences, and effects. Without a balancing different modality, there is basically nowhere to hide. Fortunately, the strong tension here has powerful countervailing benefits. Difference always carries some potential for attraction, but these two can experience particular electricity. As time passes, a more significant effect may be lasting assuredness and self-understanding.

Like devil's advocates, Sagittarius and Virgo can expose dramatically each other's true selves—those aspects of their character that are disposable, and those that can never be compromised. This remarkable personal growth for the two signs can, perhaps counter-intuitively, result in a strong and lasting bond. This often means that even if Sagittarius and Virgo ultimately move on in different directions, they often experience lasting gratitude for the role this powerfully transformative energy has played in their lives.

Celebrity Virgo/Sagittarius Pairings*

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

Sunrise Coigney and Mark Ruffalo
Sunrise Coigney and Mark Ruffalo (click for attribution/s)

Sunrise Coigney (9/17/1972, Virgo Rat), Mark Ruffalo (11/22/1967, Sagittarius Sheep) : The actors married in 2000 and have three children together. Ruffalo described in 2014: "I was living in a dump and didn’t even have a driver’s license or a credit card. [Coigney] thought I was a mess … but she believed in me and kept encouraging me. I don’t know if I would have made it without her."

Aaron Paul (8/27/1979, Virgo Sheep), Lauren Parsekian (12/8/1986, Sagittarius Tiger) : The actor and director/actor have been married since 2013 and have two children. Referring to Parsekian's anti-bullying non-profit organization, Paul said in his 2014 Emmy acceptance speech: "To my wife, my God, thank you for marrying me. If you don’t know what she does, look up Kind Campaign. Do yourself a favor, look up Kind Campaign."

Lauren Bacall and Frank Sinatra
Lauren Bacall and Frank Sinatra (click for attribution/s)

Lauren Bacall (9/16/1924, Virgo Rat), Frank Sinatra (12/12/1915, Sagittarius Rabbit) : The legendary singer and actor became romantically involved after the death of Bacall's first husband, Humphrey Bogart. Bacall's memoir, By Myself (1979), recounted that Sinatra ended the relationship suddenly, after news leaked about their engagement: "[Sinatra] did not speak one word to me—if he looked in my direction, he did not see me, he looked right past me, as though my chair were empty...I would have preferred him to spit in my face, at least that would have been recognition." About the relationship generally, Bacall described: "[As I look at it now,] we used one another in some crazy way. Actually, Frank did me a great favor—he saved me from the disaster our marriage would have been. The truth is he was probably smarter than I: he knew it couldn’t work. But the truth is also that he behaved like a complete s—...Anyway, it turned out to be a tragedy with a happy ending. Now, after a slow start, we are back on some sort of friendly basis."

Chase Stokes (9/16/1992, Virgo Monkey), Madelyn Cline (12/21/1997, Sagittarius Ox) : The two actors co-starred as lovers in Outer Season and were also in a real-life relationship for over a year. Stokes described: "Mads and I have been working together now for 30 episodes, and we made a promise to each other before we even started dating that the work was always going to come first. And that no matter what happens in our personal lives, and the ways that life sometimes takes you in different directions, that we're always going to honor the work. That stayed 100 percent truthful this season."

Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert
Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert (click for attribution/s)

Jimmy Connors (9/2/1952, Virgo Dragon), Chris Evert (12/21/1954, Sagittarius Horse) : The two champion tennis players were engaged in the 1970s, when they both achieved breakthrough successes, and were called the "Love Double" and "Love Match" by the press. In his memoir, The Outsider (2013), Connors alleged that their previouly unexplained break-up was due in part to Evert having an abortion. Evert responded: "In his book, Jimmy Connors has written about a time in our relationship that was very personal and emotionally painful. I am extremely disappointed that he used the book to misrepresent a private matter that took place 40 years ago and made it public, without my knowledge."

Lance Armstrong (9/18/1971, Virgo Pig), Jan Ullrich (12/2/1973, Sagittarius Ox) : The two cyclists were famous rivals, with Ulrich finishing second to Armstrong in the Tour de France in 2000, 2001, and 2003. They admitted to doping during their careers within months of each other in 2013. In 2018, Armstrong travelled to Germany to help Ulrich address personal problems. In 2020, Armstrong said: "It means the world to me, to do a bike tour with Jan Ullrich and get kicked in the ass by him on the bike. Who says great rivals can’t be friends?...[He] drastically changed my life. [He] challenged me as a man...We came through a crazy time and a [expletive] time and we all navigated it differently. But we’re here and we’ve got this man back, fit and healthy. This is certainly one of the highlights of my year....When I see him here now and compare it with the man from three years ago: It’s one of the biggest comebacks in the world."

The Jackson 5, with Michael Jackson, centre, and Jermaine Jackson, right
The Jackson 5, with Michael Jackson, centre, and Jermaine Jackson, right (click for attribution/s)

Jermaine Jackson (12/11/1954, Sagittarius Horse), Michael Jackson (8/29/1958, Virgo Dog) : The two musician brothers and members of the Jackson 5 attracted publicity for their complex relationship. In his memoir, You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother's Eyes, Jermaine described his infamous bootleg song, "Word to the Badd!!" as "secret retaliation...that therapists would have applauded, even if Michael's fans would not." About the relationship generally, Jermaine wrote: "We have been in sync since infancy, throughout everything: the dream, the Jackson 5, the fame, the separate paths, the rifts, the sorrows, the scandals, and the impossible pressure. He has cried with me. I have shouted in his face. He has refused to see me. He has begged me to be with him. We have known each other’s loyalty and each other’s unintended betrayal. And it is because of everything contained within this history—this brotherhood—that I know his character and mind like only true blood can."

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Chinese Zodiac sign, the Horse
Chinese Zodiac sign, the Ox

Chinese Zodiac

Horse and Ox

Compatibility overview

The Eastern zodiac has a reputation for not mincing words when it comes to combinations seen as unlucky. Unfortunately for the firsteast and secondeast, their shared energy has a troubling reputation for tension, conflict, and unhappiness.

Horse and Ox - Relationship Horoscope

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

Read more about the VIRGO HORSE and SAGITTARIUS OX combined zodiac signs...

Across the whole Eastern zodiac, the most difficult combinations are said to be the six Adversary matches along the fourth degree axis, which include the Horse and Ox. The strain between these two can sometimes surprise others, because superficially they seem to have lots in common. Both the Horse and Ox tend to have a larger-than-life presence and are comfortable being the center of attention. And both can be relied on to get the job done, when tasked with physically or intellectually demanding projects.

However, these two signs have completely different instincts about control. The Horse is not a loner as such—in fact they can be one of the most devoted signs there is—but they are fiercely independent. They are at their happiest performing, competing, and loving, with as few outside limitations as possible. The Ox, by contrast, is a master of constraint. They have a paramount belief in structure and chains of command, and tend to inevitably rise up through the ranks to leadership. A pairing of the Horse and Ox is thus apt to stir destructive forces. The Ox will be forever trying to rein in the Horse. The Horse will be constantly trying to outrun the Ox. As the Ox is overtaken by stubborn bitterness, the Horse tends to poke fun and laugh at them. As the Horse escapes into skittish extravagance and selfishness, the Ox expresses ever more intense disappointment and criticism.

Unfortunately, conflicts here are more indirect than direct. Rather than a blaze of fury, mutual antagonism is likely to cause brooding discontent and unpleasantness. Problems may take forever to resolve, assuming they ever resolve at all.

Problematic energy like this need not be insurmountable, of course, and lots of relationships achieve success and understanding in spite of this potentially challenging connection. Strongly positive influences on the Western side, or clear strategies to facilitate mutual understanding, may be invaluable in achieving positive results.

Celebrity Horse/Ox Pairings*

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

Barack Obama and Joe Biden
Barack Obama and Joe Biden (click for attribution/s)

Barack Obama (8/4/1961, Leo Ox), Joe Biden (11/20/1942, Scorpio Horse) : Despite the much-publicised "bromance" between the 44th and 46th US Presidents, reports of rivalry and tension between Obama and Biden have also surfaced during their respective administrations. New York Times reporter Jonathan Martin described in 2022: "[F]or all the talk Biden and Obama do about being brothers and good friends, they’re actually not that close. They don’t talk super often today. There’s a rivalry there...Biden’s a prideful guy. And he knew he was looked down on in the White House when he was [Obama's] VP, and he loved the idea of being a bigger historic figure than Obama."

Dwight Howard (12/8/1985, Sagittarius Ox), Kobe Bryant (8/23/1978, Virgo Horse) : After the late basketball champion Bryant died tragically in 2020, his one-time Lakers teammate Howard told movingly, "A lot of people thought me and Kobe hated each other and stuff like that...There were times where we just didn’t understand each other and I didn’t get a chance to tell him how appreciative I was for our time together."

Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan
Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan (click for attribution/s)

Meg Ryan (11/19/1961, Scorpio Ox), Dennis Quaid (4/9/1954, Aries Horse) : Once one of the world's most famous celebrity couples, Ryan and Quaid divorced in 2001. In 2008, Ryan accused Quaid of serial infidelity during their marriage, to which he responded, "I find it unbelievable that Meg continues publicly to rehash and rewrite the story of our relationship."

Richard Gere (8/31/1949, Virgo Ox), Cindy Crawford (2/20/1966, Pisces Horse) : The actor and supermodel were married for four years in the early 1990s. Crawford said in 2016, "I don’t know if we were ever friends – like peers, because I was young, and he was Richard Gere. And then, as I started kind of growing up and growing into myself – it’s hard to change the nature of a relationship once you’re already in it."

Photo of Helmut Kohl and Margaret Thatcher
Photo of Helmut Kohl and Margaret Thatcher (click for attribution/s)

Margaret Thatcher (10/13/1925, Libra Ox), Helmut Kohl (4/3/1930, Aries Horse) : The former German Chancellor and British Prime Minister shared a famously hostile relationship. To quote the head of the UK National Archives in 2019, "They didn't get on at all."

Neil Patrick Harris (6/15/1973, Gemini Ox), Perez Hilton (3/23/1978, Aries Horse) : The actor, singer and writer Harris has suggested that celebrity blogger Hilton conducted a sustained campaign to out him as gay: "There was an interview [in 2006] that claimed that I was asked if I was gay and that my publicist had said that I was 'not of that persuasion.' That was the weird catalyst tipping point because that expression set Perez Hilton off. He was offended by that and then started posting about me and asking people to come forward with truths or stories. Then it became apparent that I needed to make some sort of decisive respectable move."

Paul Newman (1/26/1925, Aquarius Ox), Steve McQueen (3/24/1930, Aries Horse) : These two acting legends starred together in The Towering Inferno, and shared an equally famous love of motor racing, but seem to have brought the worst out in one another off-screen. It has been reported that Newman called McQueen "chicken s—" for counting the number of lines they both had in Inferno, and that the two competed over who was given top billing.


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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