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Compatibility
Virgo Horse and Sagittarius 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 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 RAT 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 Rat

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...

Read more about the VIRGO HORSE and SAGITTARIUS RAT 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 Horse/Rat 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 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.

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