HORIZON ASTROLOGY

Western Zodiac Compatibility
Aquarius and Capricorn

Compatibility overview

The minor Semi-Sextile aspect, where any two signs occur one after the other, is as curious as any in the Western zodiac. The analogy of “next-door neighbors” is particularly apt. Like neighbors who have chosen to live in almost identical surrounds, it is easy to assume these two must have plenty in common. Yet the reality is far more complicated.

Aquarius and Capricorn - Relationship Horoscope

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

Being next to each other around the Western zodiac wheel, Aquarius and Capricorn share a Semi-Sextile connection. This is one of only two so-called minor influences (with the Quincunx), and from the beginning the subtlety of this energy brings a strange mixture of liberation and uncertainty.

The Aquarian element of Air is often seen as incompatible with the Earth of Capricorn. Where Capricorn prizes concrete accomplishment and material success, Aquarius is far more conceptual, more intellectually oriented. The result for many Aquarius / Capricorn matches is often, just like many real-life neighbors, an initial standoffishness. These two can be instinctively distant, respectful but wary. Ultimately, though, this hesitancy can result in a missed opportunity. The Cardinal modality of Capricorn is highly compatible with the Fixed modality of Aquarius. Also, in contrast to other minor aspects, such as the Quincunx, the sense of difference here can be most obvious early in a relationship.

Successful Aquarius / Capricorn pairings have discovered that, if they are able to progress beyond the initial boundaries between them, their union can prove more rewarding than they would ever have imagined.

Celebrity Aquarius/Capricorn Pairings^*

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

Edward Burns and Christy Turlington Burns (click for attribution/s)

Edward Burns (1/29/1968, Aquarius Sheep), Christy Turlington Burns (1/2/1969, Capricorn Monkey) : The actor/director and supermodel married in 2003, and have two children. Christy Turlington wrote in 2011, "From the moment I became pregnant, Eddie supported all of my maternal instincts in pursuing our birth options. He was as involved as I needed him to be and then when our children were infants, he took on as much of the burden as I was willing to relinquish. These were not always harmonious periods of time for us as a couple; let’s face it, as joyous as becoming a parent is, it is challenging for every one of us on some level. But we have come out as great friends and true partners and our kids will hopefully grow up remembering their parents as a team."

Nicolas Cage (1/7/1964, Capricorn Rabbit), Lisa Marie Presley (2/1/1968, Aquarius Monkey) : Academy award-winning actor Cage and singer/songwriter Presley, who were married from 2002 to 2004, were for a time one of the highest-profile celebrity couples in the world. Presley recounted later: "[I]t was one of those things where you're marrying hoping that you're going to either stabilize it or it's going to, you know, accentuate all that was going on prior to what was problematic. So it kind of did the latter, that's all."

David Bowie and Philip Glass (click for attribution/s)

Philip Glass (1/31/1937, Aquarius Rat), David Bowie (1/8/1947, Capricorn Dog) : The celebrated contemporary classical composer Glass wrote two symphonies based on the Low (1977) and Heroes (1977) albums by his friend, the rock superstar Bowie. Glass described, "We lived close to each other in New York. There were periods when we saw each other a lot and other periods when we didn’t – I never knew exactly where he was or where he was going to be and sometimes we didn’t see each other for years, but we were always in touch and talked about how things were going . He was an extremely gifted and interesting person and musician. We had both a friendship and a working relationship."

Neil Diamond (1/24/1941, Aquarius Dragon), Elvis Presley (1/8/1935, Capricorn Dog) : Singer Neil Diamond's classic hit, "Sweet Caroline" (1969) became a mainstay of Presley's live performances during the 1970s. Recalling a time he declined an invitation to join the King on stage, Diamond explained: "You know I thought about it over the years, what would I do, what songs would we do, and it's not a good idea to come up and sing with another performer when it's their show and it's their band, I do know that. And I'm glad I didn't because I don't think it would have been a good idea to touch that, you know, the hem of the god. He was amazing. He was warm and very generous to me, and I think it's best left at that."

Carla Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy (click for attribution/s)

Carla Bruni (12/23/1967, Capricorn Sheep), Nicolas Sarkozy (1/28/1955, Aquarius Sheep) : The former President of France (2007-2012) and former supermodel married during his presidency in 2008. They have one child. In 2020, Bruni attributed the success of the relationship to: "[Equality and balance from the beginning, and]...good timing. Twenty years ago, [Sarkozy] would have needed a woman who was more devoted to him. And I would never have taken a man who has such a strong, dominating temper. But we met when we were strong enough for each other."

Mary Steenburgen (2/8/1953, Aquarius Dragon), Ted Danson (12/29/1947, Capricorn Pig) : The two accomplished actors have been married since 1995. They had both been previously married and divorced when they co-starred in the film, Pontiac Moon (1994). Recounting a scene where they canoed together, Danson explained: "We paddled in sync...We went out as friends and by the time we came back, we were in love... Ironic how life works in those moments. Once you throw up your arms and surrender, a lot of times things come your way."