This Is the Smartest Zodiac Sign, According to an Astrologer
Updated: Jul. 14, 2024
Are you among the smarty-pants of the bunch? Our astrologer explains which is the smartest zodiac sign and which signs excel in other areas.
Amateur astrologers—heck, even professionals like myself—can’t help but turn to the stars to find our place among our peers. Just as we’re curious about our zodiac power colors and our compatibility with other signs, we can’t help but wonder whether ours is the smartest zodiac sign of them all.
Of course, there’s more than one meaning of the word smartest. While IQ tests may measure pure intellect, they don’t touch on the myriad types of intelligence and other personality traits that go beyond book smarts. That’s where astrology and tarot can help. They give us fascinating insights into what makes someone intelligent in every sense of the word.
As a professional astrologer, I’ve looked to the stars not only to tell you about the smartest zodiac sign but also to explain how the various signs show their particular brands of brilliance. Ahead, you’ll find out how to harness your innate intelligence so you can be smarter in your own way.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more zodiac, humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
What is the smartest zodiac sign?
Aquarius, the rarest zodiac sign wins the prize for the brainiest sign of the bunch—and the luckiest sign for 2024!
But to understand which zodiac sign is the smartest and why Aquarius leads the pack, it helps to have some background on how the signs interact with the planets. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered: Aquarius, an air sign, is ruled by Uranus, the planet associated with technology and the future. This sign’s ability to stay one step ahead of the masses is what makes it so brilliant.
As the sign most likely to work in an innovative field, Aquarians always try to learn something new and boost their intelligence. They are inventors and innovators, and they never like to rest on the laurels of their past accomplishments. Case in point: Both Charles Darwin and Thomas Edison were Aquarians.
What is the second-smartest zodiac sign?
You don’t need to tell Gemini about the benefits of reading—the second-smartest zodiac sign (and the funniest zodiac sign) knows the perks well. You will often find Geminis with their nose in a book, reading an article or studying their new obsession. They devour words and have great memories for stories and sundry trivia. At the same time, they will surprise you with their ability to pick up languages and speak and write in foreign tongues. No one loves to learn the way Gemini does.
Where do the other zodiac signs fall on the intelligence spectrum?
When we think about intelligence, our minds often stray to famous geniuses like Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Stephen Hawking. But just because you’re not book smart doesn’t mean you’re not smart. Your zodiac sign may lead the pack when it comes to other types of intelligence. And knowing this can help you put your brain power to good use.
What are the most street-smart zodiac signs?
Street smarts and practicality are a special type of savvy that certain signs possess in spades. Sagittarius is the most street-smart sign of the bunch. The archer’s breadth of worldly experience gives it knowledge you can’t learn from a book.
This sign rules the ninth house in the horoscope, which is associated with travel and higher education. Sagittarians pick up esoteric and on-the-ground knowledge during their excursions and research. They possess a wealth of career strengths, excelling in roles like professor and publisher, and flourishing in any career that involves international travel.
What are the most emotionally intelligent zodiac signs?
Being able to navigate the world of people in a variety of circumstances is part of emotional intelligence. Having a high “EQ” involves knowing how to reflect and manage a wide array of feelings. One of the most polite zodiac signs, Libras (ruled by Venus) deftly navigate all sorts of situations, making them highly emotionally intelligent. Their natural charm and pleasing nature allow them to enter worlds that may be unfamiliar and squeeze their way out of uncomfortable situations. Call it social smarts! They are also experts in knowing how to read body language.
Leos are also good at reading people, and they’re great at delegating responsibility. They have a knack for identifying the skills people possess and making others feel valued. Their natural warmth flows over, and they always find themselves surrounded by people willing to offer assistance, though they may also be prone to impulsive decisions.
Fellow fire signs Aries are equally emotionally intelligent and make natural leaders. They are masters of taking charge and inspiring people to follow their example, which are both essential leadership qualities. Plus, they are authentic and rarely care about what others think. This is a kind of smart that translates to solutions in all kinds of situations.
Of the three, though, Leo wins the prize for emotional intelligence. People born under this sign have a way of making people think big.
Which zodiac signs are mentally strong?
According to the astrology-news website NJEB Church, certain zodiac signs are renowned for their remarkable mental fortitude: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Aquarius. These signs are characterized by their ability to cultivate inner strength and make sound decisions. Despite their stubbornness, Taureans maintain exceptional inner resilience, Leos adapt to situations and make strategic decisions, and Scorpios have a sharp intellect that helps them navigate through challenging scenarios.
What are the most analytical zodiac signs?
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn—the earth signs—tend to be the most analytical signs and best problem-solvers in the zodiac. They can take problems apart and figure out the solutions with patience, ease and a strong work ethic. (You want these folks on your team when trying to crack riddles or put together puzzles!) They also have a natural ability to work with their hands, making them adept as builders, engineers and architects. These signs also tend to be perfectionists.
Earth signs (like Taureans) are connected to the Earth, of course, and tend to make great gardeners and chefs. But they don’t just stop at what they grow and cook. They love to learn about botany, science and more, surprising people with how deep their knowledge runs.
Of the three, Virgos are the most analytical. And as the silent observers of the zodiac, they are both quiet and smart. Mercury (the planet of communication) is their ruling planet, making them excel at thinking and communication. Their mental acumen mixed with their analytical skills makes them highly intelligent in often overlooked ways.
Which zodiac signs aren’t as intellectual?
The water signs—Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces—are driven by the heart. They are brilliant at assessing human nature and tend to possess types of intelligence that aren’t always found in school. Indeed, they tend to have more emotional intelligence than traditional book smarts.
But while they may not seem as brainy as the more intellectual zodiac signs (ahem, Aquarius), these water signs have creativity in spades. They will follow their gut instincts and create masterpieces of art, literature and the like in a way that seems almost like channeling. Musicians Frédéric Chopin and Johnny Cash were Pisces, as were Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein. While you’d certainly consider the latter two brainy, remember that Jobs dropped out of college and Einstein wasn’t a great student—and they both relied on out-of-the-box thinking to forge their own paths.
That said, water signs might (temporarily) call it quits sooner than the other signs. Yet even Pisces, which tends to give up easily when things get tough, buckles down when it comes to creative pursuits.
The bottom line
In the end, there isn’t a single smartest zodiac sign—at least, not if you consider the multitude of ways we can measure intelligence. Instead, we can all play up our own brand of brainy by using astrology to better understand our strengths and leaning into them.
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. For this piece on the smartest zodiac sign, Jill Dearman tapped into her 25-plus years of experience as an astrologer and the author of Queer Astrology for Men and Queer Astrology for Women. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- NJEB Church: “Top 5 Zodiac Signs Who Are Mentally Strong”
Originally Published: November 09, 2017
