posted September 22, 2008 12:44 AM         

That's one Aquarius might like though.

posted September 22, 2008 12:50 AM         

i think gemini rising is also another indication on intelligence. i come across very intelligent people thru my older family members, so im able to come across a lot of amazing patterns when it comes to the subject.

posted September 22, 2008 12:53 AM         

quote:

---

to be honest, i dont think anybody knows the real paris hilton. i think shes way smarter than we think. shes sells an image, and we buy it. but thats a whole other topic.

---

posted September 22, 2008 01:16 AM         

Jupiter in Virgo is meant to be a "smart cookie" placement, too.

I thought Paris Hilton was very smart in her political campaign - great environmental policies!!

posted September 22, 2008 02:09 AM         

Anyway, back to Mercury in Aqua. I've yet to meet anyone with this placement who isn't intellectual. I'm not saying they've all been geniuses or highly educated, but they're all thoughtful, bright people.

Being interested in intellectual things doesn't always go hand in hand with being extremely intelligent. But if what you're asking about is what sort of aspects indicate being intellectual, I'd look for planets (especially personal ones) in the 3rd and 9th house. And Mercury and Uranus (as the higher octave of Mercury) in an angular house. The first group would make someone interested in learning, and the second would make their intellect a strong part of their identity. (Mercury or Uranus in the 7th could result in them projecting it onto others, making them seek intellectually stimulating company.)

That's what I think will indicate an intellectual. Then as far as what indicates extreme intelligence, I'd look at the state of Mercury. Besides it being in Aqua, I'd also look for it to aspect Uranus and/or be in the 11th house. Mercury in the other air signs and Virgo also make sense for this.

Something I've noticed coinciding with extreme intelligence is Mercury being unaspected. But I'm basing this one on only 2 examples.

posted September 22, 2008 07:47 AM         

I know a couple of Mercury Aquas, yes, they are bright, they can do academia and they have got on well in their careers because they are sharp of mind. But I wouldn't call them genii.

I tend to agree with 23 that the aspects of Mercury will give more clue than the sign.

Above all, application is key. Intelligence is a muscle that can be flexed. I have a close friend who tells me a lot how extremely intelligent he is, maybe he is right, there just isn't much evidence. He's squandered the chances life gave him in the form of an expensive education and a good career job (gotten through the old school tie system). But, bit of bias here, with a Mercury Taurus I don't take much stock with people telling me how bright they are, I like to see proof. Feeling intimidated at their speed of thought or encyclopaedic knowledge, for example. Not the case here.

Application in the astrological sense particularly makes me think of the Trine, and the Grand Trine. They're gifts you have to get your butt in gear to use. Any aspect can be used to it's best ability or used poorly. The harmonious ones can be squandered.

I think we can safely say Prof. Hawking got his @rse into gear as regards this eye-popping collection of Trines.

posted September 22, 2008 04:33 PM         

His jupiter which is in detriment is also unaspected in terms of major aspects. Interestingly it makes a squ to the NN which is again in the analytical virgo. Jupiter is roaming therefore and he can't see it as such which makes him be VERY philosophical and we can see his force as we are outside of him.

As Jane said, merc unaspected might produce intelligence. I only know one merc unaspected, that is my partner. These people can't find their mercury, don't know how to use it so they are constantly trying to use it. To us outsiders, we see it with telling force.

---

Otherwise, BM made a good point about squandering intellect and a lot depends on the individual.