4 zodiac signs with the lowest emotional intelligence

I’ve noticed there’s a misconception that if you talk about emotional intelligence, you’re trying to put people into neat little boxes.

That’s not my style. In my early twenties, I was that guy who asked “Why do we feel what we feel?” while others rolled their eyes.

I’m not the type to just accept a label without poking at it. But whether we like it or not, zodiac signs keep popping up in discussions about personality.

Now, do I think a birth month sets our fate in stone? Absolutely not.

But I’ve had enough experiences—and enough late-night debates with friends—to see patterns. Some signs really do tend to struggle with processing emotions or empathizing with others. The reasons vary, and there are always exceptions, but astrology can highlight tendencies worth noting.

So let’s dive in. Today, I’m taking a closer look at four signs that often get called out for having lower emotional intelligence. If this rubs you the wrong way, consider it a nudge to explore your own traits a little deeper.

1. Aries

Aries is known for a bold, fiery spirit. My first martial arts instructor was an Aries, and while he taught me plenty about discipline, he also had the patience of a hungry toddler.

If you’ve ever confronted an Aries about something sensitive, you know their approach can be a bit blunt. They’re quick on the draw and sometimes forget to weigh their words, leaving others feeling bulldozed.

Why the emotional short circuit? They often act before they think. Psychologists have studied emotional regulation and found it’s harder for some folks to pause and reflect on their emotions before they explode outward.

Aries epitomizes that challenge. Their impulsive nature might make them fantastic in crisis situations—nobody leads the charge like an Aries—but ask them to sit with emotions for a while, and they fidget like a kid forced to sit through a three-hour ceremony.

In relationships, this can create tension. An Aries might come across as insensitive when they’re simply expressing what they feel in the moment.

They don’t always slow down enough to consider how their words will land. I had a coworker once who’d rattle off criticisms left and right, not realizing how wounded people felt in the aftermath.

With time, an Aries can learn to channel that raw energy more constructively, but it takes practice.

Don’t write them off as heartless. When they calm down, most Aries individuals do show remorse for hurting others. It’s just that in the heat of the moment, empathy can get steamrolled by sheer intensity.

They can learn self-awareness if they really commit to it, but it has to come from within. Until that happens, they’ll keep wearing their emotions on their sleeve—and everyone around them will feel the heat.

2. Capricorn

I had an old buddy who was a Capricorn—stoic as a statue and just about as warm. We used to joke that his emotional range ran from mildly pleased to mildly annoyed, and that was it.

Of course, that’s an exaggeration, but it captures the Capricorn vibe. They’re pragmatic to the core, always thinking about the long game, rarely letting raw emotion disrupt their plans.

Capricorns value structure and goals. Ask them to weigh in on a crisis, and they’ll likely offer a strategic plan instead of a shoulder to cry on.

If you’re looking for warm fuzzies, you might be disappointed. They’re not big on coddling feelings because they see it as unproductive. This can come off as cold or unfeeling. In reality, they’re just wired to prize efficiency over emotional bonding.

One reason Capricorns might test low on emotional intelligence is their reliance on defense mechanisms like intellectualization. Instead of exploring the emotional undercurrent of a situation, they focus on facts and logistics.

There’s nothing wrong with having a cool head—until it starts alienating the people who want genuine connection. In my experience, Capricorns often keep their own vulnerabilities locked up tight, which makes it tough for them to connect on a deeper emotional level.

The upside? When you do crack their shell, they’re extremely loyal and can show affection in practical ways, like helping you move or organizing your finances.

But getting them to verbalize how they feel is a challenge. If you’re a Capricorn reading this, maybe take a chance and open up a little. A well-timed moment of empathy can do wonders to bridge the gap between you and the people you care about.

3. Gemini

I have a soft spot for Geminis. My younger child is one, but I’ll be the first to admit that a Gemini’s dual nature can make emotional consistency a real battle.

One minute they’re all smiles and witty comebacks, the next they’re rationalizing a meltdown with the logic of a tired philosopher.

This mental flip-flop can be fun if you’re into never knowing which version of them you’ll get. But if you’re seeking stable emotional support, you might be in for a rough ride.

Geminis are ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication. They love talking and thinking, sometimes at the expense of feeling. They’ll argue circles around a topic, but that cleverness doesn’t always translate into compassion.

When I point this out to my Gemini friends, they often say, “We just like to keep things interesting.” Sure, and they do—but in high-stakes emotional situations, unpredictability doesn’t necessarily help.

Sometimes, Geminis intellectualize feelings rather than process them. They’re quick to say, “Well, logically…” even when logic is the last thing you need.

That’s not to say they can’t care. They can be incredibly charming and supportive, but it’s often fleeting. Emotional intelligence requires a consistent effort to understand and empathize, and Geminis sometimes struggle to maintain that focus.

Over the years, I’ve seen Geminis surprise themselves by how disconnected they can be from their deeper emotional well.

This lack of self-awareness can harm relationships when important emotions go unaddressed. If you identify with this, keep in mind that true empathy goes beyond clever conversation. It requires listening fully—not just forming your next witty remark.

Practice presence, and you’ll see your emotional intelligence rise.

4. Aquarius

Aquarius is the sign of the visionary, the rebel, and the friend to all—yet somehow, they can feel oddly distant on a personal level.

I once described my Aquarius college roommate as a humanitarian who loved humanity but had trouble loving humans individually. That’s the paradox of Aquarius: they crave global change and champion social causes, but they may not excel at comforting a friend who’s crying on the couch.

Aquarius tends to think in big-picture terms. They’re forward-looking, innovative, and rarely get bogged down in everyday drama.

On the surface, that might sound like a good thing—fewer petty squabbles, right? The issue is that empathy can fall through the cracks. They’re often so consumed with grand ideas that they miss emotional cues happening right in front of them.

For instance, I once opened up about a personal struggle to an Aquarius acquaintance. Instead of offering support, she launched into a speech about how society needed to change.

Her intentions were noble, but it was the wrong time for a macro-level conversation. Emotional intelligence involves recognizing what someone needs in that moment and responding to it.

Aquarians often default to logic or idealistic rhetoric, skipping the step where they simply connect heart-to-heart.

Yet, I find them fascinating. Their passion for a better world is genuine, but in one-on-one dynamics, they can come across as aloof. If you’re an Aquarius, consider balancing that grand vision with genuine emotional presence.

Sure, your big ideas matter, but so do the smaller emotional moments that build trust and intimacy. Tuning in to these personal exchanges might feel tedious at first, but it makes a world of difference in how others perceive you.

Final thoughts

Identifying signs that struggle with emotional intelligence isn’t about slapping a “bad listener” label on anyone.

It’s an invitation to look at tendencies—fiery impulsiveness in Aries, stoic detachment in Capricorn, restless duality in Gemini, and lofty abstraction in Aquarius. These traits don’t define a person’s worth, but they can create blind spots in emotional understanding.

If you recognize these patterns in yourself, take it as a cue to develop more empathy. Even small steps—pausing before reacting, focusing on genuine listening, or asking clarifying questions—can help bridge the gap.

Emotional intelligence isn’t some static trait; it’s more like a muscle that strengthens with deliberate practice.

We’re all wired differently, and that diversity is what makes life interesting. But if we want deeper connections, we can’t hide behind our quirks.

Sometimes, the most rebellious thing we can do is face ourselves honestly, then decide we’re willing to grow.