All times ET.

Read your monthly horoscope for December!

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Aries: March 20, 2023 - April 20, 2023

You’re witnessing a process of relationship transformation as Venus in Scorpio connects with Pluto in Capricorn. You might be taking a plunge and updating your partnership status or preparing for some big changes together. Honeymoon vibes could emerge once Venus enters Sagittarius, or you could be planning a getaway that feels worth every hard-earned cent. Romance abroad might be in the future!

Taurus: April 20, 2023 - May 21, 2023

Fantasies can be shared and bonds deepened as Venus in Scorpio connects with Pluto in Capricorn. It’s a positive time for letting something out and liberating yourself from feelings you’ve been holding back, especially as Venus enters Sagittarius, too! Apologies may be exchanged or vulnerable emotions expressed.

Gemini: May 21, 2023 - June 21, 2023

Feelings that haven’t been expressed could emerge in your relationships as Venus enters Sagittarius. Healing can begin to take place and physical encounters may lead to pleasure and a sense of renewal.

Cancer: June 21, 2023 - July 22, 2023

You’re finding pleasure and security in seeing what others are capable of as Venus in Scorpio connects with Pluto in Capricorn, boosting your confidence and desire for intimacy. Venus enters Sagittarius and you’re feeling free to not only dream big, but to manifest those aspirations through your connections and energetic attitude.

Leo: July 22, 2023 - August 23, 2023

You’re discovering creative, playful ways to heal your past as Venus in Scorpio connects with Pluto in Capricorn. The means untangling yourself from inherited narratives and spiritual wounds can be indirect, yet the feelings and symbols flowing through your experiences can offer powerful releases. The pleasure of performing or showcasing a passion could be amplified as Venus enters Sagittarius. It’s a wonderful time to immerse yourself in activities that make you feel free, revitalized, and seen for who you are.

Virgo: August 23, 2023 - September 23, 2023

Ideas about adventures outside the home pop up once Venus enters Sagittarius, encouraging talks about travel or cultural events. You might be reuniting with long-distance family members or spending quality time with loved ones outdoors and in nature. Olive branches may be offered within the home and family, leading to peace and progress.

Libra: September 23, 2023 - October 23, 2023

Conversations about money and desires could transform insecurity and a scarcity mindset as Venus in Scorpio links up with, planet of the underworld, Pluto in Capricorn. Big grandma energy emerges once Venus enters Sagittarius and you could feel called to impart your knowledge or insider tips with others, creating opportunities for connection and learning. Survival skills and passed down knowledge pertaining to the arts could be of special interest now. Oral traditions may also be especially attractive at this time.

Scorpio: October 23, 2023 - November 22, 2023

Something clicks overnight and you’re recognizing the motivating forces behind your actions, desires, and patterns of communication as Venus in Scorpio links up with Pluto in Capricorn. You might be ready to express yourself in a new way! Relationships are prioritized once Venus enters Sagittarius and you’re curious to know what’s making others tick these days.

Sagittarius: November 22, 2023 - December 21, 2023

Something important is surfacing from deep within as Venus in Scorpio connects with Pluto in Capricorn overnight. Keep a journal by your bed as you may be trying to communicate something vital to yourself in your dreams. You could be upping your handwork skills or enjoying more mindful health and beauty rituals once Venus enters your sign. If you’re a foodie, this can be a fun time to explore different recipes and techniques in the kitchen!

Capricorn: December 21, 2023 - January 20, 2024

Subconscious thoughts and feelings about friends or social influences become more apparent as Venus in Scorpio links up with Pluto in Capricorn, reminding you whose opinions matter most to you. This is a powerful time to excuse yourself from circles or relationships that don’t spark joy or offer genuine support and learning moments, especially as Venus enters Sagittarius, activating your chart’s place of reflection and solitude.

Aquarius: January 20, 2023 - February 18, 2023

Motivation to steer your life in the direction of your highest values and dreams arrives as Venus in Scorpio connects with Pluto in Capricorn, instilling you with courage and grit. Try to be mindful that you don’t lose sight of what’s most important or get distracted by things you can’t control along the way. You’re daring to dream bigger and perhaps charting a new path for your home or family as Venus enters Sagittarius. A different land or culture can inspire plans for your future and where you want to plant roots.

Pisces:  February 18, 2023 - March 20, 2023

You’re feeling appreciated and seen for your bright ideas and genuine nature as Venus enters Sagittarius. If you’re looking to increase awareness about something or connect with people in your field, this is a great time to do so! You have a greater influence over the public now, and it could feel like projects or campaigns are spoken into existence.

Steven Hutcherson, 36, has been charged with two counts of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and first-degree attempted assault, all as hate crimes. He’s also been charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. 

He allegedly stabbed two girls, aged 14 and 16, visitors from Paraguay who were sitting with their parents at an eatery inside the train station at around 11:30 a.m. Monday. 

According to the criminal complaint, an employee of the cafe asked Hutcherson to leave the cafe, to which he replied, “I’ll leave, I don’t want the white man to get at you.” 

He then told a different employee, “I want to sit with the crackers.” After being seated by the second employee, Hutcherson allegedly walked over to the table with the teens, took out a knife from his back pocket and stabbed the 16-year-old in the back and the 14-year-old in the leg. 

The girls survived but suffered a collapsed lung and a puncture wound, respectively. 

Hutcherson, who also goes by the name Esteban Esono-Asue, has been arrested and called the police to file complaints over a dozen times in the last year, according to the New York Times. 

His ex-girlfriend, Charisma Knight, 37, told the paper she filed a restraining order against him and called police seven times to report his behavior; he also had a protection order against her. Knight said Hutcherson threatened her mother with a knife in May and brought a gun into their building in July. 

Some of the incidents involving Hutcherson were recent. 

In November, he was charged with assault and harassment for threatening a man, and in December someone called police to report that Hutcherson was acting erratically. 

Hutcherson has also reported alleged assaults and threats to his life to authorities. 

Knight told the Times she told police Hutcherson had mental health problems. 

She said had he been apprehended sooner, the teenage girls would have been “protected.” 

“They wouldn’t have had to go through that because he would have been incarcerated or in a mental institution, where he’s actually getting the help that he needs until he’s able to be released to society.”

Follow Manisha Krishnan on Twitter.

Kleptocracy is a sort of catchall term for governments where leaders prioritize their own prestige and personal enrichment over the welfare of the population. Dictators and oligarchs rule through violence, strip the local resources, and pocket the money that could’ve gone to the development of their country. Often, they spend that money on their kids: the kleptobrats.

Inevitably, the kleptocrat will look around at the country they’ve plundered and decide it’s no place for their children to grow up. While their citizens live in abject poverty, they treat their kleptobrats to luxurious lifestyles in the West with the best schools, mansions, cars, and parties money can buy.

Take, for instance, Equatorial Guinea’s playboy prince Teodorin Nguema Obiang, who used Patriot Act loopholes and looted money to go to school in the US, buy a Malibu mansion, private jet, speed boat, a fleet of cars, party with America’s biggest musicians, and become the world's biggest Michael Jackson memorabilia collector—including the white crystal glove. I followed that story in the latest episode of Offshore, the show where we break down how the rich live above the law, set up systems to do it, and fuck over the rest of us. Take a look:

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Fancy schooling, of course, is a key privilege of the kleptobrat—partly because, unlike banks and many financial institutions, universities have no obligations under US law to look into the source of money they’re paid, no matter how much. (The same is true for real estate escrow accounts.)

So when it was time for North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong Il’s son to go to school, he sent Kim Jong Un to Switzerland, where he reportedly earned the nickname Dim Jong Un. Bo Xilai, the notoriously corrupt and powerful Chinese politician, sent his son to Harvard with a Porsche, then to Oxford where he partied on stage with Jackie Chan. Xi Jingping sends his daughter Xi Mingze to Harvard. 

In Russia, it got so bad that in 2016, a bill was introduced to ban Russian officials from offshoring their children's education. It failed. Instead, Putin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, sent his daughter to school in Paris, where she and her mother have a $2 million apartment, according to CNN. She’s quoted as saying the Russian education system is a “true hell.” I wonder who could fix that? The daughter of Sergei Lavrov, Putin's foreign affairs minister, goes to school in London with a $5.8 million apartment. The big man himself, Vladimir Putin, is very secretive about his family, but there are reports that his children with former Olympic gold medal gymnast Alina Kavaeva are hidden away in Switzerland. 

Saif Al-Islam, son of infamous Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi went to college in London. Salman bin Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, crown prince of Bahrain, went to college in the US and UK. Bashar Al-Assad, the nepo baby dictator of Syria, spent time training as an eye doctor in London. All three of them went on to be a part of governments that brutalize their citizens. 

And then there are the parties. 

Mutassim Gaddafi, the late son of Muammar Gaddafi, paid Beyonce $1 million to perform at his New Year’s Eve party in St. Barts that also had Usher, Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, and Jon Bon Jovi in attendance. In Kazakhstan, Kanye West performed at the wedding of the dictator’s grandson for $3 million, Elton John for the dictator's son-in-law’s birthday for $1.5 million, and Nelly Furtado for the dictator's daughter. 

Isabel Dos Santos, the Interpol-wanted daughter of Angolan dictator José Eduardo Dos Santos, has hosted concerts by Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. Nothing says “GIRL POWER!!!!!”—as Nicki wrote in an Instagram post—quite like looting your country’s oil industry to the tune of $3.5 billion while half your country lives on less than $2 a day with the 16th worst life expectancy in the world. Sure, everyone wants to give their kids the best lives possible. Most of us just don’t impoverish and brutalize an entire population to do it.

“Cat theft is so common in Vietnam that I know many of the cats sold here were someone’s loved family companion, and I feel very sorry about that,” Doahn said in a statement organized by charity Humane Society International (HSI). 

The nonprofit has agreed to make a deal with Doanh, giving him a grant to open a grocery store to replace the cat restaurant and slaughterhouse that had been in operation for five years. They have also taken the remaining 20 cats at Doanh’s restaurant to be put up for adoption.

“For a while now I have felt a genuine desire to leave the cruel cat meat business… I think of all the thousands of cats I’ve slaughtered and served up here over the years, it’s upsetting,” Doanh added, saying that he now wants to see dog and cat trade ended in the country. 

The program, part of HSI’s Models for Change program, was  launched in Vietnam a year ago, where an estimated 1 million cats are killed annually for consumption, after a successful operation in South Korea starting in 2015. Just this year, South Korea proposed a ban on the dog meat industry beginning in 2027.

“Although most Vietnamese people don’t eat cat meat, the belief still persists that consumption can cure bad luck, and the scale of the suffering is astonishing,” Quang Nguyen, HSI’s Vietnam companion animals and engagement manager said in a statement. “These 20 lucky cats and kittens have escaped a terrible fate and will be found loving homes, but our work continues to see a nationwide ban on the cat meat trade that brings such pain and distress to so many.”

According to an October 2023 Nielsen poll commissioned by HSI, 71 percent of Vietnam’s population is in favour of a ban on both cat meat trade and consumption.

In 1998, Vietnam’s prime minister attempted to enact a ban on the hunting, killing, and eating of cats, in an effort to push cat ownership as a means to combat rat control. However, according to HSI, not much action was taken and the directive was eventually repealed in 2020.

Honourable mentions go to Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend, Georgina Rodríguez, who is pictured here late November on a private jet, and normie gf Taylor Swift and Labrador bf Travis Kelce, who between them have apparently conjured 138 tonnes of CO2 in three months. We’re looking for the usual suspects of PJs, hummers, big fuck off yachts and the rest. We’re all sinners, but the following people, whether habitually or not, are climate linesteppers. 

They’re crossing into end of days, fucked up old testament territory with their emitting. So with that said, as we cap the end of the year, we hope you’ve enjoyed what we’re doing here and we’ll see who’s up to their dumb climate-change bullshit in 2024. Here are some bad guys from December:

Jay Leno driving a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Jay Leno is a recurring character in this column for the simple fact that he’s got a car show on YouTube. In any case, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS produces a decent amount of CO2, so why not get him on here once more?

Carbon emissions of a Porsche Cayman: The GT4 RS emits 299 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Driving the car for 100km would emit around 29.9kg of CO2, roughly the same as burning 16 kilos of wood. 

Jerry Jones’ fancy mega-yacht docked on the Thames

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys has a mega-yacht named Bravo Eugenia currently parked up in the Thames. His yacht seems to pop up all over the world; while the yacht manufacturers claim its design and means it’s a third more energy efficient than boats of its size, it’s still a fucking mega yacht.

Carbon emissions of a yacht: A mega-yacht typically emits roughly 7,020 tonnes of CO2 each year, but this is a third more energy efficient, so let’s call it 4,680 tonnes of CO2. That’s about the same amount of C02 produced per passenger flying from London to Perth and back 1,509 times.

Jeff Bezos soon-to-be wife Lauren Sanchez ‘stuns on Bezos’ yacht’ 

Yeah, so, just the gall of this woman. How flagrant do you want to be with your wealth and attitude towards the planet? “Lauren Sanchez stuns in red dress”, though.

Carbon emissions of yet another yacht: If mega-yachts emit roughly 7,020 tonnes of CO2 each year, that’s roughly the same amount of CO2 generated by 41 million regular-sized cans of Coke.

Floyd Mayweather and his McLaren 720S

The money man owns many a souped-up car, and this McLaren 720S is no different. What a career he had, though he surely should have lost to José Luis Castillo. Anyway, stop fucking up the planet for the sake of it, you lemon!

Carbon emissions of a McLaren 720S: According to McLaren, the supercar produces 276g of CO2 per kilometre. The average new car emits 120.1g per kilometre.

Drake next to some kind of Maybach

Yeah so, we weren’t sure about the actual car, but the soft king is a big fan of Maybachs. See him here in country-style dress stood by one.

Carbon emission from a Mercedes-Maybach S680 4MATIC: Look, we’re not totally sure what kind of Maybach that is. But if we take Drake’s Mercedes-Maybach S680 4MATIC as an example – that produces 11.8 tonnes of CO2 over 15,000 miles or roughly a year’s usage. That’s about the same, per passenger, as flying return from London to LA seven times.

@nichet

Power grabs could show us which fears have grown too large for our own good as the moon faces off with Pluto 5:57 PM. We’re invited to connect with the genuine good in our hearts as the moon enters Leo at 7:23 PM, reminding us that self-discipline can be a solid demonstration of self-love.

All times ET.

Read your monthly horoscope for December!

Stay in the cosmic loop with the VICE horoscopes newsletter. Get horoscopes straight to your inbox when you sign up here!

Aries: March 20, 2023 - April 20, 2023

You might need to slow down and pace yourself as you pursue your goals. Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces, reminding you that it’s harder to tune into your intuition when you’re rushing toward your destination. The field of vision narrows when one is racing to the finish line; and you might find that you’re unable to access some supportive resources (especially the ones within you) if you’re too hurried to travel the path—or live by the philosophies—that means so much to you. Have courage to keep things simple and let the rest fall in place as it may.

Taurus: April 20, 2023 - May 21, 2023

You might be met with some setbacks or find yourself sacrificing your timelines for a certain goal as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces, encouraging you to have faith in yourself regardless of the circumstances. The difference between being lost and being a wanderer is the willingness to let go. The moon’s entrance into Leo invites you to trust in your heart no matter the place you’re in.

Gemini: May 21, 2023 - June 21, 2023

You might be feeling a bit disconnected or aimless in terms of your future goals and sense of purpose as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces. Distance (physical or emotional) from partners or changes in your relationships could feel like you’re wandering through the dark. What if you could saunter your way through that rather than stumble? Notice how specific feelings make you move differently, and let that guide you through this mysterious time.

Cancer: June 21, 2023 - July 22, 2023

Dullness in your daily work and routines (or an overloaded schedule) could give you an itch to travel or get out and indulge your craving for adventure and connection as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces. It’s easy to over-idealize the places and communities that you’re not living in day-to-day during this transit, though the call of daydreams is a sign that you might need to change things up.

Leo: July 22, 2023 - August 23, 2023

You might notice some strong chemistry between you and others as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces, inspiring you to make a move or perhaps reiterate boundaries. Passionate vibes could lead to steamy romance, dreamy collaborations, or potential breakups if energies aren’t gelling.

Virgo: August 23, 2023 - September 23, 2023

Discussions about boundaries and trust can arise as Mars in Sagittarius squares off with Neptune in Pisces. Projections within your relationships could lead to some wildly imagined scenarios and difficulty with vulnerability, inviting you and partners to avoid assumptions. On the other hand, acts of courage in the name of love could manifest today, demonstrating a genuine spiritual connection in your relationship.

Libra: September 23, 2023 - October 23, 2023

It could feel like you're on a never-ending quest as Mars in Sagittarius squares off with Neptune in Pisces, reminding you to check in with yourself and orient to a glimmer of love or peace throughout your busy day. A conversation, a gaze out the window, or a small, fleeting, mundane moment may connect you with a special mental snapshot that often gets away from us when we’re busy in life’s race.

Scorpio: October 23, 2023 - November 22, 2023

Creativity is oozing out of you as you find inspiration from others today, and you might be itching to try something quirky or unheard of as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces. You may be wondering or worrying about whether your interests, ideas, and perspectives will be well received, but this is the time to have fun with the things that light you up, not apologize for them!

Sagittarius: November 22, 2023 - December 21, 2023

Motivation to distance yourself from inherited cultural beliefs or unrelatable mythologies your family identifies with could arise as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces. You’re inspired to lead by example.

Capricorn: December 21, 2023 - January 20, 2024

You might feel a bit spacey or disconnected from what’s going on around you as Mars in Sagittarius squares off with Neptune in Pisces, though it’s a lovely time to connect with your imagination and put some mental imagery onto paper with colors. Try to avoid over-scheduling yourself today if possible, and make space to wander or engage with the symbols in your dreams (if you remember them).

Aquarius: January 20, 2023 - February 18, 2023

It might be harder to differentiate your values, preferences, and views from those held by your social influences as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces. Consider leaning into the causes or initiatives promoted by the community or groups you’re most connected to.

Pisces:  February 18, 2023 - March 20, 2023

Your way with words and your acts of courage can inspire others to do things they never thought they would as Mars in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces. Professional projects or pitches could come across as quite impressive today, wooing an audience or garnering support by word of mouth.

As December draws to a close, and we kept complaints to ourselves, let’s also revisit the best-selling products of the month—the ones you, dear VICE reader, couldn’t get enough of. Hopefully you were on their nice list, because maybe you found one of these killer finds under the tree. We hope you didn’t get coal! (although it could make an interesting centerpiece).

As it turns out, things got quite interesting this month, which is very much in the spirit of the holiday season. Readers went ham by stuffing their own stockings with penis pumps, copped crossbody bags that look like chickens, and decided to splurge on the bed frame we recommended for discreet sex. (We all know what’s on their to-do lists during winter break!) Anyway, here’s all the best-selling stuff VICE readers bought during December, from Article sofas to gaming emulators.

A quiet, sturdy bed frame for you-know-what

Having a non-squeaky bed frame for incognito sex when your roommate is in the other room playing Fortnite? Essential. This handsome wooden bed frame didn’t make our list of best sturdy bed frames for sex for nothing. Besides radiating sleek Scandi vibes, it’s crafted with solid wood, offers a lifted design, and includes non-slip tapes sure to keep your mattress in place.

Article’s Sven sofa for hardcore winter chilling

This dreamy Article sofa was popular with readers for good reason. In addition to having a bona fide cult following, it serves “cozy library vibes” and is perfect for marathoning the Lord of the Rings trilogy. And apparently, assembly only takes about five minutes (thank god).

Heated massage goggles for the next level of unwinding

We love these massage goggles, so it’s no surprise that you, dear reader, also want to indulge in all the *good vibrations*. This Therabody product—yep, the same brand that makes the iconic Theragun—relieves facial tension using heated vibrations and massage pulses, and has three customizable modes that range from five- to 30-minute sessions.

A tried-and-true penis pump

Want your slugger to look like something straight out of a porno? This supreme enhancement tool delivers extra firmness along with *intense* pleasure. You can also get 55% off at Pinkcherry with the code BLOWOUT at checkout.

A handheld video game console with thousands of retro games

Nintendo’s GameBoy Advance is, sadly, a thing of the past, but this emulator is here to revive the retro memories. It offers more than 5,000 nostalgic, classic video games and can be used without a Wi-Fi connection, which makes it a great travel companion.

A bar book to help you make the perfect extra dirty martini

The holiday season means it’s time to bust out ye ol’ cocktail shaker. Impress your guests with highbrow selections from this reader-fave book that contains 600 years’ worth of cocktail history.

A bag that looks like a chicken

We’re big fans of this this strangely compelling chicken bag over here, so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that it made the cut. Now we need to buy this matching rotisserie chicken sweatshirt…

The perfect gift for anyone and everyone: a shoulder massager

You can only walk into the same nail salon for a 10-minute massage so many times before it starts to add up (and look suspicious). This affordable shiatsu massager uses heat therapy and has three levels of intensity to relax your shoulders and gently hit all sorts of pressure points on your back and neck.

It’s been a wild 2023—load up your chicken bag with penis pumps, and let’s ride into 2024 together.

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.

Lee Sun-kyun, who played wealthy father Park Dong-ik in Parasite, was found dead in a car on Wednesday morning local time. He was 48.

The vehicle contained a charcoal briquette, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. His manager told police he left what appeared to be a suicide note at his home before taking off in his car. Seoul police are still investigating the exact circumstances of his death. 

Lee had been accused by police of using cannabis and other drugs as part of an investigation into drug use at bars in Seoul’s Gangnam district, Yonhap reported. He alleged a hostess at one of the bars tricked him into taking drugs and apologized for “causing immense disappointment” during his first interview with police in October. 

“I am sorry for my family, who are enduring extreme pain at this moment,” he said, according to Yonhap. 

He also took a lie detector test, with his lawyer arguing that the hostess should also submit to one to determine which one of them was telling the truth. The hostess reportedly told police Lee had done drugs on multiple occasions. 

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South Korea has legalized medical cannabis, but recreational cannabis use is still illegal and heavily stigmatized. Breaking the country’s weed laws can result in up to five years in prison. Repeat drug offenders can face up to 14 years in prison. 

Earlier this year, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a “war on drugs,” which resulted in more aggressive police investigations and the formation of a national task force. 

According to Al Jazeera, Lee’s drug scandal resulted in him being dropped from TV and commercial projects. 

His agency Hodu & U Entertainment has asked the public to refrain from speculating about his death, according to Yonhap. 

“We can’t express how heartbroken and sad we feel… Please refrain from spreading speculation or false information (about him),” the agency said Wednesday. 

State-controlled media and Kim Jong Un himself have begun referring to Kim Ju Ae as “General Morning Star” following the launch of North Korea’s first spy satellite last month, an apparent promotion from the title “Noble Child.” 

That title initially belonged to Kim Il Sung, the founder of the North Korean regime. It was later used for Kim Jong Un before he took power in 2011.

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Kim Ju Ae was introduced to the world at a public missile launch in November 2022 when she was believed to be around 10 years old, and has since accompanied her father to more than a dozen public engagements. 

Kim Jong Un’s first-born child, believed to be a son around the age of 13, has never been publicly acknowledged. 

The Director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, Cho Tae-yong, told media this month that he believes Kim Ju Ae is being groomed to take over from her father one day. This is despite claims from the same agency earlier this year that  Kim Jong Un, who is 39 years old, was too young and healthy to even consider succession plans.

South Korea’s Unification minister Kim Yung-ho said pictures in North Korean state media were “an indication that the 39-year-old North Korean leader is “trying to demonstrate his will for succession.” 

“We cannot rule out the possibility of Ju Ae’s succession to power given that they are putting her on the main stage so early. We will need to keep a close watch on this,” the unification ministry official said.

We might be a bit impatient and mistakes could show that we need to slow down as Mercury meets up with Mars in Sagittarius at 7:31 PM. Some of us might be trying to teach others a lesson encouraging us to be mindful about high horses. Creativity can pop up in surprising ways as the moon in Cancer links up with Uranus in Taurus at 11:04 PM.

All times ET.

Read your monthly horoscope for December!

Stay in the cosmic loop with the VICE horoscopes newsletter. Get horoscopes straight to your inbox when you sign up here!

Aries: March 20, 2023 - April 20, 2023

Value judgements could find you doubling down or reconsidering what matters most as Mercury (retrograde) in Sagittarius meets your planetary ruler Mars. Questions about whether something is real or valid may arise, though it’s important to remember that not everything can be measured by tangibility or modern metrics. Even if something only exists in your mind, it doesn’t mean it’s not real. Worth is a process and perception brought about by experience.

Taurus: April 20, 2023 - May 21, 2023

Your relationships are reminding you of your purpose and the journey you’re willing to take to make hopes and dreams manifest as the sun in Capricorn aligns with Jupiter in Taurus. Things just seem to make sense right now!

Gemini: May 21, 2023 - June 21, 2023

You might be cutting through the confusion of some repeating patterns in your relationships as Mercury retrograde clashes with Neptune in Pisces and meets Mars in Sagittarius. It’s not the best time to nail down the facts, but it is an opportune moment to have sincere conversations that tease out harbored feelings between you and others.

Cancer: June 21, 2023 - July 22, 2023

Your partners, guides, and closest companions are supporting your faith in your hopes and dreams as the sun in Capricorn aligns with Jupiter in Taurus. It feels good having others believe in you and to trust that your highest aspirations are more than possible.

Leo: July 22, 2023 - August 23, 2023

You’re setting some admirable examples inside and outside the home as the sun in Capricorn aligns with Jupiter in Taurus. You could be enjoying some payoff or rewards for the hard work and sacrifices you’ve been making. People may be noticing, and praising, you for your discipline to certain daily routines or health practices as well.

Virgo: August 23, 2023 - September 23, 2023

You could be tempted to test boundaries to fish out and confirm what’s true or false about your relationships as Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune and meets Mars in Sagittarius. When insecurity rears its head or things feel unstable, it’s easy to find flaws and make fear-based assumptions, and it’s in these moments that you need yourself more than you need outside validation that you belong. Regardless of whether your partners or people from your inner circle are able to reflect with their gaze, words, and actions that you’re good inside, it’s important that you’re showing up for yourself with compassion, self-awareness, and discernment.

Libra: September 23, 2023 - October 23, 2023

You’re feeling resilient and able to navigate your daily work and routines with determination amidst any hiccups as the sun in Capricorn aligns with Jupiter in Taurus. Family could be a bit more needy today, yet you’re finding the capacity to offer emotional labor and tend to other responsibilities with a stoic, can-do attitude. Remember there’s no shame in getting some space and taking breathers for yourself if things feel hard or tricky in the moment.

Scorpio: October 23, 2023 - November 22, 2023

Intriguing conversations are taking place as the sun in Capricorn aligns with Jupiter in Taurus. People are interested in what you have to say and you may be equally curious about what partners or close companions know. It’s a great time to school others, and to be schooled. Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius meets your planetary ruler Mars, reminding you that seeing eye-to-eye on everything isn’t all that common or natural, encouraging you and others to practice tolerance and acceptance (within healthy limits).

Sagittarius: November 22, 2023 - December 21, 2023

A sense of progress and growth arrives as the sun in Capricorn connects with your planetary ruler, Jupiter, in Taurus. Tangible ways of measuring your goals (material or otherwise) are helping you stay focused. Discussions about boundaries and responsibilities can also arise as Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune and meets with Mars in your sign. People might want to know that you’re keeping to your word or ask that you take some accountability for mistakes that have been made. Avoid making promises you’re not sure you can keep.

Capricorn: December 21, 2023 - January 20, 2024

You’re finding creative ways to express yourself and connect with others as the sun in Capricorn aligns with Jupiter in Taurus. It’s a great time to mingle or enjoy a relaxing chat with friends. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to get sensual through romance and art.

Aquarius: January 20, 2023 - February 18, 2023

You could be looking forward to some much-needed rest and relaxation as the sun in Capricorn connects with Jupiter in Taurus. Messages from spiritual guides can also arrive by dream, encouraging you to follow the path that’s true to you. Trusting your intuition could bring you peace now.

Pisces:  February 18, 2023 - March 20, 2023

You’re modeling higher standards to the people around you and within your network as the sun in Capricorn connects with your planetary ruler Jupiter in Taurus. You might be asked to clear up some misconceptions and help others get to the bottom of something as Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius clashes with Neptune in Pisces and meets Mars in Sagittarius. People may be feeling more skeptical at this time, making communication trickier. Tangible evidence and metrics can be helpful, though your ability to tell a story and paint a picture could take dry facts and numbers much further.