Which Creative Hobby You Should Try Next, Based On Your Zodiac Sign

What's happening astrologically during the week of December 22-29, 2024?

The freewheeling Sagittarius energy is past, and we enter the depths of Capricorn season. This week heralds several important transits that have far-reaching effects for the coming new year. On December 24, Venus, the planet of love and beauty, forms a beneficial sextile with Chiron, the wounded healer and shaman of the Zodiac. Don’t let this opportunity pass. We can gain access to an understanding of our own innate self-worth. If we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and honest, we can face our insecurities and move past any blockages to growth and evolution of our very essence. We all have insecurities that prevent us from living our best lives at times, but with Chiron moving forward on December 29 after months of retrograde motion, the momentum is building toward lasting healing. It won't come easily, however. Chiron wounds are buried deep. Still, the work we put into addressing our core issues will result in a sense of ultimate freedom. It's a great time to work with a therapist or astrologer to identify and heal our innate wounds.

Also on December 24, Jupiter squares Saturn. This monumental transit will reflect tension in the zeitgeist for the next two years. We will be face-to-face with the reality of the decline in our societies, where injustice and immorality rise to the surface. There might be a sense of despair resulting in despondency and hopelessness. But no one will benefit from putting their head in the sand. We must face our problems head-on — growth requires hard work. On a personal level, it feels like we have one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake. It is a good time to take a pause from the indulgences of Sagittarius season, withdraw from society for a bit to gain a better perspective, and realize that a shift is required. As the frustration passes, we will be able to see that for growth and abundance, we must focus and systematically rework our approach. Patience and hard work are required, and Saturn provides the inspiration for that work. If we're successful and as we move from frustration to empowerment, we'll have the rewards we seek in the long term.

Venus in Aquarius will square Uranus in Taurus this week, and we might be feeling irritable with our loved ones or personally restless. Realize this energy will pass, but it will need to be expressed in one way or another. Harness it and use it to infuse some excitement into your relationships. Do something new together. Experiences outside our normal routines will be a good way to let the energy manifest. If you don’t initiate something, be prepared for some unexpected display of this tension between the planet of love and the planet of disruption.

Read Your Weekly Horoscope For Your Sun & Rising Signs

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

The tension of the week will require an adjustment in your daily habits. Focus on healthy eating, exercising, and getting plenty of sleep. It's a good time to break a bad habit or form a beneficial new one — just be sure to fully lean into whichever choice you make. If you don't put your passion into something, I know you'll struggle to fully commit, Aries...

Being of service to others is another way to ease any personal frustration you're dealing with this week. While we all suffer, helping others puts our own struggles into perspective. Buy some gifts for the people you love! Work at a soup kitchen! Get out there and share your infectious energy and love with the world around you.

Taurus (April 21 – May 21)

You might be feeling a sense of personal scarcity. If you find yourself on an unstable foundation, pause and allow yourself to retreat for a bit. Use any solitary time you can manage to get creative and devise a solution to your dilemma. Use light and positive affirmations to overcome any tendency toward despair. It will feel difficult until you break free from the darkness. However, I know you can use your natural tenacity to pull you through.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Spend as much time with your family and at home as you can. Take time to nurture yourself and to let others nurture you. This week is a good time to recover and recuperate. You'll need to be strong and healthy in the coming weeks and months — the depths of winter can be totally brutal, so it's best to take care of yourself now. Cultivate and focus your heart on love, and let that love energy flow around you. Allow the feeling to permeate your cells and remember the healing energy of love when faced with challenges in the weeks ahead. This can help sustain you if things get tough!

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Communicate as clearly as possible what you're experiencing. Instead of holding your feelings in, hiding them from the people around you, share your emotional landscape with your loved ones. The healing power of love is exponentially more powerful when you give it away freely — so share that love, and let others share their love with you. It's a good time to rise above and overcome any insecure feelings you have. If you are so inclined, poetry or music can be a great way to express yourself or as a source of inspiration. Whatever you choose, just let yourself feel all the feelings and express them!

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

It's a good week to re-evaluate your resources. Do what it takes to create security, and clear out anything that is excessive or unnecessary and focus on what really matters for your stability. The space you create will soon be filled with more meaningful and appropriate activities, people and things. Be sure that whatever you do involves joy and lightheartedness. That energy and levity will propel you towards greatness, Leo, helping you create stronger foundations for your dream life.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Prioritize yourself and your needs this week — basically just go full 'treat yourself' mode. If you're rested, healthy, and organized, everything else will proceed more smoothly. Your natural inclination to be of service will only benefit you and others if you take care of yourself first. Set clear boundaries and communicate your needs so that there are minimal misunderstandings. This will give you the recipe for the best holiday season yet!

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Your spiritual practice will give you much comfort this week. Be sure to devote adequate time to quiet contemplation and ritual. Listen to music, go to a museum, or practice your art form and spend time in nature for inspiration. Tap into anything that elevates and soothes your spirit. You deserve the peace and tranquility — even (and maybe especially) if you're craving something else. Let the peace wash over you.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)

Spending time with your community and engaging in social connections will help alleviate any tension you feel this week. It's important to allow others to be themselves and to relinquish any tendency to control those around you. The more you go with the flow, the easier it will be to maintain harmony and joy. You can enjoy things without having to hold so tightly to the reins — let go, release, and live.

Sagittarius (November 21 – December 21)

Hopefully, you're fully sated with the holidays and can focus on any lingering responsibilities before the end of the year. Take time to get organized and set realistic goals to accomplish important tasks. I know that's not your favorite advice, but resist any tendency to procrastinate so that you can start the new year from a stable and productive position. You'll appreciate it so much more if you do!

Capricorn (December 21 – January 19)

This first full week of Capricorn season will find you in a philosophical state of mind. A broad perspective will help you navigate any tension you feel — keeping an open mind and heart can help you adopt habits, rituals, choices, and more that you may have previously ignored at first glance. And if you're not in the market for big changes on your own, at least take a moment to realize that while you might know exactly what you need, you may not know what others need. Practice being more flexible.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 19)

Tensions that may come up during the holidays — as always, these are best navigated from the perspective that all things are temporary, and all things change. Check your attitude and realize you might be too intense for productive exchanges with others. Spend time alone to understand what is going on within and try your best to let others experience life on their personal terms. It's more than okay to take a moment to reset and come back to the group when you're ready.

Pisces (February 20 – March 21)

Experiencing harmony in your relationships will give you peace this week. It's important to balance your needs with the needs of others, though. Reciprocity and fairness can be achieved, so be sure to equally emphasize the needs of everyone. Resist the temptation to acquiesce your needs to keep the peace — that will only leave you feeling depleted and resentful. Relationships go both ways, and it's okay to demand that of them.

1. Acting possessive is a huge friend red flag.

"You don't have to prove you're my BEST friend by constantly saying it to everyone out loud or excluding people with inside jokes — you can just BE my best friend," says editor Haley Sprankle. Like y'all, friendships aren't supposed to make us feel like an item!

2. They don't care about your boundaries.

If a friend doesn't care about boundaries you've set in place, that's a clear sign they don't actually value your relationship. One user on X thinks it's a huge red flag if "they do not respect your time, boundaries, energy, possessions, work, privacy, or space. They expect you to change and adjust yourself to their liking."

3. It's a red flag if a friend never pays attention during conversations...

One big friend red flag is when someone never pays attention while you're trying to have a heart-to-heart — or if they're checking other messages. "One of my pet peeves is when people constantly check their Apple watches when we're in the middle of a conversation," says Entertainment Editor Chloe Williams. "Which is also why I will never buy one for myself."

4. Or if they only talk about themselves.

We all joke that our dates never ask us questions, but the same rule should apply to friendships! Staff writer Kayla Walden considers it a friend red flag if someone "never [reciprocates] questions and [asks] how I am (a selfish needy Gemini here)." So valid.

5. Never learning to work through disagreements should be a friendship red flag.

"A red flag in friendships is being agreeable on every little thing," @mikaylaxcvi says on X. "I’d much rather be told the truth, lightly & sweetly, than coddled. A grow together type of friendship." Preach.

6. Realizing a friend expects to be the center of your universe is a huge no-no.

Staff writer Jasmine J. Williams says one issue she finds in friendships is if the supposed friend wants to be the most important person in every situation, like "getting upset because of your work schedule, life's emergencies, navigating newborn stage, etc." No thanks!

7. A friend shouldn't be rude to others.

It's totally natural to be closer to some people than others. But making a point to exclude everyone around you? Not the vibe. "Red flag: when I notice they make plans without including everyone in the room but they make it loud enough for everyone to hear that they're making plans," says Brit + Co Social Media Assistant Melanie Cornejo.

8. And a friend shouldn't be overly critical.

B+C editor Haley also things a friend red flag is when someone is "critical of all their friends' new relationships."

9. Turning every single detail into a competition is a friendship red flag.

"Acting like everything is a competition really stresses me out and definitely has the potential to end a relationship before it begins," Entertainment Editor Chloe says. "It just makes every conversation feel inauthentic."

10. And friends DEFINITELY shouldn't talk behind your back.

Talking crap to other people is a major friend red flag, hello! "If you are friends with someone who talks sh—t about people but smiles in their face later in front of you..Guess what they’ll eventually do to you?" @oriiizgold tweeted.

11. A friend also shouldn't make you feel bad about yourself.

It's not great if friends "make 'innocent jabs' at you around other people," Social Media Assistant Melanie says. If conversations constantly make you feel bad, then that's definitely not good, y'all.

12. Outright refusing to engage with current issues isn't great.

Limiting your social media & news exposure for mental health is one thing, but completely ignoring the state of the world is another. "If you [don't know] and don't wanna know about war crimes, current conflicts, and famine is just you enjoying your privilege and living in your bubble and I see it as a lack of humanity so...red flag," @OvenPsychological485 says on Reddit.

13. And don't forget, YOU don't want to have friendship red flags either!

"My friendship red flag for myself is when I notice myself starting to contort into being obsessively helpful & overly accommodating," @pigletish says on X. "Means I don’t feel comfortable, am masking to perform likability & need to check-in on why I feel discomfort." That's a good reminder for us all!

Japchae Korean Glass Noodles & Vegetable Stir Fry

“I was excited to try the frozen japchae but it was disappointing," one Redditor wrote. "So bland and watery.”

TJ's still currently sells this item for $3.49. You'll find it in the freezer section. It's made with glass noodles and a medley of stir-fried veggies like onion, spinach, carrot, and bell peppers.

Roasted Seasoned Brussels Sprouts

“Worst is the frozen parm Brussels," another Redditor brought up. "Those were horrible.”

The Brussels sprouts in question even inspired an entirely separate Reddit thread about how bad they were.

"Inedible," one person said. "Worst thing I’ve bought there."

"Maybe you got a bad bag?" another user suggested. "I make these all the time in my air fryer and I love them."

No matter where you stand with frozen veggies, I always stand by the fact that fresh ones will be way better than frozen ones, especially with an option as divisive as Brussels sprouts.

Calabrian Chili Spicy Pasta Sauce

“Calabrian chili sauce was like hot tomato soup,” someone noted.

The $5 sauce features a Calabrian chili hot sauce alongside a classic tomato base. TJ's also has it that this sauce includes a touch of honey to balance out the spice. TBH I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that...

Coconut Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

“The coconut cold brew concentrate tastes like battery acid ✨️," one person said. "Yes, even when prepared as directed!”

Luckily, TJ's doesn't sell the coconut version of their cold brew concentrate anymore. If you dare to try it, you can find a bottle of the plain flavor for $9, which, according to Trader Joe's, makes 12 whole servings.

Chunky Guacamole with Greek Yogurt

“Who approved that, JAIL!” someone said about this no-longer-sold guac made with Greek yogurt.

Some users in a separate thread actually called it an "abomination."

"Why tf did they add yogurt 😭," one person wrote.

"It’s not comparable to real guacamole, but I love it just as a dip," another noted.

Cacio E Pepe Pasta Sauce

“The jarred cacio [e] pepe sauce tasted like dirty feet," one Redditor called out.

I feel like cacio e pepe is definitely overused as a flavor at this point, so I kind of understand the hate towards this Trader Joe's product. This pick is crafted using Pecorino Romano cheese made from sheep’s milk and "bold" black pepper. TJ's recommends trying it over ravioli or gnocchi, in white lasagnas, or over some steamed broccoli.

Mandarin Orange Chicken

“Unpopular because everyone seems to love them but the orange chicken,🤮” someone responded to a thread asking about the grossest TJ's products. I honestly am sad to see that some shoppers really don't like this frozen meal – it's been one of my faves for years and I personally have no complaints!

“Agree, it’s very gristly," one Redditor said. "Also dark chicken meat (leg, thigh) makes me gag.”

Shrimp Seafood Burgers

According to a Redditor, the TJ's Shrimp Seafood Burgers (no longer in stores) are “super fishy" and it can be hard to get over their "fishy smell.”

They also did not go over well with TJ's fans on this thread:

"I found these to be awful," someone said. "No amount of Old Bay and good butter could mask the fishy taste and aroma. The only good thing I can say about them is that they were cheap."

"They're not that great on their own, but do well enough in a shrimp taco or sushi roll in a bowl," one person offered.

"You have to doctor them because they seemingly have no flavor of their own," another user said. "I like them in the air fryer. Some people might find the texture weird though."

Beef Pho Soup

“AVOID THE BEEF PHO,” one passionate user wrote. Based on my research, it's due to a major lack of flavor.

People were totally fired up about this item when it first dropped:

"This is a straight up scam," one person said. "How is it possible they made the broth FLAVORLESS??"

"It’s so bland, with no noodles," another wrote. "I was expecting a been sprout packets or something as well. Worse than any instant ramen 10/10 regret not making cup of noodles."

"Bought once, took one bite and trashed it," someone else commented. "Worst buy yet."

Spaghetti Carbonara

Trader Joe's calls this frozen pasta the queen of comfort foods, but some shoppers fully disagree.

“The only thing to stay away from is the new carbonara pasta," one Redditor wrote. "Literally tasteless!!!”

"Too soupy for carbonara," another said. "Way more like Olive Garden Alfredo than anything else."

"I just had this for the first time and it was sooooooo bland," someone else agreed. "I added so much pepper just to make it edible. Will not buy again."

Cajun Style Alfredo Sauce

One Redditor wrote that this sauce was "one of the worst things I’ve ever eaten.”

Per this discussion, shoppers were left yearning for more flavor.

"I bought two jars thinking I would LOVE it. I ended up disliking it," one person commented. "There’s a spice that I can’t quite put my finger on that I didn’t enjoy. In my opinion, it’s not very spicy. In the future, I’d just get regular Alfredo and add my own spices."

"Just okay, I'd say," someone else agreed. "Less flavorful than I had hoped - I would def take the lemon Alfredo over this, I love that one."

Frozen Chicken Taquitos

"Filled with chicken mush,” is how many people described these frozen Trader Joe's taquitos.

This thread talking about the product shed a lot of light on the intricacies of the texture:

"I bought some and they are nasty," one person said. "The filling is like eating a hot booger with fake lime juice. The chicken is not like any chicken but more like mystery meat. They need a dip for sure. You will taste more tortilla than the filling thankfully. Costco sells some that are tons better and you get more."

"They’re filled with bland chicken paste," another person chimed in. "They used to have good beef taquitos, don’t know happened to those. But these chicken ones were barely edible."