Horoscopes Dec. 17, 2025: Milla Jovovich, let creativity take over. 

Detected Manipulations & Suggested Changes

Unsubstantiated claims

Presenting assertions or predictions without evidence, data, or a verifiable method.

Examples throughout the article: 1) General birthday message: "Turn your energy into something spectacular this year. Let creativity take over and inspire you to update and manipulate your surroundings and lifestyle... Take the path that leads to victory." 2) ARIES: "Travel will require extra time and proper documentation. Romance is in the stars. 5 stars" 3) LEO: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Put out feelers and network with others, and an opportunity will present itself. A partnership has potential. 5 stars" 4) AQUARIUS: "A change will take you by surprise and encourage you to push forward with enthusiasm. Romance is favored. 2 stars" 5) PISCES: "Associating with cutting-edge people and pursuits will help you understand the dynamics of keeping up and getting ahead. Trust your instincts and forge ahead. 5 stars" These statements assert specific outcomes (romance, opportunities, success, insight, etc.) and causal relationships (doing X will lead to Y) without any empirical support or explanation of how the author knows these things will occur for people born under certain signs on a specific date.

4 suggestions

Add clear disclaimers that the content is entertainment, not factual prediction or evidence-based guidance. For example: "The following horoscopes are for entertainment purposes only and are not based on scientific evidence."

Rephrase predictive statements as possibilities or reflections rather than certainties. For example, change "Romance is in the stars" to "You may feel more open to romantic connections today" and explicitly frame it as a suggestion, not a forecast.

Avoid specific outcome claims (e.g., "an opportunity will present itself") unless they are grounded in verifiable context (such as known seasonal job markets or holidays). Instead, use neutral, general self-reflection prompts like "Consider whether there are opportunities in your network you haven’t explored."

Remove or soften causal language that implies guaranteed results (e.g., "will require," "will put your mind at ease," "will have a positive impact") and replace with conditional phrasing like "may" or "can" and, where possible, add rationale (e.g., "Budgeting ahead of time can reduce financial stress for many people.").

Appeal to emotion

Using emotionally charged language to motivate or reassure readers without providing substantive evidence.

The column repeatedly uses uplifting, motivational, or reassuring language to create a sense of personal relevance and optimism: - "Turn your energy into something spectacular this year." - "Take the path that leads to victory." - "Nothing can stop you; go for gold." - "Romance is in the stars." - "Trust your intelligence and insight." - "Romance is favored." These phrases are designed to make readers feel hopeful, special, or empowered, but they are not grounded in any verifiable information. The emotional tone can make the advice feel more credible or personally tailored than it actually is.

4 suggestions

Balance motivational language with explicit acknowledgment of uncertainty and limits. For example: "While no one can predict the future, you might find it helpful to focus on goals that feel meaningful to you this year."

Replace absolute or grandiose phrases ("Nothing can stop you; go for gold") with more measured, realistic encouragement ("You may feel particularly motivated; consider setting a challenging but realistic goal.").

Clarify that emotional framing is aspirational, not predictive. For instance: "Use today as a reminder to invest in relationships that matter to you" instead of "Romance is in the stars."

Avoid implying that readers are guaranteed success or love; instead, focus on actions within their control (e.g., "If you value connection, you might choose to reach out to someone you care about.").

Narrative fallacy

Imposing a coherent story or pattern on events or traits without evidence that such a pattern exists.

The article constructs a narrative that people born under each sign on this date share common experiences, challenges, and opportunities: - "GEMINI: Change can be good if you embrace it wholeheartedly and engage in talks and events that offer a platform to share your thoughts." - "CANCER: Setting yourself up for success will put your mind at ease and money in the bank." - "LEO: Reconnecting with past associates will open doors to new beginnings." - "SAGITTARIUS: Knowing your capabilities and executing what you do best is the quickest path forward. Less interaction will work in your favor." These statements weave a story that links birth dates/signs to specific life trajectories and daily dynamics, without any empirical basis. The narrative structure can make the advice feel intuitively right, even though it is not supported by data.

4 suggestions

Explicitly state that the narratives are symbolic or reflective rather than literal predictions. For example: "This horoscope offers a symbolic theme you might reflect on today, not a forecast of actual events."

Shift from sign-based determinism to general self-reflection prompts that apply to anyone. For example, instead of "LEO: Reconnecting with past associates will open doors to new beginnings," use "You might consider whether reconnecting with past colleagues could be beneficial for your goals."

Avoid implying that all people of a given sign share the same experiences. Use language like "Some readers may find that…" rather than "You will…"

Where possible, ground advice in common, evidence-informed principles (e.g., networking can increase career opportunities) and present them as general life strategies, not as outcomes dictated by stars or signs.

Framing effect

Presenting information in a way that influences interpretation or decisions by emphasizing certain aspects over others.

The star-rating system and phrasing frame each day as objectively more or less favorable, which can influence readers’ expectations and decisions: - "ARIES ... 5 stars" with "Romance is in the stars." - "VIRGO ... 2 stars: Distance yourself from drama... Protect your reputation." - "AQUARIUS ... 2 stars: You may not like what’s happening around you... A change will take you by surprise... Romance is favored." - "PISCES ... 5 stars: Believe what you see, verify what you hear and pursue what excites you... Trust your instincts and forge ahead." The numeric ratings and positive/negative framing suggest that some signs objectively have a "good" or "bad" day, which can bias how readers interpret their experiences, even though no evidence is provided that such daily variations exist by sign.

4 suggestions

Clarify that star ratings are a stylistic device, not an objective measure of the day’s quality. For example: "Star ratings are a playful way to highlight themes and are not based on scientific measures."

Remove numeric ratings altogether and instead describe general themes without implying a quantifiable level of luck or success.

Avoid language that suggests the day is inherently good or bad for a sign. Replace "2 stars: You may not like what’s happening around you" with neutral framing like "You might encounter some challenges today; consider how you want to respond to them."

Encourage readers to treat the content as optional reflection, not as a guide that should shape their expectations or decisions. For example: "If this resonates, use it as a prompt for reflection; if not, feel free to disregard it."

Illusion of control

Implying that following certain advice based on astrological signs can control or significantly influence outcomes that are largely uncertain or unrelated.

Several passages suggest that by following horoscope-based guidance, readers can secure better outcomes: - "Taking care of the expenses that come with the festive season and events in advance will reduce stress and encourage you to relax and enjoy yourself. Travel will require extra time and proper documentation. Romance is in the stars." - "Setting yourself up for success will put your mind at ease and money in the bank." - "Direct your energy accordingly, and don’t comply or present your offer until others meet your standards. Trust your intelligence and insight." - "An event that allows you to learn and connect with people practicing something you want to pursue can lead to unexpected opportunities." While some practical advice (budgeting, verifying information) is reasonable, it is framed as part of an astrological prescription, implying that aligning with the horoscope’s guidance gives special control or advantage tied to one’s sign and the date.

4 suggestions

Separate general, practical advice from astrological framing. For example, present budgeting or planning tips as standalone, evidence-based suggestions, not as sign-specific predictions.

Avoid implying that following the horoscope confers special advantage. Instead of "Romance is in the stars," say "If you’re interested in romance, you might choose to make time for connection today."

Add a note that outcomes depend on many factors beyond any horoscope and that readers should use their own judgment and, where appropriate, professional advice.

Rephrase to emphasize personal agency and uncertainty rather than astrological determinism. For example: "Planning ahead often helps reduce stress" instead of linking it to a specific sign’s day rating.

Confirmation bias / Availability cascade (encouraging)

Presenting generalized, vague statements that readers can easily match to their own experiences, reinforcing belief in the system.

Many statements are broad and likely to resonate with a wide range of readers, which can encourage confirmation bias: - "Reconnecting with past associates will open doors to new beginnings." - "You’ll gain insight into something you want to pursue." - "Participate in events that broaden your perspective and encourage you to learn something new." - "Distance yourself from drama and those trying to involve you in a situation that doesn’t include you." Because these are common life situations, readers can easily recall instances that fit, reinforcing the sense that the horoscope is accurate. This taps into confirmation bias and, when repeated across media, can contribute to an availability cascade where belief in horoscopes feels widely validated simply because they are frequently encountered and often seem to "fit."

4 suggestions

Make the generality explicit: acknowledge that the advice is broadly applicable and not uniquely tailored by sign. For example: "This is general life advice that many people may find useful, regardless of sign."

Avoid overly vague, universally relatable statements that can apply to almost anyone at any time. If included, frame them as generic self-help tips rather than predictions.

Encourage critical reflection: add prompts like "Notice which parts of this resonate with you and which do not; it’s normal if some or all of it doesn’t fit your situation."

Include a brief note about the tendency for people to remember hits and forget misses, to help readers recognize confirmation bias rather than reinforcing it.