NYT Strands Answer & Hints for September 15, 2025 — Puzzle #561

Stuck on today’s Strands? Below you’ll find today’s theme, spoiler-light Spangram clues
(length, orientation, first/last letters), grid words that charge hints, first/last letters
for all theme words (length-obscured), definitions, and the full solution.

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About Today’s Strands

Puzzle #561 (published September 15, 2025). One special word — the Spangram —
spans the grid and ties the theme together.

Today’s Theme

Theme: For a fortune

General Hints

Think about tools used to divine the future.
Some answers are major “figures” you might reveal.
Spotting the Spangram makes the rest click quickly.

Spangram Length

The Spangram has 10 letters and is two words.

Spangram Orientation

The Spangram runs vertically across the grid.

Spangram First & Last Letters

Begins with T and ends with S.
Pattern preview (length-obscured): T___S

Note: We always display first/last letters as X___Y with three underscores, regardless of true length.

Hint Unlocker Words (from the grid)

FOOT
LIVED
LIVE
TOON
LIED
VILE
TRACED
TRACE
MESS
DRESS
LOVES
LOVE
PRESS
CARD
GAMER
GAME
CIGAR
FIVE
DROP
CRAN
CRAG

First & Last Letters of All Words

WORD 1: F___L
WORD 2: S___R
WORD 3: D___L
WORD 4: L___S
WORD 5: M___N
WORD 6: E___S
WORD 7: M___N

Spangram preview: T___S

Spangram

Click to reveal today’s Spangram

TAROT CARDS

Spangram Definition

Click to reveal the definition of the Spangram

TAROT CARDS — a deck of illustrated cards used for divination, storytelling, or reflection; often drawn and interpreted to offer insight about the future or a situation.

Example: “She pulled three tarot cards to get a different perspective on her decision.”

Sample Words

Click to reveal two words from today’s solution

FOOL
MOON

Full Solution

Click to reveal the complete answers

Theme: For a fortune

Spangram: TAROT CARDS

All words:

FOOL
MOON
DEVIL
EMPRESS
MAGICIAN
LOVERS
STAR
TAROTCARDS (Spangram)

Definitions of All Words

Click to reveal definitions of today’s words

FOOL — the first Major Arcana; often symbolizes new beginnings, spontaneity, or faith in a journey.
MOON — suggests intuition, dreams, illusion, or uncertainty.
DEVIL — can represent bondage to habits, temptation, or material attachment.
EMPRESS — signifies creativity, nurturing, abundance, or fertility.
MAGICIAN — symbolizes will, skill, and the power to manifest.
LOVERS — points to union, choice, values alignment, or relationships.
STAR — represents hope, inspiration, and healing after hardship.
TAROT CARDS — a deck used for divination or reflection; see above.