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NYT Strands puzzle #561, from September 15, 2025, has the theme clue “For a fortune.” Need a nudge? The more specific hint is “Two of Cups.” The full answer list is below the spoiler warning.
Hints for Strands #561
Use these from least to most revealing if you are still solving:
- The theme clue is “For a fortune.”
- A more specific clue is “Two of Cups.”
- The theme-word answers begin with FO, MO, ST, DE, LO, EM and MA. The spangram begins with TA.
- The 10-letter spangram runs from the top edge at column four to the bottom edge at column three.
To earn an in-game hint, find three non-theme words. The game’s instructions, as quoted by Parade and attributed to The New York Times, say: “Find theme words to fill the board.” Players can drag letters or tap them; when tapping, double-tap the final letter to submit. The spangram describes the theme, touches two opposite sides of the board and may consist of two words. Parade’s September 15 guide describes these mechanics.
Spoiler warning: full answers
The answers below reveal the complete solution to Strands #561.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Theme words
- FOOL
- MOON
- DEVIL
- EMPRESS
- MAGICIAN
- LOVERS
- STAR
Spangram
TAROTCARDS
The theme words are names of tarot cards, which fits the clue “For a fortune.” The date-specific answer guides from TechRadar, Parade and Try Hard Guides, along with the Strands Solution archive, agree on the answer set.
Quick Recap
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