Work through the levels. Reveal the Spangram only when you’re truly ready.
Today’s clue: “Summer sign”
A gentle direction — no specifics.
Closer — the category is coming into focus.
Near-direct — only read if you’re stuck.
Direction only.
Getting closer.
Near-direct.
6 theme words — lengths in random order
Spaces not counted in total
All theme words — shuffled
These words fit the theme on the surface, but aren’t part of today’s solution. Knowing them ahead of time can save you minutes of searching.
A quintessential Leo adjective, but the puzzle chose other traits instead.
Directly linked to lions, yet the grid focuses on social rather than ferocious qualities.
Often used to describe Leos, but it's not among today's theme answers.
A common positive trait for the sign, but the editor selected a more specific set of attributes.
a textbook decoy
At difficulty 4.5, the spangram LEOTHELION is the clear unlock: once you spot that spanning title, the zodiac theme locks in and the trait words become obvious. The clue 'Summer sign' strongly hints at Leo, but without the spangram, a solver might initially think of literal summer icons. Short adjectives like BOLD and BOSSY are easy to pick out, then DRAMATIC, CHARMING, GENEROUS, and LOYAL quickly fill in. The spangram's length and phrase-like structure make it stand out on the board, guiding you from opposite sides. A subtle test comes from the absence of very common Leo descriptors like PROUD, which might cause a moment of uncertainty before the real words emerge.
The clue 'Summer sign' refers to the zodiac sign Leo, which covers late July through late August—the heart of summer. There's no pun or wordplay; it's a literal hint: the sign whose season is summer. The puzzle uses that seasonal clue to lead you to the constellation Leo, then lets the spangram LEOTHELION personify it as the king of beasts. The trait words are the stereotypical personality profile you'd find in any horoscope column for a Leo.
Instead of the most obvious Leo adjective ('proud'), editor Tracy Bennett selected a balance of flattering and critical traits—charming, loyal, generous, bold, bossy, and dramatic. This mix captures the duality of the Leo archetype: warm and magnetic, yet occasionally overbearing. By pairing them under the spangram LEOTHELION, the puzzle becomes a bite-sized horoscope. No words share overlapping letters in a way that confuses the grid, and the absence of synonyms keeps the search clean and the design elegant.
