Issue #866 Fri 30 Jan
Strands hints — January 30, 2026
A steady hand and a clear sky make for a quiet Friday morning. The grid unfolds with measured patience.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You take the same route home and a single door is open that's never open.
Methods of maritime and terrestrial navigation
TOOLS FOR DETERMINING GEOGRAPHIC POSITION
Spangram 4 nudges · 11 letters
The connector word
A single word composed of three distinct imperatives.
11 letters.
Starts with F, ends with Y.
FINDYOURWAY
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 A (5 letters)
- 2 B (6 letters)
- 3 C (7 letters)
- 4 L (8 letters)
- 5 S (7 letters)
- 6 S (4 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 AT (5 letters)
- 2 BE (6 letters)
- 3 CO (7 letters)
- 4 LA (8 letters)
- 5 SE (7 letters)
- 6 ST (4 letters)
Theme word 1 of 6 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A bound collection of maps that fits neatly on your bookshelf.
5 letters.
Starts with A.
Starts with AT.
ATLAS
Theme word 2 of 6 5 nudges · 6 letters
A theme word
A bright, fixed point on the horizon meant to guide ships safely to port.
6 letters.
Starts with B.
Starts with BE.
BEACON
Theme word 3 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A handheld instrument that always points toward magnetic north.
7 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CO.
COMPASS
Theme word 4 of 6 5 nudges · 8 letters
A theme word
An easily recognizable object that helps you identify your current location.
8 letters.
Starts with L.
Starts with LA.
LANDMARK
Theme word 5 of 6 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
An antique device used by sailors to measure the angle between the horizon and a celestial body.
7 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with SE.
SEXTANT
Theme word 6 of 6 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
A distant, burning orb that served as a primary guide for ancient travelers.
4 letters.
Starts with S.
Starts with ST.
STAR