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Enigmarch 2025, Day 2: STAFF
Mar. 2nd, 2025 09:49 pmDay 2: STAFF. I know they're usually called wands and not staves, including in this very puzzle, but this is where I ended up.
Helpful Instructions
So let's be very explicit about how this works: it's inspired by the Tumblr account Unhelpful Tarot, but no knowledge of (or research in) that account is necessary or, well, helpful.
Like that account, this puzzle uses the Rider-Waite images (and is based on the images, not particularly the card meanings). For the sake of space, the puzzle contains links to the 24 images rather than the images themselves, though you can find a layout of all the images here (major arcana in order in the top row, minor arcana unordered in the bottom row).
The major arcana cards below are presented in order. You'll want to find the right minor arcana card for each one, so that they match the unhelpful tarot readings. Then index into the name of the major arcana (as given on the card, including definite articles) by the rank of the minor arcana.
Got it? Let's go.
Major Arcana
Minor Arcana
Four of Cups - Five of Cups - Eight of Cups - Ace of Pentacles - Seven of Pentacles - Nine of Pentacles - Four of Swords - Five of Swords - Six of Swords - Four of Wands - Six of Wands - Seven of Wands
Unhelpful Readings
And of course a helpful answer checker.
Helpful Instructions
So let's be very explicit about how this works: it's inspired by the Tumblr account Unhelpful Tarot, but no knowledge of (or research in) that account is necessary or, well, helpful.
Like that account, this puzzle uses the Rider-Waite images (and is based on the images, not particularly the card meanings). For the sake of space, the puzzle contains links to the 24 images rather than the images themselves, though you can find a layout of all the images here (major arcana in order in the top row, minor arcana unordered in the bottom row).
The major arcana cards below are presented in order. You'll want to find the right minor arcana card for each one, so that they match the unhelpful tarot readings. Then index into the name of the major arcana (as given on the card, including definite articles) by the rank of the minor arcana.
Got it? Let's go.
Major Arcana
- The Chariot
- The Sun
- The Lovers
- Wheel of Fortune
- Strength
- The Star
- Death
- The Hanged Man
- Justice
- Temperance
- The Tower
- The Hermit
Minor Arcana
Four of Cups - Five of Cups - Eight of Cups - Ace of Pentacles - Seven of Pentacles - Nine of Pentacles - Four of Swords - Five of Swords - Six of Swords - Four of Wands - Six of Wands - Seven of Wands
Unhelpful Readings
- A sphinx will ask you a riddle. You'll try to buy a vowel.
- An angel will offer you a new chalice. Too bad he's already emptied it out.
- Defending a hilltop is thirsty work. You're going to regret pouring out those pitchers earlier.
- Farming isn't the life you wanted, but you're definitely not going back to working in that skyscraper.
- If you go horseback riding today, wear sunscreen. Or a red tunic. Or anything at all.
- It's dangerous to go across fords at night alone! Take this lantern.
- The bad news is you're getting jury duty; the worse news is that it's another boring "grand theft stabby" case.
- This wedding would be going better if your cat hadn't eaten the rings.
- When he finally comes for you, pretending you're asleep in a church won't save you.
- Yes, it's a shame they tipped over. Maybe a different perspective will help.
- You imagined a much fancier Uber. Free weapons just aren't a substitute for free bottled water.
- You just wanted to take a walk in the park with your bird. No one told you it would be a nudist park.
And of course a helpful answer checker.