Dark Magic. The first word of each theme answer, which are in the Circles, can all be associated with Darkness, whether literal (night, black) or figurative (evil, secret). These "DARK CIRCLES" often carrying connotations of fear, danger, and hidden or negative aspects.
17-Across. Seasoning in a grinder: BLACK PEPPER.
24-Across. Exorcist's target: EVIL SPIRIT.
35-Across. Phone setting that dims the screen: NIGHT MODE.
52-Across. Hush-hush agreement: SECRET DEAL.
59-Across. Signs of fatigue, and what can be found in 17-, 24-, 35-, and 52-Across: DARK CIRCLES.
Here's the Grid, so you can see all the Dark Circles.
Our very own Big Easy and our blog hostess, C.C., created this not-so-dark puzzle today.
Across:
1. Island in the Gulf of Naples: CAPRI.
6. Harbor vessels: SHIPS.
11. Cookie container: TIN. // And 6-Down. Cookie container: SLEEVE. What!? No cookie Jar?
14. "The Raven" poet Edgar ___ Poe: ALLAN. The Raven is a poem that focuses on grief and loss. Edgar Allan Poe (Jan. 19, 1809 ~ October. 7, 1849) wanted to use a talking bird, and originally considered a parrot. He chose a parrot because of its ability to repeat words, which he needed for the poem's repeated refrain, "Nevermore." He obviously changed changed the bird to a raven, because a raven is more somber, black appearance better suited the poem's overall tone and darker themes.
15. Put a cap on: LIMIT.
16. "One" prefix: UNI-.
19. Involuntary movement: TIC.
20. Baby garment: ONESIE.
21. Express feelings onstage: EMOTE.
23. Totally dominates: OWNS.
28. Word between surnames: NÉE. This has become a crossword staple.
29. Defiant retort: ARE TOO!
30. Tragic Shakespearean king: LEAR.
31. More strange: ODDER.
33. Note between fa and la: SOL.
34. In an aimless way: IDLY.
39. Army post: FORT.
42. "Boo'd Up" singer Ella __: MAI. Ella Mai (née Ella Mai Howell; b. Nov. 3, 1994) is an English singer. She was named after Ella Fitzgerald.
43. Charlotte __: creamy dessert: RUSSE. A charlotte is a type of bread pudding that uses ladyfingers to line a mold, which is then filled with a fruit puree or custard. The baked pudding could then be sprinkled with powdered sugar and glazed.
47. Smoothie bowl berry: ACAI. These trendy berries have become a crossword staple.
48. Gym session dedicated to pushups, bicep curls, etc.: ARM DAY. I was not aware that there is a specific day dedicated to training the muscles of the arms.
51. Gear tooth: COG.
54. "Yippee!": WHOO!
55. Off the market: TAKEN.
56. Niger or Nigeria: NATION. Niger and Nigeria are adjacent African countries.
58. Dallas-to-Nashville dir.: ENE. As in East NorthEast. Or, you can take a more circuitous route and head south first.
64. Grab a chair: SIT.
65. "Hamilton" Tony winner Renée __ Goldsberry: ELISE. Renée Elise Goldsberry (b. Jan. 2, 1971) is an actress, singer, and songwriter. She portrayed the original Angelica Schuyler in the musical Hamilton.
66. Compassionate words: I CARE.
67. Some Ph.D. students: TAs. As in Teaching Assistants.
68. Gently protest: DEMUR.
69. Analyze, as a sentence: PARSE. This brings back memories of junior high English class.
Down:
1. Truck driver's spot: CAB.
2. Not forbidden: ALLOWED.
3. Worked out in advance: PLANNED.
4. Dashes and triathlons: RACES.
5. Inserts for some printers: INKS.
7. Joined at the __: inseparable: HIP.
8. Little troublemaker: IMP. These troublemakers make frequent guest appearances in the puzzles.
9. Round chart shape: PIE.
10. Throat affliction: STREP. Strep throat an infection caused by infection a bacterium known as Streptococcus pyogenes. The bacterium causes a sore throat and can be spread through respiratory droplets. It is typically treated with antibiotics, and prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent potential complications. Please take this infection seriously. My friend's son recently contracted Strep Throat, and even though he was under a doctor's care, he died from the infection and he was only 53 years old.
11. Taught one-on-one: TUTORED.
12. J, F, or K, for JFK: INITIAL.
13. "You almost tricked me!": NICE TRY.
18. Fishing spot: PIER.
22. Surroundings: MILIEU. This is a fun word, but I have probably never used it in a sentence.
23. "Bag Piece" artist Yoko: ONO. I can't believe Yoko Ono (b. Feb. 18, 1933) is 92 years old!
25. "No more stalling": IT'S TIME!
26. Weaving device: LOOM.
27. Flight student's milestone: SOLO.
29. D-backs, in box scores: ARI. As in the American League Arizona Diamondback baseball team.
32. Whole: ENTIRE.
36. Exam for future MBAs: GMAT. As in the Graduate Management Admission Test.
37. Like a coconut shell: HARD.
38. Like toast without butter: DRY.
39. Superlative for Usain Bolt: FASTEST. Usain Bolt (né Usain St. Leo Bolt; b. Aug. 21, 1986) is a Jamaican sprinter who is widely considered the greatest sprinter of all time, hence his nickname Lightning Bolt. He is an eight-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012, and 2016). He also won two 4 × 100 relay gold medals.
40. Fiji's region: OCEANIA.
41. Tennis paddles: RACKETS.
44. Erudite individual: SCHOLAR.
45. Oklahoma State rivals: SOONERS. Why Oklahoma is called the Sooners.
46. __ surfing: EGO. Ego Surfing is the practice of searching your own name on the internet.
49. Dasher's teammate: DANCER. Think of Santa's reindeer.
50. Jai __: ALAI.
53. Reached a conclusion: ENDED.
54. Religion with covens: WICCA.
57. Stumble: TRIP.
60. Bitter pub drink: ALE.
61. Glass edge: RIM.
62. Sch. west of Topeka: KSU. As in Kansas State University. The school is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, United States. The school opened as a college in 1863 and was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Kansas. Apparently, it's logo is a wildcat.
63. "Didn't I tell you?": SEE. See? Didn't I tell you this wasn't a Dark puzzle!
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