Horse Shoe Spread

Horse Shoe Spread #1

 

 

Difficulty: Easy

The Horse Shoe is a classic tarot spread. It is more advanced than the three-card reading, yet simpler than most other spreads. It is a versatile method that can be used for most queries, though there are other spreads which would go into more depth. Like the simple Past, Present, and Future spread, it contains these cards in positions #1, #2, and #7, but also has four other tarot cards that help the reader understand how to deal with the future better. The cards are to be read as follows:

  1. The Past: Past events affecting the question.
  2. The Present: The current state or approaching influence.
  3. Hidden Influences: Things the reader may not be aware of (or barely be aware of).
  4. Obstacles: This is the challenge: obstacles may be avoided or may have to be dealt with.
  5. External Influences: Attitudes and thoughts regarding people around the reader.
  6. Suggestions: Recommended course of action.
  7. Outcome: The result of following the suggestions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Horse Shoe Reading

  Obstacle

6 of Wands – Victory
 
Hidden Influences

8 of Cups – Indolence
  External Influences

10 of Wands – Oppression
The Present

The Universe
  Suggestion

The Devil
The Past

10 of Cups – Satiety
  The Outcome

3 of Cups – Abundance

 

 

 

 

The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

10 of Cups – Satiety

Mars in Pisces

The nine lower cups are filled with the shining light of Kether from above, just as in the blueprint contained within the Ace all along. Overwhelming emotions here risk crossing the boundaries of sanity.

Meaning:
Pleasure fulfilled yet incomplete.
When ill-dignified: waste, stagnation, debauchery.

 

 

 

 

The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

The Universe

Earth

The spider in the man's head is a reference to Leary's octave rhythms. The spider and web indicate man's nature to perceive and even weave his own reality. The web also indicates being trapped in our own perception of reality. It may also hint at the nature of the interaction between this and other universes.

Meaning:
The realisation of the whole matter. The essence of the query itself. Synthesis. Crystallisation. Could represent something extremely important.
When ill-dignified: A cruel world.

 

 

 

 

Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.

 

8 of Cups – Indolence

Saturn in Pisces

Eight cups stand on a bed of mud where the water receded. Dark clouds have rolled in to overcast the pale-yellow sky. Half of the cups have been spilled. This is the morning after.

Meaning:
Success abandoned, apathy, misery, transience, instability, a small victory. Sometimes means abandonment of materialistic pursuits in favour of the spiritual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

6 of Wands – Victory

Jupiter in Leo

This card represents energy in its most balanced and powerful state. Six snake-rods are crossed with nine flames burning at the joints. This represents the male energy being reflected by the female in a state of perfect harmony and balance.

Meaning:
Triumph after strife. Success and gain, good news, expectations fulfilled.
When ill-dignified: excessive pride and insolence.

 

 

 

 

External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.

 

10 of Wands – Oppression

Saturn in Sagittarius

The wands have now become bars. We live in prisons of flesh. We are each our own warden and we all do our own time.

Meaning:
Brute force with no apparent spiritual source. Lies, repression, cruelty, malice. The element of fire in its most destructive form.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

The Devil

Capricorn

The Devil is your opposite, <%custom1%>, your Anima or Animus, your Demonic Self. (s)He is your dark side and your inner child. The traits that we lack in our own selves causes us to seek completion in many of our relationships. Most of our earthly relationships are based on fulfilling this Devil inside of us. In certain people such as the very well-rounded or spiritually developed, this part of the personality may already be fulfilled. The children walk with The Devil hand in hand.

Meaning:
Temptation, obsession, impulsiveness, ambition, materialism, self-fulfilment, fate.

 

 

 

 

The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.

 

3 of Cups – Abundance

Mercury in Cancer

Two cups combine their essence into a third cup, their offspring. This card is about creation, fertility, and pregnancy. A collaborative effort. The process of reproduction.

Meaning:
Fulfilment, conclusion, plenty, fertility, hospitality, bounty, kindness, creation.