Horse Shoe Spread

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 Seven of Cups
Hidden Influences Two of Pentagrams		External Influences King of Cups
The Present Nine of Cups		Suggestion XVI. The Tower
The Past Queen of Cups		The Outcome Nine of Swords

Reversed
Symbolism:
The beautiful Queen of Cups toasts to the abundance of victims willing to sacrifice themselves for the vampires' pleasure. The Queen embodies nurturing energy but also the darker, seductive side of emotional power.

Meaning:
The Queen of Cups represents emotional wisdom, intuition, and nurturing. She is deeply connected to her emotions and offers guidance in matters of the heart. This card symbolizes compassion, empathy, and the ability to heal through love. The Queen also represents a woman who has a strong emotional presence and offers emotional support to those around her.

Reversed, the Queen of Cups may indicate emotional manipulation, dishonesty, or perversion of nurturing energy. It could point to a woman who is overly controlling, emotionally unstable, or unable to trust her instincts.

Keywords:
Reversed: Emotional manipulation, instability, dishonesty, emotional imbalance.

Symbolism:
A male vampire sits at the peak of drunken contentment, a symbol of ultimate satisfaction and indulgence. The cups around him represent the emotional fulfillment that results from victory and excess.

Meaning:
The Nine of Cups represents emotional satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. It indicates that your desires are being met and that you are experiencing joy in its fullest form. It can also be a sign of physical satisfaction or emotional abundance, often linked to wishes being granted.

Keywords:
Upright: Contentment, fulfillment, satisfaction, emotional success, victory.

Reversed
Symbolism:
A young female vampire holds two pentagrams in her hands while seated in her dungeon. She appears to be balancing both objects, a representation of adaptability and change. The setting suggests a careful juggling of duties, with an eye on the future and a mind on the present.

Meaning:
The Two of Pentagrams is a card of adaptability, change, and managing multiple responsibilities. It suggests that you may be juggling different aspects of your life—finances, work, relationships—and must find balance to avoid becoming overwhelmed. It invites flexibility and encourages you to embrace change rather than resist it.

Reversed, it warns against overcommitment or being too rigid in your approach. It may indicate that you're struggling to adapt to new circumstances or that you're experiencing instability in some area of your life.

Keywords:
Reversed: Instability, overcommitment, resistance to change, imbalance.

Symbolism:
An unfortunate vampire has run out of the “good stuff” and must now rely on less desirable means. The card hints at illusions and unattainable desires, emphasizing the fantasy of having everything.

Meaning:
The Seven of Cups is a card of illusions, choices, and confusion. It represents the overwhelming number of options or fantasies that may lead to unrealistic expectations. This card calls for discernment and clarity, urging you to focus on what truly matters rather than being distracted by distractions or fleeting desires.

Keywords:
Upright: Illusions, choices, confusion, unrealistic expectations, desire.

Symbolism:
Seated upon his throne, the King clasps a full chalice in hand. The King embodies emotional mastery, wisdom, and balance, symbolizing the ability to rule over emotions and guide others with compassion.

Meaning:
The King of Cups represents emotional maturity, control, and wisdom. He is a master of his feelings and uses his emotional intelligence to guide others. This card signifies someone who is emotionally stable, compassionate, and deeply understanding. The King offers counsel, support, and emotional protection to others and is often a symbol of balance in relationships and emotional wellbeing.

Keywords:
Upright: Emotional maturity, wisdom, stability, compassion, emotional intelligence, guidance.

Reversed
Symbolism:
The Tower is shown as a crumbling gothic spire, struck by lightning and engulfed in flames. Figures are seen falling from the heights, their faces contorted in shock and despair. The dark sky above swirls with storm clouds, while the ground below splits open, exposing molten lava. Amid the destruction, a single raven perches on the rubble, symbolizing the potential for renewal through upheaval.

Meaning:
The Tower represents sudden upheaval, revelation, and the breaking down of false structures. It signals a dramatic, often unexpected event that shakes the foundations of your life, forcing you to confront harsh truths. While challenging, this card ultimately clears the way for genuine growth and transformation.

Reversed, the Tower suggests avoiding necessary change or clinging to unstable circumstances. It may warn of delayed consequences or a refusal to face reality.

Keywords:
Reversed: Resistance, avoidance, delayed change, denial, suppressed upheaval, lingering instability.

Symbolism:
Nine swords hang ominously on the wall, their sharp edges glinting faintly in the dim light. Below, a female vampire clutches her chest, overwhelmed by anxiety. Her surroundings are fortified excessively, reflecting her insecurities and fears of vulnerability. The scene captures a suffocating sense of dread and the heavy toll of mental anguish.

Meaning:
The Nine of Swords represents anxiety, fear, and despair. It signifies sleepless nights, obsessive thoughts, and the burden of worries that may or may not be grounded in reality. This card calls attention to the self-inflicted nature of some fears, urging reflection and perspective.

Keywords:
Upright: Anxiety, fear, despair, worry, nightmares, obsession, mental overload.