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:
- The Past: Past events affecting the question.
- The Present: The current state or approaching influence.
- Hidden Influences: Things the reader may not be aware of (or barely be aware of).
- Obstacles: This is the challenge: obstacles may be avoided or may have to be dealt with.
- External Influences: Attitudes and thoughts regarding people around the reader.
- Suggestions: Recommended course of action.
- Outcome: The result of following the suggestions.
Your Horse Shoe Reading
Obstacle![]() Ten of Batons |
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Hidden Influences![]() Queen of Coins |
External Influences![]() Seven of Coins |
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The Present![]() Ace of Swords |
Suggestion![]() King of Coins |
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The Past![]() Seven of Swords |
The Outcome![]() Ten of Coins |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
Seven of Swords
Symbolism:
Seven swords are arranged in a slightly chaotic or uneven configuration, emphasising complexity and strategy. The design suggests themes of cunning, deception, and the need for careful planning.
Meaning:
The Seven of Swords represents strategy, deception, or avoiding confrontation. It suggests a need to act carefully, but warns against dishonesty or taking shortcuts. This card encourages cleverness but with integrity.
In relationships, it may indicate secrecy or mistrust. Spiritually, it suggests the importance of facing the truth rather than evading it.
Keywords:
Strategy, cunning, deception, avoidance, stealth, dishonesty, planning, mistrust, cleverness, truth-seeking.
The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Ace of Swords
Symbolism:
A single, upright sword dominates the design, often crowned with laurels or floral motifs, symbolising clarity and power. This card evokes themes of mental focus, decisive action, and the emergence of truth.
Meaning:
The Ace of Swords signifies a breakthrough, clarity of thought, or the beginning of intellectual endeavours. It heralds a new phase where truth, logic, and reason will guide your actions. This card encourages decisiveness, honesty, and a commitment to facing challenges with integrity.
In relationships, it may suggest open communication or a new understanding. Spiritually, it represents cutting through illusions to achieve enlightenment.
Keywords:
Clarity, breakthrough, truth, mental focus, logic, decisiveness, honesty, intellectual pursuit, triumph, communication.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Queen of Coins
Symbolism:
The Reyne of Coins is seated gracefully, holding up a coin. This card symbolises nurturing energy, material comfort, and the ability to create and maintain prosperity in practical and emotional realms.
Meaning:
The Queen of Coins symbolises abundance, nurturing, and practicality. She reflects the ability to balance material success with care for others, often in a domestic or family setting. This card speaks to the importance of creating a nurturing environment where both material and emotional needs are met.
In relationships, it signifies a partner who is caring, practical, and deeply grounded. Spiritually, it represents the abundance that flows from a nurturing, balanced life and the wisdom that comes from caring for one's surroundings.
Keywords:
Nurturing, abundance, practicality, balance, wealth, comfort, family, responsibility, grounded, care.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Ten of Batons
Symbolism:
Ten batons create a complex, interwoven pattern, with leaves pushing through to signify growth under pressure. The imagery conveys burdens, responsibilities, and the weight of achievement, balanced by the promise of fulfilment.
Meaning:
The Ten of Batons represents burdens, responsibility, and the weight of obligations. It signifies a period of hard work or feeling overburdened by tasks and commitments. While this card warns against burnout, it also reminds you that the effort is leading toward a goal or resolution.
In relationships, it reflects shared responsibilities or the strain of unbalanced dynamics. Spiritually, it suggests the need to let go of unnecessary baggage to continue forward.
Keywords:
Burden, responsibility, obligation, hard work, completion, exhaustion, effort, duty, strain, perseverance.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Seven of Coins
Symbolism:
Seven coins are arranged in a slightly uneven yet intentional pattern, adorned with budding leaves, symbolising patience and growth. This card represents long-term investment, reflection on progress, and the anticipation of rewards.
Meaning:
The Seven of Coins represents patience and evaluation of progress. It suggests taking a step back to assess whether one's efforts have been fruitful. There may be a sense of waiting or uncertainty about the outcomes of hard work, but this card encourages perseverance and trusting in the process. It also warns against impatience or becoming too disillusioned with the slow pace of progress.
In relationships, it can signify reassessing the dynamics and questioning whether efforts are being reciprocated. Spiritually, it represents patience and the wisdom of understanding that results take time to manifest.
Keywords:
Patience, evaluation, progress, effort, assessment, perseverance, growth, waiting, dissatisfaction, long-term rewards.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
King of Coins
Symbolism:
The Roy of Coins is a regal figure seated on a throne, holding a coin casually, conveying wealth and stability. This card embodies mastery over material resources, leadership in financial matters, and the wisdom to build and sustain long-term success.
Meaning:
The King of Coins represents mastery over the material world. He embodies financial security, success, and the ability to manage wealth and resources effectively. This card signifies achievement and stability, as well as the wisdom that comes with long-term success.
In relationships, it suggests a reliable, prosperous partner who offers security and stability. Spiritually, it reflects the mastery of the material world and the ability to use wealth for the benefit of both oneself and others.
Keywords:
Mastery, wealth, financial security, success, stability, resources, prosperity, achievement, leadership, responsibility.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Ten of Coins
Symbolism:
Ten coins form a complex and interconnected pattern, adorned with rich, intricate designs that symbolise legacy and wealth. The imagery reflects lasting success, generational stability, and the fulfilment of long-term goals.
Meaning:
The Ten of Coins represents wealth, legacy, and long-term security. It signifies the culmination of efforts to build a stable, prosperous life for oneself and future generations. This card speaks to the material rewards that come from planning and sustained effort over time, especially in the realms of family, heritage, and financial stability.
In relationships, it highlights the importance of family, tradition, and long-term commitments. Spiritually, it represents the fulfilment of material goals and the creation of a lasting legacy.
Keywords:
Legacy, wealth, family, security, prosperity, tradition, stability, inheritance, culmination, long-term success.
