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![]() Six of Cups |
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Hidden Influences![]() IV – The Emperor |
External Influences![]() Three of Swords |
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The Present![]() Ten of Wands |
Suggestion![]() XIX – The Sun |
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The Past![]() King of Wands |
The Outcome![]() Nine of Coins |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
King of Wands
Someone with a sense of entitlement. Being arrogant, insufferable, or oppressive to others. Megalomania and a desire for power at any price. A charismatic leader who is dictatorial or is acting out of his own self-interest. Someone in authority who takes an unyielding position. Your creativity is being squashed by others.
The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Ten of Wands
Commitments are lightening up; a sense of weariness is lifting. Getting your priorities straight. Finally getting everything done despite all the problems and setbacks. Relief from stress and pressures. Receiving unexpected help. Quitting a bad job.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
IV – The Emperor
The Father archetype, which implies things like strictness, providing for others, and having respect and recognition from others. The ability to rationally resolve issues and problems. Having structure, stability, and order in your life. An authority figure, a person who is in a position of power.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Six of Cups
An innocent enjoyment of life and its simple pleasures. Making a peace offering to restore domestic harmony. A reunion with old friends; finding a childhood friend. A need to revisit or resolve some aspect of the past. Coming to terms with old memories or forgiving past transgressions.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Three of Swords
Avoiding painful truths. Unscrupulous actions. Having no regrets for your actions. Moving on and leaving the past behind you. Struggling to recover from psychological wounds.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
XIX – The Sun
Enjoying or celebrating success. Having energy and vitality, being optimistic and active. Triumph over obstacles. Recognition for work done. Trusting others and experiencing a sense of unity. Coming out of a dark period. Critical reasoning leads to clarity and understanding.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Nine of Coins
Things may not be as secure as they seem. Building success on shaky ground. Material success that is fragile or fleeting. Imprudent spending that undermines your security. Feeling unfulfilled by what you have. Feeling driven to 'keep up with the Joneses'.
