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![]() Knight of Cups |
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Hidden Influences![]() XIV – Temperance |
External Influences![]() Seven of Cups |
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The Present![]() XX – Judgement |
Suggestion![]() Ten of Swords |
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The Past![]() Ten of Coins |
The Outcome![]() Eight of Wands |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
Ten of Coins
A good time to go into business for yourself or to take your career to the next level. Good dealings with big businesses or institutions. Wealthy people are involved. An inheritance. Trying to see beyond material things.
The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
XX – Judgement
A lack of common sense. A hasty or ill-considered decision that brings an unwelcome change to your life. Clinging to the confines of conventional thinking. A reluctance to move forward with your life. Holding on to a grudge.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
XIV – Temperance
Making necessary adjustments in your life; finding serenity and healing. A balanced perspective or approach. Compromising or cooperating to achieve objectives. Being patient or forgiving with someone. Finding growth opportunities in your hardships will make you stronger and more resilient. A 'wounded healer', i.e., someone who can help others due to having suffered similar problems or wounds.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Knight of Cups
A chance to meet new people. The start of a new relationship (romantic or otherwise). The desire to reach out to someone else. Someone who is a hopeless romantic, 'a lover, not a fighter'. Acting upon your emotions, intuition, or gut feeling.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Seven of Cups
The lifting of a fog, the ability to make a clear, well thought out decision. An end to wishful thinking. A time to use your imagination, to follow your dreams, or to listen to a message from the spirit world. The happy realisation that you have many options. Seeing through someone else's deceptions.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Ten of Swords
End of a bad time; a resolution will occur or problems will be resolved. Letting go of something, letting it die and fade away. Getting help from others. Finding the silver lining within a dark cloud. A need to stop over-analysing things and start listening to your intuition instead.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Eight of Wands
Watch out – things are moving too quickly or spinning out of control. Spending too much energy on the wrong problem. Spinning your wheels. Making decisions too hastily. Moving forward with reckless abandon. Feeling overwhelmed by the fast pace of events.
