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 Three of Wands
Hidden Influences Queen of Wands		External Influences XIV – Temperance
The Present VII – The Chariot		Suggestion Queen of Swords
The Past XIII – Death		The Outcome III – The Empress

Clinging to old ideas, beliefs, situations, or relationships that no longer serve a purpose. Fear of change, or a refusal to change, which may hinder growth or make an inevitable change more painful when it eventually does happen. Being in denial about a significant loss.

Feeling pulled in several directions at once. Feeling a loss of control in your life. An inability to properly master outside influences. Charging ahead rashly. Running roughshod over other people. Losing yourself in the role you have to play in order to succeed. Failure or a very costly victory.

An interfering, domineering, or overpowering person who insists on getting their own way. Using deceit or betrayal to thwart someone they think is in their way. The imposition of your own values on others. Haughtiness and pride. The 'other woman' in an affair.

An enterprise that looked promising fails to deliver. Short-sightedness, unrealistic plans, or overconfidence cause problems for a new venture. The road ahead seems filled with roadblocks. A need to expand your horizons. Getting bogged down in details and losing the 'big picture'.

Inflexibility causes problems in resolving issues. An inability to be open to others' viewpoints or to find a middle ground or compromise in a troublesome situation. Taking extreme measures when a more balance approach is required. Adhering to either extreme of abstinence or self-indulgence.

Being moralistic, self-righteous, sanctimonious, prudish, or emotionally barren. Someone behind the scenes is pulling the strings. Someone is not what she seems. She may be wearing a mask, or she may be using guile and cunning to manipulate someone to do something for her or to do things her way.

The Mother archetype, which implies mothering qualities such as nurturing, compassion, devotion, creativity, and fertility. An endeavour is coming to fruition. Love and sexuality. Hard work that pays off.