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![]() Queen of Cups |
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Hidden Influences![]() Youth of Wands |
External Influences![]() Ace of Coins |
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The Present![]() Seven of Coins |
Suggestion![]() Four of Swords |
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The Past![]() XIX – The Sun |
The Outcome![]() Six of Swords |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
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 Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Seven of Coins
Drudgery. Working for 'peanuts'. Doubting long-term benefits of current efforts. Demoralisation, giving up. Feeling oppressed by your work. Wasted effort or a waste of time.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Youth of Wands
Someone who is friendly, boisterous, enthusiastic, and often mischievous. Entering into an undertaking with eagerness and daring. Beginners' luck. An initiation. Enthusiasm that inspires creative solutions. Someone who brings good news or reinvigorates a situation with youthful energy. The start of something big.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Queen of Cups
Thinking you're in love with someone, but actually you're just 'in love with love'. A need to create more peace and harmony in your relationships. Having an overly emotional response. Being emotionally needy. Emotions are clouding your judgment.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Ace of Coins
A new venture is faltering. Desired results are not delivered or will be delayed. Someone is late in providing payment, or payment is not complete. The inability to meet financial obligations. Someone who was 'born with a silver spoon in his mouth'.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Four of Swords
Being stuck in a holding pattern. Laziness. Avoiding a conflict rather than resolving it. A vacation or an expected respite from struggles and conflicts does not come or is cut short. Not getting the rest you need. Having problems sleeping.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Six of Swords
Escaping stress and conflict. Seeking peace after a conflict. Cutting your losses and moving on. Stepping back or moving away from a difficult situation to gain a valuable perspective of it. A trip to or a visitor from a faraway place. Trying to overcome a bad habit or self-destructive mindset, perhaps with the help of a support group.
