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 XVI – The Tower
Hidden Influences Knight of Wands		External Influences Ten of Swords
The Present Three of Cups		Suggestion XVIII – The Moon
The Past Ten of Coins		The Outcome Seven of Coins

Being burdened with financial responsibilities. The need to liquidate your assets. Investments do not turn out as expected. Financial dealings fall apart sending you back to square one. Problems with big businesses or institutions. A bad time to start new business dealings.

Be careful of overindulgence; too much of a good thing can cause problems. The cancelation of a celebration or party. Hanging with a bad crowd. Betrayal of friends. 'Misery loves company'.

Being rash, unpredictable, undependable, impatient, pushy, or headstrong. Not looking where you are going. Being a 'loose cannon'. Jumping the gun creates problems. Over committing yourself. A need to let things unfold naturally.

The collapse of a project or situation, especially when it forces you to revaluate your core values. Someone who challenges your beliefs or forces you to revaluate your life. Being forced out of your comfort zone. Losing your temper, i.e., blowing your top.

Desperate actions in desperate times. A mess that no one wants to take responsibility for. Hitting rock bottom. Plans fall apart. Continuing to obsess about a situation even though it is finished already. Overkill. Feeling like you've been stabbed in the back. 'He who lives by the sword dies by the sword'.

A time of deception, hidden agendas or unseen perils. There is some scheming going on behind the scenes. Suffering misunderstandings or confusion. Something eerie or haunting is going on. Hidden fears are coming to the surface. Feeling alone and abandoned, or that you have lost your way in life. Depression or nightmares.

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.