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 Six of Wands
Hidden Influences King of Swords		External Influences IX – The Hermit
The Present Six of Cups		Suggestion II – The Priestess
The Past Seven of Wands		The Outcome Seven of Coins

The need to stand your ground and defend your position – with success being the probable outcome. Facing your problems head on. Effort, fortitude, and bravery can bring about victory. Taking the moral high ground. Feeling able to overcome your problems; being confident that you are well-positioned and in the right.

Being overly sentimental. Someone is smothering a relationship by being overly protective. Inability to move beyond painful events from the past. Unwillingness to cut the apron strings from prior support systems. Someone is living in the past, which is blocking success in the present and future. Current problems are rooted in childhood traumas.

Having your mind made up and being closed to new ideas. Guarding your secrets or not sharing your knowledge. Intrusive meddling. Unfair decisions or bad advice. Following the letter of the law may allow you to ignore unfairness and cruelty in yourself and others. Having or exercising 'book learning' but not common sense.

Setting off into a conflict or battle with optimism and with the support of others. Victory through hard won battles. Getting recognition for your success. Celebrating your victory.

Pulling back in order to gain space to think things through. Taking the time necessary to review a situation on your own or with the help of a disinterested third party. Renunciation of material claims or desires. Embracing simplicity. 'Money can't buy you happiness'. An unorthodox teacher (a 'guru') has much to teach you.

Intuitively understanding underlying factors or unconscious motivations. Follow the guidance of your dreams. Meditation and contemplation is important now. Inner peace and tranquillity. Spirituality.

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.