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 Knight of Wands
Hidden Influences Four of Swords		External Influences 0 – The Fool
The Present IV – The Emperor		Suggestion Youth of Swords
The Past Seven of Cups		The Outcome Ten of Swords

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.

The Father archetype, which implies things like strictness, providing for others, and having respect and recognition from others. The ability to rationally resolve issues and problems. Having structure, stability, and order in your life. An authority figure, a person who is in a position of power.

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.

Being spontaneous, eager for adventure, bold and courageous in a new enterprise. Living 'in the moment'. Someone who is the life of the party. A willingness to take a chance on a new way of doing things. Embracing change or being an agent of change.

Naiveté or foolishness. Beware of acting irresponsibly. 'Look before you leap'.

Lying or spying. Spinning information, spreading rumours or misinformation. Naiveté, gullibility. A simplistic or simple-minded approach. Overlooking the obvious.

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'.