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 Cups
Hidden Influences Seven of Swords		External Influences VI – The Lovers
The Present XIV – Temperance		Suggestion King of Swords
The Past VIII – Strength		The Outcome Ten of Swords

Karma. Taking responsibility for your actions. A fair outcome, a decision in your favour. Fighting for a just cause. A balanced approach, impartiality. You need to weigh the pros and cons of a situation in order to make a sensible decision and take appropriate action.

Making necessary adjustments in your life; finding serenity and healing. A balanced perspective or approach. Compromising or cooperating to achieve objectives. Being patient or forgiving with someone. Finding growth opportunities in your hardships will make you stronger and more resilient. A 'wounded healer', i.e., someone who can help others due to having suffered similar problems or wounds.

Trickery or dishonesty; clandestine behaviour. Involvement in underhanded or illegal acts. A risky undertaking. Cunning actions, especially when used to 'level the playing field'. 'Thinking outside of the box'. Working 'smarter, not harder'.

Someone who is moody, brooding, overly sensitive, or temperamental. A need to build new relationships. Being too easily swayed by your emotions. A dreamer who is unrealistic. Making mistakes due to being out of touch with your emotions or feelings.

An important decision needs to be made. Facing an ethical dilemma. Confronting difficult choices. Choosing a better path in life; taking the 'high road'. Choosing love in your life. A good relationship with another person (which may or may not be romantic).

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.

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'.