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 Swords
Hidden Influences III – The Empress		External Influences Knight of Coins
The Present Ace of Cups		Suggestion Three of Wands
The Past XI – Justice		The Outcome Two of Swords

Lack of self-discipline is creating problems. Being a bully or feeling bullied by others. Being overbearing or bossy. Lacking integrity and moral fortitude. Yielding to base instincts such as greed and jealousy. Seeing the worst in others.

An opportunity exists for a new relationship – anything from friendship to lover to new family member. A time to heal a relationship, to renew a commitment to others, or to reconnect with someone from your past. Advice to trust your feelings and follow your heart. Emotions are at the core of the situation.

A project is having problems coming to fruition. Obstacles to creativity, such as writer's block. Sterility or loss. Someone is being unproductive. Having issues with your mother. Being smothered by someone. Chaos. Stagnation.

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.

A new source of income doesn't come through. Struggling to make ends meet. 'All work and no play;' a 'stick in the mud'. Being possessive with your things or defensive about your work. Losing interest in your work.

An enterprise that looked promising fails to deliver. Short-sightedness, unrealistic plans, or overconfidence cause problems for a new venture. The road ahead seems filled with roadblocks. A need to expand your horizons. Getting bogged down in details and losing the 'big picture'.

Decisiveness, objectivity. It's time to make an important decision in order to move forward. A wise or clever decision or compromise. Seeing both sides of an argument. Settling an argument. Arriving at a truce.