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:
- The Past: Past events affecting the question.
- The Present: The current state or approaching influence.
- Hidden Influences: Things the reader may not be aware of (or barely be aware of).
- Obstacles: This is the challenge: obstacles may be avoided or may have to be dealt with.
- External Influences: Attitudes and thoughts regarding people around the reader.
- Suggestions: Recommended course of action.
- Outcome: The result of following the suggestions.
Your Horse Shoe Reading
Obstacle![]() Youth of Cups |
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Hidden Influences![]() Four of Swords |
External Influences![]() Two of Swords |
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The Present![]() Youth of Coins |
Suggestion![]() XII – The Hanged Man |
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The Past![]() Knight of Coins |
The Outcome![]() XXI – The World |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
Knight of Coins
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.
The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Youth of Coins
Good news related to finances and material goods. A new opportunity to make money, or a fresh new approach to business. Starting at the ground floor and working your way up. Meeting someone who is able to provide material benefits.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Four of Swords
Taking a vacation or some needed 'downtime'. Rest and recuperation. A reminder to take care of yourself. Finding peace or a break from the stress of life. Escaping the 'rat race'. Introspection.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Youth of Cups
The possibility or beginning of a romance. Making a new or renewed commitment to another person. Discovering new feelings about a situation or person. Opening your heart to someone; the need to be more open-hearted about a situation. Using your imagination.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Two of Swords
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.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
XII – The Hanged Man
Involuntary sacrifice. Martyrdom or playing the role of a victim. Experiencing reversals or setbacks. Unwillingness to make a sacrifice so that a larger gain might be made. A need to step back and get a fresh perspective.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
XXI – The World
An unwillingness or inability to finish a job. Unfinished business in your life needs to be attended to. A need to tie up loose ends and finally put something to rest. Feelings of boredom or powerlessness. Bridling at constraints that have been imposed on you. 'Living in your own little world'.
