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 Nine of Swords
Hidden Influences Three of Wands		External Influences Ten of Coins
The Present 0 – The Fool		Suggestion Youth of Swords
The Past Three of Coins		The Outcome III – The Empress

The need to work harder, to cooperate more, or to improve your skills. Recheck your work to be sure that things are being done correctly. People working at cross-purposes. Criticism from people who doesn't understand the job being done. Lack of the required resources to meet your goal.

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

Foresight, long-range planning, and patience will help ensure success. The first steps of an enterprise are completed, and everything looks good. Opportunity for travel or for the shipment of goods. Someone who has an air of easy confidence.

Feelings of anxiety, dread, and hopelessness over a problem which will likely not be as bad as it initially seems. Obsessing over the worst case scenario. Problems sleeping due to stress. Being plagued with nightmares. Unfounded feelings of shame and guilt. Feeling suicidal or like you're losing your mind.

A good time to go into business for yourself or to take your career to the next level. Good dealings with big businesses or institutions. Wealthy people are involved. An inheritance. Trying to see beyond material things.

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

The Mother archetype, which implies mothering qualities such as nurturing, compassion, devotion, creativity, and fertility. An endeavour is coming to fruition. Love and sexuality. Hard work that pays off.