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![]() Two of Pentacles |
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Hidden Influences![]() XXI – The World |
External Influences![]() Ace of Wands |
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The Present![]() Six of Swords |
Suggestion![]() Page of Wands |
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The Past![]() Seven of Wands |
The Outcome![]() Four of Swords |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
Seven of Wands
The 7 of wands indicates going in headlong, taking affirmative and decisive action, and succeeding. Success is indicated even when out-numbered or swamped by adversity.
The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Six of Swords
The 6 of Swords indicates a person is dragging with baggage from their past, oftentimes problems that have been dwelt on at length. Realise your transparent beliefs, and work to stop depending on them. They are not crushing you, but open your eyes and see what the world has to offer. Face your problems, it's time to fight them off. See what IS rather than what you expect.
Also indicated is that expectations right in front of you can dull your senses to make for multiple blind spots. Sometimes all your problems may not be problems at all. Before jettisoning them, take a look and see if your perspective is simply one of not feeling how all these things are working together. A disassembled car in a garage can be a mess. The key's just another part. But, put together, and that key may = VROOOOOM!!! And, there's also the other side of taking out the trash when the pieces don't fit. Be mindful to not trick yourself into thinking things are working when they are not. As with the re-assembled car, but with several extra pieces in your hand. . .where key might not = VROOM!
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
XXI – The World
The World indicates that you are right back where you started and the journey is complete. A complete cycle is indicated. Look to new dreams, bigger ones. See the world IN The World card! View up through the looking glass of the obelisk from its base as if you are inside the obelisk looking up. See the point of its top right in front of you. Visualise the vanishing point of the top as a portal to infinity. Step smoothly through the doorway of your next iteration remembering this one.
The World indicates a powerful completion! Indicates a powerful completion cycle in The Fool's journey, YOUR journey!
Enjoy this time as you seamlessly segue into the next.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Two of Pentacles
The Two of Pentacles card indicates that you have power in your balance, striving for equality and choosing not to indulge in instant gratification at the expense of your own purpose. Based upon your values, you are responsible in taking on only what you can handle. Choice and negotiation are your assets.
The Two of Pentacles card reversed suggests that it might be tempting to give up in the face of conflict or romantic stagnation, especially if it seems like you're facing a 'catch-22' or a 'lesser of two evils' decision. When it comes to your partner, you may not be on the same wavelength regarding this matter. Be conscious of the two-way street of overcompensation. . .It should work itself out.
While it may be a hassle or a struggle, making an effort to dance the fine line between practical realities and sensual pleasures can put you in position to resolve this issue. Remember that concentrating too much on the positive or negative makes an opening for maliciousness. Be what IS as you balance! Communication, voicing your issue may bring forth balance.
* A manner of reading a reversal is to emphasise rather than a reversed meaning, an internal meaning relating more to one's inner self than indicating the outer world. Read the card with your inner context, what it says to you about your inner person.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Ace of Wands
The Ace of Wands indicates new life, place-making, as with setting the sacred staff, the omphalos, locating a building, a space, a place. Courage is indicated in the act of placement, creativity in the placement itself, and enthusiasm in the impending energy of place being made.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Page of Wands
The Page of Wands indicates a powerful rush of excitement offering an adventure or a risk, and news or information that will continue your path with adventure. Indicates the necessity of a change in attitude about your environment as a whole, as your environment may have already changed. The Page of Wands is a young charioteer full of exuberance, creativity, and youthful character. Remember this powerful shift. . .risk TRANSFORMS into scope once you've poured forth into your adventurous path. . . and is consequently no longer risk, but scope. Dig deep!
With genuine interest and consideration at the level of this rush of excitement, risk is no longer a risk, it is your scope, your priorities of direction, attributes of your context that are very present.
Indicated is to move strongly though modestly. This does not preclude bold moves, but does indicate that broad brushstrokes are inappropriate at this time. With industrious efforts you can build a substantial base upon which you may then reach your aim.
Take care with the formwork of your actions. Formwork is stripped away as a foundation cures, and will remain in the strength and clarity of your performance. Formwork is to the foundation as the pond turning over is to the pond. The pond remembers its turning over only in its continued fertility. Fluidly build foundations for your most adventurous path, your dreams. Dig deep.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Four of Swords
The 4 of Swords indicates coming to fruition or the manifestation of an idea, along with a foundation or 'space' where things can grow.
Also indicated is a preparation time. Grow YOUR diamond in YOUR rough times. Here. . .never hurry, never rest. Pace. Enhance your preparedness without locking your muscles into play. Direct a calm flow.
