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![]() X – The Wheel of Fortune |
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Hidden Influences![]() Nine of Pentacles |
External Influences![]() King of Swords |
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The Present![]() Ten of Swords |
Suggestion![]() Six of Cups |
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The Past![]() Six of Swords |
The Outcome![]() XXI – The World |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
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!
Reversed the 6 of Swords indicates that you may be blocking out invigorating energies that are calling you to action. Though an awareness of the facts may be present, you may be ignoring them or moving around or sitting still afraid of facing them. Most probably the solution and / or course of action is present. You may be refusing to see the solution. The solution may be so big and there and present that you aren't seeing it out of the blind spot of comfortable expectations.
The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Ten of Swords
The Page of Swords indicates a developing of understanding. Curiosity. Analysis. Thorough creativity in your vision. Now is the time you can penetrate through to the truth or essence of a thing or situation, or thoughtfully will it to reify. Mental facility and skill, an ability to communicate ideas, and receiving news are also indicated.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Nine of Pentacles
The Nine of Pentacles indicates the freedom to enjoy the fruits of one's labour, having a certain level of success, and now being able to appreciate the good things in life.
Also indicated is the ability to live life on one's own terms. One is free to explore his or her deepest desires, go after what he/she really wants with financial security,... as well as appreciate the simple pleasures in life. The road to personal freedom and happiness may be provided by financial security and comfort, and at one and the same time smile at the gratification in your experiences with a wonderful attitude of YOU as your best asset!
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
X – The Wheel of Fortune
The Wheel Of Fortune indicates big things. Luck, change, and fortune. Abundance, prosperity, and happiness. Is there a dollar on the sidewalk? The Wheel indicates change in a manner that almost always brings joy along with it. Place yourself where you want to be and flow naturally without force. . .such as. . .as you do your work, think only of the doing of your work and lose yourself in it for a bit mindfully. Reasons have gone wonderfully missing here. This is a time of being comfortable with the not-knowing. Stay aware and enjoy things simply happening as they do.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
King of Swords
The King of Swords indicates discrimination, clarity of perception. Logical and fair you do not allow emotions to interfere with your ability to bring beliefs and sometimes very innovative ideas to fruition. At this time utilise the ability to carefully weigh all angles of a situation in order to make a fair decision that befits all involved. Benefit.
There is indicated a tendency to be emotionally detached, sometimes making those around you feel intellectually inferior. Be mindful and mindless as to misusing your cerebral abilities. Avoid cunning and outsmarting with cleverness in regards to yourself and others. Feel it all. Do not be the know-it-all. Feel more than you listen. Your clarity goes beyond the words you speak.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Six of Cups
The 6 of Cups indicates adjustments in thoughts, attitudes, conditions, and the ability to transcend difficulties. Equilibrium. Balance. Sentimental values. A connection or reconnection to something in your past – either meeting an old acquaintance, pleasant memories of the past, perhaps even a message from someone you had lost contact with. New surroundings, new opportunities. Familiar surroundings viewed differently also bring new opportunities. Inheritances come in many forms on a daily basis.
* 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.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
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.
