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![]() VI – The Lovers |
||
Hidden Influences![]() King of Swords |
External Influences![]() Two of Cups |
|
The Present![]() Four of Cups |
Suggestion![]() Knight of Cups |
|
The Past![]() Eight of Pentacles |
The Outcome![]() Four of Wands |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
Eight of Pentacles
The 8 of Pentacles indicates supporting and directing growth in the context of being satisfied with ourselves and what we do. You do not need to perfect yourself to be loved. The meaning of your work occurring in the act AND abundantly gifting you fulfilment is at the core of this card. Within your means and resources expand your means and resources. Your work is best suited to you when it is a labour of love, always trying something new with solid foundations. With solid foundations feelings of depletion indicate misspent efforts. Feelings of abundance and fulfilment with strong foundations indicate effective progress.
* 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 Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Four of Cups
The 4 of Cups indicates one's desires manifesting, good fortune, good luck. Enjoying the fruits of one's labours is indicated. Stagnation is a possibility. . .so is a continual attentive, patient, and present care to your enjoyment! Enjoy what you have made! Responsibility at this time is indicated to be thorough and inherent.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
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.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
VI – The Lovers
The Lovers indicate vibrant joineries embedded in a mutual harmony. Indicates a coming together of lovers, of ideas, of energies. Feel the vibrancy of your confidence and purpose. Feel your wholehearted respect in powerful witness with your love. There is vitality at every scale for you at this time! Now is a grand time for enhancing and strengthening partnerships in your personal and business realms. * 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.
Two of Cups
The 2 of Cups indicates love, friendship, healing, contentment, satisfying relationships, harmony, and cooperation. Two joined are more than just two ones. Distinction made between joined / united versus union. Two identities feeling mutual respect, powerful witness, and participation with one another. With attraction present your heart's desire, feelings, and expressions trump being right.
* 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.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups indicates that things have taken on emotional or intuitive modes. Emotion or intuition will lead the way to your destination.
* 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.
Four of Wands
The Four of Wands indicates the joy of coming together for a purpose and the growth and happiness that can result. A surprise or thrill out of the blue may be in store for you. You may meet someone unexpectedly. Planned celebrations or the freedom of building something together with someone are also indicated. Build it together and you will reap abundance.
Reversed you may find an obstacle blocking you from happiness. A surprise may bring both happiness and sorrow or dissatisfaction. Look to the surprise for its surprise, and amend your soil with the newness alone, letting the sorrow and dissatisfaction fall away at most as compost, more probably as chaff.
