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![]() The Ring |
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Hidden Influences![]() The Rods |
External Influences![]() The Ship |
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The Present![]() The Ways |
Suggestion![]() The Mountain |
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The Past![]() The Dog |
The Outcome![]() The Sun |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
The Dog
A follower, faith, belief, simple kindred spirit, friendliness, connection, friend(s), obedience, finding one's role in the group. The Dog indicates you have a true friendship you can rely on.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
The Ways
A choice, probability, not knowing, doubts. The Crossroads indicate the need to make a choice. You can easily avoid your problems, but you may wish to address these issues before they grow so big that they will take far more energy to deal with.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
The Rods
The Rods represent family quarrels, arguments, heated debate, domestic trouble, strife, cleansing by fire, consequences, and the number two and duality. This card indicates the need to make some significant changes in your domestic situation.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
The Ring
In the area of water (everything flows together to one) the ring shows new connections. For connections we need an inside and an outside, what means new life, new separation.
Karma, cycles, monotony, group work, connections, contracts, promises, and protection. The Ring signifies solidification.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
The Ship
The Ship is a 'child of the earth'. It's made from wood, but it dares to cross the water. This is a very risky journey. But the enormous size of the hull provides as much safety as possible.
On a spiritual level, the Ship symbolises desire, hope, dreams, spiritual growth, exploration, and expansion. On a material level the Ship indicates incoming wealth and material gain. However, it may indicate loss, depending on neighbouring cards. You may be making a trip soon.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
The Mountain
Obstacles, danger, frustration, roadblocks, coldness, and hard work. The Mountain indicates a difficult challenge that will most likely isolate you from friends and enemies alike.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
The Sun
Realm of Fire
This is the highest energy. Everything is free, on a new way, will get a new form soon. This is inspirational energy, what we for example feel when highly motivated start a new project. At this point we can ask ourself what energy actually is.
Creation, brilliance, success, heat, positivity, happiness, will-power, aura, the absolute, the centre of attention. The Sun suggests great honours.