Horse Shoe Spread

Horse Shoe Spread #1

 

 

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

The Harvest
 
Hidden Influences

The Ship
  External Influences

The Death
The Present

The Snake
  Suggestion

The Clover
The Past

The Letter
  The Outcome

The Rods

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

The Letter

The Book is symbolic of hidden knowledge. The element of water got the quality to neutralise all polarities, all possibilities. The Letter is open and shows us a bit of this knowledge or information. This means news or communication in one direction, opening for new possibilities.

Shallow, not deep. Something is new, perhaps it is information, an idea, or a message from your inner voice. The Letter indicates that you may receive news soon, but you have to open it before you'll know if it's good news or bad news.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

The Snake

Realm of Air

The snake has been searching and learning for a long time. Tried this, tried that, and so came nearer and nearer to the truth. It means the highest consciousness (yellow and white) following a long way of experiences.

Temptations, dark forces, cunning, deviousness, earthly intelligence, lower nature, and biological urges. The Serpent may represent someone trying to trick you. Be wary of people trying to take advantage of you, who may lead you down the wrong path. If the cards surrounding this card are favourable to you, this is a sign that you may be the one who is being devious.

 

 

 

 

Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

The Harvest

This card indicates inner knowledge, but not really wisdom. Something that one does not understand by experience, but in theory. A warning to be careful, as something that happens quickly can bring much pain. This card indicates that you will reap the harvest of what you have sewn.

 

 

 

 

External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.

 

The Death

You see a wreath, as we use at a burial. In the area of air thinking comes to an end, and the Ring(25) is gonna be split of in the four elements again.

Transformation, adaptation, major changes, secrets uncovered, beginnings, and endings. The Death foretells that something will be coming to an end, which means you will need to adapt.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

The Clover

Realm of Earth

The clover and the sun are a pair. The clover got all the energy of the sun. It is something like a medicinal plant. Highly compressed energy or good vibes (forced by you yourself), materialised (green) in a lot of little aspects or only in one, coming back to you at the right time and then giving you back that energy you need in that moment.

The Clover is a symbol of good luck, hope, simplicity, and nature. This card indicates sudden good luck.

 

 

 

 

The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home   Tarot Reading   Meanings   Spreads   Decks   Artists   FAQ   Zone31   Shadow Alchemy   About   Terms   Privacy     Facebook   X   LinkedIn


Copyright © 2025 Tarotsmith. All rights reserved.