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 Rods |
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Hidden Influences![]() The Lilis |
External Influences![]() The Park |
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The Present![]() The Harvest |
Suggestion![]() The Owls |
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The Past![]() The House |
The Outcome![]() The Snake |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
The House
It shows structure in a material form. A frame protecting its content. Blue and green are material colours. Yellow shows consciousness.
Stability, shelter, home life, family, and responsibility. The House also indicates success in creative projects.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
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.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
The Lilis
If the Sun shows us the full energy, the Lilies try to make a compromise. Fire is leading back to water, the fire is something like framed, it is not free. We use its energy but controlled. That´s why the Lilies look like a candleholder. Eroticism is used to build a family, for example, meanings like this.
Development of the spirit, success, conscience, holiness, and learning to accept good traits and bad. The Lilies signify a happy period accomplishment.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
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.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
The Park
Society, connection, peace, lack of worries, multi-faceted feelings, gatherings, and parties. The Park suggests loyal friends to share good times with.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
The Owls
Meditation, fantasy, further education, also two older people, perhaps a couple. Butterflies and nervous excitement. The Owls may indicate social fear and subsequent flight.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
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.