Horse Shoe Layout
Difficulty: Easy
The Horse Shoe is a classic layout. It is more advanced than the three-ogham reading, yet simpler than most other layouts. It is a versatile method that can be used for most queries, though there are other layouts which would go into more depth. Like the simple Past, Present, and Future layout, it contains these oghams in positions #1, #2, and #7, but also has four other oghams that help the reader understand how to deal with the future better. The oghams 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![]() Straif |
||
Hidden Influences![]() Eadha Blocked |
External Influences![]() Iodhadh |
|
The Present![]() Beith |
Suggestion![]() Ór Blocked |
|
The Past![]() Ailm Blocked |
The Outcome![]() Ruis |

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
Ailm Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Silver Fir
- Kenning: ‘Pillar of Resilience’
- Spiritual Lesson: True resilience bends without breaking.
- Reflective Question: What inner root keeps me alive through winter?
- Affirmation: ‘I endure, evergreen and steadfast.’

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Beith
- Tree/Plant: Birch
- Kenning: ‘Brightest of Trees’
- Spiritual Lesson: Purification requires surrender; beginnings require mourning.
- Reflective Question: What old story must I finally lay to rest to allow my rebirth?
- Affirmation: ‘I welcome the purity of the unknown.’

Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Eadha Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Aspen
- Kenning: ‘Shield of Courage’
- Spiritual Lesson: Courage is trembling action.
- Reflective Question: What fear am I called to face and outgrow?
- Affirmation: ‘I tremble, but I move.’

Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Straif
- Tree/Plant: Blackthorn
- Kenning: ‘Blade of Trials’
- Spiritual Lesson: Pain refines, not defines.
- Reflective Question: What suffering is trying to carve me into something better?
- Affirmation: ‘I transform pain into power.’

External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Iodhadh
- Tree/Plant: Yew
- Kenning: ‘Tree of Death and Continuity’
- Spiritual Lesson: Death is not the end—it is the sacred beginning beneath all beginnings.
- Reflective Question: What am I clinging to that refuses to die cleanly?
- Affirmation: ‘I descend to rise.’

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Ór Blocked
- Tree/Plant: Spindle Tree
- Kenning: ‘Weaver’s Gold’
- Spiritual Lesson: Destiny is not found—it is crafted.
- Reflective Question: What thread must I pick up now, even if it scares me?
- Affirmation: ‘I spin my future with sacred hands.’

The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Ruis
- Tree/Plant: Elder
- Kenning: ‘Death’s Gateway’
- Spiritual Lesson: True rebirth demands true mourning.
- Reflective Question: What am I still carrying that must be laid to rest?
- Affirmation: ‘I bless the ending and welcome the new.’