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:

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 Onn
Hidden Influences Nion		External Influences Straif Blocked
The Present Huathe		Suggestion Coll Blocked
The Past Beith		The Outcome Quert Blocked

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

Beith

• Tree/Plant: Birch
• Kenning: ‘Brightest of Trees’

The path clears before you, washed clean by the rains of old griefs. Beith marks the sacred threshold: a pure beginning, unburdened by yesterday’s debris. You are given leave to start again—with clarity, with lightness. This is the white bark of renewal, sacred to Druids as the tree of purification and rebirth. You are called to honour your beginning without apology, even if it feels fragile. Innocence is not weakness. Every ancient forest was once a single trembling sapling.

• 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.’

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

Huathe

• Tree/Plant: Hawthorn
• Kenning: ‘Thorn of Protection’

Hawthorn is the guardian hedge—neither hostile nor tame, but fiercely loyal to its sacred task. Huathe asks you to protect what is holy: your heart, your dreams, your boundaries. Sacred spaces need walls. Not everything and everyone deserves access to your inner garden. Wield your thorn wisely—defend, but do not imprison yourself.

• Spiritual Lesson: True protection is conscious, not reactionary.
• Reflective Question: What am I defending, and is it truly sacred?
• Affirmation: ‘I protect without imprisoning.’

 

 

 

 

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

 

Nion

• Tree/Plant: Ash
• Kenning: ‘World-Tree of the Ancestors’

Ash roots into the underworld and crowns into the heavens. Nion is the ladder between realms—initiation, connection, growth beyond the self. You are called to think larger: your actions ripple beyond your little life. A decision made today weaves into the bones of your descendants. Rise into responsibility. Carry the vision of the ancestors with you, but blaze new trails they could only dream of.

• Spiritual Lesson: True growth demands humility before the unseen web of life.
• Reflective Question: What legacy am I weaving with my daily choices?
• Affirmation: ‘I walk the worlds rooted and crowned.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

Onn

• Tree/Plant: Gorse
• Kenning: ‘Flame of Fertility’

Gorse blazes golden on barren land. It teaches that abundance can be summoned even from wastelands. Creativity, sexuality, and prosperity burn bright if tended. Onn invites you to stoke the fire: light your desires without shame. Plant the seeds of future harvests with daring and joy.

• Spiritual Lesson: Sacred fire creates; false fire consumes.
• Reflective Question: Where does my fire want to bloom?
• Affirmation: ‘I blaze the barren into bloom.’

 

 

 

 

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

 

Straif Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Blackthorn
• Kenning: ‘Blade of Trials’

Blocked Blackthorn is bitterness without evolution. Hardship can become identity if you refuse its medicine. Don’t wear your scars like trophies. Wear them like wisdom. Refuse to become thorny just because the world is.

• Spiritual Lesson: Pain refines, not defines.
• Reflective Question: What suffering is trying to carve me into something better?
• Affirmation: ‘I transform pain into power.’

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

Coll Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Hazel
• Kenning: ‘Wellspring of Wisdom’

Blocked Hazel creates confusion, ignorance, or misuse of knowledge. Perhaps you seek easy answers where there are none, or hoard knowledge without application. Wisdom is not merely knowing; it is knowing when, and how, and why. Choose discernment over cleverness.

• Spiritual Lesson: Wisdom must be lived, not stored.
• Reflective Question: What hidden knowledge am I being invited to embrace?
• Affirmation: ‘I drink from the sacred well.’

 

 

 

 

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

 

Quert Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Apple
• Kenning: ‘Fruit of the Otherworld’

When Apple is blocked, pleasure becomes greed, or fear of pleasure stifles the spirit. You may refuse what life offers, believing yourself unworthy—or gorge yourself into spiritual sickness. Seek balance. The fruit of the Otherworld is sacred because it is shared, not hoarded.

• Spiritual Lesson: True abundance is joyful, generous, and reverent.
• Reflective Question: Where am I denying myself the blessings of life?
• Affirmation: ‘I taste joy without fear.’