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 Coll Blocked
Hidden Influences Iodhadh Blocked		External Influences Luis Blocked
The Present Eadha Blocked		Suggestion Huathe Blocked
The Past Straif		The Outcome Tinne

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

Straif

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

Blackthorn is the bitter gatekeeper of transformation. Its thorns are cruel, but its berries sweeten with frost. Straif heralds hardship—not as punishment, but as alchemy. Pain clarifies. Conflict strengthens. Choose to transform, not to collapse. The frostbitten fruit is the richest.

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

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

Eadha Blocked

Tree/Plant: Aspen
Kenning: ‘Shield of Courage’

Blocked Aspen freezes in terror or arrogance. Do you hide from necessary risks? Or charge recklessly to drown out your fears? True courage honours fear without surrendering to it. Feel it. Face it. Then walk through it.

Spiritual Lesson: Courage is trembling action.
Reflective Question: What fear am I called to face and outgrow?
Affirmation: ‘I tremble, but I move.’

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

Iodhadh Blocked

Tree/Plant: Yew
Kenning: ‘Tree of Death and Continuity’

Blocked Yew is fear of endings so deep, it calcifies life itself. You cling to what's gone rotten rather than face the sacred unknown. Let death do its work. Let silence speak. New roots must drink from ancient soil.

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.’

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

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.’

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

Luis Blocked

Tree/Plant: Rowan
Kenning: ‘Delight of the Eye’

When Luis is blocked, the eyes deceive, and the spirit grows porous. Trust given lightly is trust betrayed. Omens grow cloudy; intuition is warped by fear or yearning. The shield has cracks; unseen influences may leech through if vigilance is not restored. Test every vision against the flame of reason. Listen more to what is unsaid than what is proclaimed. Protection demands discernment as much as faith.

Spiritual Lesson: True insight demands patience, not desperation.
Reflective Question: Where am I mistaking wishful thinking for true intuition?
Affirmation: ‘My spirit sharpens to the truth.’

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

Huathe Blocked

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

Blocked Hawthorn becomes paranoia or weakness. Either you trust no one and cut yourself off from life, or you trust everyone and become prey. Look to where you are too defended or too exposed. Choose your thresholds with care. Build your hedges high enough to protect, low enough to breathe.

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

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

Tinne

Tree/Plant: Holly
Kenning: ‘Warrior’s Crown’

Tinne, the battle tree, grants you the armour of spirit. Now is the time for honourable combat—whether internal or external. Holly speaks to inner resilience, self-defence, and strategic action. You are not called to start wars, but to win them if they come. Focus your energy. Fight for what feeds your soul, not your vanity.

Spiritual Lesson: Victory is hollow without a worthy cause.
Reflective Question: What is truly worth fighting for now?
Affirmation: ‘I wear the crown of sacred battle.’