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 Ór		External Influences Ailm
The Present Duir		Suggestion Luis Blocked
The Past Beith		The Outcome Iphin 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.

 

Duir

• Tree/Plant: Oak
• Kenning: ‘Door to Strength’

The Oak stands unshaken through storms. Duir is the threshold of endurance, power, and sacred kingship. You are asked to hold fast—not just stubbornly, but with righteous clarity. Lead where you must. Take the seat of responsibility you’ve earned. The door is open to those who dare to claim their place in the order of things.

• Spiritual Lesson: Power without purpose is decay.
• Reflective Question: Where must I claim authority—or surrender pride?
• Affirmation: ‘I am the door that withstands all storms.’

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ór

• Tree/Plant: Spindle Tree
• Kenning: ‘Weaver’s Gold’

Ór is the thread that weaves fate. Spindle wood was used to craft tools that spin—and so too do you spin destiny now, strand by strand. This glyph teaches prosperity through precision, elegance through focused intention. What you spin now will clothe your future. Choose your pattern with care.

• 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.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

Ailm

• Tree/Plant: Silver Fir
• Kenning: ‘Pillar of Resilience’

Silver Fir stands tall in winter’s darkest days. Ailm offers endurance, spiritual health, and steady strength. In times of bleakness, remember your evergreen soul. Stand tall, rooted deep, reaching for starlight even when the sun hides. Your stillness is your revolution.

• Spiritual Lesson: True resilience bends without breaking.
• Reflective Question: What inner root keeps me alive through winter?
• Affirmation: ‘I endure, evergreen and steadfast.’

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

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.’

 

 

 

 

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

 

Iphin Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Gooseberry
• Kenning: ‘The Tang of Life’

When Iphin is blocked, bitterness overrides renewal. You may be fixating on what stings instead of what it awakens. Don't let the sourness of the moment poison the sweetness of your path.

• Spiritual Lesson: Life stings—but it stings to wake you.
• Reflective Question: What bitterness must I bless so it can become my medicine?
• Affirmation: ‘I rise refreshed from the bite of truth.’