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:

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 Duality
Hidden Influences The Tower		External Influences Imprisoned Instincts
The Present The Soothsayer		Suggestion The Devil
The Past Temperance		The Outcome The Fool

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

Temperance

Temperance demonstrates the ability to maintain equilibrium between opposing elements; she is the bridge between extremes.

The Seeker as Temperance suggests a path of moderation; seeking internal balance before one is ready to face external challenges. This card may indicate the need to resolve conflicting aspects within ourselves before we are able to restore peace into our environment.

As a situation, this card indicates a stage of mediating between opposing views; finding the middle ground to facilitate progress; restoring order in a disruptive environment. As such, we may need to explore options that allow amicable solutions to present themselves rather than allow one or the other extreme to take over.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

The Soothsayer

The Soothsayer represents the concept of conformity; both secular and spiritual. It is a stage of learning socially acceptable behaviour and ideals.

As the seeker, the Soothsayer suggests a time of reflection, based on what is expected of us and if those expectations coincide with our own.

As a situation, the Soothsayer indicates a phase of learning as well as understanding the environment one is in; and adapting to it without losing oneself in the name of conformity.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Tower

Is it be better to hold on to a lie because it gives us hope;
or is it be better to know a truth that throws us off the edge of deception into the abyss below?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

Duality

Duality (traditionally known as Justice) is the card that represents cause and effect. Taking responsibility is not about assigning blame or surrendering to consequences blindly; rather it is about owning up to the circumstances we have helped create for ourselves.

Duality as an individual in a reading reminds us to weigh the severity of our actions carefully for every choice that we face and subsequent decision that we make sets the wheel in motion.

Duality as a situation may indicate the need to remain objective and impartial in assessing options that are open to the individual. Sometimes, clarity of thought cuts through confusion where emotions cloud the judgement.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Imprisoned Instincts

Imprisoned Instincts is traditionally known as the Wheel of Fortune card in tarot. While it denotes sudden change for better or worse, nothing in life happens overnight. Sometimes, we are aware of signs of change and address them or we may overlook them and pay for consequences later.

As the seeker, this card indicates that methods of coping to circumstance surrounding us contribute to what happens in the future. Thus, taking responsibility for decisions we make empower us to create the future we wish for ourselves. Taking action is a choice; doing nothing to change our circumstances is also a choice.

As a situation, Imprisoned Instincts suggest a change and while the circumstances may be out of our control but how we deal with what happened/happens is. Perhaps it is time to assess at personal methods of coping and not the event itself.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

The Devil

The Devil is a whisper that comes from the depths of our heart; for what is temptation but a weakness most exploited by our desire.

As the seeker, The Devil suggests an attachment that has become unhealthy; therefore, we may need to explore what it is we have bound ourselves to and what that object of our desire represents to us before we are able to free ourselves from it.

As a situation, The Devil card advices us to be aware of becoming too involved; to the extent we are unable to perceive the situation clearly. As such, we may need to ask ourselves if decisions made are based on instant gratification or out of necessity.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Fool

The Fool starts on a journey naive of what to expect, there will be unanticipated surprises. Not one to conform to social norms, The Fool may need to adapt to what lies ahead as the outcome will be unpredictable.

Expect the unexpected; the situation as The Fool indicates that the outcome may not turn out as planned.