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 6 of Swords
Hidden Influences Ace of Coins		External Influences Death
The Present 7 of Swords		Suggestion Prince of Swords
The Past 6 of Coins		The Outcome 10 of Wands

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

6 of Coins

The rich man is reaching over the wall and giving away the surplus of his material goods. The poor man is giving something back; it is unclear how. There is a candle on the side of the rich man, which was concealed on the Five of Pentacles. An unbroken circle of energy emerges.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

7 of Swords

The left hand points to the new path towards intuition and the subconscious. The colours correspond with those of the Cups. The right hand tends to turn towards the swords. This area is dominated by the colour blue. The question is how many swords should be taken on the journey.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ace of Coins

All the elements are present on the picture, because the element, earth, actually contains all the other elements. The pentacle, as the fourth element, is mounted in a square frame, emphasising its relationship with the number four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

6 of Swords

The hand is fairly big, which makes the boot seem small and unsteady. It is consciously trying to keep in contact with the water and the creatures living in it.

Six swords are on board and are supposed to be giving protection. The scene is dark and a little sinister. The colours portray a mixture of emotionality and consciousness. The moon is waxing. The path through uncertainties and fears can take time.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Death

The circuit of coming and going is symbolised by the serpent, which frames the picture and bites its own tail. The red background portrays sunset, or as the case may be, sunrise. The house and the tree, representatives for the element earth, have fallen into decay and are bare. The three tombstones show the headgear of the pope, the king and the farmer. At death there is no difference.

The skeleton's hand comes from the left and holds a blue scythe, which seems to be a mixture between a sceptre and a sword. The leaf, which is growing out of it, shows that death, due to its quality allowing old things to fade away, makes new growth possible.

The water symbolises the river Styx, which has to be crossed at death so as to reach the next world. The colour blue in the picture stands for disconnection and purification. Like its younger brother sleep, death also has a cleansing property, which is particularly emphasised by the whiteness of the skeleton's hand and the blade of the scythe. What is interesting (I only realised later) is that the scythe's blade itself gives the hint of a crescent moon.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

Prince of Swords

The strong helmet protects the prince, while, with eyes closed and head bent forward, he is demolishing the hard wall. Some bricks are falling down. A part of the wall looks like a bookcase.

This is all about ancient knowledge and opinions, the details of which are being asked about or, in the truest sense of the word, which are being blown into mid-air. However, with his eyes closed the prince cannot take into consideration what he is throwing around.

 

 

 

 

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

 

10 of Wands

The intensity of the Nine of Wands diminishes in the Ten of Wands. The colours are paler; it seems more difficult to hold the wands together; at the same time the small flames are burning both hands, the leaves are beginning to wither.