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 3 of Cups
Hidden Influences The Emperor		External Influences King of Swords
The Present 3 of Swords		Suggestion Princess of Wands
The Past 4 of Wands		The Outcome The Star

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

4 of Wands

The colours portray richness of energy as well as naturalness and balance. The trees are young, which shows the garden has just been laid out. The small fir tree, put up for the topping-out ceremony, is still standing on the roof of the house.

The garden-gate is open and the hand is making an inviting gesture. The wall, however, gives a certain amount of protection and the door can also be closed.

The number four, noticeable in the clouds, in the number of trees and the style of the building stones, emphasise materialism. The mountains in the background indicate that this is most probably not the last project of its sort.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

3 of Swords

The colours red, blue and gray are all mixed together in this scene. Clarity fills the whole picture, but the emotions also play a role. The ten wands in the background are all mixed up.

A cloud obscures or overshadows the scene. The two drops of water show condensation, as the cloud is being influenced by the sword. These drops also represent tears.

The three swords point to a spot on the heart. It is unclear whether they are damaging it, yet one can see a drop of blood.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Emperor

The picture has the effect of being rather poor and harsh. The blue colours represent coolness, but due to the red and yellow one can sense a certain energy, which also appears in Aries' head at the corner of the throne, connected astrologically with the Emperor.

The card's number four, which also represents the element earth, can be found in the house in the square of rocks and the crown also shows four spikes and four stones. Further symbols of the Emperor are an orb (symbol of world dominion) and a form of sceptre (symbol of materialism in life).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

3 of Cups

All the equipment for a celebration is united, wine, food, fireworks, love, happiness and society. There is nothing missing. The snake, which is biting its tail, suggests that celebrations begin and end. We let them come and go, like fireworks; they do not last very long.

 

 

 

 

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

 

King of Swords

The throne-room looks very tidy, but at the same time very bare. The throne itself has hardly any decoration. The king is protecting himself by his complete dress; his coat of mail can be seen under his shirt; on his chest he is wearing the sign of Libra, an indication of his connection with justice and his role as a judge.

The two butterflies above him indicate that he shows a tendency towards black and white-thinking. The crown, with its three points, refers to the third element, air. His sword is not completely straight and the square tiles in the background emphasise, through the different tones of red, that life cannot be locked away into boxes.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

Princess of Wands

The princess is apparently in a holiday situation with palm-trees, a beach and the sea. Fire (sun) and water (sea) come together here. Heat and refreshment alternate. There are enough references to the erotic theme in the picture.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Star

Nine stars are pointing towards a goal. The violet colour in the picture illustrates the spiritual atmosphere, the blue water and the fish symbolise clarity, flow of energy and liveliness, the path is well lit and seems to become easier and the sky is clearing to a light blue.

The signs of the Zodiac point towards methods, which are occupied with one's own future, and act as deputy for all oracle techniques.