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 Page of Wands		External Influences 5 of Pentacles
The Present Knight of Swords		Suggestion 10 of Wands
The Past 5 of Wands		The Outcome 4 of Cups

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

5 of Wands

A posse of youths, who are brandishing staves, as if in sport or strife. It is mimic warfare.

Reversed Meaning:

Litigation, disputes, trickery, contradiction.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

Knight of Swords

He is riding in full course, as if scattering his enemies. In the design he is really a prototypical hero of romantic chivalry. He might almost be Galahad, whose sword is swift and sure because he is clean of heart.

Reversed Meaning:

Imprudence, incapacity, extravagance.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Page of Wands

In a scene similar to the former, a young man stands in the act of proclamation. He is unknown but faithful, and his tidings are strange.

Reversed Meaning:

Anecdotes, announcements, evil news. Also, indecision and the instability which accompanies it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

6 of Swords

A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is light, it may be noted that the work is not beyond his strength.

Reversed Meaning:

Declaration, confession, publicity; one account says that it is a proposal of love.

 

 

 

 

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

 

5 of Pentacles

Two mendicants in a snow-storm pass a lighted casement.

Reversed Meaning:

Disorder, chaos, ruin, discord, profligacy.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

10 of Wands

A man oppressed by the weight of the ten staves which he is carrying.

Divinatory Meaning:

A card of many significances, and some of the readings cannot be harmonised. I set aside that which connects it with honour and good faith. The chief meaning is oppression simply, but it is also fortune, gain, any kind of success, and then it is the oppression of these things. It is also a card of false-seeming, disguise, perfidy. The place which the figure is approaching may suffer from the rods that he carries. Success is stultified if the Nine of Swords follows, and if it is a question of a lawsuit, there will be certain loss.

 

 

 

 

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

 

4 of Cups

A young man is seated under a tree and contemplates three cups set on the grass before him; an arm issuing from a cloud offers him another cup. His expression notwithstanding is one of discontent with his environment.

Reversed Meaning:

Novelty, presage, new instruction, new relations.