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 The Hermit
Hidden Influences Knight of Wands		External Influences 5 of Swords
The Present 3 of Wands		Suggestion 8 of Cups
The Past 10 of Cups		The Outcome 9 of Wands

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

10 of Cups

The most valuable things in the world are worthless if you throw them down the drain. And yes, those are Zebetites.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

3 of Wands

Two wands to keep them rowing in circles past death, one wand to put an end to it.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Knight of Wands

Read 'The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha', preferably the edition with illustrations by Gustav Dore. At the very least see the play 'Man of La Mancha'.

Mock what lunatics you may, but at some point you've been the fool too, and fools, whatever else they are, are also the best dreamers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

The Hermit

4:00 – Card 5

Male, Air, Virgo.

A card of loneliness, disconnection and solitude. Also, a card of hope – If you have half of something it means the other half is out there somewhere. It may be far away, you may have to wade through the nastiest slums to find it, but when you do it's brilliant.

 

 

 

 

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

 

5 of Swords

An homage to Bosch and Bruegel, and a card symbolic of victory to the well-armed and pain to the unprepared or unwilling to defend.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

8 of Cups

D cups in this case. Don't be ashamed to enjoy your vices, and never regret the sins you enjoy.

 

 

 

 

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

 

9 of Wands

Thank you Mario, but your princess is in another castle. Besides, this one's blocked by a cypress tree fence. Lofty goals are nothing if you can't get to them.