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:
- The Past: Past events affecting the question.
- The Present: The current state or approaching influence.
- Hidden Influences: Things the reader may not be aware of (or barely be aware of).
- Obstacles: This is the challenge: obstacles may be avoided or may have to be dealt with.
- External Influences: Attitudes and thoughts regarding people around the reader.
- Suggestions: Recommended course of action.
- Outcome: The result of following the suggestions.
Your Horse Shoe Reading
Obstacle![]() 3 of Pentacles |
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Hidden Influences![]() Page of Pentacles |
External Influences![]() 10 of Swords |
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The Present![]() 5 of Wands |
Suggestion![]() The Slave |
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The Past![]() 4 of Pentacles |
The Outcome![]() 8 of Cups |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
4 of Pentacles
It doesn't always come out the way you wanted. That doesn't mean you can't still enjoy it.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
5 of Wands
The means may be grotesque, but if they get you what you want you'd do well to use them.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Page of Pentacles
An homage to Arthur Edward Waite, Aleister Crowley and George Sprague, the three revolutionary authors of Tarot systems that inspired this deck. Also, a very bad pun, apologies.
Life demands study, not worship. Study your problems, don't just pray for them to go away.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
3 of Pentacles
Nature grows in the most desolate, diseased places. Study how nature does it to survive your own climate.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
10 of Swords
Classic iconography. Classic significance: Absolute destruction.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
The Slave
7:00 – Card 3
AKA The Chariot in traditional Tarot. Female, Water, Aquarius.
To be used, controlled, or even simply employed. It's hard to work for the will of another, especially when the other is undeserving of their power over you. At the same time, the effort makes one strong.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
8 of Cups
D cups in this case. Don't be ashamed to enjoy your vices, and never regret the sins you enjoy.