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![]() 6 of Cups |
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Hidden Influences![]() Ace of Pentacles |
External Influences![]() 10 of Swords |
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The Present![]() The Hermit |
Suggestion![]() The Sorceress |
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The Past![]() The Empress |
The Outcome![]() 6 of Wands |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
The Empress
Regime change in action, it happens more in the sewers than the senates. One goes out, another comes in.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
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.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Ace of Pentacles
A fencing mask on a skeleton with a cadeceus over a black sun before fire. Refer to the symbolic meaning of each to find the answers you seek.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
6 of Cups
I have no clue what I was thinking on this one. No clue, but if this card comes into play, remember to watch the horizon.
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 Sorceress
12:00 – Card 11
AKA The Priestess in traditional Tarot. Female, Fire, Leo.
The master of events, the shaper of destiny, the will in action. The opposite of the fool, the Sorceress is active, in control. Aware instead of ignorant, wise instead of apathetic. A goddess, for the only gods that exist are men and women who make deities of themselves.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
6 of Wands
If you're stuck, the first step to freedom is to examine what's holding you in place.