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![]() Page of Swords |
External Influences![]() King of Cups |
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The Present![]() 3 of Pentacles |
Suggestion![]() 4 of Cups |
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The Past![]() 4 of Wands |
The Outcome![]() 9 of Swords |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
4 of Wands
If you lost the means to do what you will, try retracing your steps. You had them before, you should be able to find them again. Unless they fell into the sewer, that would totally suck.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
3 of Pentacles
Nature grows in the most desolate, diseased places. Study how nature does it to survive your own climate.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Page of Swords
Chaos is dangerous to both belligerents. If you have all the arms and all the thorns in the world, you're just as much a danger to yourself if you don't keep track of them.
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.
King of Cups
An homage to H.P. Lovecraft and the culture that's grown around his works in the modern world. Charlemagne has been replaced by Cthulhu. Past insanity has been replaced with new insanity, but it's still madness all the same. Don't believe that just because it's changed means it's been fixed.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
4 of Cups
When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
9 of Swords
Drawn on July 4th to the sound of fireworks. Weapons and explosives are now components of ritual as often as components of battle. I suppose they always were.