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![]() 10 of Swords |
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Hidden Influences![]() 6 of Wands |
External Influences![]() 9 of Wands |
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The Present![]() 4 of Cups |
Suggestion![]() The Hermit |
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The Past![]() 3 of Pentacles |
The Outcome![]() 5 of Wands |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
3 of Pentacles
Nature grows in the most desolate, diseased places. Study how nature does it to survive your own climate.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
4 of Cups
When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
6 of Wands
If you're stuck, the first step to freedom is to examine what's holding you in place.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
10 of Swords
Classic iconography. Classic significance: Absolute destruction.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
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.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
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.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
5 of Wands
The means may be grotesque, but if they get you what you want you'd do well to use them.