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![]() 7 of Wands |
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Hidden Influences![]() 4 of Cups |
External Influences![]() 5 of Swords |
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The Present![]() 4 of Pentacles |
Suggestion![]() The Theocrat |
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The Past![]() 3 of Wands |
The Outcome![]() The Tower |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
3 of Wands
Two wands to keep them rowing in circles past death, one wand to put an end to it.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
4 of Pentacles
It doesn't always come out the way you wanted. That doesn't mean you can't still enjoy it.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
4 of Cups
When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
7 of Wands
The BLOB! The blob has taken the streets! It's reproducing, the blob will kill us all!!! THE BLOOOOB!!!!!!!!!!
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.
The Theocrat
1:00 – Card 8
AKA The Hierophant in traditional Tarot. Male, Fire, Taurus.
The master, the controller, the employer. To force one's will upon others and make them work for your own benefits. Not always a cruel thing if it's done right. But it's so rarely done right.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
The Tower
10:00 – Card 4
Male, Earth, Libra.
Failure and Loss. Defeat and ruin. The higher it's built, the harder it falls and the more it crushes when it does. That doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't worth building. Defeat can be accepted and the ruins left behind in favour of greener pastures, or one can start to rebuild. The latter is more difficult, but often more rewarding.