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![]() 4 of Cups |
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Hidden Influences![]() Page of Cups |
External Influences![]() 6 of Pentacles |
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The Present![]() 10 of Swords |
Suggestion![]() Knight of Swords |
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The Past![]() The Norn |
The Outcome![]() 8 of Wands |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
The Norn
2:00 – Card 10
AKA The Wheel of Fortune in traditional Tarot. Female, Air, Gemini.
Symbolic of fate, and what is fate but change? Everything changes in time; change is the only constant. What one cannot control one must predict, and act in accordance with. Opposition to the inevitable yields only pain.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
10 of Swords
Classic iconography. Classic significance: Absolute destruction.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Page of Cups
AKA Jack of Hearts in traditional playing cards. One eyed as a result. If the world seems backwards, it's not.
The world is right where it's always been, it's more likely yourself that's gotten turned around. Nah just kidding, the world's gone nuts. Deal with it as best you can and don't forget which way is up – It's the opposite of the way your tears fall.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
4 of Cups
When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
6 of Pentacles
Don't overlook a good solution just because it's obvious.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Knight of Swords
The guillotine is the most effective method of killing ever invented. You can poison or shock or stab or shoot people but nothing is so certain to cause death as severing their head. Amazing how fast the world forgot that.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
8 of Wands
The means by which you arrive are not necessarily the means by which you'll stay.