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![]() 5 of Swords |
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Hidden Influences![]() 5 of Pentacles |
External Influences![]() Ace of Wands |
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The Present![]() The Theocrat |
Suggestion![]() 7 of Wands |
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The Past![]() 3 of Wands |
The Outcome![]() 6 of Pentacles |
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.
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.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
5 of Pentacles
Air conditioning is not a luxury, it's one of the most important things humankind ever invented. Comfort too is not to be taken lightly, if you aren't comfortable you can't enjoy what's before you, and if you can't enjoy what you've got, what's the point in living?
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
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.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Ace of Wands
A wand is a means to a magical end. If you don't like what you're seeing, use yours to change the channel.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
7 of Wands
The BLOB! The blob has taken the streets! It's reproducing, the blob will kill us all!!! THE BLOOOOB!!!!!!!!!!
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
6 of Pentacles
Don't overlook a good solution just because it's obvious.