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 Cups |
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Hidden Influences![]() The Lovers |
External Influences![]() 9 of Cups |
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The Present![]() The Emperor |
Suggestion![]() Ace of Pentacles |
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The Past![]() Ace of Wands |
The Outcome![]() Page of Wands |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
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.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
The Emperor
In this case King Sargon of Akkad. A great ruler in his own time rarely even makes the history books in ours.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
The Lovers
9:00 – Card 6
Male, Air, Sagittarius.
Ceration is the alchemical act of adding a liquid to the substance while heated, yielding a softer substance with a wax-like texture. Not to be confused with alchemical union, but an important step toward it.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
5 of Cups
The problem with a hand of glory is that wax melts and glory fades.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
9 of Cups
A whole lot of cargo looks minimal when it's loaded onto a gigantic ship. This applies to more than one might expect.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
Ace of Pentacles
A fencing mask on a skeleton with a cadeceus over a black sun before fire. Refer to the symbolic meaning of each to find the answers you seek.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Page of Wands
If you're going to use a pool stick, first be sure that you aren't one of the balls.