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 |
||
Hidden Influences![]() 8 of Wands |
External Influences![]() Knight of Cups |
|
The Present![]() The Swamp |
Suggestion![]() 2 of Wands |
|
The Past![]() 3 of Swords |
The Outcome![]() 5 of Cups |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
3 of Swords
The Vikings were once the most feared force on the northern seas, now they are remembered by statues, Swedish death metal, and Antonio Banderas movies. Do what you will to ensure your name, but once you're gone you have no control over what will become of it.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
The Swamp
8:00 – Card 1
AKA Temperance in the traditional Tarot. Male, Earth, Scorpio.
Stagnation, nothing moves, nothing changes. Barriers block every effort to improve or change, not that rock has anywhere to go. The elements and life move around it, grow from it, decay upon it, but it goes nowhere.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
8 of Wands
The means by which you arrive are not necessarily the means by which you'll stay.
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.
Knight of Cups
An homage to David Lynch. I don't know what divinatory meaning you might get out of a cowboy duel in a kitchen sink, but please do let me know if you find one.
Traditionally, it means romantic change is coming. If you're smart about it, for the better.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
2 of Wands
This artist loves Thai food. Tom Yum soup and fried rice mostly. To be honest though I'm very poor at chopsticks.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
5 of Cups
The problem with a hand of glory is that wax melts and glory fades.