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:

1. The Past: Past events affecting the question.
2. The Present: The current state or approaching influence.
3. Hidden Influences: Things the reader may not be aware of (or barely be aware of).
4. Obstacles: This is the challenge: obstacles may be avoided or may have to be dealt with.
5. External Influences: Attitudes and thoughts regarding people around the reader.
6. Suggestions: Recommended course of action.
7. Outcome: The result of following the suggestions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Horse Shoe Reading

	Obstacle 8 of Wands
Hidden Influences The Chamber		External Influences The Emperor
The Present 4 of Cups		Suggestion The Empress
The Past 6 of Wands		The Outcome 5 of Swords

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

6 of Wands

If you're stuck, the first step to freedom is to examine what's holding you in place.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

4 of Cups

When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.

 

 

 

 

Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.

 

The Chamber

AKA The World in traditional Tarot.

The walls and windows are all bricked up, there appears to be no way out, but you got in somehow, so there must be a way. Have you tried looking behind you? Even if you're trapped forever (As you are in this world) there's likely something fun do while you're here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

8 of Wands

The means by which you arrive are not necessarily the means by which you'll stay.

 

 

 

 

External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.

 

The Emperor

In this case King Sargon of Akkad. A great ruler in his own time rarely even makes the history books in ours.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

The Empress

Regime change in action, it happens more in the sewers than the senates. One goes out, another comes in.

 

 

 

 

The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.

 

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.