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![]() The Empress |
||
Hidden Influences![]() 6 of Cups |
External Influences![]() 8 of Cups |
|
The Present![]() 5 of Cups |
Suggestion![]() The Star |
|
The Past![]() The Hanged Man |
The Outcome![]() 4 of Cups |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
The Hanged Man
5:00 – Card 2
Male, Water, Cancer.
A victim, weakness, prey. To try and then to fail in the worst way hurts, but it's better than standing still or letting those around you dictate your actions. There are great ambitious lives throughout history now deemed failures, even some angels have failed. But failure nonetheless.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
5 of Cups
The problem with a hand of glory is that wax melts and glory fades.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
6 of Cups
I have no clue what I was thinking on this one. No clue, but if this card comes into play, remember to watch the horizon.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
The Empress
Regime change in action, it happens more in the sewers than the senates. One goes out, another comes in.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
8 of Cups
D cups in this case. Don't be ashamed to enjoy your vices, and never regret the sins you enjoy.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
The Star
AKA The Star in traditional Tarot.
In this case it's Perseus slaying Medusa, a homage to Marqueste's sculpture.
Crowley explained every man and woman is a star. Astrologically, we all effect the fates with our rises and falls. We also congregate into bodies which are no mere illusion, but powerful forces in time. Other people have power over you, but you too have power over them.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
4 of Cups
When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.