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![]() 8 of Wands |
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Hidden Influences![]() The Slave |
External Influences![]() 6 of Swords |
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The Present![]() 2 of Cups |
Suggestion![]() 4 of Cups |
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The Past![]() Death |
The Outcome![]() 3 of Pentacles |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
Death
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
2 of Cups
And two for my homies. Never forget past orthodoxies, past people or past events. Those who don't know their history aren't doomed to repeat it, they're doomed to fail history class and look like idiots. One feels no shame in repeating something they never saw in the first place, but stupidity is the greatest sin.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
The Slave
7:00 – Card 3
AKA The Chariot in traditional Tarot. Female, Water, Aquarius.
To be used, controlled, or even simply employed. It's hard to work for the will of another, especially when the other is undeserving of their power over you. At the same time, the effort makes one strong.
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.
6 of Swords
Something has to make the rain come down. It got up there but once there's enough of it, it falls back to Earth. It's not enough just to let it happen, if you want to understand you have to observe.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
4 of Cups
When you order people to do something, be certain that your orders are clear.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
3 of Pentacles
Nature grows in the most desolate, diseased places. Study how nature does it to survive your own climate.