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 7 of Cups
Hidden Influences 5 of Swords		External Influences The Moon
The Present 3 of Wands		Suggestion 8 of Cups
The Past 10 of Swords		The Outcome 2 of Swords

 

 

 

 

The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

10 of Swords

Classic iconography. Classic significance: Absolute destruction.

 

 

 

 

The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

3 of Wands

Two wands to keep them rowing in circles past death, one wand to put an end to it.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

7 of Cups

'It's hard to fill a cup that's already full'. –James Cameron, Avatar. What fills your cup? If you like what's there don't let the nightmares in. But if you want to learn more, you have to spill your past preconceptions.

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Moon

Tranquillity, calm, beauty, and for some reason I never understood, lobster. Don't ask me, blame antiquity.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

8 of Cups

D cups in this case. Don't be ashamed to enjoy your vices, and never regret the sins you enjoy.

 

 

 

 

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

 

2 of Swords

There is nothing that can't be destroyed by a powerful enough weapon, but be sure you have the right weapon for the job.