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 |
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Hidden Influences![]() The Lovers |
External Influences![]() 5 of Wands |
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The Present![]() 5 of Swords |
Suggestion![]() 3 of Pentacles |
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The Past![]() Page of Wands |
The Outcome![]() 3 of Wands |
The Past represents past events that are affecting the question.
Page of Wands
If you're going to use a pool stick, first be sure that you aren't one of the balls.
The Present represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
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.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
The Lovers
9:00 – Card 6
Male, Air, Sagittarius.
Ceration is the alchemical act of adding a liquid to the substance while heated, yielding a softer substance with a wax-like texture. Not to be confused with alchemical union, but an important step toward it.
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.
5 of Wands
The means may be grotesque, but if they get you what you want you'd do well to use them.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.
3 of Pentacles
Nature grows in the most desolate, diseased places. Study how nature does it to survive your own climate.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
3 of Wands
Two wands to keep them rowing in circles past death, one wand to put an end to it.