Horse Shoe Layout
Difficulty: Easy
The Horse Shoe is a classic layout. It is more advanced than the three-rune reading, yet simpler than most other layouts. It is a versatile method that can be used for most queries, though there are other layouts which would go into more depth. Like the simple Past, Present, and Future layout, it contains these runes in positions #1, #2, and #7, but also has four other runes that help the reader understand how to deal with the future better. The runes 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  Mannaz |
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Hidden Influences  Elhaz |
External Influences  Dagaz |
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The Present  Ansuz |
Suggestion  Uruz |
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The Past  Ehwaz |
The Outcome  Wunjo |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
Ehwaz
This rune typically signifies big changes – changes for the better. Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Slow but steady progress is indicated. Trust, loyalty, harmony, teamwork, an ideal partnership.
This rune also strengthens adjacent runes, adding clarification and solidarity to their meanings when in doubt. It is also connected with science and higher education. Communication reaches peak harmony.
Ill-dignification could mean a change is craved. Haste, disharmony, betrayal. Feeling trapped. Paranoia and superstition.
The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.
Ansuz
Ansuz signifies the protection of Odin, concerned with man's connection with the universe, spiritual messages, learning, communication, and the spoken word. Signs, inspiration, visions, and the symbolic power of words and names.
Acceptance of good advice yields blessings in health, harmony, and wisdom. Non-acceptance of good advice results in manipulation by others, misunderstanding, and delusion. Vanity and arrogance may deceive one's self. This rune may indicate that dreams are giving you important messages that you should take note of.
Hidden Influences - Things that you may not be aware of, or barely be aware of.
Elhaz
Elhaz is concerned with security, protection, and defence. Warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher purpose, divine inspiration, channelling energy or spirits, spiritual enlightenment. This rune is connected to shamans and alternative medicine that are no longer popular in today's society. May indicate a need of retreat for introspection.
Follow your instincts. Elhaz warns that people may want to push you into doing something against your will. You must stand your ground to maintain the rewards of your success or to maintain a position earned.
Ill-dignification warns you to watch for people taking advantage of you. Be careful not to take on their burdens. Can mean hidden danger, deception, confusion, reversal of fortune, weakening of the divine link. Taboo, warning, peril, repugnance. A creative drought.
Obstacle - This is the challenge.
Mannaz
Mankind, the Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. This is the rune of help. Intelligence, forethought, creative ability, divine awareness.
Ill-dignification suggests a problem with authority, or possibly a conflict with people of a different culture. Mortality, blindness, self-deception, manipulation, cunning, slyness. A warning to be more careful of people, to pay closer attention to their motives. This rune may indicate a period of depression and suggests waiting or seeking consultation before making any important decisions.
External Influences - Attitudes about this situation from people around the querent.
Dagaz
This is the rune of the day, daylight, and summer time. This rune heralds new perspective and new opportunity. Breakthrough in awareness, an awakening. Achievement of spiritual equilibrium by coming to the place where opposites meet.
A prosperous time to plan out or embark upon a new project. You recognise the power that is in your own hands. Ambitions and ideals run high. Smart work pays off. Self-reliance, independence, security, and self-assuredness.
Ill-dignification can mean coming to the end of the road, reaching the maximum limit, coming full circle, blindness, confusion, and despair.
Suggestion - The recommended course of action.�
Uruz
Self-improvement is the ideal of this rune, which indicates the formation of a pattern of success. Responsibility and authority earned raise one's personal stock. New awareness makes it possible to capitalise on new opportunities, and this rune's appearance suggests that opportunity is about to knock. This rune suggests a period of wonder and adventure before adaptation settles in. Beginner's luck, freedom, electricity, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, experience. Masculine sexual potency.
The Outcome - What will happen if the suggestion is followed.
Wunjo
An omen of prosperity on the horizon. Projects relating to creativity, art, or intuition are favoured by this rune. A sign of comfort, pleasure, comradery, joy, and harmony.
Glory, ecstasy, and spiritual frenzy. If controlled, success and general increase of one's personal stock. If unloosed, over-enthusiastic zeal can lead to maniacal raving, going berserk. Don't blow your top.
