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 0 – The Fool (Le Mat)
Hidden Influences Ten of Swords		External Influences XIIII – Temperance
The Present Nine of Batons		Suggestion XII – The Hanged Man (Le Pendu)
The Past Three of Batons		The Outcome Ten of Cups

 

 

 

 

The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.

 

Three of Batons

The Three of Batons signifies expansion and the realisation of early progress. It is a card of growth through exploration and the courage to venture into new realms.

Symbolism: Three batons interlace harmoniously, with flourishing leaves that reflect growth. The triangular crossing suggests stability in motion, as progress unfolds from a solid foundation.

In Relationships: Relationships flourish through shared aspirations and mutual support. It may indicate exploring new horizons together.

In Work: Initial successes lead to broader opportunities. This card encourages continued effort and long-term vision.

Spiritually: A reminder to expand your perspective and trust the journey towards greater understanding.

When ill-dignified: Frustration or delays in progress. It warns against complacency or overconfidence.

 

 

 

 

The Present Card represents the current state or immediately approaching influence.

 

Nine of Batons

The Nine of Batons represents resilience, endurance, and the ability to protect what has been achieved. It reflects the final push before completion.

Symbolism: Nine batons intertwine in a dense arrangement, without foliage due to the weight of the structure. The card suggests strength under pressure and determination in adversity.

In Relationships: Protecting your emotional boundaries or working through challenges.

In Work: Hard work and vigilance are necessary to see a project through to completion.

Spiritually: The card reminds you of your inner strength and the importance of perseverance on the spiritual path.

When ill-dignified: Burnout, defensiveness, or a reluctance to seek help. It warns against isolating yourself in times of struggle.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ten of Swords

The Ten of Swords signifies endings, collapse, and the release of what no longer serves. While it represents a painful conclusion, it also promises renewal and the possibility of a fresh start.

Symbolism: Ten swords form a heavy, intertwined pattern, with minimal room for growth. The design emphasises finality and the weight of a tough cycle ending.

In Relationships: The conclusion of a relationship or the need to accept closure for emotional healing.

In Work: The end of a challenging phase, making way for new opportunities. Letting go of old methods is crucial.

Spiritually: The card symbolises surrender and transformation, urging the seeker to embrace the cycles of death and rebirth.

When ill-dignified: Resistance to closure, unnecessary suffering, or refusal to move on. It warns against clinging to what has already ended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obstacle - This is the challenge.

 

0 – The Fool (Le Mat)

The Fool represents the untamed spirit and unshackled freedom of the soul. He wanders without boundaries, embodying movement, exploration, and detachment from worldly concerns. This card invites us to embrace change and unpredictability with courage and spontaneity.

Symbolism: The dog biting at the Fool's leg symbolises the tension between freedom and earthly constraints. His staff and bundle represent the burdens and wisdom accumulated on life's journey, carried with both carelessness and purpose. The colourful jester's attire signifies his eccentricity and adaptability, while his forward gaze reflects an openness to the unknown.

In Relationships: A new, unpredictable connection or the need for more spontaneity in existing relationships. Beware of recklessness.

In Work: Embarking on a risky or unconventional path, where intuition takes precedence over plans.

Spiritually: The Fool embodies the soul's leap into the vast unknown, trusting the divine order of chaos.

When ill-dignified: Naivety, poor judgement, or a lack of grounding. It warns of becoming aimless or distracted by superficial pursuits.

 

 

 

 

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

 

XIIII – Temperance

Temperance embodies balance, harmony, and the art of blending opposites into a unified whole. It is a card of moderation and integration, calling for patience and the gentle flow of energies.

Symbolism: An angelic figure pours water between two vessels, symbolising the interplay of opposites and the alchemical transformation process. One cup is blue, and the other is red, suggesting a balance between the material and the spiritual.

In Relationships: Harmony and mutual understanding within relationships. It suggests compromise and blending energies for a greater whole.

In Work: A need for patience and adaptability. Success comes through steady effort and the balancing of resources.

Spiritually: Temperance invites you to harmonise opposing aspects of your being and align with the universal flow.

When ill-dignified: Imbalance, impatience, or excess. It warns against pushing too hard or failing to find equilibrium.

 

 

 

 

Suggestion - The recommended course of action.

 

XII – The Hanged Man (Le Pendu)

The Hanged Man represents surrender, perspective, and the wisdom gained through sacrifice. It signifies the pause required for deeper insight and the willingness to let go of attachments to achieve spiritual growth.

Symbolism: A figure hangs upside down from a grafted tree, forming an almost serene cross-like posture. The inversion suggests seeing the world from a different perspective, while the living tree structure reflects the connection to spiritual growth. His tranquil expression emphasises acceptance and enlightenment through suspension.

In Relationships: A need for patience, reflection, or a fresh perspective on a relationship. It can also suggest letting go of control.

In Work: A time to pause, reassess, and allow things to unfold. Solutions may come from viewing challenges differently.

Spiritually: The Hanged Man invites the seeker to embrace surrender as a path to awakening and profound understanding.

When ill-dignified: Stubbornness, resistance to change, or avoiding necessary sacrifices. It warns against remaining stuck in unproductive situations.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ten of Cups

The Ten of Cups represents emotional fulfillment, contentment, and the culmination of heartfelt desires. It signifies not just happiness, but a sense of satiety—where life's pleasures and emotional riches have reached their peak. This is a moment of completion, yet it also hints at the question: what comes next?

Symbolism: Nine cups form a strong foundation, supporting a single cup above them. This suggests a fullness of experience, where emotional harmony is achieved, yet the upper cup hints at something beyond—an ideal or a higher state of being. The absence of floral adornment focuses attention inward, emphasising that true fulfillment arises from within, not from external embellishments.

In Relationships: A state of emotional satisfaction, where love, connection, and shared joy flourish. It suggests bonds that have reached their natural fulfilment, yet a moment to reflect on what sustains love beyond its peak.

In Work: The realisation of success and stability, where satisfaction is achieved, yet the challenge now lies in maintaining passion and purpose beyond material completion.

Spiritually: A profound connection with the universe and the realisation that satisfaction comes from within. This card suggests an elevated state of emotional and spiritual fulfilment, yet invites contemplation on what lies beyond completion.

When ill-dignified: Overindulgence, complacency, or disillusionment after achieving one's desires. It warns against mistaking temporary satisfaction for lasting fulfilment and urges gratitude for present abundance.