The seven-card Horse Shoe is a convenient, basic layout that can be used to answer different types of questions, especially concerning questions where insight would be helpful. Like several other layouts, it has tiles representing the past, present, and future.
The pinnacle of the Horse Shoe, looking like the top of the mountain, shows the obstacle or challenge that needs to be addressed and overcome. Tile #6 suggests a course of action to meet this challenge. The final tile shows the outcome or future, should this advice be followed.
Other clues are provided in Tiles #3 and #5, which indicate hidden or outside influences that come into play, affecting the journey to your goal.
Obstacle  Bamboo |
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Hidden Influences  Summer |
External Influences  Bamboo 1 |
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The Present  Circles 8 |
Suggestion  Bamboo 3 |
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The Past  Wan 5 |
The Outcome  Bamboo 2 |
The Past Tile represents past events that are affecting the question.
Wan 5
The House stands not for the family, but for the place of dwelling itself, its architecture and character. Depending upon your past, the house can represent a place of love and shelter or a place of confinement and torment.
Circles 8
The White Tiger is a masculine symbol of power, bravery, and authority. It often speaks of a man who is not afraid to stand up for himself or to assert himself.
Summer
The Woodcutter represents success through activity. The woodcutter puts Fire, Wood and Metal to work for him in his craft. He represents skilled labour, ambition, and creativity.
Bamboo
The Bamboo tile symbolises school and times of learning. You may benefit from learning a new skill. This tile suggests that now is the ideal time for writing or teaching.
Bamboo 1
The first tile of the mah-jong set represents success in general. At the same time the "peacock" also warns that success can lead to egotism and arrogance. A positive change in your life path is foretold.
Bamboo 3
The Toad represents an ugly time that cannot pass soon enough for you. However, you will get through these troubling times soon and all will be well. Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew.
Bamboo 2
The Duck symbolises enduring partnerships – long lasting relationships with the strength to overcome all obstacles. It suggests fidelity and trustworthiness, just as ducks are monogamous for life.