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  Circles 3 |
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Hidden Influences  Summer |
External Influences  Bamboo 7 |
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The Present  Bamboo 6 |
Suggestion  White Dragon |
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The Past  Circles 5 |
The Outcome  East Wind |
The Past Tile represents past events that are affecting the question.
Circles 5
The Dragon tile embodies good fortune. It tends to mean a massive and sudden gain not tied to any specific efforts made on your part. This tile suggests that a pleasant surprise may be right around the corner.
Bamboo 6
The Water tile is about communication and traveling. You may be looked to for advice on something regarding your unique experience.
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.
Circles 3
The Phoenix is a sign of great splendour and good feelings. Reborn out of the ashes, this sign represents rebirth, new discoveries, awakenings, healings, regeneration, and epiphany. A powerful recovery is suggested.
Bamboo 7
The Tortoise symbolises the world or universe and its consciousness of the self. This may be a time when it is best to move slowly. Patience will be important. This is a symbol of slow and steady progress, prosperity, and longevity.
White Dragon
The White Dragon represents the unknown mysterious influences of the universe at work. Unknown factors may come into play, so be prepared for potential surprises.
East Wind
The East Wind tile represents you. Tiles adjacent to the East tile in a reading should be given added weight.
Green, spring, wood, dragon