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  Wan 8 |
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Hidden Influences  Fall |
External Influences  Plum Blossom |
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The Present  Circles 4 |
Suggestion  Circles 1 |
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The Past  Circles 9 |
The Outcome  Green Dragon |
The Past Tile represents past events that are affecting the question.
Circles 9
The Unicorn means foresight and prophecy. It suggests a visionary with "psychic" abilities, one who is strongly connected to the spiritual source. It suggests the ability to quickly size up individuals and situations intuitively. A symbol of wisdom.
Circles 4
The Jade tile is about lasting values and convictions. It indicates strong commitments, longevity, and vibrant health. It sometimes foretells hard work resulting in impressive gains.
Fall
The harvest depends upon the effort you put in. The Farmer represents massive gains through hard work and dedication. It is a sign of self-sufficiency, abundance, and generosity.
Wan 8
The Knot tile stands for both tying and setting loose. If this tile appears in the reading with the Sword tile (2 Wan), it suggests that the time to sever your connection to someone or something has arrived. However, if the Duck tile (2 Bamboo) is in this reading, this indicates the strengthening of an existing bond.
Plum Blossom
The Plum represents spring, youth, innocence, inexperience, and childlike happiness. It may be a sign that you need a fresh perspective on something. Something in your life may need to be re-evaluated.
Circles 1
The Pearl symbolises attainment luxury and wealth. It also warns of the need for humility. Do not allow things to go to your head or you may inadvertently squander your blessing and lose the respect of those around you.
Green Dragon
The Green Dragon symbolises a commencement or beginning of a new project. Perhaps this will take your life in a whole new direction. You can choose to look upon this with anticipation or anxiety.