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 spreads, it has cards 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. Card #6 suggests a course of action to meet this challenge. The final card shows the outcome or future, should this advice be followed.
Other clues are provided in Cards #3 and #5, which indicate hidden or outside influences that come into play, affecting the journey to your goal.
Obstacle  10 of Spades |
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Hidden Influences  9 of Diamonds |
External Influences  7 of Diamonds |
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The Present  10 of Hearts |
Suggestion  Jack of Spades |
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The Past  3 of Hearts |
The Outcome  King of Diamonds |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
3 of Hearts
This is the card of overflowing fertility and abundance. This can even mean addition to the family, as in pregnancy or adoption. Kindness, hospitality, and creativity come with this sign.
10 of Hearts
This sign indicates pleasures fulfilled yet somehow incomplete. A brooding passion overflows beyond the limits some are willing to accept. Insatiability is indicated by the presence of this card.
9 of Diamonds
Material gains are heralded by this card. There will be an increase in resources through accomplishment or inheritance, or perhaps some other surprise. Business may pick up.
10 of Spades
This is regarded as probably the worst symbol in the deck of playing cards. This card means absolute rock bottom, a period of mental breakdown and insanity. There will be an end to misery once the walls of your delusion fall to ruins. On the bright side, there will be a moment of clarity leading to rebirth.
7 of Diamonds
This represents an unfortunate time of loss. Losing is indicated – as in bad luck at gambling, fighting and losing, or building towards the construction of a monumental failure. Sometimes it may be better to just give up.
Jack of Spades
This symbolises a dark-haired young man who probably is not certain about what he wants. He may mean well, but his laziness is a hindrance to his team in matters of work. He has a lot of ideas but lacks the initiative to follow through.
King of Diamonds
This symbolises a fair-haired man who has natural magnetism in pursuits of material gain. He may be a skilful farmer, builder, natural scientist, or business man. In his stubbornness he may appear dull or unsophisticated to some.