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  9 of Hearts |
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Hidden Influences  9 of Diamonds |
External Influences  Queen of Diamonds |
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The Present  6 of Diamonds |
Suggestion  Queen of Hearts |
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The Past  10 of Spades |
The Outcome  8 of Spades |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
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.
6 of Diamonds
This card embodies success itself. It suggests you will be influential because others will be looking up to you. Share your success and cultivate a cycle of fruitfulness and good fortune.
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.
9 of Hearts
This could be thought of as the wish card. It suggests that dreams and desires will come true. Good fortune, happiness, good news, pleasure and satisfaction are traits of this sign.
Queen of Diamonds
This card symbolises a fair-haired woman who may like to gossip or meddle in other people's business. She is intelligent, charismatic, and practical, and perhaps flirtatious.
Queen of Hearts
This card suggests a fair-haired woman with a gentle and pleasant personality. She is almost stereotypically passive and receptive. This card is particularly influenced by the energies of the adjacent cards in a reading. She may have the heart of a poet.
8 of Spades
Not being able to see the forest for the trees is the general vibe of this card – overlooking the most obvious details. Something or someone may have diverted your attention. This card embodies deception, interference, misdirection, deceit, jealousy and gossip. Division in all things is indicated.