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  Ace of Spades |
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Hidden Influences  Queen of Hearts |
External Influences  2 of Hearts |
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The Present  8 of Clubs |
Suggestion  9 of Diamonds |
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The Past  3 of Clubs |
The Outcome  4 of Spades |
The Past Card represents past events that are affecting the question.
3 of Clubs
Strong, enduring partnerships are indicated by the presence of this card. No matter which type of relationship this card refers to, it suggests a bond with great longevity.
8 of Clubs
This card represents surprises that can suddenly appear out of nowhere. It symbolises explosive energy and suddenness. It can also suggest that meditation would be highly conductive at this time.
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.
Ace of Spades
The first card of the Spades suit suggests awakening to a new way of thinking, leading to a new level of personal awareness as well as spiritual awareness. The dawning of a new enlightenment.
2 of Hearts
This card symbolises harmony and good feelings, even love. Fulfilment of the heart is often connected to relationships with others, but can also come from activities we deeply enjoy. Either way, this symbol stands for strong feelings.
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.
4 of Spades
Reconciliation, compromise, and signing deals of different kinds is the meaning of this card in a reading. There will be recovery after a period of struggles. The quarrel is resolved by intellectual means.